Fred Astaire News

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in New Jersey, Wichita, Miami, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include a 'must-see' THE PIANO LESSON in New Jersey, PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in Wichita, and THE NETHER in Miami, just to name a few.

After BroadwayWorld launched its New York Cabaret Awards in 2012, the cabaret section's editors realized that the selected categories and the popular vote nature of the election didn't adequately recognize some great performances and shows for that particular year. So in 2013, BWW added "Editor's Choice Awards" to the mix to not only reward special performances but also to acknowledge people who have helped grow cabaret and foster the spirit of the art form. This year, BWW New York Cabaret Editor Stephen Hanks and his reviewing staff-including Alix Cohen, David Clarke, Billie Roe, Rembert Block, and John Hoglund-selected seven stars of cabaret for this special honor. Now that the Awards for 2015 performances and shows are official, we wanted to tell you a bit about this year's "Editor's Choice Award" winners and offer them a chance to thank the New York cabaret community. Congratulations to all these worthy Award recipients.

Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, offers patrons a special event in Black Box, featuring the playwriting talents of Mike Cote with his production of Mike's Shorts. Mike's Shorts features an evening of five short plays on January 30 and 31:

On Friday January15 internationally renowned jazz vocalist Lyn Stanley brought her CD release party for her latest hit album Interludes to the beautiful Art Deco La Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles. It was a lush evening of jazz with a fabulous onstage orchestra of seasoned musicians and some delightful singing and dancing guest stars.

What do you give the person who has everything? For Irving Berlin, the answer was a song. According to Hershey Felder, the composer wrote for "the people" - in some cases, specifically for his wife and children. Perhaps Felder had the same audience in mind when he wrote his one-man show, "Irving Berlin." Just under two hours long with no intermission, the robust production is an incomparable gift in itself.

The star of Golden Age musical films AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and GIGI recently made an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss her experience with making her screen debut in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, plus her take on Leanne Cope's portrayal of the role on Broadway, and more. Watch the full interview below!

Legacy Recordings today announced forthcoming release of Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin on Friday, February 26, 2016.

Leapin' lizards! With more than 400 performances under her belt, the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play the National Theatre for one week only, March 15 - 20, 2016. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic 1977 Tony Award-winning original.

Playing the piano and singing an acclaimed repertoire of all original witty and moving songs, ex-Vegas nightclub chanteuse Miss Hope Springs (created, written and performed by Mr Ty Jeffries) brings her laugh-out-loud-move-you-to-tears one woman West End smash-hit show to NYC for the very first time.

Producers Ken Davenport and Michael Jackowitz announced today that DADDY LONG LEGS will host a screening of the 1955 film adaptation of Jean Webster's classic 1912 novel Daddy Long Legs on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:00 pm at the Davenport Theatre (354 West 45th Street). Additionally, every audience member attending the screening will receive an exclusive discount to see the live musical version of DADDY LONG LEGS, playing at the Davenport Theatre.

This just in- FINDING NEVERLAND has found its new leading man! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, there are just over two weeks left to see Tony Award®-nominee and star of TV's 'Glee,' Matthew Morrison as Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie in the smash hit, record-breaking Broadway musical Finding Neverland. Morrison's final performance will be Sunday, January 24. Before he goes, however, audiences will have only one week to catch Morrison on stage again with his opening night co-star, Emmy Award®-winner Kelsey Grammer, who returns to the show on Tuesday, January 19. (Grammer was previously announced to begin his run on January 15, however, his engagement will now commence on Monday, January 19.) Tony Award®-nominee Tony Yazbeck (On The Town) will take over the role of J.M. Barrie alongside Grammer, beginning Tuesday, January 26.

Just confirmed today, Broadway is coming to the Blue Ridge! Broadway royalty Terrence Mann (star of Broadway's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LES MISERABLES, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CATS, and next season's TUCK EVERLASTING) and Charlotte d'Amboise (star of Broadway's PIPPIN, CHICAGO, SWEET CHARITY, A CHORUS LINE and CONTACT) are coming to Lynchburg, VA, February 1-2, 2016.

Marlene VerPlanck always makes one feel as the gathering's in her own living room. On the night after Christmas, with expert colleagues Jon Weber (piano) and Jay Leonhart (bass), the vocalist offers a mix of classic and new material at the intimate Jazz at Kitano. VerPlanck, who released her first album in 1955 when she was just 21 and sang with the Tommy Dorsey band, continues to put her own subtle stamp on phrasing without disrespecting melody or lyric. She swings without stress and communicates without acting.

Lazarus Theatre Company are proud to announce that Tim McArthur makes his Lazarus debut playing the role of Azdak the Judge.

A bit of Johnny Mercer's 'Something's Gotta Give' in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Frank Sinatra's birth.

Paul Gordon and John Caird's chamber musical was performed in Japan, London and across America before arriving Off-Broadway.

Star of Downton Abbey and regular on the West End and Broadway stage, Julian Ovenden has signed a new record deal with East West Records (home to artists including Alexander Armstrong, Hugh Laurie, Simply Red and The Corrs).

Back by popular demand following his 2013 tour, which saw sold-out performances across Australia, Don McLean will return to Queensland Performing Art Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall on Monday 21 March 2016, for a one-night-only performance of his celebrated works.

 The beloved Broadway tradition continues! On Friday afternoon, Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games star Michael Flatley was joined by castmates, friends, and fans, as as Sardi's added his caricature to its walls. BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out photo coverage below!

Though it never made it to Broadway, LOVE FROM JUDY was a 1952 West End hit.