Ken Billington News

Eight exceptional educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 3rd Annual FREDDIE G BROADWAY EXPERIENCE today, July 12th through July 15th. Again this year, the event has been underwritten by Myrna and Freddie ("G") Gershon, Chairman and CEO of leading theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI).

Eight exceptional educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 3rd Annual FREDDIE G BROADWAY EXPERIENCE July 12th - 15th. Again this year, the event has been underwritten by Myrna and Freddie ("G") Gershon, Chairman and CEO of leading theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI).

Eight exceptional educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country will work one-on-one with Broadway greats at the 3rd Annual FREDDIE G BROADWAY EXPERIENCE July 12th - 15th. Again this year, the event has been underwritten by Myrna and Freddie ("G") Gershon, Chairman and CEO of leading theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI). The weekend honors instructors and teachers who are working to make a difference for their students and communities through the process of staging musical theatre productions in their schools and educational theatre groups. The teachers will attend special workshops led by director Jeff Calhoun, lighting designer Ken Billington, music director Kristen Blodgett, choreographer Lisa Stevens and scenic designer Tobin Ost.

54 BELOW, the new performance venue located just below legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, hosts some of Broadway's brightest stars tonight, July 9 through July 22. Coming up are Ben Vereen, Bucky Pizzarelli, Maury Yeston, MX Justin Vivian Bond, Joe Iconis, Jamie Deroy, Rebecca Luker, Annie Golden, Mara Davi and more.

The New York Musical Theatre presents Mitch Magonet and Joey Miller's RIO, directed by Scott Faris. RIO plays from tonight, July 10 through July 18, 2012, at St. Clements Church (423 W. 46th Street), and is being produced by Pinny Gniwisch.

For two performances only tonight, July 6 and tomorrow night, July 7 at 8PM, 54 Below will present Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker in an evening of Jerome Kern music. 'Rebecca Luker Sing Jerome Kern' is the perfect marriage of one Broadway's most glorious voices with one of Broadway's greatest composers. Luker covers 30 years of songs including 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man,' 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill,' 'The Song is You,' 'BIll' and many others.

Next week, for two performances only on July 6 and 7 at 8PM, 54 Below will present Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker in an evening of Jerome Kern music.

'New Mondays' at 54 BELOW continues tonight, Monday, June 25 at 7 p.m. with brand new tunes from Amanda Green (High Fidelity, Bring It On), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy), Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde), and the vocal talents of Tom Compton, Michelle Duffy, Rachel Flynn, Ann Harada, Julia Murney, Kevin Pariseau, Alysha Umphress and Michael Winther.

According to the 54 BELOW website, Patti LuPone, who had previously extended her run at the nightclub to take over for Andrea Martin, has now canceled the rest of the engagement due to illness.

Due to popular demand, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced the extension of the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Tickets are now on sale through Sunday, July 22. Preview performances begin tomorrow, June 21, with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, June 27. Composer John Kander chatted with KGO TV about the production, and you can hear what he had to say below!

Due to popular demand, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced the extension of the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Tickets are now on sale through Sunday, July 22. Preview performances begin tomorrow, June 21, with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, June 27.

Following her opening run at Broadway's newest venue, 54 BELOW presents an encore week of Patti LuPone's cabaret act - FAR AWAY PLACES which will play seven additional performances from tonight, June 19 through Saturday, June 23. There will be a special late night performance on Thursday, June 21 at 11:00 p.m. This two-time Tony Award winner, backed by a five-piece band, has thrilled 54 BELOW audiences for the past two weeks.

Following her opening run at Broadway's newest venue, 54 BELOW presents an encore week of Patti LuPone's cabaret act - FAR AWAY PLACES which will play seven additional performances from Tuesday, June 19 through Saturday, June 23. There will be a special late night performance on Thursday, June 21 at 11:00 p.m. This two-time Tony Award winner, backed by a five-piece band, has thrilled 54 BELOW audiences for the past two weeks.

The stars came out to see two-time Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone perform at the opening week of 54 BELOW. Visitors included LuPone's Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin; from 'The View,' Joy Behar; from '30 Rock,' Jane Krakowski; Motown legend Darlene Love; playwright Douglas Carter Beane; Tony Award winning-director Jerry Zaks; Broadway composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa; nightclub performer Natalie Douglas and more. Check out photos of the guests below!

The New York Musical Theatre will present Mitch Magonet and Joey Miller's RIO, directed by Scott Faris. RIO, will play from July 10 - 18, 2012.at St. Clements Church (423 W. 46th Street). RIO, is being produced by Pinny Gniwisch.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will welcome legendary Broadway songwriter and lyricist John Kander (Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Contact) and book writer David Thompson (Steel Pier, Chicago) for a one-night only conversation with A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff on Monday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.