The Music Man 1961 - Articles Page 13

Riverside's celebrated 2014-2015 Season continues with the most anticipated show of the season, West Side Story. Conceived by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers from different worlds who fight to keep their passion alive. West Side Story performs on the Stark Stage from February 17 - March 8, 2015 and is sponsored by The O'Haire Fessler Group/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management along with Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) continues its seventeenth Mainstage season with the satirical dark comedy "The Arsonists" by Max Frisch, and translated by Alistair Beaton. Inspired by the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948, this absurdist allegory satirizes the way in which people can be manipulated into accommodating their own destruction. In the play, fires are becoming something of a problem, popping up all over town, but Mr. Biedermann has it all under control. A respected member of the community, he tries to live a life of blameless middle-class decency. It is this sense of bourgeois propriety that renders Biedermann defenseless when two strangers finesse their way into his home and settle in. But when they start filling his attic with petrol drums, will he help them light the fuse?

Sony Classical is pleased to announce the release of the recording of one of the world's most famous classical music events: the 2015 New Year's Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic. One of the most distinguished conductors of our time, Zubin Mehta, returns to direct the 2015 concert, having already done so four times previously. On January 9, 2015, the live recording will be available exclusively at Amazon.com and ArkivMusic.com and as a download through all major digital service providers. The CD will be released nationwide on January 20. The DVD and Blu-ray will be available on February 3.

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to supposedly 'protect' the population of East Germany from succumbing to socialism. But, all it actually accomplished was the emotionally painful separation of families and friends; preventing the so-called defection of individuals looking to avoid living in a communist state. And, until it's destruction in 1989, it served as a grim reminder to the rest of the world that oppression was still very much alive and well (and still is around the globe). Choreographer Nejla Yatkin has taken this dark history lesson and transformed it into a unique work called WALLSTORIES that combines modern dance with interviews she collected and edited, as well as the music of Pink Floyd, Bach, and Larsen and Sherman. MADCO presented this powerful and compelling production at the Touhill November 14-16, for a total of six performances, three of which played to students who were brought in to see the show. It was a truly moving experience that I felt privileged to see.

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:

The expression “Man About Town”--commonly defined as a socially active, sophisticated man devoted to the pursuit of pleasure by frequenting fashionable nightclubs, theaters, and restaurants--might perfectly describe the persona of Sir Noel Coward. Known for his acerbic wit, flamboyance, and savoir-faire, Sir Noel is an icon in theatrical history as a celebrated playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer. Could there be a better subject to explore during an evening of cabaret? In his recent run of five shows at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, Man About Town: The Wit and Wisdom of Noel Coward, veteran singer/actor/director Eric Michael Gillett proved he was more than up to the task of paying tribute to the legendary Coward.

With live broadcasts­ in major cities around the globe, the Bolshoi Ballet opened it's season of seven simulcasts with Yuri Grigorovich's Legend of Love, originally performed in 1961, with Maya Plisetskaya, Marius Liepa, and Natalia Besmertnova in the leading roles. In this current production, the principals were Maria Allash (replacing Sveltlana Zakharova), Denis Rodkin, and Anna Nikulina. The drama of this story was written by Turkish Poet and political prisoner, Nazim Hikmet, while in prison. The composer, Arif Melikov was in attendance, at the Bolshoi Theatre. The set designer, Simon Versaladze, created a Middle Eastern decor. The costumes, too, although anchored on colored unitards, had a Middle Eastern flavor.

Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) has joined the cast of the Encores! Special Event The Band Wagon in the role of Jeffrey Cordova, an egotistical British director. (Roger Rees, previously announced in the role, is no longer available.) The Band Wagon cast stars Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, seven-time Emmy Award winner Tracey Ullman, Academy Award nominee Michael McKean, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes, Tony Award nominee Michael Berresse and Don Stephenson. The Band Wagon will open on Sunday, November 8.

This just in! Previously announced Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will be joined by Tony Award winner Roger Rees, seven-time Emmy Award winner Tracey Ullman, Academy Award nominee Michael McKean, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes, Tony Award nominee Michael Berresse, and Don Stephenson in The Band Wagon, an Encores! Special Event from November 6 - 16, 2014 at City Center. The Band Wagon will open on Sunday, November 8.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey will present Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx Thursday, July 10th at 8PM. Be sure to reserve tickets for this spectacular show at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030.

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) continues its popular ICON series with a brand-new selection of collections available today, including a hit-stacked 2-CD collection from American legends

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the full lineup of productions, concerts, readings and special events for its 11th annual festival. This year's Festival will begin July 7th and continue through July 27th.

Visually arresting puppets make this production of the absurdist classic a memorable one.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 205th season with an all-new production of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Michele Lynch, this musical extravaganza began previews on May 13th, opens on May 21st and runs through July 13th on the WST Mainstage. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Today we continue the 2014 edition of our annual BroadwayWorld feature series spotlighting the very best Tony Awards-related moments of all time with a special spotlight on an American classic just announced to be coming in a live production broadcast on NBC next year, THE MUSIC MAN!

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 205th season with an all-new production of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Michele Lynch, this musical extravaganza begins previews tonight, May 13th, opens on May 21st and runs through July 13th on the WST Mainstage.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Welcome to the '60s, with 'How To Succeed,' 'Motown,' 'Cabaret' and 'Hair,' plus tributes to Jack Lemmon and the Carpenters, the upcoming 'Jersey Boys' film, 'Option Up!,' that one-night 'Parade' concert and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 205th season with an all-new production of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Michele Lynch, this musical extravaganza begins previews on May 13th, opens on May 21st and runs through July 13th on the WST Mainstage. Scroll down to see a behind the scenes look at the production!

Tony-Nominated Director Randal Myler and multi-talented Music Director Dan Wheetman return to Lone Tree Arts Center (LTAC) to create a new vision for Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn after setting the bar high with Hank Williams: Lost Highway last spring and John Denver Holiday Concert in 2012. Returning to the roots of Mark Twain's classic American folktale, this production of Big River focuses on the talent and voices of the cast as they each become storytellers.

Following his acclaimed New York Philharmonic debut on the ASIA / WINTER 2014 tour, jazz pianist Makoto Ozone will join Music Director Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic in a newly added concert tonight, April 22, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.

For two weeks in April, television audiences will be treated to an unprecedented collection of inspirational movies and mini-series when UP once again presents 'The Greatest Stories of The Bible' in honor of the Easter season. America's favorite network for uplifting entertainment will mark the holiday for a second year with an Unforgettable programming schedule. Starting today, April 7 and continuing through Easter, Sunday, April 20, UP will air 21 classic stories from the New and Old Testaments (11 never-before-seen on UP), plus one all-new UP Original Movie during prime time, totaling more than 123 hours of programming.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 205th season with an all-new production of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Michele Lynch, this musical extravaganza begins previews on May 13th, opens on May 21st and runs through July 13th on the WST Mainstage.

For two weeks in April, television audiences will be treated to an unprecedented collection of inspirational movies and mini-series when UP once again presents “The Greatest Stories of The Bible” in honor of the Easter season.

Following his acclaimed New York Philharmonic debut on the ASIA / WINTER 2014 tour, jazz pianist Makoto Ozone will join Music Director Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic in a newly added concert Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. The all-American program will include Bernstein's Candide Overture; Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, featuring Mr. Ozone as soloist; Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; and Gershwin's An American in Paris. The concert will mark Mr. Ozone's U.S. orchestral debut; his appearances with the Philharmonic on the ASIA / WINTER 2014 tour marked his first performances with an American orchestra.