Leonard Bernstein News

Today we are turning our attention to the rapturously received Broadway revival of Golden Age classic ON THE TOWN.

A hundred years ago on the battlefields of France, World War I soldiers on both sides of the lines set down their weapons in an impromptu Christmas ceasefire. They shared handshakes, cigarettes, rations, and soccer games. They sang carols together.

On November 1, embark on the first concert of the Houston Symphony's Family Concert Series as Associate Conductor and audience favorite Robert Franz leads the orchestra in a program entitled African Safari with Music from The Lion King.

In advance of Classic Stage Company's rare production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1947 musical Allegro, CSC's artistic director Brian Kulick and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle lead a conversation on the legendary team's most personal, groundbreaking and little-known work. The discussion also includes Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company, and cast members George Abud, Claybourne Elder, and Jane Pfitsch.

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for non-professionals to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production. Bailiwick Chicago will be auctioning off over 40 roles for this season's musical production, Wonderful Town, on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at this year's new venue, Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. THE CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, a silent auction, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails and a professional photo booth to ham it up!

In advance of Classic Stage Company's rare production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1947 musical Allegro, CSC's artistic director Brian Kulick and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle lead a conversation on the legendary team's most personal, groundbreaking and little-known work. The discussion also includes Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company, and cast members George Abud, Claybourne Elder, and Jane Pfitsch.

The Broadway @ series originated at its now-famous home in Provincetown, MA in the summer of 2011. Since that time the series, hosted by SiriusXM radio star and pianist Seth Rudetsky and produced by Mark Cortale, has attracted Broadway's biggest stars, such as Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Megan Hilty, Cheyenne Jackson, Chita Rivera, and many other marquee names. The series has also now leapt to ongoing seasons in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, the Poconos, Woodstock, NY, Hartford, Detroit, as well as Sydney, Australia and London's West End.

Los Angeles favorite Hershey Felder returns to the Geffen Playhouse in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. The production is directed by Trevor Hay, who has collaborated with the performer and creator on An American Story, Abe Lincoln's Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt and The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Previews for Irving Berlin begin on November 11, the press opening will be on November 19 and the production is currently scheduled to close on December 21, 2014.

ON THE TOWN has moments of classic dance, comedy and music, but it's the earthy country sailors who make this musical soar.

John Rando's fast and furious revival is done in the style of the famed Warner Brothers animator.

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The season will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season.

Shelly will bring Incurably Romantic to the Metropolitan Room for three nights, Thursday, October 30, Friday, October 31 and Thursday, Dec 4, accompanied by the superb David Shenton Trio.

Broadway veteran Phyllis Newman has not only graced the stage with performers such as Bernadette Peters and Donna McKechnie, and worked directly with other Broadway greats such as Leonard Bernstein, but she was even nominated for a Tony Award against Barbra Streisand- and won! Despite her extensive career and success, she finds her greatest joy and pride in the work of her husband, the late Tony Award-winning lyricist Adolph Green. In light of his upcoming 100th birthday and the opening of his first masterpiece, ON THE TOWN, Newman graciously shared with us her experiences as a Broadway veteran and wife of a lyricist.

The new Broadway revival of On The Town, directed by John Rando (Tony Award for Urinetown) and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse (Emmy Award winner for 'Smash') officially opens tonight, October 16, 2014 at Broadway's Lyric Theatre. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, directed by John Rando (Tony Award for Urinetown) and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse (Emmy Award winner for 'Smash') officially opens tonight, October 16, 2014 at Broadway's Lyric Theatre (213 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036).

Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to the New York Philharmonic to conduct Beethoven's King Stephen Overture; Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1, with pianist Jeremy Denk in his Philharmonic debut; and Stravinsky's The Firebird (complete), tonight, October 16, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 17 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m.

Additional Performers have been added to The Lilly Awards Broadway Cabaret including Adrienne Warren (Bring It On), Sydney Lucas (Fun Home), David Beach, Adam Guettel, Brooks Ashmanskas and original Broadway cast members Keala Settle, Alison Case, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Kathleen Monteleone, Jim Newman and Dale Soules joining Amanda Green singing a song from her show Hands on a Hard Body.

Lamb's Players Theatre announced their upcoming Season 2015.

A look at Harvard scholar Carol J. Oja's discussion of the development and wartime premier of Bernstein and Robbins' musical 'On the Town.'