Ricky Ian Gordon News

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) will welcome InProximity Theatre Company with the New York City premiere of THE FALL TO EARTH, written by Joel Drake Johnson and directed by Joe Brancato.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns to the elegant Allen Room in January for its fourteenth season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 16 nights the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic songwriting. Week One of the 2012 season will start off with a relatively new composer on the scene, multiple Tony-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) who will be bringing his new rap composition about American historical figure Alexander Hamilton called The Hamilton Mixtape. Next up is the just-nominated-for-a-Grammy Award duo Chris Thile and Michael Daves, who play a dazzling, modern form of bluegrass that nonetheless references legendary bluegrass artists from the past. From the rock canon will be J.D. Souther, performing songs he wrote for Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles as well as newer compositions. To close out Week One, composer William Finn (Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), along with guest vocalists, will be performing a song cycle inspired by the poetry of William Blake.

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.' John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, the couple The New York Times called 'a musical match made in heaven,' will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring festive holiday tunes such as 'We Need a Little Christmas', 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Go Tell It On the Mountain', 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm' and 'Little Bolero Boy'. Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Cluman, will also join The New York Pops in the festive concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

The 'warm-toned and wonderfully unified' (The New York Times) Brooklyn Youth Chorus-under the direction of founder Dianne Berkun-infuses this holiday season's music calendar with fresh perspective, offering a special free holiday performance with Metropolitan Opera soprano Harolyn Blackwell on Thursday, December 15 at 7:30pm at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

With four Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, the Juilliard-trained Audra McDonald returns to performing live full-time this month following four seasons playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's hit television series Private Practice. Currently starring alongside Norm Lewis in A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS, the Broadway-bound singer will make a stop at Carnegie Hall as a part of her 20-city concert tour across North America. McDonald will present her trademark mix of show tunes, classic songs from movies, and pieces written expressly for her by leading contemporary composers.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS begins its TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Composer Lisa Bielawa's Breakfast in New York will have its world premiere tonight at 8pm at Galapagos Art Space (16 Main Street, Brooklyn).

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS announces its TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

FARAH ALVIN & DANIEL MATÉ'S BEECHMAN BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT will take place Tuesday September 27th, 9:30 at Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 W. 42nd Street). Admission by donation ($10 suggested donation) + $15 food/drink minimum. All door proceeds will go to September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows (www.peacefultomorrows.org). Reservations recommended: call 212.695.6909.

With four Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, the Juilliard-trained Audra McDonald returns to performing live full-time this month following four seasons playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's hit television series Private Practice. Currently starring alongside Norm Lewis in A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS, the Broadway-bound singer will make a stop at Carnegie Hall as a part of her 20-city concert tour across North America. McDonald will present her trademark mix of show tunes, classic songs from movies, and pieces written expressly for her by leading contemporary composers.