Michael Smith News

MARY TESTA -- the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress -- and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger will perform four concerts in January to promote their new album Have Faith from Ghostlight Records.

Chef Aarón Sánchez hits the road for a cross-country culinary journey exploring the Latin side of U.S. cities in the new six-episode series Taco Trip, premiering tonight, December 16th at 9:30pm

The North American premiere of Olivier Award nominee Duncan Macmillan's highly acclaimed new play, Every Brilliant Thing, opened last night, December 14 at Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street). Featuring Jonny Donahoe and directed by George Perrin, the Paines Plough and Pentabus Theatre Company production of Every Brilliant Thing comes to New York fresh off its smash hit, much-raved-over engagements in London and Edinburgh, as well as a UK tour. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the festivities below!

Million Dollar Quartet, the longest-running Broadway musical production in Chicago's history, which has been extended through Spring 2015, announces an unprecedented Winter Weather Guarantee. From January-March 2015, Million Dollar Quartet will exchange previously purchased tickets if inclement weather makes it difficult, or impossible, to travel to the theater.

Three leading Sydney based performing arts companies have combined forces with some of Australia's most renowned dance and theatre makers, under the direction of Patrick Nolan, to explore the rituals of courtship and young love in PUNCTURE at Riverside Theatres from 21 to 25 January in a world premiere performance at Sydney Festival 2015.

Having seen Mary Testa in a cabaret concert in Houston, I feel I had an idea of what to expect from her and Michael Starobin's album HAVE FAITH. While I expected it to be eccentrically eclectic and haunting, nothing could have prepared me for how it was beautifully hypnotizing and simultaneously so unlike anything I've ever heard before. The unique album utilizes well-known pop songs (hits from The Beach Boys to Alanis Morissette) and songs written by William Finn and Michael John LaChiusa to explore thoughts on faith and doubt in ways that are equally alluring and unexpected.

The boys are back in town, as pizza aficionados Francis Garcia and Sal Basille return to Cooking Channel with Pizza Masters, premiering Today, December 5th at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos return to Cooking Channel for more family, food, and Tuscany in the new season of Extra Virgin, premiering Wednesday, January 7th at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from MARY TESTA - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets today, December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.

Chef Aarón Sánchez hits the road for a cross-country culinary journey exploring the Latin side of U.S. cities in the new six-episode series Taco Trip, premiering Tuesday, December 16th at 9:30pm

Ready for the holidays, Bergen County Players presents Freckleface Strawberry the Musical from November 29 through December 21 on the local stage of the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ. The family-friendly show will be performed on Fridays at 8:00 pm as well as Saturdays and Sundays at both 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. As is the tradition of the annual family show, following all performances the cast will meet with the children in the audience, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org or by calling the box office at 201-261-4200. Attractive group discounts are available, and private pre-show tours can also be arranged by calling the group sales line at the box office number above, choosing mailbox #6.

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from MARY TESTA - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.

The completely reimaged revival of Side Show took its much anticipated first bow on Broadway last night, October 28, at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Amongst the crowd for the production's first preview were super-fans of the musical and an array of stars, setting the stage for the kind of excitement normally only seen at opening nights. Directed by Academy Award-winner Bill Condon, Side Show will have its official Opening Night on Monday, November 17. BroadwayWorld was there for the first preview and you can check out photos of the celebrity guests below!

Below, check out the official trailer for the new thriller DOG FOOD, starring Amanda Seyfried, Cory Michael Smith and David Craig.