Marvin Hamlisch News

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire have just announced programming for Summer 2012. BTG's Summer of 2012 boasts a full assortment of theatrical productions, concerts, comedy, Friday Series play readings, Musical Mondays, Made in the Berkshires and more.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

According to The Wall Street Journal, comedian Jerry Lewis revealed on Friday night during celebrations for his 86th birthday, that THE NUTTY PROFESSOR will hit Broadway this fall, with a planned opening of November 15th. The production, which had originally aimed for the 2010/11 season will star entertainer Michael Andrew. Lewis first revealed the production and introduced Andrew back in 2006 while hosting the MDA telethon, video of which apepars below. Lewis also revealed that joining the production team would be choreographer Kathleen Marshall.

Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter Idina Menzel, star of Broadway's Wicked and the original stage production of Rent, is coming to the Marcus Center on Wednesday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. to perform her brand new live show. Tickets, on sale beginning March 19 at 12 p.m., can be purchased through the Marcus Center Box Office at 414-273-7206 and online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups 10 or more call 414-273-7121 ext. 210.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform "Bond and Beyond" - a spy-themed program featuring a variety of James Bond themes in addition to classic songs from other spy films - March 16-17, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced tonight that Stephanie J. Block will return as "Reno Sweeney" to the 2011 Tony® Award winning musical comedy Anything Goes on March 15, 2012, replacing Sutton Foster in the iconic role.

Rebecca Faulkenberry, the star of Broadway's Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, will be the Special Musical Guest of Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony-winning orchestrator Jonathan Tunick in his Birdland concert this coming Monday, March 19 at 7pm.

Today in 2002, Sweet Smell of Success opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre), where it ran for 109 performances. Created by Marvin Hamlisch (music), Craig Carnelia (lyrics), and John Guare (book), the show is based on the 1957 movie of the same name. It tells the story of a powerful newspaper columnist named J. J. Hunsecker (based on famed New York columnist Walter Winchell) who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems inappropriate. The show starred John Lithgow as J.J. Hunsecker, and Brian d'Arcy James as Sidney Falcone.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Theo Ubique's 'Piazza,' 'Motherhood,' Team StarKid's latest, tribute concerts at Ravinia and Mayne Stage, Ramin Karimloo's arrival, plus Loop musicals and more....

Theatre Memphis has decided on its play selection for the 2012-13 season.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presents Steven Brinberg as SIMPLY BARBRA in 70 GIRL, 70! - A Birthday Celebration Concert on Monday, April 23 at 7pm.

Tony-winner Sutton Foster departed the hit production of ANYTHING GOES last night, March 11th to begin filming ABC Family's new drama series BUNHEADS. Stephanie J. Block returns as 'Reno Sweeney' to the 2011 Tony Award winning musical comedy on March 15, 2012. Check out the new show art featuring the new leading lady below!

A CHORUS LINE opened at the Lewis Family Playhouse: Broadway at the Gardens this weekend. Only three performances left Friday March 16th at 7:30pm, Saturday March 17th at 7:30pm, and Sunday March 18th at 2pm.

For Idina Menzel's new PBS special and cd, 'Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony' she sings the classic Broaway song 'Tomorrow' from the musical ANNIE, which will return to Broadway in late 2012. Though she has never been in this show, Idina performs the song as a beautiful close to her show.

Brian Stokes Mitchell returns to Los Angeles where it all started for him on March 9, 2012. Brian Stokes Mitchell's credits include work as an actor, singer, dancer, voice-over artist, author, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and record producer. He has enjoyed a career on Broadway, television and film, along with appearances in the great American concert halls. On Valentine's Day this year, he joined the national TV phenomenon of Glee (along with Jeff Goldblum) to play one of Rachel's (Lea Michele) two Dads.

Ravinia Festival President and CEO Welz Kauffman announced the festival's 2012 season, which offers more than 100 separate events exemplifying most musical genres, including the 77th residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The summer boasts a variety of music's legends from Philip Glass to James Taylor, along with 43 debuts, including Glee and Wicked star Idina Menzel, reggae master Jimmy Cliff, classic rocker Santana, Grammy-and-Oscar sensation Esperanza Spalding, and Musical America's "conductor of the year" Jaap van Zweden. Ravinia Music Director James Conlon celebrates the 35th anniversary of his own festival debut as his contract is extended through 2014.

Marissa Mulder, winner of the 2011 MetroStar Talent Challenge, headlines the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, in a special prime time engagement beginning March 7. The world premiere of "Illusions" plays a total of four consecutive nights, Wednesday through Saturday, March 4, 5, 6, 7, all at 7pm. Opening for Mulder will be her MetroStar co-finalists Fran Leonardis and Stacie Perlman on alternating nights.

Idina Menzel recently visited 'Chelsea Lately' and discussed her new album 'Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony,' performing on a gay cruise, and her husband Taye Diggs. Click below to watch the interview!

Idina Menzel's new PBS concert special, Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony, premiered on Chicago's PBS affiliate WTTW on January 9. The concert - filmed in November in Toronto featuring husband Taye Diggs and legendary composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch - will be released on DVD and CD on March 6, the singer's official website reveals.

Peter Scarpinato and Patrice Richardson, as Vernon and Sonia respectively, take centerstage of Township Theater Group's current presentation of They're Playing Our Song, now playing through March 11 at the Helen Butler Hall at Dominican Village in Amityville, New York.