Richard Rodgers News

Theatre Rhinoceros presents the Bay Area Premiere of the Stephen Sondheim Musical ROAD SHOW, featuring Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by John Weidman, and running January 2 - 19, 2014

An inspiring and emotional all-new version of one of the most cherished musicals of all time, The Sound of Music Live! comes to DVD today, December 17, 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. A special live performance originally broadcast on NBC of the timeless Broadway sensation introduces a new generation to the von Trapp family.

Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. This special holiday engagement plays for six performances only, today, December 17-22, at Aurora Theatre Company's intimate Second Stage cabaret performance space, Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.

Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. Celebrating the season with masterful music-making, Jessup (last seen at the Aurora in Mae West's SEX) performs favorites from his wide-ranging career in cabaret and musical theater, along with classic holiday tunes, and original songs.

Sierra Boggess rocketed to musical theatre stardom when she originated the role of Christine Daae in 2006's PHANTOM: THE LAS VEGAS SPECTACULAR. She has returned to the iconic role of Christine Daae for the West End production of LOVE NEVER DIES, the 25th Anniversary Concert of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at London's Royal Albert Hall, and the 25th Anniversary of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Broadway's Majestic Theatre. Along the way, she has also starred as Ariel in Disney Theatricals' THE LITTLE MERMAID and Fantine in LES MISERABLES, among others. Recently, Broadway Records released her charming debut album, AWAKENING: Live at 54 BELOW, which was recorded during her August 2013 cabaret debut at the prized intimate venue.

Maureen McGovern has been called the singer with "The Stradivarius Voice," so tremendous is her talent. Her 40-year career has encompassed recording, song writing, concerts, radio, television, film and Broadway, and is about to begin her second show-stopping stint with The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, appearing January 7 through March 8, 2014. McGovern made her Broadway debut in The Pirates of Penzance in 1981. She later starred in Nine with Raul Julia and in 3 Penny Opera with Sting, and has appeared in many musicals and dramas throughout the country. In 2005, McGovern returned to Broadway, originating her Drama Desk-nominated role of Marmee in Little Women, The Musical. She continued in that role with the national touring company.

On Saturday, December 7, TheatreWorks opened the Broadway musical 'Little Women' to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd in Palo Alto, CA. After the performance, attendees emerged into the courtyard of the Lucie Stern Theatre to find snow - make with theatre magic! - followed by a champagne reception and meet-and-greet with the cast. Check out photos below by David Allen.

Donna Vivino, who starred for two years as 'Elphaba' in the First National Tour of WICKED and also in the role on Broadway, just released a jazzy new album called 'Beautiful Dreamer' via Ghostlight Records. This is Donna's first album, which came about in a spur-of-the-moment collaboration with her father, Jerry Vivino, who is part of Conan's Basic Cable Band -- the house band for O'Brien's late night show on TBS. Donna recently spoke with BWW about working with her father, her current project off-Broadway, and the upcoming third season of 'Submissions Only'.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that Carrie Underwood recently starred in NBC's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Whether you loved it or hated it, NBC's live broadcast has been widely discussed for its casting, presenting a production that was more faithful to the original 1959 vehicle created for Mary Martin than the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews, and for the sheer fact that it has been a rather long time since a Broadway musical was turned into a television special and beamed into living rooms across the United States. Additionally, two days prior to the initial airing, Sony Masterworks released a charming studio album that features music from the production.

Barnes & Noble will celebrate the release of the new Ghostlight Records cast recording NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 with a special in-st0re performance and CD signing today, December 10, the CD release date.

If/Then concluded its world premiere out-of-town engagement at Washington D.C.'s National Theatre on Sunday, December 8. Tickets will go on sale for the Broadway production of If/Then starring Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel today, December 9th. The production will begin previews on Broadway Wednesday, March 5, 2014 and will officially open on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. To purchase tickets please visit ifthenthemusical.com or Ticketmaster.com or call 877-250-2929. BroadwayWorld was there for one of the final performances and you can check out phtoos from the stars at the stage door below!

The producers of Cinderella announced today that television and film star Fran Drescher will make her Broadway debut as Cinderella's stepmother Madame, beginning performances on February 4th for a 10-week run through April 13 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). Ms. Drescher takes over the role created by Harriet Harris, who concludes her acclaimed year-long run in the musical to return to her home in California.

Tickets will go on sale for the Broadway production of If/Then starring Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel today, December 9th. The production will begin previews on Broadway Wednesday, March 5, 2014 and will officially open on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. To purchase tickets please visit ifthenthemusical.com or Ticketmaster.com or call 877-250-2929.

The ASCAP Foundation will honor Tony Award-winning lyricist and director of Annie Martin Charnin with the first-ever ASCAP Foundation George M. Cohan Award at their 18th annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 11th, 2013. The invitation-only event, hosted by ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams, will be held at the Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

An inspiring and emotional all-new version of one of the most cherished musicals of all time, The Sound of Music Live! comes to DVD on December 17, 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, December 8, 2013 - Sunday, December 8, 2013.

The Broadway production of Shakespeare's timeless love story ROMEO AND JULIET, starring international film star Orlando Bloom in his Broadway debut opposite two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, closes today, December 8, 2013, after 27 previews and 93 regular performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). Directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux, Romeo and Juliet began previews on Saturday, August 24, 2013 and opened on Thursday, September 19, 2013.

Mad Cow Theatre will present Tony Award winning The Light in the Piazza in The Harriet Theatre, now through January 5, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

After NBC's foray into musical theatre with last week's live broadcast of The Sound of Music starring Carrie Underwood, and with Laura Osnes' Cinderella sashaying on the Great White Way, the continued sway of Broadway composer-lyricist duo Rodgers & Hammerstein is unmistakable. In honor of their legacy, BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the highlights of the Rodgers & Hammerstein cannon.