Marvin Hamlisch News

Earlier this week, the New York Philharmonic was joined by Marvin Hamlisch's friends and collaborators, including Joshua Bell, Raúl Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Maria Friedman, Josh Groban, Megan Hilty, Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, and Frederica von Stade for a special New Year's Eve concert saluting the late composer-conductor. Paul Gemignani conducted and Lonny Price directed the performance, which was hosted by Audra McDonald.

Tony Award-winning Idina Menzel is in a class of performers who simply defy description. She has an extraordinary quality that must be experienced up close and personal, for it's not only the tremendously dynamic voice that impresses but a wildly disarming charisma that holds you spellbound. On New Year's Eve her 7:00 pm show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall lasted about 90 minutes, but seemed to fly by in a flash.

2012 marked the passing of a number of notable entertainment icons whose influence will be felt for centuries to come, yet unquestionably one of the most pertinent people to pass on insofar as Broadway babies were concerned given his considerable contributions to musical theatre (and far, far beyond) was the one and only EGOT-plus recipient himself - that is: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony-winner; plus a spare Pulitzer Prize, in his case, as a matter of fact - legendary composer/conductor/arranger Marvin Hamlisch. And, last night, byway of PBS and Live From Lincoln Center, audiences across the country were treated to a live gala event celebrating his tremendous Broadway and Hollywood legacy - ONE SINGULAR SENSATION: CELEBRATING MARVIN HAMLISCH. Highlights of the star-studded night included SMASH Brian D'arcy James on a song he debuted in Hamlisch's short-running SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, Michael Feinstein with an emotional take on Hamlisch's self-professed favorite self-penned song, Raul Esparza and Kelli O'Hara on two obscure SWEET SMELL gems and Maria Friedman with a song from Hamlisch's forthcoming musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, with book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, based on the comedic cinema classic by Jerry Lewis, with the moment of the night owing to O'Hara and McDonald joining SMASH lead Megan Hilty on a spine-tingling iteration of the stunning A CHORUS LINE trio "At The Ballet". Through the ears of Marvin, last night we were reminded that nobody did it quite like he did while remembering the way we were - and what we won't forget - while being entertained by some of the best songs of the last century offered by New York's finest performers, musicians and creative talents.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie will soon grace the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical déjà vu celebrating the scintillating 70?s in New York City - the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these five very special performances, Donna will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge just chatted with the Broadway legend about the upcoming gig and you can check out the full interview below!

A legendary flop gets a second chance, a fabled night spot closes as a new one opens and a mysterious investor supposedly dies of malaria. These were just a few of the stories and issues theatre lovers talked about in 2012.

- 9 Works Theatrical, which produced last year's professional theater production of Clark Gesner's '60s musical comedy "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," is currently working on a revival production of Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager's late '70s hit Broadway musical "They're Playing Our Song," which pairs up for the first time TV and recording artist Nikki Gil (who plays disorganized, quirky lyricist Sonia Walsk) and veteran stage actor Lorenz Martinez (who plays accomplished composer Vernon Gersch). Tony winner Lea Salonga and Singaporean actor/director Adrian Pang played Walsk and Gersch respectively in a previous local production of "They're Playing Our Song."

2012 is coming to a close, and BroadwayWorld's senior photographer Walter McBride takes a moment to look back at some of the many influential people we've lost this year. 2012 saw the death of some of the most beloved actors, musicians, comedians, writers and true heros.

In 2012, BroadwayWorld brought you the most complete coverage of the Great White Way with the expansion of BWW TV. From curtain calls to interviews with Richard Ridge to all of Broadway's best events and more, take a look back at the year with video highlights!

Over the course of 2012, BroadwayWorld's Pat Cerasaro interviewed many among the best and brightest of stage and screen. Whether you missed an interview the first time around or just want to look back at some of the stars' insights, take a look back at 2012's InDepth InterViews below!

It's been a busy year in Nashville theater in 2012, with audiences treated to a whole slate of theatrical offerings spanning multiple genres-from productions of time-honored classics to new and original contemporary works, from dramas to comedies, from straight plays to musicals-and giving local theater-goers more opportunities than ever before to be challenged by the onstage magic created by some of Tennessee's most talented and gifted artists.

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of New Jersey in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Austin in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Albuquerque during the year 2012. Check out the Top Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

Ballroom dance champion and Broadway actress Victoria Regan, who has been cast in the leading role of the famous aging Russian ballerina Grushinkskaya in Grand Hotel at TheatreZone next month, still dances on her tiptoes.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.

Feinstein's at Loews Regnecy will close its Fall 2012 season with the return of the club's founder MICHAEL FEINSTEIN and two-time Tony Award winning Broadway and TV star Christine Ebersole from tonight, December 23 through New Year's Eve.