Richard Jay-Alexander News

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their second "American Icons" concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the remaining performers for its second show of their season, SWEET SOUL MUSIC, which will include Tony Award-nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (Broadway: The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys), & Leslie Odom, Jr. (Broadway: Rent, Jersey Boys, Regional: Leap of Faith opposite Brooke Shields), with the previously announced American Idol star Frenchie Davis, performing the music of RAY CHARLES, MARVIN GAYE and GLADYS KNIGHT, and their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder, in a one night only concert - SWEET SOUL MUSIC.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their second "American Icons" concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

DONNA McKECHNIE, Tony-Award winner and star of the original 'A Chorus Line' premieres her unique theatrical experience, 'MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE' in an exclusive, South Florida engagement as part of The PlayGround Theatre's new project, Between Engagements. Ms. McKechnie, one of Broadway's most beloved and enduring stars appears in the limited, three-performance run at The PlayGround Theatre in Miami Shores on Saturday, February 12th at 8pm and Sunday, February 13th at 2pm and 7:30pm. 'MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE,' is Directed by Richard Jay-Alexander with Musical Direction by Eugene Gwozdz.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their second "American Icons" concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

According to Syracuse.com, arts and entertainment critic and much loved Syracuse native Joan E. Vadeboncoeur passed away yesterday, January 4 in her home in Cazenovia. She was 78 years old.

Rock tenor Rob Evan is perhaps most famous for his essaying of the dual title roles in Frank Wildhorn's JEKYLL & HYDE ten years ago on Broadway - and playing the leads in the new rock reinterpretation of the score known as JEKYLL & HYDE: RESURRECTION - but since that time he has appeared in entertainment entities as diverse as LES MISERABLES, Disney's TARZAN, Alan Menken & Howard Ashman's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, concert performances of CHESS, THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, The Dream Engine and, of course, his muse-like work for Paul O'Neill, creator and composer of the international phenomenon known as the Trans Siberian Orchestra, as well as the Lord of Excess himself and a rock god like none other, BAT OUT OF HELL visionary Jim Steinman. There's a lot more to the story of Evan, Steinman and DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES than may seem at first bite. In this exclusive conversation, Evan and I discuss his many stage and concert appearances, as well as his extensive studio work - including BATMAN and many new, unheard compositions - with the resplendent and reclusive rock icon known to friends as just Jimmy. Here's a big bloody bite of my conversation with Rob Evan, who can be seen in a number of upcoming appearances on concert stages across the world, including his upcoming ROCK TENOR series of shows. More information is available at his official site here.

2010 was a year filled with all sorts of exciting BroadwayWorld interviews - here's some of this year's highlights!

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all,and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and her inspirations as Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In her most comprehensive print interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

Upright Cabaret is thrilled to announce the performers for their second 'American Icons' concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. Grammy Award-nominee and American Idol finalist Frenchie Davis (American Idol Season 2, Broadway: RENT, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', DREAMGIRLS), Ty Taylor (CBS' Rockstar INXS, Broadway: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, CATS, GREASE; PIPPIN at the Mark Taper Forum, CHESS at Reprise Theatre Company, front man of raw soul band 'Vintage Trouble') and Von Smith (American Idol Season 8) as Upright Cabaret expands their unique, one-of-a-kind cabaret experience to Thousand Oaks!

This past Wednesday and Thursday, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch oversaw another Hollywood edition of Cast Party, the wildly successful open mic night, which tours the country celebrating local talent.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce American Idol star Frenchie Davis will appear in the second show of their second season, SWEET SOUL MUSIC! SWEET SOUL MUSIC will feature the music of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight, under the musical direction of Gerald Sternbach.

We are hearing HUGE rumblings that the Hollywood Bowl has chosen their summer musical... Drum roll please... HAIRSPRAY! The Hollywood Bowl has been knocking these musicals out of the ballpark these last three years with LES MISERABLES, GUYS & DOLLS and RENT.

On December 4, in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Last night in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Hollywood and Broadway legends Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi will star in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love' at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Broadway performance will benefit Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespread animal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years. Hilary Knight, internationally renowned illustrator, will design the art for the event.

In late November, BroadwayWorld TV asked Richard Jay-Alexander if he would sit down and talk to Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp about their upcoming Town Hall gig. BroadwayWorld TV brings you this unique and relaxed interview and the chance to win the prize of one of the greatest contests that BroadwayWorld has ever offered.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce a second season of shows at the theatre and the performers for its first show of the season!

Tony Award winning star of A CHORUS LINE is regarded internationally as one of Broadway's foremost dancing and singing leading ladies. She began this summer performing in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and has just completed her first tour of Australia with MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE, before taking it to NY and a sold out crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Donna McKechnie 'wowed' the capacity crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Wednesday night, Nov. 3rd when she returned for the second time with her show, MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE. She received multiple standing ovations throughout her expertly crafted act, which she and director Richard Jay-Alexander have been presenting across the country and around the globe.