Stephen Foster News

Grammy Award-winning choral director Craig Hella Johnson will guest conduct the St. Charles Singers in a concert program titled “Inspired” at 8 p.m. tonight, March 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

On Wednesday, March 11, the fourth anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated portions of Japan in 2011, the Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by Elizabeth Nuñez will join with other choruses from New York City and Japan to commemorate the date in a free concert in Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. The 8 p.m. concert is presented by the Japan Artists Exchange Agency.

Grammy Award-winning choral director Craig Hella Johnson will guest conduct the St. Charles Singers in a concert program titled “Inspired” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

Lexington, KY—Most people think of Kentucky music in terms of three genres: folk, country, and bluegrass. However, as new artists contribute to the ever growing corpus of Kentucky music, it is becoming clear that Kentucky's legacy extends beyond these traditional forms. From the flatlands of Western Kentucky to the mountains of Appalachia, Kentucky is home to a diverse group of musicians who share in their love and appreciation for the state that serves as the inspiration for their work.

Below, we are excited to bring you a world premiere exclusive of Chenoweth singing Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More". Check out the full performance below!

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Louisville Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Louisville Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Louisville Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Louisville Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

On the heels of the most-attended production in PICT's 18-year history, PICT Classic Theatre presents Charles Dickens' Great Expectations from tonight, December 4 - 20 at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland.

Fearless Productions will present 'Legends and Bridge' by C. Stephen Foster in association with Black Box Theatre Publishing. This play is a comedy imagining former, silver screen legend Joan Crawford (matronly, washed up, and pickled on spiked Pepsi) who invites Judy Garland (recently fired from her CBS TV show) and Bette Davis (bitter at no longer being the 'Queen of Hollywood') up to her Manhattan apartment in 1964 to live with her as they work on a 'secret' film project.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Louisville Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

Once again the uniquely talented Hershey Felder endears his audience to him with his newest presentation, the life and work of the one and only composer Irving Berlin in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Currently onstage at the Geffen Playhouse through December 21, Felder's tribute, although a bit long - coming in a tad short of two hours without an interval - is enriching, humorous and replete with most of the brilliant Berlin tunes.

Ever since WICKED made her a household name, there isn't much that Kristin Chenoweth does that doesn't make Broadway babies jump with joy. Recently, the Broadway megastar returned to her hometown of Broken Arrow, OK for a series of concerts. Concord Music Group has released Kristin Chenoweth's first-ever live album COMING HOME, and she enchants audiences with her signature vocal talent and charm.

The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

On the heels of the most-attended production in PICT's 18-year history, PICT Classic Theatre presents Charles Dickens' Great Expectations from December 4 - 20 at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland. The final production before PICT's 2015 Downtown Series, Great Expectations concludes the year with an adored classic, perfect for the holiday season, which evokes feelings of nostalgia for countless readers worldwide.

Fearless Productions will present "Legends and Bridge" by C. Stephen Foster in association with Black Box Theatre Publishing. This play is a comedy imagining former, silver screen legend Joan Crawford (matronly, washed up, and pickled on spiked Pepsi) who invites Judy Garland (recently fired from her CBS TV show) and Bette Davis (bitter at no longer being the "Queen of Hollywood") up to her Manhattan apartment in 1964 to live with her as they work on a "secret" film project.

On November 30, the Capitol Center for the Arts is pleased to welcome the Celtic Tenors, the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. In 2000, following an impromptu audition at EMI in London, they were signed on the spot to an international record deal, a highly unusual event that was the talk of the music industry. Since then, they have played to sold out shows across the globe, garnering critical acclaim for not only their impeccable vocals, but the delightful humor, charm, and audience engagement they bring to their performances.

Grammy-winning country-rock singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash returns to Harris Center for the Arts to perform live from her 13th record, The River & The Thread. Cash won the hearts of her audience when she appeared here in spring of 2011.

Grammy-winning country-rock singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash returns to Harris Center for the Arts to perform live from her 13th record, The River & The Thread. Cash won the hearts of her audience when she appeared here in spring of 2011.