Richard Rodgers News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cinderella' and 'Lucy' hit town, 'Hansel And Gretel' play on the Mag Mile, a BC/EFA benefit at Sidetrack, 'Porgy' and Redmoon make splashes, two shows named 'Nativity' ready to open, and 'Rudolph' and Big Red return!

Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab presents a staged reading of TAKE ONE, a new musical comedy with book by Jay Freeman, music & lyrics by Jeff Ward. The reading will be directed by Nancy Robillard with musical direction by Dina Pruzhansky.

Thought provoking, dramatic, depressing, with a dash of humor describes the current production of the Unicorn Theatre on their Levin Stage. Ian R. Crawford directs Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, written by Rajiv Joseph. The complex plot and vivid images are a co-production of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Theatre Department.

HAM: A Musical Memoir, a new theatrical event based on Sam Harris' book, HAM: Slices of a Life (a collection of stories and essays published by Simon & Schuster) will premiere at Theater 511 at Ars Nova in the New Year. This innovative and exciting hybrid theatrical concept is the culmination of Harris' successful 30 year career as actor, vocalist and, now, author. HAM: A Musical Memoir will play a limited engagement, with preview performances beginning Thursday, January 8, 2015, with an opening night set for Monday, January 12, 2015.

RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, the 2013 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music, will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from January 20 - February 1.

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.

Menzel took the time out of her busy schedule to chat with BroadwayWorld about 'Holiday Wishes', her upcoming world tour, life at IF/THEN, and so much more. Check out the full interview below!

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 12/5/2014.

The ABC Television Network will air "The Sound of Music," the Rodgers & Hammerstein cinematic treasure, on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 (7:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT).

The Music Theatre Company joins forces with The Ravinia Festival for a special one night engagement of OSCAR & RICHARD & JOE: An Evening About Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro on Saturday, January 31 at 8:30 pm at Ravinia Festival's Bennett Gordon Hall, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park, IL. Tickets for OSCAR & RICHARD & JOE are $10 and available by calling the Ravinia Festival Box Office at (847) 266- 5100 or visiting www.ravinia.org.

Reality television star NeNe Leakes stopped by ABC's THE VIEW to talk about making her Broadway debut in Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA.

Famed singer Barbara Morrison will be the star performer in a full evening of entertainment running the gamut from jazz, blues, rhythm-and-blues and Motown in the 'Big Band Bang for Your Buck' New Year's Eve Musical Festival at the Encore Dinner Theatre.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the third show of their 2014-2015 season and the perfect confection for the Holiday season, the Orange County Premiere of STRIKING 12, with book music and lyrics by Brendan Milburn, Rachel Sheinkin and Valerie Vigoda and directed by Janet Roston.

Centenary Stage Company and the Young Performer's Workshop returns with their Winter Festival of Shows running December 13th through the 21st, as well as, Spring Registration Interviews on Saturday December 13th and Sunday December 14th. The Winter Festival of Shows will be held in the Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ. This season's selection offers a variety of musicals perfect for the whole family and includes The Clown, Babes in Arms and 13 The Musical. The Young Performers Workshop (YPW) has been called "The most professional kids troupe around!" by the Star Ledger.

Feinstein's at the Nikko kicks off 2015 with a bang with an exciting lineup of artists, including Tony Award winner Billy Porter; actress, feminist and activist Kathy Najimy; world-renowned artist Vonda Shepard; Broadway star Constantine Maroulis; and the dynamic cabaret duo Amy and Freddy. Additional artists will be added at a later date. Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling ?866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

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.

This December and January 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Scroll down for details!

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA welcomed actress and reality television sensation NeNe Leakes (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA) to the cast on November 25, as she stepped into the role of Cinderella's wicked stepmother 'Madame'. CINDERELLA will conclude its triumphant 2-year run on January 3. The show will have played 41 preview and 770 regular performances when it closes.