This July and August 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.
The New York Philharmonic will salute departing Principal Trumpet Philip Smith - who will step down from his position at the end of the 2013-14 season following 36 seasons of service - in A Celebration of Phil Smith, a concert featuring the New York Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Smith and Bramwell Tovey, July 5, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. The program will also include works that showcase brass: an arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of the Nobles; a Horn Quartet by Gershwin; Tomasi's Liturgical Fanfares; an arrangement of The Great Gate of Kiev from Musorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition; and Pollack's That's a Plenty, which the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet, of which Mr. Smith was a founding member, has frequently performed as an encore on the Orchestra's tours. Philharmonic musicians will introduce the works and speak about Mr. Smith.
Most actors can only dream of having the career Julie White has had. A Tony-winner for 2006's THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, White spent five years on TV's GRACE UNDER FIRE, starred in the mega-hit TRANSFORMERS franchise and the Academy Award winning LINCOLN, and on TV with FRIEND's Matthew Perry and fellow Tony-winner Laura Benanti in GO ON.
White can now be seen on Showtime's NURSE JACKIE, where she plays Tony-nominee Edie Falco's AA sponsor. I spoke to her the Friday before Easter as she was preparing to head up to her fixer-upper outside the city to prune roses and pile up leaves with her good friend Tony-winner Cady Huffman.
On the heels of its critically acclaimed world premier new musical ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME by Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Millburn and Tony winner Joe DiPietro and directed by Obie Winner Lisa Peterson, Seattle's Balagan Theatre Company announces its 2014/15 season. Balagan's upcoming season reflects the past, present, and future of the new American musical and continues its mission in bringing exciting cutting edge theatre to a new generation of theatre goers.
Coca-Cola has joined forces with internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, to launch 'The World is Ours' - a mash up of a newly written and recorded Aloe Blacc song combined with lyrics and sounds from the original version of 'The World Is Ours' by David Correy and Monobloco.
Singer and songwriter Amos Lee will make his Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut on Wednesday, August 6 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as part of the second leg of his 2014 Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song Tour. His recent fall and winter headline tour included sold-out shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, ACL Live in Austin and the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Lee will be joined by band members, Freddie Berman, drums; Zach Djanikian, mandolin; Annie Clements, bass and vocals; Andy Keenan, guitar, banjo and vocals; and Jaron Olevsky, keyboards.
Grammy nominated, Golden Globe 'Entertainer of the Year' and multi-platinum selling artist Engelbert Humperdinck will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for one night only on Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. The charismatic and consummate entertainer will please audiences and "Humperdinckers" alike with music from his vast catalogue, including hits such as "Quando, Quando, Quando," "Release Me," "The Last Waltz," "Spanish Eyes" and many more tender ballads. London Times calls him, "The premier voice of the 20th Century."
Mega-watt stars light up the stage for Pacific Symphony's highly anticipated 2014-15 Pops series featuring seven not-to-be-missed concerts that include a bit of nostalgia, romance, celebration and a plethora of memorable music—all enhanced by the “Hollywood” sound of the orchestra. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, the season blasts off with a tribute to the iconic Frank Sinatra, with such jazz standards as “Fly Me to the Moon.” Add to that legendary stars Paul Anka, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall and, just in time for Christmas—
Alexa Ray Joel, while being the daughter of American icons Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, has managed to forge a distinct path with elements of both parents' careers. Since she was 15, Joel has been writing complete songs and complementing those songs with piano accompaniment, and writing poetry. Newsday has described her music as 'instantlyhummable' and praised its 'carefree braininess.' Recently, Joel was featured in The Gap's 'Back to Blue' ad campaign, performing a cover of Billy Joel's 'Just The Way You Are.' She reveals her unique artistry in a two-week engagement at the legendary Cafe Carlyle, April 1-12.
Muny Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2014 Season, which opens on June 16 with Billy Elliot The Musical. "We're so happy these exciting artists are creating our 2014 season," said Isaacson. "This is a challenging season, one with incredible variety and power. We're fortunate that such extraordinary talents will be creating our 'Muny Magic.'"
Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its holiday highlights (Dec. 15 - 31), featuring performances by JOHN ROBERTS, 5TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, MIKE ERRICO, JACKIE HOFFMAN, THE HOT SARDINES, STARSKY + COX, LEA DELARIA, JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND, BABY DEE & LITTLE ANNIE, and SANDRA BERNHARD.
Leona Lewis has just released a preview of 'Your Hallelujah', a BRAND NEW song from her upcoming Christmas album, CHRISTMAS, WITH LOVE which is being released on December 3rd on RCA, and features a slew of holiday tunes including seasonal classics and 3 brand new originals.
Teaming up three decades after their last hit 'Islands in the Stream', country legends Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton are collaborating once again, this time on a new duet, 'You Can't Make Old Friends' which appears on Rogers' new album.
A strictly limited Australian Premiere Season of arguably the most infamous Broadway musical of all-time, CARRIE THE MUSICAL, will play the Seymour Centre from November 13 - 30 as the final production in their 2013 Reginald season of independent works.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL is also the final production of Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre's first annual season, following hugely popular runs of Forbidden Broadway and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
Lonnie Holley has debuted the music video for his song 'Six Space Shuttles and 144,00 Elephants' - check it out below!
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola has announced that Fetch Clay, Make Man, written by Will Power and directed by Des McAnuff, will begin performances tonight, August 23 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 12 at 7pm. Fetch Clay, Make Man is scheduled to run through Sunday, October 13; tickets are on sale now.
Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced the upcoming lineup at the all-newFeinstein's at the Nikko for the months of October, November and December. Artists include Emmy Award winning actress Megan Mullally ('Will and Grace) and actress Stephanie Hunt ('Friday Night Lights,' 'Californication') and their band Nancy & Beth; actress, producer and singer Rita Wilson; Broadway star and recording artist Linda Eder; soul and jazz vocalist Oleta Adams; and more! Additional artists will be announced at a later date.
With the International Al Jolson Society's 17th Annual Long Island Festival just three weeks away (On August 17, from 9am to 4:30pm, at Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside, NY 11572.), BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Review/Columnist and passionate Al Jolson fan Stephen Hanks fantasizes about what it might be like to have a conversation with 'The World's Greatest Entertainer,' 53 years after he died. You ain't read nothin' yet.
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola has announced that Fetch Clay, Make Man, written by Will Power and directed by Des McAnuff, will begin performances Friday, August 23 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 12 at 7pm. Fetch Clay, Make Man is scheduled to run through Sunday, October 13; tickets are on sale now.
The Pasadena Playhouse announced the full schedule for its new summer festival, CIRQUE-A-PALOOZA - Summer Spectacle & Comic Calamity, created and directed by Stefan Haves. Mainstage feature acts will include two performances of magician/entertainer Justin Willman's Tricked Out, Frank Ferrante's one-man show An Evening With Groucho and a special night with some of the greatest magicians of The Magic Castle. Road to Palooza: A Variety Show Spectacular will also be a Mainstage event for five performances featuring a number of the amazing acts playing the festival and rotating special guest performers. The Carrie Hamilton Theatre will host an eclectic variety of specialty acts over the three-week period. The CIRQUE-A-PALOOZA festival will launch today, July 19 and perform through August 11, 2013.
The Pasadena Playhouse announced the full schedule for its new summer festival, CIRQUE-A-PALOOZA - Summer Spectacle & Comic Calamity, created and directed by Stefan Haves. Mainstage feature acts will include two performances of magician/entertainer Justin Willman's Tricked Out, Frank Ferrante's one-man show An Evening With Groucho and a special night with some of the greatest magicians of The Magic Castle. Road to Palooza: A Variety Show Spectacular will also be a Mainstage event for five performances featuring a number of the amazing acts playing the festival and rotating special guest performers. The Carrie Hamilton Theatre will host an eclectic variety of specialty acts over the three-week period. The CIRQUE-A-PALOOZA festival will launch on July 19 and perform through August 11, 2013.
The New York Philharmonic will present A Dancer's Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky, a multidisciplinary, theatrical reimagining of the ballets The Fairy's Kiss and Petrushka, created by Giants Are Small. Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer, will star in the production, which will be conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, directed and designed by Doug Fitch, choreographed by Karole Armitage, and produced by Edouard Getaz - tonight, June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m.
Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.
The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep today, June 20 - July 14, 2013. Based on George Bernard Shaw's well-known play Candida, this musical soars with its emotive and dazzling score by the award-winning composer of Adding Machine, Joshua Schmidt, and its beautiful lyrics by Jan Levy Tranen. The smart script by Austin Pendleton, a Tony-nominated director, actor and playwright, and graceful directing by the originator and award-winning director, Michael Halberstam, shape this musical into an adventurous evening of theatre. The Wall Street Journal says, 'This is the most important new musical since The Light in the Piazza ... to say that you mustn't miss it is to grossly understate the case.'
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