Marvin Hamlisch News

The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America presents the following performances for the spring 2013 semester. Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place on the CUA campus, and admission is free and open to the public.

The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative hosts the only high school vocal academy and competition in the U.S. dedicated solely to the music from Broadway, Hollywood musicals and the Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-twentieth century. The Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition has proven to be one of the Michael Feinstein Initiative's most exciting education programs.

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie graces the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical deja 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 (Broadway Royalty!) 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. She gave a special press preview from her upcoming engagement at 54 Below yesterday, and BroadwayWorld brings you complete coverage below!

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

Today we are talking to a versatile performer first known to the world at large through her iconic early-career movie theme recordings - singing the Oscar-winning 'The Morning After' from THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, as well as the classic themes from THE TOWERING INFERNO, SUPERMAN and musical material and a memorable musical moment in AIRPLANE!; in addition to her many full-length studio albums later in life - who then emerged as a compelling theatrical performer with a string of roles on Broadway, Off Broadway and in regional theater - a replacement star of NINE, as well as THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, as well as original cast member of 1989's THE 3 PENNY OPERA, 1984's premire production of BROWNSTONE, and, most recently, a Broadway featured cast member in LITTLE WOMEN - the radiant and vocally resplendent Maureen McGovern. Looking back on her remarkable career and taking us on the journey from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond, McGovern reflects on some famous co-stars and her side of the riveting productions she participated in both onstage and onscreen, as well as opens up about some of her favorite recordings and composers to date insofar as her recording career is concerned, to say nothing of her proud position as the so-deemed self-confessed 'Disaster Theme Queen'. We also outline her cabaret work over the years, in anticipation of McGovern's week of shows at 54 Below, titled HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, beginning December 18 and running through December 23, where she will be sharing some of her favorite seasonal songs, new and old, as well as reviving some of her show-stopping standards and iconic movie themes and perhaps a surprise or two, too. Additionally, we touch upon her bio-musical, CARRY IT ON, her new women writer retrospective concert show and much, much more!

Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter Idina Menzel, star of Broadway's Wicked and the original stage production of Rent, will ring in the new year at Walt Disney Concert Hall with two performances on December 31, 2012, at 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM. Menzel will be unveiling a brand-new show which will include new, original material and New Year's Eve-style songs and surprises.

The New York Philharmonic has announced that actress Beth Behrs, of CBS's 2 Broke Girls; actress Lilla Crawford, currently starring in Annie on Broadway; and star of Broadway and television Brian d'Arcy James will join the Orchestra for One Singular Sensation: Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch, a special New Year's Eve concert saluting the late composer-conductor.

The Recording Academy (www.grammy.com) announced its Special Merit Awards recipients today, and this year's honorees are: Glenn Gould, Charlie Haden, Lightnin' Hopkins, Carole King, Patti Page, Ravi Shankar andthe Temptations as Lifetime Achievement Award recipients

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post, 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 December 23 through New Year's Eve. Their duet show will feature classic standards and Broadway hits, in addition to rarities from the Great American Songbook. Feinstein will perform selections from The Gershwins and Me, his new CD and book from Simon & Schuster, currently on the Los Angeles Times Best-seller list. Feinstein's longtime Musical Director John Oddo will lead the all-star band. All shows take place at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Broadway legend Andrea McArdle has two new albums set for release on Broadway Records. The first, '70s and Sunny: Live At 54 BELOW', was recorded during her triumphant debut at the new Broadway hotspot 54 BELOW and will be released today, December 11, 2012. The second recording, 'Calendar Dream', is an exciting new project that teams Andrea up with a stellar array of Broadway's most awarded writers to journey though a year of a woman's life.

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

Seacoast Repertory Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary 2013 Season. After another record breaking year of performances, attendance and contributions The Rep continues to delight audiences of all ages. Given the life expectancy of a new theatre is only 5 years, Seacoast Repertory Theatre has made that mark, in strides, and as of 2013 The Rep celebrates its 25th year as the Seacoast's largest year round professional live theatre. The Rep is a gathering place for actors, musicians, fellow non-profits, and performance artists from all over the country. The success of The Rep is made possible through the generosity of its members, sponsors and patrons. Seacoast Repertory Theatre is proud to announce its 2013 Mainstage lineup.

The 21st annual production of Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol features returning favorites and a host of exciting new cast members, led by Pittsburgh's own Tom Atkins as Ebenezer Scrooge. The show opens tonight, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at Atkins and the cast onstage in the photos below!

The 21st annual production of Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol will feature returning favorites and a host of exciting new cast members, led by Pittsburgh's own Tom Atkins as Ebenezer Scrooge.

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

Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, discusses the orchestra's holiday season. He also talks about appearances that Megan Hilty and Matthew Morrison will be making with them.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has announced that renowned opera star and Indianapolis native Angela Brown will co-host this year's annual holiday production of Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration with noted Broadway actor Ben Crawford, who starred on the Great White Way in Shrek the Musical. Brown will become the first host of Yuletide Celebration who was born and raised in this city.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 'Season Of Carols' concert, the 'Eastland' CD, short runs of 'Lucky Stiff' and 'They're Playing Our Song,' changes at Drury Lane and Circle, and a variety of alternative holiday performances!