BREAKING NEWS: Cabaret World Mourns As Singing Legend JULIE WILSON Dies at 90
by Stephen Hanks - Apr 6, 2015
Singer and actress Julie Wilson, arguably one of the greatest cabaret chanteuses to grace a stage, died early this morning at the age of 90, according to her long time accompanist and friend Christopher Denny, who posted the news on his Facebook page. As of 8:45 this morning, the news of Wilson's death had not yet broken through major news outlets. Denny reported that Wilson 'died peacefully, surrounded by people who loved her, after having sustained two strokes over the last several days.' Up until the past couple of months of her life, the energetic Wilson was still being seen at various cabaret shows around town and supporting the new breed of stars, recently having the time of her life at a Mark Nadler show at the York Theatre.
BWW Reviews: GUYS AND DOLLS - Another Hit for Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City
by Steve Wilson - Apr 5, 2015
Guys and Dolls, featuring a number of the finest Guys and Dolls in Kansas City performing arts, opened on Saturday night at the Musical Theater Heritage of Crown Center. Sarah Crawford directs the musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, and a pre-show talk by Executive Director George Harter. Guys and Dolls is based on two short stories, "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure" by Damon Runyan.
STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 4/3/15- SOUTH PACIFIC
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 3, 2015
Today in 2008, the first Broadway revival of South Pacific opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 996 performances. South Pacific is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The musical centers on an American nurse stationed at a U.S. Naval base during World War II who falls in love with an expatriate French plantation owner but struggles to accept his mixed-race children. A second romance concerns a U.S. Lieutenant who falls in love with a young Asian woman. The musical premiered in 1949 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950.
Dallas Opera Presents LA BOHEME Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 13, 2015
DALLAS, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is preparing to whisk audiences away to the Latin Quarter of Paris for the blockbuster opera of the season: Giacomo Puccini's 1896 masterpiece, LA BOHÈME, based on Henri Murger's newspaper serial-turned-novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème.
ELVIS and FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS to Play Flat Rock Playhouse
by Sally Henry Fuller - Mar 7, 2015
?Flat Rock Playhouse is proud to present two upcoming events as part of the hugely popular Music on the Rock series: A Tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and, for the first time ever on the Flat Rock stage, Donny Edwards: An Authentic Heart & Soul Tribute to "The King."
Dallas Opera to Present LA BOHEME, 3/13
by Matt Smith - Feb 21, 2015
DALLAS, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is preparing to whisk audiences away to the Latin Quarter of Paris for the blockbuster opera of the season: Giacomo Puccini's 1896 masterpiece, LA BOHÈME, based on Henri Murger's newspaper serial-turned-novel, Scènes de la vie de bohème.
Photo Flashback: A Fond Farewell - Remembering The Stars We Lost in 2014
by Walter McBride - Jan 1, 2015
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.
BWW Reviews: Playhouse Has a Right to 'Crow' About PETER PAN
by Joseph Baker - Dec 8, 2014
Having witnessed the stultifying, bloated NBC production of PETER PAN LIVE (what were the 'powers that be' thinking would hold a child's attention span for three hours, however padded with yet more Peter Pan plugs from Walmart?), I was reluctant to attend Playhouse on the Square's annual production of the James Barrie children's classic. I am probably one of the handful of reviewers to recall the 1955 NBC production (and later one as well) with the legendary pairing of Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard (whose fruity, overly ripe 'Captain Hook' would make Johnny Depp's 'Jack Sparrow' seem more like a white collar executive). As an IPad-free child inured to black and white fare, it hardly mattered that Mary Martin was, to put it politely, mature; that the production values were clunky; that the wires and 'Tinker' herself were glaringly apparent. In short, I was captivated. Yet, Martin possessed the kind of spunk and spontaneity that made us children believe (not to mention that she had the kind of singing voice that made her a legendary Broadway performer, as evidenced by SOUTH PACIFIC and SOUND OF MUSIC). She could make a child want to fly. Allison Williams, last evening's 'Peter,' lacked that optimistic boyishness (though she had the tomboyish Hilary Swank look 'nailed') and, despite having a pleasant enough voice, often seemed out of breath; but Chrisopher Walken, whom I like and who I initially thought would be inspired casting, seemed to have wandered in from a cocktail party hosted by zombies. His dancing made that of the Monster in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN seem as nimble as that of Fred Astaire. Despite the wonderful lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and despite the 'ear candy' musical score by Mark Charlalp and Jule Stein, those long, middle stretches in Neverland made me wonder if it would Neverend.
The Old Globe's GLOBE FOR ALL Free Shakespeare Tour Kicks Off Today
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2014
The first Globe for All free Shakespeare tour will begin today, October 28 and will culminate in three low-cost performances on November 7 - 9 in the Globe's Hattox Hall, part of the Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
Cast Announced for The Old Globe's GLOBE FOR ALL Free Shakespeare Tour, Beginning 10/28
by BWW News Desk - Oct 10, 2014
The Old Globe invites your participation and coverage as it begins presenting shows through an exciting new producing platform, Globe for All. This free-of-charge tour of a professional production of Shakespeare will allow the theatre to serve more communities throughout San Diego by collaborating with a diverse range of local organizations. Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein directs the first production, Shakespeare's fascinating romance All's Well That Ends Well. He has cast local professional actors, including recent graduates of the Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program. The first Globe for All free Shakespeare tour will begin October 28 and will culminate in three low-cost performances on November 7 to 9 in the Globe's Hattox Hall, part of the Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of SOUTH PACIFIC at Westchester Broadway Theatre
by Stephen Sorokoff - Oct 3, 2014
Rodgers and Hammerstein's award-winning South Pacific is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener. The musical is set on an island paradise during World War II and tells two parallel love stories against the dangers of prejudice and war and the importance of valuing diversity. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949. Playing at Westchester Broadway Theatre through January 25, 2015, you can check out photos from opening night below!
BWW Reviews: SOUTH PACIFIC Sets the Bar High for Future Musicals in Kansas City
by Steve Wilson - Aug 10, 2014
One enchanted evening is what Kansas City audiences received on opening night of South Pacific, the Musical Theater Heritage production at the Off Center Theatre. Premiering on Broadway in 1949 the musical composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II garnered 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and Best Score. It is the only musical production to win all four Tony Awards in the acting Categories and in 1950, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
BULRUSHER OPENS 8/23-24 at Skylight Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 8, 2014
Skylight Theatre Company and Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble present the Los Angeles Premiere of Pulitzer Prize Finalist Bulrusher, written by Eisa Davis and directed by Nataki Garrett. The show opens on 8pm on August 23rd and 3pm August 24th. RECEPTION TO FOLLOW BOTH PERFORMANCES. Runs 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm Sundays through September 28, 2014 at the Skylight Theatre, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027
AUDIO: Laura Osnes Sings Daniel and Laura Curtis' 'When You Smile'; Single Released Today!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 10, 2014
Composers Daniel and Laura Curtis have just released a new single- 'When You Smile,' featuring Laura Osnes. The song was written especially for Laura by writing duo Daniel and Laura Curtis, whose last album 'Love on 42nd Street' featured performers such as Lea Salonga, Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo topped the iTunes Vocal Chart and Amazon Broadway chart.
Lawrenceville and Aurora Theatre Present 2014 PRELUDE Event, Featuring SOUTH PACIFIC, Today
by BWW News Desk - Jul 3, 2014
The City of Lawrenceville will host its 9th annual PRELUDE celebration to honor America's Day of Independence tonight, July 3rd 2014 at 7:30pm. The event will feature the classic Broadway musical, South Pacific - performed by the award-winning Aurora Theatre followed by Fireworks. Free to the public, Lawrenceville's PRELUDE event will be held on the Lawrenceville Square by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse.