Vicki Lewis News

The last remaining tickets are on sale for the desert's most anticipated annual star-studded concert event, Michael Childer's 'One Night Only', benefiting Jewish Family Services Of The Desert (JFS), to be held Thursday, April 20, 2017 at The McCallum Theatre. This 10th season's theme is 'Hello Jerry' and Michael and cast pay tribute to the incomparable composer Jerry Herman, bringing to the stage music form his popular musicals including Mame, Mack and Mabel, Grand Tour, La Cage Aux Folles and, of course, Hello Dolly. 'Hello Jerry' is directed by Jason Graae with musical direction by Christopher Marlowe. I had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Childer's to talk about this special tenth anniversary production, and more. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation …

Tickets are now on sale for the desert's most anticipated annual star-studded concert event, Michael Childer's 'One Night Only', benefiting Jewish Family Services Of The Desert (JFS), to be held Thursday, April 20, 2017 at The McCallum Theatre. This season's theme is 'Hello Jerry' and Michael and cast pay tribute to the incomparable composer Jerry Herman, bringing to the stage music form his popular musicals including Mame, Mack and Mabel, Grand Tour, La Cage Aux Folles and, of course, Hello Dolly.

On an ordinary day, Ralph, a widower takes a different path on his daily walk, a path that leads him to a second chance at love and relying on his boyish charm he attempts to woo the distant Carol.

Today's big news: The new a cappella musical IN TRANSIT starts tonight on Broadway, THE BABYLON LINE bows this evening at Lincoln Center Theater, and a stage version of FROZEN sets sail today aboard Disney Cruise Line!

Great works of literature are often beautifully adapted into opera and ballet. Think of Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, to name just one. Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot is also tremendously passionate and digs deep into the female psyche, producing emotional rhythms that lend themselves to music. Whereas Lorca's work concentrates on sexual repression, Giraudoux's is more romantic and... goes a step further into the realm of championing a cause, a desire to right human wrongs and change the world.

 Musical Theatre West (MTW) raises the curtain on its inaugural "Broadway in Concert" series for the 2016-17 season.  Each concert, held at the newly renamed Beverly O'Neill Theater at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, will feature top Broadway talent, including Davis Gaines (September 24, 2016), Valerie Perri (January 29, 2017), and Susan Egan (March 17, 2017).   Series and single tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999 ext. 4.  Single tickets start at $40, or purchase the series for packages of $100, $150, or a VIP package of $275, which includes a post-concert reception with the artists.

 Musical Theatre West (MTW) raises the curtain on its inaugural "Broadway in Concert" series for the 2016-17 season.  Each concert, held at the newly renamed Beverly O'Neill Theater at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, will feature top Broadway talent, including Davis Gaines (September 24, 2016), Valerie Perri (January 29, 2017), and Susan Egan (March 17, 2017).   Series and single tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999 ext. 4.  Single tickets start at $40, or purchase the series for packages of $100, $150, or a VIP package of $275, which includes a post-concert reception with the artists.

The Midtown International Theater Festival (MITF) presents Insomnia with music and lyrics by Charles Bloom and book by Theo Wolf. Ovi Vargas directs a cast of seven, including Philip Skinner, Jesse Manocherian*, Anette Michelle Sanders*, Lauren Lukacek*, Chris Brick*, Tyler Milliron*, and Dennis Holland* (Bway: The Music Man, Peter Pan). Insomnia is being staged at the Main Stage, 312 West 36th Street in New York City from August 2-7, 2016.

I grew up looking forward to the weekend, because that's when channel 30 would broadcast 'Chiller Theater', providing a burgeoning horror fan like myself with the chance to view all the creepy classics that sprang from the loins of Universal Studios during the 1930's and 40's. I was a preteen when YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN played at the Westport cinema for a year! Yeah, movies used to actually do that. So, it was a genuine treat to see one of my favorite monsters lovingly parodied by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. And, it was with much anticipation that I looked forward to seeing the musical version of this beloved comedy from my childhood on the grand stage of The Muny. I think it's an extremely entertaining show, filled with a plethora of familiar gags, as well as some outstanding performances. This well cast and delightfully staged production is full of gorgeously spooky scenery and fun musical numbers, and I highly recommend that everyone catch this particular presentation, because it's far and away more humorous and spirited than the touring show that came through several years ago.

Stars from The Muny's new production of the wacky Mel Brooks musical reveal their best (and worst) science projects.

The Muny continues its season with Young Frankenstein (now through July 19), directed byMarcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Rhodes and music directed by Charlie Alterman. Check out highlights from the show below!

The Muny continues its season with Young Frankenstein (now through July 19), directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Rhodes and music directed by Charlie Alterman. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Midtown International Theater Festival (MITF) presents Insomnia with music and lyrics by Charles Bloom and book by Theo Wolf. Ovi Vargas directs a cast of seven, including Philip Skinner, Jesse Manocherian*, Anette Michelle Sanders*, Lauren Lukacek*, Chris Brick*, Tyler Milliron*, and Dennis Holland* (Bway: The Music Man, Peter Pan). Insomnia is being staged at the Main Stage, 312 West 36th Street in New York City from August 2-7, 2016.

The Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.) Benefit titled Sondheim 5, took place June 18th at Beverly Hills' beautiful Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in benefit of AIDS Project Los Angeles.  The much anticipated event, was once again directed by David Galligan.  Michael Orland served as Musical Director, with Choreography by Lee Martino; and BroadwayWorld TV's own Michael Sterling was on hand to talk to the stars just prior to their first of two performances.

The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Young Frankenstein directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Rhodes and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that The Muny has announced a star-stuffed first round of principal cast members for its spectacular 98th season!

Susan Anton, Barrett Foa, Loretta Devine, Allison Janney and Andrea Marcovicci are among the galaxy of Broadway, Film, and Television stars lending their talents to the 32nd annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (STAGE), Sondheim No. 5, with two performances on Saturday, June 18th at the beautiful Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.  David Galligan directs with Michael Orland as Music Director.  Performances will be at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.