Michael Kaiser News

This October, the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize salutes Will Ferrell. The program airs Monday, October 31 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide. Taped at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on October 23, the 90-minute special features a star-studded cast of Ferrell's friends and colleagues including top entertainers Billie Joe Armstrong of the band Green Day, Ed Asner, Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Gwen Ifill, Adam McKay, Tim Meadows, Conan O'Brien, John C. Reilly, Paul Rudd, Andy Samberg, Molly Shannon and Ben Stiller. The evening pays tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the television icon and motion picture star.

Today we are kicking off Broadway World's multi-part series of interviews with the stars of the 2011 Kennedy Center produced and Eric Schaeffer directed production of Stephen Sondheim & James Goldman's seminal showbiz musical, FOLLIES, currently in previews on Broadway at the Marquis Theater. Suave leading man Ron Raines sheds light on the central, pivotal role of Benjamin Stone and how he sees the character - in his youth, in his marriage, in the present and, also, in the future, post-Loveland and, even post-FOLLIES - as well as illuminates his interactions with the colorful array of stars he shares the stage with eight nights a week - chief among them: Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige and Jan Maxwell! Additionally, we discuss what has changed in the transfer from Washington, D.C. to NYC, as well as examine the underlying message and story told in Ben's stunning musical triptych of 'The Road You Didn't Take', 'Too Many Mornings' and 'Live, Laugh, Love'. As if all that were not enough, Raines and I cast a glance back at his previous stage and screen work and discuss his solo albums, upcoming concert appearances and much, much more! Plus, first news of his essaying of the title role in SWEENEY TODD with Karen Ziemba in St. Louis next summer, directed by the helmer of the original Christopher Bond play that inspired Sondheim to compose the musical adaptation in the first place back in 1969.

Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced that American director Francesca Zambello has been appointed the company's Artistic Advisor. Simultaneously, Chief Operating Officer Michael L. Mael has been named Executive Director. With these appointments, WNO enters into its affiliation with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (effective July 1, 2011) with a complete roster of artistic and administrative executives.

Now in its eight year, the Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition continues to further the Alliance Theatre's commitment to new work.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 3, 2011 - Sunday, April 3, 2011.

On Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Opera House, the Kennedy Center will present its 19th annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala. Titled Michael Kaiser at the Kennedy Center: A Celebration of Ten Years, the event will be hosted by Smokey Robinson and will feature a selection of performers who have worked with Kaiser over the years, including Joshua Bell, Barbara Cook, Renée Fleming, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marcelo Gomes and Paloma Herrera of American Ballet Theatre, members of New York City Ballet, and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. The evening will be co-chaired by Adrienne Arsht, Betsy DeVos, Alma Gildenhorn, Helen Henderson, Ann Jordan, Alma Powell, Catherine B. Reynolds, and Vicki Sant.

On Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Opera House, the Kennedy Center will present its 19th annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala. Titled Michael Kaiser at the Kennedy Center: A Celebration of Ten Years, the event will be hosted by Smokey Robinson and will feature a selection of performers who have worked with Kaiser over the years, including Joshua Bell, Barbara Cook, Renée Fleming, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Marcelo Gomes and Paloma Herrera of American Ballet Theatre, members of New York City Ballet, and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. The evening will be co-chaired by Adrienne Arsht, Betsy DeVos, Alma Gildenhorn, Helen Henderson, Ann Jordan, Alma Powell, Catherine B. Reynolds, and Vicki Sant.

According to the NY Tmes, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington National Opera will merge this July. The financially troubled National Opera will still have its own board and receive its own donations, but all other funds will be merged with the Kennedy Center's.

Photos as U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the 2010 Kennedy Center Honorees at a reception in the East Room of the White House before going to the Kennedy Center on December 5, 2010. The recipients for the 33rd annual awards are singer and songwriter Merle Haggard; composer and lyricist Jerry Herman; dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones; songwriter and musician Paul McCartney; and producer, television host and actress Oprah Winfrey. Here's what the President had to say...

Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will visit Salt Lake City as part of the Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative 50-state tour to address the challenges facing non-profit arts organizations today.

Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will visit Salt Lake City as part of the Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative 50-state tour to address the challenges facing non-profit arts organizations today.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced May 4, 2010 by Broadway Star Lea Michele and Tony Award Nominee Jeff Daniels.

McCarter Theatre Center, along with New Jersey State Council on the Arts, ArtPride New Jersey, Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, The Arts Council of Princeton and New Jersey Theatre Alliance, will host a discussion with Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser on Wednesday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. A meet and greet will take place in the lobby beginning 9:00 a.m. To attend this event, which is free and open to the public, please register by calling the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at (609) 258-2787.

McCarter Theatre Center, along with New Jersey State Council on the Arts, ArtPride New Jersey, Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, The Arts Council of Princeton and New Jersey Theatre Alliance, will host a discussion with Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser on Wednesday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. A meet and greet will take place in the lobby beginning 9:00 a.m. To attend this event, which is free and open to the public, please register by calling the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at (609) 258-2787.

Before the show closes however, it will be filmed for the Lincoln Center Archives on Friday night, January 8, 2010.

After an extremely popular debut installment of Ragtime Talk Time, the producers of RAGTIME have announced that On Tuesday, January 5th Michael Kaiser, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will be the guest.

Following the closing announcement of Broadway's RAGTIME for January 3, the production was met with public dismay and a swell of strong ticket sales for the closing week. As previously reported, the producer's have responded to public sentiment by extending the show by a week. The critically acclaimed new production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME will now play its final performance on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. following 28 preview and 65 regular performances.

Due to popular demand and a swell of strong ticket sales following an initial closing announcement yesterday, the critically acclaimed new production of Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony Award® winning musical RAGTIME will now play its final performance on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre one week later on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. following 28 preview and 65 regular performances.

After an extremely popular debut installment of Ragtime Talk Time, the producers of RAGTIME have announced additional upcoming talkbacks. On Tuesday, December 22nd Tony Award® winning playwright Terrence McNally and celebrated Director/Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge will be featured. On Tuesday, January 5th Michael Kaiser, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will be the guest.