Johnny Mercer News

Pasadena Symphony Association President Diane Rankin and Chief Executive Officer Paul Jan Zdunek today announced the extension of Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein's contract through 2016. His current contract was for a 1-year term, but fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut to capacity crowds on June 1st, the leadership of the Pasadena Symphony Association immediately offered Feinstein a multi-year contract extension. The decision represents a confident commitment to Feinstein and support for his vision for the Pasadena POPS Summer Concert Series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival & Tritone Productions will present a reading of Nightmare Alley, a new musical with book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Brielle and directed by Michael Bush. This is the second NYMF collaboration for Brielle and Bush. Last summer, NYMF presented Brielle's Himself and Nora directed by Bush which has since gone on to a critically acclaimed production at the American Theater Group's Hamilton Stage. The reading of Nightmare Alley will take place Tuesday, July 23 at 5pm & Wednesday, July 24 @at5pm & 9pm at the Signature Theater.

On Sunday July 7, Kritzerland presented its 35th show The British Invasion, music from UK musicals of the 60s and 70s, at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. I can only say to Bruce Kimmel, 'good show, ole' boy'!

Lyricist Jordan Beck will bring an evening of his work to NYC for one night only on July 22nd at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre. The concert will feature his work with composers Jonathan May (with whom Beck recently released an album entitled 'Cousins: The Songs of Beck & May'), Jason & Nolan Livesay, and Taylor Peckham.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The British Invasion, featuring songs from the UK musicals of the '60s and '70s today, July 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced two upcoming performers at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko -- actor and comedian Bruce Vilanch and Tony Award nominated composers Pasek and Paul. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of entertainers all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Bruce Vilanch will perform for one-night-only on Thursday, July 18th at 8 p.m. Pasek and Paul will perform two performances only - Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced on June 28 the nine musicals selected to be part of the 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Laura Ainsworth will host a 'Necessary Evil' CD Release Party tonight, June 28, 2013, from 7pm to 11pm at Stoney's Wine Lounge in Dallas, TX.

Fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut with the Pasadena POPS, Michael Feinstein returns to lead the orchestra in a performance celebrating the legendary films of MGM. Michael Feinstein's MGM Movie Classics on Saturday, July 13 features rare and stunning arrangements from the golden age of the silver screen, and the orchestra will be joined by guest vocalists Ron Raines, Christine Ebersole, the cast of Hollywood Revisited, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Tap Ensemble.

Robyn Spangler returns to Palm Desert's Arthur Newman Theatre with 'Riddle, Ronstadt & Robyn' on July 14th at 2 PM.

Happy Summer, everyone! In honor of the solstice, CEC is pleased to bring you this video of 'Boy of My Own' by Charlie Sohne and Tim Rosser from our concert at Joe's Pub:

From today, June 23 to June 29, 14 emerging professional songwriters will participate in The Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project at Northwestern University -- an intensive weeklong program on the Evanston campus that has produced 2013 Tony Award-nominated songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (nominated for 'A Christmas Story, The Musical'), Fred Ebb Award-winner Sam Willmot, and Latin Grammy Award-winners Obed Bermudez and Jennifer Pena.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents The British Invasion, featuring songs from the UK musicals of the '60s and '70s on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

Casting for Musical Theatre West's (MTW) production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's international hit musical Sunset Boulevard , has been announced by MTW Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman and Director Larry Raben. The 1950 Oscar-winning motion picture of the same title first starred screen legends Gloria Swanson (as Norma Desmond) and William Holden (as Joe Gillis) before it opened as a musical in London's West End starring Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson at the Adelphi Theatre July 12, 1993 where it ultimately ran for 1529 performances.

Multiple GRAMMY nominated and platinum-selling country star Hunter Hayes is releasing his deluxe edition (Encore) today on Atlantic Records.

Scot Albertson (Vocalist - Performer - Producer - Recording Artist) - www.scotalbertson.com) announces his sixth CD release concert, set for tonight June 17, 2013 at 7:30p.m. at Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, located at 2537 Broadway & West 95th Street, New York City, NY.

OPEN REHEARSAL READINGS TODAY, JUNE 15-16 The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE (Mark Brokaw, Artistic Director) announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, The Last Queen of Canaan, with music by Jacob Yandura and book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik, and Mrs. Hughes, with music and lyrics by Sharon Kenny and book by Janine Nabers, which will be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 4-16. The residency culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, today, June 15 and the 16th, 2013.