Jonathan Schwartz News

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way. The theater will be the recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award this Sunday. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.  Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Shanice Williams, star of NBC's The Wiz Live! and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon).  The 2016 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation ceremony took place at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 7, at 7:30pm, featuring presenters from Broadway and beyond. The ceremony was broadcast live on television and online through Paper Mill Playhouse video partner, Hometowne Television, of Summit, New Jersey.

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way.

Mother's Day Weekend at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater elegant, electrifying and marvelously athletic, this always dazzling company returns with programs that include some of its newest works as well as classics like Revelations, Alvin Ailey's undisputed masterpiece.

Mother's Day Weekend at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater elegant, electrifying and marvelously athletic, this always dazzling company returns with programs that include some of its newest works as well as classics like Revelations, Alvin Ailey's undisputed masterpiece. Friday, May 6, 2016 8:00 PM, Saturday, May 7, 2016 8:00 PM and Sunday, May 8, 2016 1:00 PM at Prudential Hall.

Mother's Day Weekend at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater elegant, electrifying and marvelously athletic, this always dazzling company returns with programs that include some of its newest works as well as classics like Revelations, Alvin Ailey's undisputed masterpiece.

Gabrielle Stravelli -- the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter called an "outstanding singer" by The Wall Street Journal and "hotter than the equator" by The Village Voice --will preview her new Willie Nelson tribute at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street) on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 PM.

GABRIELLE STRAVELLI - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter called an "outstanding singer" by The Wall Street Journal and "hotter than the equator" by The Village Voice - will make her "Broadway at Birdland" debut at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street) on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 PM.

Last Friday night, Adam Gopnik and Melissa Errico entertained at one of the most exciting new performance spaces in Brooklyn called National Sawdust+, already celebrated for its innovative programming. Recent performances featured Julie Taymor and Renee Fleming, and upcoming is a an evening with Patti Smith and a Celebration of Laura Nyro (which will feature Melissa Errico and Jeanine Tesori, directed by Michael Mayer). Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) will take concertgoers Over The Rainbow and beyond on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 pm at A Tribute to Judy Garland featuring acclaimed vocalist and recording artist Hilary Kole. A Tribute to Judy Garland celebrates the timeless wonder of music made famous by Garland - the singer Fred Astaire called 'the greatest entertainer that ever lived.' Tickets start from $27 and are on sale now.

MARVEL'S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is slated to hit U.S. theaters on May 5, 2017. James Gunn took to Twitter earlier today to post the first rehearsal image from the film, along with the caption, 'Hooked on a feeling (that we're in rehearsals).' Check it out below! 

?Tony Award-nominated singer & actress Melissa Errico (who is performing tonight at Lincoln Center's Spotlight on Judy Garland Event - The History of the World in 100 Performances Moderated by Adam Gopnik & radio host Jonathan Schwartz) will return to Feinstein's/54 Below (254 W. 54th St.) for two concert performances on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at 7pm.

The second installment of the new David Rubenstein Atrium series The History of the World in 100 Performances With Adam Gopnik, tonight, March 8 at 7:30 PM, spotlights Judy Garland's triumphant 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall.

According to People, the ROCKY and CREED star was recently seen in Atlanta, GA with a GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 script in hand before heading to the set. No word on who Stallone might be playing - though the report notes it could be the father of Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). Kurt Russell, who recently joined the cast, was also rumored for the role.

Direct from 'Broadway's supper club,' 54 Below, acclaimed NYC jazz vocalist-songwriter and two-time 2015 Best Male Vocalist nominee Marcus Goldhaber hosts a Sinatra Centennial Celebration in the Connecticut debut of his new show, 'FREE & EASY: LIVIN' ON SWING STREET,' at Milford Arts Council Center for the Arts in Milford, CT tonight, March 5.

The second installment of the new David Rubenstein Atrium series The History of the World in 100 Performances With Adam Gopnik, on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 PM, spotlights Judy Garland's triumphant 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall. Through commentary and performance, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik, WNYC host Jonathan Schwartz, and actress, singer Melissa Errico delve into what is widely considered one of the greatest nights in show business history.  The event will be live-streamed, free-of-charge, and available for 24-hours at lincolncenter.org/lc-live.

GABRIELLE STRAVELLI - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter called an "outstanding singer" by The Wall Street Journal and "hotter than the equator" by The Village Voice - will debut at the West Village jazz institution 55 Bar (55 Christopher Street) on Monday, March 14 for two sets starting at 7:00 PM.

Disney's Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, will welcome new principal cast members Brad Weinstock (Omar) and Major Attaway (Standby Genie/Babkak/Sultan) to the cast beginning this month, it was announced today.

Marvel Studios has begun principal photography at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, which is slated to hit U.S. theaters on May 5, 2017. The production will shoot at Atlanta's Pinewood Studios.

Direct from 'Broadway's supper club,' 54 Below, acclaimed NYC jazz vocalist-songwriter and two-time 2015 Best Male Vocalist nominee Marcus Goldhaber hosts a Sinatra Centennial Celebration in the Connecticut debut of his new show, 'FREE & EASY: LIVIN' ON SWING STREET,' at Milford Arts Council Center for the Arts in Milford, CT on Saturday, March 5.

Gabrielle Stravelli - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist and songwriter - has launched a crowdfunding campaign with Indiegogo to finance her upcoming album to be released later this year.