Richard Rodgers News

The upcoming Broadway revival of ROMEO AND JULIET begins previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre tomorrow night, August 24, and according to the New York Daily News, it will be the first to play the newly renovated space.

City Parks Foundation announces the 21st edition of the beloved late summer jazz favorite, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. In the world of modern music, few figures loom as large or cast as long a shadow as saxophonist Charlie Parker, best known as 'Bird' (short for 'Yardbird') to generations of musicians. He was born in 1920, and almost sixty years since his death in 1955, he is universally celebrated for single-handedly inventing bebop and bringing jazz into the modern era.

International film star Orlando Bloom will make his Broadway debut alongside Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, as Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers in a new Broadway production of the timeless love story ROMEO AND JULIET, directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux. In anticipation of opening night, slated for Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the duo stopped by GOOD MORNING AMERICA today. Check out their interview below!

The producers of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA have announced that three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker will join the cast on Broadway as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, Marie, starting September 6 through January 19, 2014. Ms. Luker takes over the role from Victoria Clark, who will leave CINDERELLA temporarily for a new project (to be announced), returning to the musical on January 21.

The bases are loaded with musical theatre magic as TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice BemandExecutive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Damn Yankees from August 14-25 on the TriArts Mainstage (49 Amenia Road, Sharon). Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

When Everything Was Possible-A Concert (with Comments) debuted at New York City Center. Broadway stars Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory delivered a memorable evening of story and song. On September 7, 2013, they bring their extraordinary production to RiverCenter for one night only!

The Active Theater (Nathaniel Shaw, Artistic Director) announced today the final selections for its 2013/2014 year-long play development series, now in its second official season: LOVELY SEND ANYWHERE, by Douglas J. Cohen, and SAM I AM, by Joshua H. Cohen.

The Michael Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts at Pace University today announced its 2013|2014 Pace Presents Season, under the Executive Direction of Martin I. Kagan, is a world-class performing arts series with an emphasis on music superstars from around the globe, charismatic and innovative dance performances, stunning opera stars in recital and spectacular contemporary cabaret. The Pace Presents season begins on September 21 with a big band tribute to the late, great lounge legend Esquivel from Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica, culminating onJune 1 with the reunion performance of Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham'sdance/theatre piece From the Horse's Mouth.

Cygnet Theatre presents a concert reading of Side by Side by Sondheim, a musical revue of Sondheim favorites. Directed by David McBean with Musical Direction by Chris Myers, Side by Side by Sondheim will be presented for TWO NIGHTS ONLY, beginning tonight, August 19, and continuing tomorrow, August 20 at 7:00pm.

We're celebrating the summer with one of our favorite songs by Drew Fornarola! This week's video features AJ Shively singing 'Eight and Five' at our CEC concert at NYMF last summer.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 8/16/2013.

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC), recipient of the 2012 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award from the Innovative Theatre Foundation, has announced their 13th season will include a world premiere play by Sandy Rustin (Rated P (for Parenthood)) THE COTTAGE, directed by Adam Dannheisser (Rock of Ages, resident director), and Rodgers and Hammerstein's ALLEGRO, directed by Artistic Director Tom Wojtunik. APAC's performance venue is located at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd), in Astoria, Queens. In the meantime, APAC's Board of Directors is in the midst of a search to find a new Executive Director, visit apacny.org for more information.

The bases are loaded with musical theatre magic as TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Alice Bem and Executive Director and John Simpkins Artistic Director, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Damn Yankees from August 14-25 on the TriArts Mainstage (49 Amenia Road, Sharon).

Utah Repertory Theater's ambitious production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL at the Murray Theater has a number of strengths.

City Parks Foundation proudly announces the 21st edition of the beloved late summer jazz favorite, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. In the world of modern music, few figures loom as large or cast as long a shadow as saxophonist Charlie Parker, best known as "Bird" (short for "Yardbird") to generations of musicians. He was born in 1920, and almost sixty years since his death in 1955, he is universally celebrated for single-handedly inventing bebop and bringing jazz into the modern era.

Producer David Stone has announced the remaining principal cast members ofIf/Then, the HIGHLY-anticipated upcoming world premiere musical by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creative team behind Next To Normal, Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director).

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and TriStan Wilson Managing Director, presents William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Julianne Boyd, running through August 25 at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. Check out phtoos from the opening night party below!

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and Tristan Wilson Managing Director, presents William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Julianne Boyd, running through August 25 at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. Check out phtoos from inside the big opening below!

Famed singer, actress and Broadway star Eydie Gormé has died at age 84. Spokesperson Howard Bragman said 'Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death.' In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: 'Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing. While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time.'

Well, so was one of America's renowned pop songwriters who decided to create his first theatrical musical on that very subject -- America's fascination with reality show celebrity! Composer Arnie Roman, who has written a multitude of hit songs since 1982 for numerous recording artists, has written the music, book and lyrics for AMERICA'S BREATH OF FRESH AIR, an over-the-top satirical musical comedy about the realities of 'reality TV,' the downside of fame, and relationships, which premieres at the 17th Annual NY International Fringe Festival in New York City today, August 11 at 3:30 PM at Theatre 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) in the East Village.