Zorba! is Joseph Stein, John Kander and Fred Ebb's galvanic re-imagining of Nikos Kazantzakis's best-selling tale of Zorba (John Turturro), a larger than life Greek jack-of-all-trades who "lives every day as if it will be his last" and his friendship with Nikos (Santino Fontana), a young American student. Life becomes complicated when the men become involved with two women: Zorba with the aging innkeeper Madame Hortense (Zoe Wanamaker) and Nikos with a beautiful widow (Elizabeth A. Davis). Commenting on the story is a Greek chorus-like group, led by The Leader (Marin Mazzie), who begins the play by explaining exactly what "Life Is."
42nd Street Moon, the company that presents intimate productions of uncommon musicals, concludes its 2011-12 season with a journey to Greece and Crete for the Kander and Ebb classic, ZORBA. Based on the book Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, this musical is a salute to the spirit of Greece, where Zorba celebrates life, but also lost love, heartbreak and death. Opening is tonight, Saturday May 5 at 6 pm. The show will run through May 20.
42nd Street Moon, the company that presents intimate productions of uncommon musicals, concludes its 2011-12 season with a journey to Greece and Crete for the Kander and Ebb classic, ZORBA. Based on the book Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, this musical is a salute to the spirit of Greece, where Zorba celebrates life, but also lost love, heartbreak and death. Three low-priced previews run tonight, May 2, tomorrow May 3 and Friday, May 4, with the opening on Saturday May 5 at 6 pm. The show will run through May 20.
Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner began her show business career on stage in the national company of Zorba with Chita Rivera and John Raitt at the tender age of fifteen. After appearing in several Broadway shows, including Follies and Mack and Mabel, Rita made her last pre-comedian Broadway appearance in 1980 as Lily St. Regis in Annie.
Rita returns to her acting roots with the 13-member ensemble cast of The Laguna Playhouse's production of Tickled Pink, making its World Premiere debut from April 24 - May 20, 2012.
On Monday, April 9, Broadway stars Karen Mason and Brent Barrett thrilled a packed house with an evening of Kander & Ebb showstoppers at Birdland! The concert, titled 'Sing Happy,' was a celebration of all things K&E, and included some of the writing duo's most famous anthems ('New York, New York' and 'Maybe This Time') as well as a few lesser-known pieces ('Life Is' from Zorba and 'Skin of Your Teeth' from Over and Over).
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater June 8 to July 1, 2012. The musical revue will star Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. Originally produced at Signature Theatre in Virginia and co-conceived by David Loud and Eric Schaeffer, the production features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and will be directed by Eric Schaeffer. Jon Kalbfleisch will conduct the 22-piece Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Press opening night is Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
42nd Street Moon, the company that presents intimate productions of uncommon musicals, concludes its 2011-12 season with a journey to Greece and Crete for the Kander and Ebb classic, ZORBA. Based on the book Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, this musical is a salute to the spirit of Greece, where Zorba celebrates life, but also lost love, heartbreak and death. Three low-priced previews run May 2, 3 and 4, with the Opening on Saturday May 5 at 6 pm. The show will run through May 20.
'I want you to know that the most exciting part I've received recently is my new knee.'
'Do you really think Apple doesn't know?'
Stage and screen star Antonio Banderas has confirmed his intention to star in the Broadway revival of ZORBA, and hopes to see it open in September, 2011.
The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venuekicket off BROADWAY ORIGINALS! on Sunday, October 16nd. Tony winner Tammy Grimes (Unsinkable Molly Brown), Tony nominee Lorraine Serabian (Zorba!), Tituss Burgess (Guys & Dolls/The Little Mermaid), Sarah Uriate Berry (Taboo), Andrea Fierson (Once on This Island), Anne Runolfsson (Cyrano-The Musical) Marianne Tatum (Barnum), and Marva Hicks, Vanessa A. Jones, and Ramona Keller ('The Radio Ladies' from Caroline or Change) starred in the event, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities
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The Actors Fund and the Vineyard Theatre have announced details for their upcoming one-night-only benefit concert performance of Kander & Ebb's THE VISIT, starring Broadway stage legends and Tony Award winners Chita Rivera and John Cullum. Directed by Carl Andress with choreography by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking and musical direction by David Loud, the performance will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre (219 West 49th Street), current home to the celebrated revival of Kander & Ebb's worldwide smash Chicago.
Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner began her show business career on stage in the national company of Zorba with Chita Rivera and John Raitt at the tender age of fifteen. After appearing in several Broadway shows, including Follies and Mack and Mabel, Rita made her last pre-comedian Broadway appearance in 1980 as Lily St. Regis in Annie.
In just two weeks, on September 22nd, Performance Network Theatre will launch its 30th anniversary season with a Gala cabaret featuring a variety of beloved local acts. Entertainment for the event was announced today with popular singing trio The Chenille Sisters and Grammy winner Bill Bolcom and Joan Morris at the top of the list. Each act will perform a cabaret set on the evening's theme 'Diamonds and Pearls' to coincide with the modern and traditional gifts for a 30th anniversary.
Broadway Star Marc Kudisch (9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins) will offer a musical theatre master class on Monday, August 29th from 6:30 to 10:30pm at the Davenport Studio in Midtown Manhattan.
Today we are talking to DROP DEAD DIVA guest star Sharon Lawrence and discussing her long-awaited return to the series as Bobbie Dobkins in Sunday's "Mother's Day" episode as well as taking a look at her long and varied film and theater career with thoughts on everything from CABARET and CHICAGO onstage to DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, LAW & ORDER: SVU, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM on the small screen and the new Theresa Rebeck play she stars in opening next month at the Mark Taper Forum in LA, POOR BEHAVIOR and much, much more!
Over the course of the next several weeks, we are going to be taking an extensive look at the sights and sounds both onscreen and onset of the hit TV dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA - new episodes airing Sunday nights at 9 PM on Lifetime - featuring exclusive interviews with the leading lady divas and dashing supporting men on the LA-based supernatural legal series. Featuring a memorable collection of musical performances and Broadway guest stars over the years - Paula Abdul, Rosie O'Donnell, Delta Burke and many more included - DROP DEAD DIVA is the quintessential TV series for Broadway babies looking for some laughs and levity - the latter available in many more ways than one, given the show's heavenly aspirations. DROP DEAD DIVA centers on a legal eagle named Jane whose body acts as the means for the indomitable spirit of a model, Deb, who loses her life, to make a second chance and how the girl inside must learn to adjust to looking like the woman on the outside that she is now. In other words, a model finds out what it means to look like everyone else, in a delightfully quirky twist of fate - and learns to be a lawyer, too. Season Three picks up with the cliffhanger car crash that closed last season in a dark and shocking way. What will Grayson remember of the conversation he had with Jane pre-crash? What will Jane do to save him? What about his engagement (to somebody else)? What will happen back at the office with Teri, Kim and Parker? What about Stacy and Fred? All these questions and many more will most assuredly be answered come Sunday night! Plus, there's always a musical number or two not too far off if you stay tuned - such as this week's BroadwayWorld exclusive world premiere of "Lean On Me" available here!
Be sure to check back often because in the following weeks, we will also feature conversations with DROP DEAD DIVA stars Josh Henderson, Jackson Hurst, Ben Feldman and definitely stay tuned for next week's exclusive chat with featured guest star and Tony-winner, the one and only Faith Prince!
Continuing the BRIDGING TV & THEATRE: DROP DEAD DIVA series, here is my extended conversation with DROP DEAD DIVA guest star Sharon Lawrence in which we discuss her many Broadway credits - CABARET, CHICAGO, ZORBA and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF included - as well as her extensive and varied theater career and acting alongside the likes of Cherry Jones, Marian Seldes and DROP DEAD DIVA guest star and fellow Broadway baby Faith Prince. Additionally, Ms. Lawrence shares her fascinating insights into the art of acting and the role of the actor in society as well as provides detailed insight into her own process and musical theatre versus straight drama - plus, comments on SMASH, GLEE, Weill, Brecht, feminism and much, much more!
ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical, the hilarious Broadway-bound production, is now in rehearsal at the New 42nd Street Studios. The first preview is August 9. A limited number of 'Pay What You Can' tickets will be available on that date after 2 pm at the Box Office. The show runs through September 4. The show features a book by the legendary Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stan Daniels ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'Taxi').
ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical, the hilarious Broadway-bound production, will be the third Mainstage show of Bay Street Theatre's 20th Season from August 9 - September 4, in Sag Harbor. Featuring a book by the legendary Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stan Daniels ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'Taxi').
Broadway Star Marc Kudisch (9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins) will offer a musical theatre master class on Monday, August 29th from 6:30 to 10:30pm at the Davenport Studio in Midtown Manhattan.
ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical, the hilarious Broadway-bound production, will play a four-week limited engagement, August 9th - September 4th, at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Featuring a book by the legendary Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stan Daniels ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' 'Taxi'), ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical, features a cast of Broadway and television favorites including Jill Eikenberry ('L.A. Law,' Into The Woods), Josh Grisetti (Broadway Bound), Richard Kind (The Producers, Sly Fox), Kate Shindle (Wonderland) and Michael Tucker ('L.A.. Law'). ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical is presented by special arrangement with Dan Whitten (Jacques Brel..., Jay Johnson:The Two and Only, Jersey Boys) and Tiger Theatricals in Association with Carl Reiner (Grammy Award and twelve-time Emmy Award-winner; Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen) who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel on which the musical is based.
Below, we bring you John Kander and David Thompson, writers of The Scottsboro Boys, nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Kander, half of the famed Kander and Ebb duo that created such hits as Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Zorba, Woman of the Year, Steel Pier and more, is a three-time Tony winner. David Thompson is the writer of Chicago, Steel Pier, Thou Shalt Not and the Look of Love on Broadway. He was previously nominated for Best Book of a Musical for Steel Pier.
Yesterday morning, past Tony winners Anika Noni Rose and Matthew Broderick announced the 2011 Tony Awards nominees live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City. Today, BroadwayWorld talked to this year's nominees to hear their exciting stories of their reactions to the news. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS producer Fran Weissler went on the record about her shock about the nominations, and the many projects that she and husband Barry have up their sleeves!
Broadway to the Rescue hopes to raise funds to support the efforts of Pets Alive West (formerly the Elmsford Animal Shelter). We can't forget about the animals and those who care for them, with such dedication, while they wait for their 'forever homes'.
Broadway to the Rescue hopes to raise funds to support the efforts of Pets Alive West (formerly the Elmsford Animal Shelter). We can't forget about the animals and those who care for them, with such dedication, while they wait for their 'forever homes'.
Reprise Theatre Company's 2011-2012 season features two classic American musicals at UCLA's Freud Playhouse - "Cabaret" (September 13 to September 25, 2011), based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, Broadway production directed by Harold Prince; "The Baker's Wife" (February 14 to 26, 2012), with book by Joseph Stein and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, based on the film 'La Femme de Boulanger' by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono; and a third production to be announced, which will play April 17 to 29, 2012.
1968 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1970 | US Tour |
Bus and Truck Tour US Tour |
1983 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1985 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2006 | Los Angeles |
Reprise! Concert Los Angeles |
2015 | New York |
Encores Concert Revival New York |
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