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."
Today we are talking to a spectacularly accomplished Broadway leading man with a considerable TV and film resume who plays a prominent role in the new Encores! production of John Kander & Fred Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical ZORBA coming up next month, the thoughtful Santino Fontana. Explaining his part in the production as well as the unique demands of a special limited run concert presentation such as ZORBA! is, Fontana also opens up about the rehearsal process for the show and the developing rapport and camaraderie between himself and the starry assortment of fellow cast members involved in the production - including John Turturro, Zoe Wanamaker, Marin Mazzie and more, all directed by Walter Bobbie. Besides the full 411 on ZOBRA, Fontana also sheds considerable light on his many current and upcoming projects, including the recently released FROZEN follow-up short musical film FROZEN FEVER and whether or not he would like to be involved in subsequent FROZEN-related entities. Furthermore, Fontana gives us a first look at his new TV series SHADES OF BLUE, starring Jennifer Lopez, as well as his new feature film comedy SISTERS, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Additionally, Fontana previews his upcoming PBS twofer with the hotly anticipated premiere of his recent Broadway play ACT ONE, as well as a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert co-starring members of SESAME STREET. All of that, SUBMISSIONS ONLY reflections, comments on MOZART IN THE JUNGLE and much, much more!
With the 87th annual Academy Awards just two days away, Hollywood stars seem to be on everyone's mind. Who will win? Who will beat Meryl Streep? Will host Neil Patrick Harris take a star-studded selfie? And most importantly, which Broadway stars will take home a statue? Many stars through the years have earned both a Tony and an Oscar, and as we know from Robert Lopez's win last year, there are some industry professionals with the coveted EGOT- Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. But did you know nine stars in history have won two awards for the same role? That is, they won a Tony for their Broadway portrayal and an Oscar for the film version. Below, take a look back at the actors who have earned this rare honor!
In the musical theatre today, it seems the world goes 'round the shows of composer John Kander & lyricist, the late Fred Ebb. On Broadway, one of their final musicals 'The Visit,' starring Chita Rivera with a book by Terrence McNally, begins previews next Month and opens in April.
Astrid Rosenschon unveils the mysteries of Hinduism and Buddhism and it's impact on Indian society, in her well researched book - 'Hinduism and Buddhism, an outsider's view on religions of India,' published by Zorba Publishers. Now available worldwide, both as an ebook and paperback on Amazon and on other online stores.
Astrid Rosenschon traces the roots of the two religion Hinduism and Buddhism and how it has impacted and shaped Indian society. She has visited numerous countries in the world but India has fascinated and puzzled her because in no other country is religion so omnipresent. Religion has laid its stamp on all areas of an Individuals life.
She covers a wide spectrum of topics, Majors ones being
1 - Problem statement
2 - The relative significance of the Indian religions
3 - Historical roots of the Indian religions
4 - Basic elements of Hinduism
5 - Criticism of Buddha on Brahmanism as precursor of Hinduism and its weaknesses
6 - Jainism
7 - The religion of Sikhs
8 - Hinduism in the light of modern knowledge
9 - Concluding thoughts
Bibliography
Astrid Rosenschon was born in 1951 in Bayreuth (Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. From 1970 onwards she studied economics at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen/Nuernberg. She became an assistant at the Chair of Public Finance of Professor Horst Claus Recktenwald at this university. In 1979 she obtained her doctorate with the grade 'summa cum laude'. Since 1985 Astrid Rosenschon is working in an internationally renowned research institution.
Upcoming Equity Auditions from Sunday, April 27, 2014.
Upcoming Equity Auditions from Sunday, March 23, 2014.
Triple threat Broadway legend Chita Rivera will bring her iconic class and showmanship to the Valley Performing Arts Center January 25 for one performance only at 8 pm. In our chat she tells us a little bit about the new show and talks in great detail about the joys of her career.
Today we celebrate a master of the modern musical in honor of this week's start of previews for his newest theatrical venture, THE LANDING, as well as first news on a major NYC bow for his long-gestating project THE VISIT, to say nothing of the longest-running American musical in history going strong on Broadway (CHICAGO) and a hotly anticipated revival of CABARET on the way in 2014 - the one and only John Kander.
'The Scottsboro Boys' with music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb (writers of 'Chicago,' 'Cabaret,' 'Zorba' and more) and book by David Thompson, directed by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman, celebreated its opening night at the Ahmanson Theatre on May 29th. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the production below!
'The Scottsboro Boys' with music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb (writers of 'Chicago,' 'Cabaret,' 'Zorba' and more) and book by David Thompson, directed by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman, celebrated its opening night at the Ahmanson Theatre last night, May 29th. Click below to check out highlights from the show!
'The Scottsboro Boys' with music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb (writers of 'Chicago,' 'Cabaret,' 'Zorba' and more) and book by David Thompson, directed by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman, celebreated its opening night at the Ahmanson Theatre last night, May 29th. BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below, featuring celebrity guests Paula Abdul, Angela Bassett, Brely Evans, Zoela Gaye, Jason George, Kearran Giovanni, Sam Harris, Regina King, Kenny Lattimore, Dawnn Lewis, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Clifton Powell, Barry Shabaka Henley, Calvin Sykes, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Terri White, Kym Whitley and more!
Celebrate spring with Wisconsin Public Radio's Zorba Paster and Tom Clark at Villa Filomena today, April 11. The dinner event features Zorba Paster, host of Zorba Paster On Your Health, and Tom Clark, show sidekick. Bring your health questions and Zorba and Tom will dispense health advice with their usual enthusiasm and contagious laughter.
Left Field Productions, Neil Berg, Adam Friedson and MSC OPAS at Texas A&M University welcome veteran Broadway actor Marc Kudisch to direct the world premiere project that will close the 40th Anniversary OPAS Season at Texas A&M University - Neil Berg's The Phantoms of the Opera.
Celebrate spring with Wisconsin Public Radio's Zorba Paster and Tom Clark at Villa Filomena on Thursday, April 11. The dinner event features Zorba Paster, host of Zorba Paster On Your Health, and Tom Clark, show sidekick. Bring your health questions and Zorba and Tom will dispense health advice with their usual enthusiasm and contagious laughter.
Left Field Productions, Neil Berg, Adam Friedson and MSC OPAS at Texas A&M University have announced that veteran Broadway actor Marc Kudisch will direct the world premiere project that will close the 40th Anniversary OPAS Season at Texas A&M University - Neil Berg's The Phantoms of the Opera.
Pittsburgh CLO will present Fiddler on the Roof, July 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This classic tale is filled with 'memorable music, rousing dances and a touch of human wisdom.'
First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb opened at the Kennedy Center on June 13, where it plays in the Eisenhower Theater through July 1, 2012. The show stars Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the revue below!
First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb opened at the Kennedy Center on June 13, where it plays in the Eisenhower Theater through July 1, 2012. The show stars Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. Meet the cast of the show in the videos below!
First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater opened at the Kennedy Center last night, June 13, where it plays in the Eisenhower Theater through July 1, 2012. The show stars Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott. BroadwayWorld brings you a complete first look at the show below!
The musical revue First You Dream opened at the Kennedy Center, and we have a first look at the photos from the event. Check them out below!
In the videos below, FIRST YOU DREAM cast members James Clow and Alan H. Green talk about their journey from hometown to Broadway and the excitement of performing in the Kander & Ebb First You Dream revue at The Kennedy Center, beginning performances tonight!
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts previously announced casting for its production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater tonight, June 8 to July 1, 2012.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment previously announced the Blu-ray debut of two classic films from its catalog, THE GRAPES OF WRATH and ZORBA THE GREEK, featuring Oscar-nominated performances by Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn. The films are available on Blu-ray at retailers nationwide as of today, June 5.
The cast and director Eric Schaeffer of the musical revue First You Dream, set to open this month at the Kennedy Center, discuss the work of their show's muses, John Kander and Fred Ebb, the songwriting team who created Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Zorba, and many more Broadway hits. Watch video interviews, plus footage of the cast in reherasal, below!
I have a difficult time staying away from Fiddler on the Roof comparisons when I consider 42nd Street Moon's production of Zorba. With the help of their common book writer, Joseph Stein, the two musicals exhibit similar leading characters and musical styles. Beyond all else, Zorba and Fiddler exhibit the same contradicting emotions of sadness and joy shown to perfection through stories exhibiting the spirit of a specific culture.
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 |
Videos