Marvin Hamlisch News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Davenport's serves up the holidays, Theo Ubique's January Cabaret Series, Kevin Cole on the Marvin Hamlisch PBS special, the Muellers make the 'Post,' BET announced rep, and a listing of Chicago shows to catch this week, plus the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards and more!

Below, check out sneak peeks of the exciting new documentary on the musical legend!

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Jennifer Holliday, Chita Rivera, Jeff Daniels, Steve Kazee, After Midnight Swings the Holiday and more. Details below!

Up until now, theatre audiences have been limited to see a maximum of two shows in a day (if you can make it out to the theatre on matinee day.) Under the direction of Vinetta Strombergs, the Toronto production of The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! has made it possible for you to see five musicals all in one night!

Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA will be performing as part of The New York Pops holiday concerts, under the baton of Steven Reineke, at Carnegie Hall on December 19 and 20, 2013. Ms. Clurman will perform Stephen Paulus' choral work Wishes and Candles with her chorus and the orchestra, to honor her friend and colleague Stephen Paulus. It will be performed in a newly orchestrated version by Steven Mercurio. Wishes and Candles was composed in 1998. The text is by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It is dedicated to Judith Clurman and the Lincoln Center Tree Lighting.

THIRTEEN's American Masters explore Marvin's prolific life and career in the series' Season 27 finale Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Don't Quit Your Night Job returns to its new home at 54 Below in New York City on December 19th, 11:30pm. Joining creators Steve Rosen, Sarah Saltzberg and Dan Lipton are a slew of Broadway performers.

Don't Quit Your Night Job recently returned to New York City at its new home, 54 Below. Joining creators Steve Rosen, Sarah Saltzberg and Dan Lipton were Derrick Baskin (Memphis), Jen Cody (The Frog Princess), Lea DeLaria (Orange Is The New Black), Tony Nominee Hunter Foster (Hands On A Hardbody),Asmeret Ghebremichael (The Book Of Mormon), Jackie Hoffman (Xanadu), Tony Nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger(Glass Menagerie), Jason Kravits (Relatively Speaking) ,Zachary Levi (First Date), Caleb McLaughlin (The Lion King), Maurice Murphy (Motown), Brynn O'Malley (Annie, Honeymoon In Vegas) and Emily Rosenfeld (Annie), with DJ's Andrew Andrew (Girls), and a special visit from David Rossmer. Check out photos from the concert below!

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra celebrates the holiday season at Highmark Holiday Pops with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and an all-star cast of guest artists tonight, Dec. 12, 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

The new documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution. The film had its New York City premiere last night, and attendees included:Quincy Jones, David Zippel, Annaleigh Ashford, Baayork Lee & more. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet to chat with all of them about their friend and collaborator. Check out what they had to say below!

The new documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution. The film had its New York City premiere last night, and attendees included: Quincy Jones, David Zippel, Annaleigh Ashford, Baayork Lee & more. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos below!

Judith Clurman conducts The Composer Speaks: Reason To Be Thankful at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music, 450. 37th St (between 9th and 10th Avenues), New York City, at 8:00 PM tonight, December 10, 2013.

A VIP screening of the new American Masters documentary, Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is set for The Paley Center for Media today, December 9th at 6:15 PM. The new documentary is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution.

Terre Blair Hamlisch speaks exclusively to BWW about the wonderful years she spent alongside the multi-talented, Pulitzer Prize-winning musical genius, Marvin Hamlisch.

The 'American Masters' documentary 'Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love' premieres Dec. 27 on PBS. Below, watch three new film extras, featuring interviews with Leslie Uggams, Christopher Walken, Raul Esparza, Kelli O'Hara, Kevin Cole and more!

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts rings in the New Year with performances in comedy, cooking, and music in the newly renovated Ruth Finley Person Theater (50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa). The 2013-2014 season continues with a line-up of renowned comedians, including Colin Quinn's Unconstitutional (January 16), Larry the Cable Guy (January 29) and Kathleen Madigan: Madigan Again (February 15). The star of TV's Restaurant: Impossible will cook up an entertaining evening in Robert Irvine Live! (January 17), while a legend of romance, Engelbert Humperdinck (February 9), and legends of rock, Chicago (February 11), perform just in time for Valentine's Day. Additionally, the 9th season of the Symphony Pops Series continues with Three Phantoms in Concert on February 23.