James Sampliner News

McCarter Theatre is proud to announce complete casting and creative team for Sleeping Beauty Wakes, a new musical featuring a book by Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and a score by composer Brendan Milburn and lyricist Valerie Vigoda, both of the acclaimed trio GrooveLily. The production, which runs from April 29 through June 5, will be directed by Rebecca Taichman, who delighted McCarter audiences with her 2009 production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Opening Night is set for Friday, May 6. Following the McCarter run, the production will move to La Jolla Playhouse.

McCarter Theatre is proud to announce complete casting and creative team for Sleeping Beauty Wakes, a new musical featuring a book by Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and a score by composer Brendan Milburn and lyricist Valerie Vigoda, both of the acclaimed trio GrooveLily

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the remaining performers for its second show of their season, SWEET SOUL MUSIC, which will include Tony Award-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (Broadway: The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys), & Leslie Odom, Jr. (Broadway: Rent, Jersey Boys, Regional: Leap of Faith opposite Brooke Shields), with the previously announced American Idol star Frenchie Davis, performing the music of RAY CHARLES, MARVIN GAYE and GLADYS KNIGHT, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - SWEET SOUL MUSIC. SWEET SOUL MUSIC will perform on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 7:30PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the remaining performers for its second show of their season, SWEET SOUL MUSIC, which will include Tony Award-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (Broadway: The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys), & Leslie Odom, Jr. (Broadway: Rent, Jersey Boys, Regional: Leap of Faith opposite Brooke Shields), with the previously announced American Idol star Frenchie Davis, performing the music of RAY CHARLES, MARVIN GAYE and GLADYS KNIGHT, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - SWEET SOUL MUSIC.

An all-star lineup of Broadway stars performed at the concert of music from Jawbreaker, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. The cast included Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Morgan James (Addams Family), Carrie Manolakos (Mamma Mia), Deborah S. Craig (Spelling Bee), Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), and Alexa Green (Wicked).

Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), and Alexa Green (Wicked) have been added to the all-star lineup of Broadway stars performing at the upcoming concert of music from Jawbreaker, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. They join the previously announced cast, which includes Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Morgan James (Addams Family), Carrie Manolakos (Mamma Mia), and Deborah S. Craig (Spelling Bee).

An all-star cast will sing a concert of music from JAWBREAKER, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. Based on the 1999 film starring Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Judy Greer and Rebecca Gayheart, JAWBREAKER: THE MUSICAL tells the Faustian tale of Satan-in-heels Courtney Shayne and her mean girl minions who play a nasty birthday prank on their picture-perfect bestie, asphyxiating her with a jawbreaker ball and accidentally killing her. When mousy Fern Mayo catches the flawless four tucking their dead friend back into bed, Courtney promises to make Fern popular in exchange for keeping their secret, implicating the innocent underling in their ill-fated cover up. With its mythic story, candy color fashions and bitch goddess role of Courtney Shayne, Jawbreaker was a natural to translate to the stage. At its core, Jawbreaker is about the lengths we go to belong, even if that means selling your soul for a taste of life with the beautiful ones. With a propulsive pop score that ranges from Lady Gaga-style synth pop to lush melodic ballads, Jawbreaker feels both timeless and today, presenting a mythic high school story that speaks to the teenager in us all.

Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), and Alexa Green (Wicked) have been added to the all-star lineup of Broadway stars performing at the upcoming concert of music from Jawbreaker, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12th, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. They join the previously announced cast, which includes Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Morgan James (Addams Family), Carrie Manolakos (Mamma Mia), and Deborah S. Craig (Spelling Bee).

An all-star cast will sing a concert of music from JAWBREAKER, a new musical based on the cult-classic film, on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 9pm at the Canal Room in New York City. Based on the 1999 film starring Rose McGowan, Julie Benz, Judy Greer and Rebecca Gayheart, JAWBREAKER: THE MUSICAL tells the Faustian tale of Satan-in-heels Courtney Shayne and her mean girl minions who play a nasty birthday prank on their picture-perfect bestie, asphyxiating her with a jawbreaker ball and accidentally killing her. When mousy Fern Mayo catches the flawless four tucking their dead friend back into bed, Courtney promises to make Fern popular in exchange for keeping their secret, implicating the innocent underling in their ill-fated cover up. With its mythic story, candy color fashions and bitch goddess role of Courtney Shayne, Jawbreaker was a natural to translate to the stage. At its core, Jawbreaker is about the lengths we go to belong, even if that means selling your soul for a taste of life with the beautiful ones. With a propulsive pop score that ranges from Lady Gaga-style synth pop to lush melodic ballads, Jawbreaker feels both timeless and today, presenting a mythic high school story that speaks to the teenager in us all.

Fresh from her Broadway run of Hair, Annaleigh Ashford returned to the Broadway at Birdland concert series with the musical magic of James Sampliner, on Monday, July 12. Annaleigh dazzled the packed house with popular classics by everyone from Doris Day to Janis Joplin. With an emphasis on the sounds of the 60's and 70's, Ashford and Sampliner performed 'It's Magic,' 'Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters,' 'Beautiful,' 'When I'm 64,' and many more. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of her performance, and backstage prep, below.

Jim Caruso is delighted to announce the return of ANNALEIGH ASHFORD to the stage of Birdland on Monday, July 12 at 7pm. This event is part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland concert series. Musical director and arranger for the show will be JAMES SAMPLINER.

Jim Caruso is delighted to announce the return of ANNALEIGH ASHFORD to the stage of Birdland on Monday, July 12 at 7pm. This event is part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland concert series. Musical director and arranger for the show will be JAMES SAMPLINER.

What a way to end the Center Stage Cabaret Series. Baltimore native and Baltimore School for the Arts graduate, Tracie Thoms, rocked the Head Theatre before a sell-out crowd filled with family and friends Thursday evening. Thoms made a name for herself playing the role of Joanne in the film version of Rent (and even performed with the Broadway cast) and now has a recurring role on the CBS television show , 'Cold Case.'

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for their third spectacular UPRIGHT CABARET experience at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for their third spectacular UPRIGHT CABARET experience at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

On Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10pm - Upright Cabaretpresents Broadway & Wicked star Shoshana Bean in a intimate encore performance of her critically acclaimed concert 'SHOSHANA SINGS STREISAND' at La Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012.

On Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10pm - Upright Cabaretpresents Broadway & Wicked star Shoshana Bean in a intimate encore performance of her critically acclaimed concert 'SHOSHANA SINGS STREISAND' at La Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012.

Shoshana Bean, best known for her star turns on the Broadway stage in Wicked and Hairspray and Off-Broadway's Godspell made her concert debut in New York City with a one-night only performance. Presented by Upright Cabaret, Shoshana returned to New York fresh from her summer concert at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheater. On Monday, November 30th, 2009,at 7:30 PM, Shoshana took to the stage at the Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City, singing from the Streisand songbook and selections from her debut album, Superhero. A Happening was directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director Billy Porter with musical direction by James Sampliner.

Shoshana Bean, best known for her star turns on the Broadway stage in Wicked and Hairspray and Off-Broadway's Godspell makes her triumphant concert debut in New York City with a one-night only performance that's not to be missed. Presented by Upright Cabaret, Shoshana returns to New York fresh from her sold out summer concert smash at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheater. On Monday, November 30th, 2009,at 7:30 PM, Shoshana takes the stage at the Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City, singing from the Streisand songbook and selections from her debut album, Superhero. A Happening is directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director and theatre legend, Billy Porter with musical direction by James Sampliner. A portion of $35-$150 ticket price goes to benefit Hadassah.

Shoshana Bean, best known for her star turns on the Broadway stage in Wicked and Hairspray and Off-Broadway's Godspell makes her triumphant concert debut in New York City with a one-night only performance that's not to be missed. Presented by Upright Cabaret, Shoshana returns to New York fresh from her sold out summer concert smash at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheater. On Monday, November 30th, 2009,at 7:30 PM, Shoshana takes the stage at the Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City, singing from the Streisand songbook and selections from her debut album, Superhero. A Happening is directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director and theatre legend, Billy Porter with musical direction by James Sampliner. A portion of $35-$150 ticket price goes to benefit Hadassah.