Fred Ebb News

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

Enter the world of Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award winners Kander and Ebb's impeccably woven, high voltage AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND... a stunning revue of two of Broadway and motion picture's most prolific songwriters with direction by Los Angeles multiple theatre award winner Gary Lee Reed and musical direction by the acclaimed Joshua Kranz. This true-to-the-original Broadway production will be presented February 2 through March 10, 2013 by Be Wild About Music in association with Kevin Bailey and the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, CA. Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners serves as Producer. An all-star cast will be announced January 2, 2013.

One of America's most revered Broadway and cabaret stars-she was a favorite chanteuse of the Algonquin Hotel's late, lamented Oak Room and an original cast member of the Great White Way's production of Nine-performs songs from her sparkling career in the spotlight.

On Thursday, December 20, 2012, Broadway's globally acclaimed revival of the Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO will celebrate another momentous milestone and record-breaking when it plays performance #6,681.

Ghostlight Records has announced the debut digital release of the Original Cast Recording of the acclaimed musical No Way To Treat A Lady today, December 18.

Trade Santa for Sally Bowles and Cabaret. Next Stage Theatre Company presents John Kander and Fred Ebb's musical Cabaret, the Tony Award winning musical that became a hit movie at the Alley Stage in Marietta Georgia. Performances are tonight, December 14-31.

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of the new hip hop musical comedy DUNKFEST '88 with book, beats, and rhymes by Matt Schatz and directed by Wendy C. Goldberg. The reading will be Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 8th floor (MTC's Creative Center). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Email info@page73.org to inquire about availability, seating is limited.

Ghostlight Records has announced the debut digital release of the Original Cast Recording of the acclaimed musical No Way To Treat A Lady on Tuesday, December 18.

Set during one of the most tumultuous periods in our country's history, Paula Vogel weaves several intimate stories of soldiers, escaped slaves, would-be kidnappers and the country's first couple into a comforting evening of holiday storytelling, A Civil War Christmas.  Director Tina Landau, music director Andrew Resnick and a talented ensemble of eleven tread through episodes of tragedy, racism, frivolity and hopefulness in a display that hints at, while not exactly drawing parallels to, a traditional nativity pageant.

Prospect Theater Company will present a staged reading of Rob Urbinati's original play Death By Design, a witty and wonderfully mysterious whodunit inspired by Noel Coward and Agatha Christie, today, December 8, 2012 at 2:15pm.

The 24th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, the culminating celebration of six weeks of fundraising by 51 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies, raised $3,902,608 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year's event featured a tribute to legendary lyricist Fred Ebb, led by Tony Award winners David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk, and you can check out the performance below.

Prospect Theater Company will present a staged reading of Rob Urbinati's original play Death By Design, a witty and wonderfully mysterious whodunit inspired by Noel Coward and Agatha Christie, on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 2:15pm.

The Old Globe will open its 2013-14 Season with the world premiere of The Honeymooners, a new musical based on the legendary CBS television series. 2012 Tony Award winner Michael McGrath (Nice Work If You Can Get It) will star as Ralph Kramden, the small-time bus driver with big-time dreams. Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) will direct and choreograph the musical comedy, with book by Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss, music by Stephen Weiner and lyrics by Peter Mills.

The 24th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, the culminating celebration of six weeks of fundraising by 51 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies, raised $3,902,608 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Virginia's Signature Theatre announced today that the run of Dreamgirls is extended through January 13 due to popular demand - an addition of eight performances. Tickets to all performances are now on sale.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will present the eighth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Sam Willmott. The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by David Hyde Pierce tonight, November 26th from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lobby of The American Airlines Theater.

Continuing the tradition of preserving and celebrating great recordings,The Recording Academy(®) announces the newest additions to its legendary GRAMMY Hall Of Fame(® )collection.