James Barbour News

As is frequently noted by lovers of strong book musicals, part of the brilliance of Sherman Edwards (score) and Peter Stone's (book) 1776, their 1969 Broadway tuner about the efforts of John Adams to convince the continental congress to vote for independency from Great Britain, is that the audience walks into the theatre knowing full well how it's going to end, and yet the authors (and history) keep you on The Edge of your seat wondering how the devil it's going to happen. With a unanimous vote necessary ('So that no colony be torn from its mother country without its own consent.') and Pennsylvania's John Dickinson leading the arguments for property-owners whose personal economy is protected by loyalty to the crown and South Carolina's Edward Rutledge keeping the deep south unified in favor of individual states rights that protect their practice of slavery, June of '76 concludes with half the congress against independence.

Paolo Montalban, who was Prince Christopher in the TV movie of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella,' starring Brandy, has just joined the cast of 'The Leading Men IV,' a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, on Monday, May 11, at 7 pm at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St.

The Drama Desk Awards invites personal sketches from this year's nominated performers and creative talent for its Art*Kive program.

Drama Desk nominees received their official nomination certificates at a cocktail reception on May 1st at IL Bastardo Restaurant and BroadwayWorld.com was there! The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held Sunday, May 17, 2009 in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center.

ANDRÉA BURNS (May 4) began her career touring the opera houses of Europe as Maria in West Side Story. Since then she has appeared on Broadway as Daniela in In The Heights, as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and as Vicki Nichols in The Full Monty. She has appeared in concerts at Carnegie Hall and many other symphonic halls across the country. She can also be heard on the original cast recordings of Songs for A New World, Saturday Night, Shine, Broadway Bound, The Broadway Musicals of 1953, and It's Only Life as well as her debut solo album A Deeper Shade of Red.

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Faith Prince and Jim Dale, multi-award winning stage stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards ceremony, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post will continue its 10th Anniversary with 'The Actors Fund Broadway Series' on Monday nights from April 27 through the Tony Awards. To help raise money for The Actors Fund, the club will feature such Broadway luminaries as James Barbour, Andrea Burns, the cast of [title of show], Julia Murney and Norm Lewis. All admission proceeds will go directly to the assistance of professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post will continue its 10th Anniversary with Broadway's JAMES BARBOUR on Monday, April 27.

Ryan Silverman, who previously starred as 'Raoul' in the Las Vegas production, will take over the role on Broadway starting Friday evening, April 24. He succeeds current and long-time star Tim Martin Gleason, whose final performance will be Thursday evening, April 23.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

The production officially opened, Sunday, April 19th. and BWW was there to join in on all the 'historic' celebration!

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) proudly announces nominations for the 2008-09 Drama League Awards, to be awarded at The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 15, 2009 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The event will be co-hosted by Jeremy Irons (Impressionism) and Cynthia Nixon (Distracted).

Based on a recommendation by the OCC Executive Committee, Special Achievement Awards will be given to David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish for their performances in 'Billy Elliot the Musical' and an Outstanding Ensemble Performance Award will be bestowed to the full cast of 'The Norman Conquests' (Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root).

Paper Mill Playhouse's 1776, Directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, will run at the Millburn theatre from April 15 through May 17, 2009. 1776 was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts. The production officially opens tonight, Sunday, April 19th.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce casting for 1776. Directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, 1776 will run at the Millburn theatre from April 15 through May 17, 2009. 1776 was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts. Press Opening is Sunday, April 19th at 7:30pm

Paper Mill Playhouse's 1776, Directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, will run at the Millburn theatre from April 15 through May 17, 2009. 1776 was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post will continue its 10th Anniversary with 'The Actors Fund Broadway Series' on Monday nights from April 27 through the Tony Awards. To help raise money for The Actors Fund, the club will feature such Broadway luminaries as James Barbour, Andrea Burns, the cast of [title of show], Julia Murney and Norm Lewis. All admission proceeds will go directly to the assistance of professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition.

1776 held a press 'meet and greet' rehearsal yesterday at the New 42nd Street Studios in Times Square, BroadwayWorld.com was there to spend the day with the group of 'historical' greats!

'The Leading Men IV,' a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be held Monday, May 11, at 7pm at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St. As part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland series, it will feature top singers from Broadway and cabaret.

'LOVE SONGS' continued to seduce New Yorkers every Saturday evening for the last number of weeks, on Saturday, March 28th, Barbour played his final concert before heading into rehearsals for Paper Mill Playhouse's 1776. He was joined by special guests including John Schuck, Georgia Warner, Jessica Grové, and Aaron Ramey. SARDI'S is located at 234 West 44th Street - between Broadway & Eighth Avenue.