Leonard Bernstein News

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley kicks off the New Year with the regional premiere of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, a brand new work by acclaimed performer/playwright/director Hershey Felder. The inspiring story of "America's Composer" Irving Berlin takes center stage in this tour-de-force performance by virtuoso Hershey Felder, internationally acclaimed for bringing to life such composers as Gershwin, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bernstein. Fleeing the anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia, capturing the rhythms of the Lower East Side, and eventually enchanting the entire world, Berlin epitomized the American dream. Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will be directed by Trevor Hay with performances January 13 - February 14, 2016 (press opening: January 16) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($35 -$100) and information the public may visit www.TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Carnegie Hall invites fans across the globe to experience the Hall's fabled history and share their own stories through a new app that puts a 21st century spin on postcards.

The holiday season brings family, fun, togetherness and music! Experience all of that and more at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's annual holiday celebration, Highmark Holiday Pops, on December 11-13 and December 19 and 20 at Heinz Hall.

Continuing to bring original musical stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings BARITONES UNBOUND, a new play with music and baritone superstars to the Royal George Theatre as part of a continuing season of new productions. Performances begin at the Royal George, 1641 N. Halsted Street, today, December 11th, 2015 and continue through Sunday, January 3rd, 2016 with a press opening on Sunday, December 13th at 3:00 p.m. A special New Year's Eve performance includes a champagne and dessert reception with the artists.

The New Amsterdam Singers, led by Music Director Clara Longstreth, will present a program titled The Mass, The Dance, The Feast: Celebrations from Bach to Britten, Today, December 11, 2015 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 122 East 88th Street.

In celebration of Carnegie Hall's 125th anniversary, the Weill Music Institute (WMI) has launched The Somewhere Project, a citywide exploration of West Side Story. This extensive creative learning project is engaging people through events in all five boroughs of New York City, plus those outside the city through online content, all anchored by a large-scale production of West Side Story, the classic American musical based on a conception by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents.

From January 19 to 23, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI) presents The Song Continues, an annual series led by renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, exploring song repertoire through master classes and concerts with the goal of encouraging, supporting, and preserving the art of the vocal recital. The series concludes with the Marilyn Horne Song Celebration, a recital featuring special guest artist soprano Nina Stemme on Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall. The evening's concert also features performances by soprano Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, tenor Andrew Haji, bass-baritone Evan Hughes, and pianists John Arida, Keun-A Lee, Ken Noda, and Jennifer Szeto. Complete program information is listed below.

Signature Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from tonight, December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.

Just in time for the holidays Signature Theatre wil bring a classic to the stage. WEST SIDE STORY, considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time, opens at the MAX Theatre next week (December 8) and the company is making finishing touches to the iconic musical. With just days until the curtain goes up, go behind the scenes with the WEST SIDE STORY orchestra as they play an excerpt from 'Cool.'

Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA (EVUSA), one of New York's preeminent choral ensembles, will present SING CHRISTMAS, a sing-along of traditional carols and holiday songs by Broadway's finest, tonight, December 3 at 9:30pm at Feinstein's / 54 Below.

Signature Theatre presents WEST SIDE STORY, directed by Signature Associate Artistic DirectorMatthew Gardiner(Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret). The musical, a collaboration of music, dance and theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents, is considered by some to be one of the greatest musicals of all time. WEST SIDE STORY will run from December 8 - January 24 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

This December and January, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at Feinstein's/54 Below and to purchase tickets, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins. 

Migenes' performance was like taking a step back to the 1930s, watching the remarkable Lotte Lenya performing her husband's songs during the time he collaborated with Bertolt Brecht to create atonal melodies meant to shock audiences into realizing the masses were, like today, being controlled by the wealthy, upper 1% of society. "Lotte Lenya herself came backstage after I performed Mahagonny and gave me a rose," Migenes says. "That is one of my most precious memories." No doubt the two women were connected to their souls, given how Migenes interpreted her songs.

The film and stage star purchased the apartment with then-husband Jason Robards in 1961 fir under $100,000.

PITTSBURGH – The annual tradition returns! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Manfred Honeck perform waltzes and polkas from his home country of Austria on November 27 and 29 at Heinz Hall as part of the BNY Mellon Grand Classics season.

Sometimes a flop Broadway show is better appreciated after closing, and may even return as a hit!