Richard Gray News

ove is Love, a new musical revue conceived and directed by Martin Charnin, best-known for co-creating Annie, premieres in Florida for ten performances at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre October 15 - 25, 2009. With music and lyrics by both Charnin and Richard Gray, Love is Love will take you on this journey that grapples with the mysteries and complications of love.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of 'Hello, Dolly', while holding onto the charm of the show, at times felt like it was marching through Jello. Starring the always wonderful Jenifer Lewis, the show was, on the whole, enjoyable, but really seemed like it could have used another week of rehearsals.

Stephen Sondheim's exquisite musical about art, life, and what artists draw from both, Sunday in the Park with George, opens at The 5th Avenue Theatre on April 23rd. This rarely-seen but much-lauded musical features an all-star Seattle cast (led by Broadway actor Hugh Panaro in the leading role of George), and the astonishing scenic design and computer animation effects created by Sam Buntrock and designers Tim Bird and David Farley.

Rock-It Science Records presents Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Volume 10. Featuring highlights from the Volumes 1-9, as well as the incredible talents of stars from the 2008 Broadway season, the annual holiday CD benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). This two-disc set offers 36 original and traditional holiday songs recorded especially for this benefit CD, and features the cast of Billy Elliot with the premiere of an original song by Elton John, 'Cold Christmas.' Included are the voices of Antonio Banderas, Harvey Fierstein, Idina Menzel, Bernadette Peters, and Andréa Burns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nick Jonas and American Idol's Constantine Maroulis and Ace Young, plus new recordings with performances by stars from In the Heights, South Pacific, Wicked plus many more! Also performing on this year's CD are Rosie's Broadway Kids, young students in the performing arts program founded by Rosie O'Donnell.

Though it features a solid Stephen Schwartz score, the principal success of Pippin was the dynamic staging provided by Bob Fosse. Fosse was able to elevate Roger O. Hirson's paper-thin book far above its mediocrity with inventive movement and a heavy dose of style. 5th Avenue Theatre's gaudy new staging, under the direction of David Armstrong, is further proof that Fosse shows are not to be tinkered with. Much like the recent revival of Sweet Charity, this production suffers greatly when Fosse's influence is removed.

A photo preview of 5th Avenue's upcoming Pippin...

Sarah Rudinoff and Billie Wildrick will star as the two New York-bound sisters of Wonderful Town from March 21st through April 9th

An evening of original theatre and concert songs by various composers was held by The New Voice Collective at Symphony Space on February 9th and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the evening...