A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord.
The Public Theater has announced additional casting today for the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. David Furr (Orlando) and Stephen Spinella (Jaques) join the previously announced MacIntyre Dixon (Adam), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Celia), Omar Metwally (Oliver), and Lily Rabe (Rosalind) in Shakespeare's comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, directed by Daniel Sullivan.
East Coast battles West Coast with a teenage girl's home address in the balance...a man tries to conceal an unconscious lady of the evening from the lady of the house...an English actress has Oscar dreams and two couples learn you shouldn't visit too many Japanese restaurants on vacation...it's all smiles for the patrons of Neil Simon's 'California Suite.'
BroadwayWorld.com reported the news exclusively on January 9, 2012 and now the The Public Theater has officially announced the line-up for the 50th Anniversary Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte. Daniel Sullivan, who directed acclaimed productions of All's Well That Ends Well, The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night in the Park, will return to direct AS YOU LIKE IT in June with Lily Rabe as Rosalind.
The second show of the 50th Anniversary summer season will be Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. Based on the Olivier Award-winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London production in 2010, The Public Theater's INTO THE WOODS will be an all new production with an American cast and designers and will be staged in one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the world-the Delacorte Theater. INTO THE WOODS will begin performances at the end of July.
The Public Theater has announced the return of Stephen Sondheim and Tony Kushner to The Public Forum on Tuesday, January 17 at 8:00 p.m.
It's hard to imagine how different today's music charts might look without ABBA. From the moment they swept to glory at Eurovision in 1974, the Swedish pop group has been, and continues to be, a major influence on musicians around the world, and remains one of the most successful acts of all time.
Dame Emma Kirkby, lauded as one of the 10 'Greatest Sopranos of all time' by BBC and the 'Queen of Early Music' by enthusiasts worldwide, returns to New York City this October for a single performance with celebrated lutenist Jakob Lindberg.
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning masterpiece SWEENEY TODD, which opened August 17 and runs through October 9. This razor-sharp tale of murder and corruption is Directed and Choreographed by multi-Jeff Award winner Rachel Rockwell (Ragtime and Miss Saigon at Drury Lane Theatre), who was named 'Best Director' by Chicago Magazine in 2010. SWEENEY TODD stars four-time Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman as 'Sweeney Todd' (nominated as Best Actor in a Musical for City of Angels, Anna Karenina, 1776, and Into the Woods; other Broadway credits include Evita, Cabaret, and Les Miserables and the films Little Children and Spider-Man 2). Bistro Award winner and NYMF Award recipient Liz McCartney stars as 'Mrs. Lovett' (The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Les Miserables on Broadway). In the video below, theater critic Chris Jonesreviews the show. Click below to here what he has to say!
Before receiving this detailed biography, Jeffrey Spivak's BUZZ, my knowledge of Busby Berkeley was limited to some articles I'd read in a few fan magazines as well as an old trade paperback from 1973 (The Busby Berkeley Book). Spivak's book not only fills in the gaps, but it brings a lot of previously forgotten lore to light, illuminating the troubled life of this musical design genius. The University of Kentucky Press has put together an excellent resource for those seeking, not only the arcane knowledge of his unique talents, but a fresh look at just what did happen to the movie musical after its Golden Age, which was spear-headed by the imaginative and eye-popping work of 'Buzz' Berkeley.
Classical virtuosity and wit are the hallmarks of 3e étage, a contemporary ballet ensemble formed by and featuring dancers and soloists of the legendary Paris Opera Ballet.
Today we are talking to one of the most influential musical theatre writers of all time, having written the book and lyrics for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CHESS and many more, as well as contributing lyrics to the stage adaptation of Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST and winning Oscars for his work on Disney's ALADDIN with Alan Menken and THE LION KING with Elton John - as well as sharing a Tony for Best Score with Elton John for AIDA in 2002 - who is now preparing for the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ for which the superstar composing team has rejoined once again to pen five new songs - Sir Tim Rice. Discussing everything from his 70s Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborations to CHESS to the first news on his new musical version of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, to GLEE and beyond, plus a look at his roots - all with an emphasis on his commitment to craft and bringing new audiences to the theatre. Sir Tim was kind and generous enough to illuminate his illustrious career in Hollywood, the West End and on Broadway exclusively for BroadwayWorld.
Theatre's First Attempt at a Musical is a Huge Success
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill is located at 237 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) New York, NY 10036
Today we are talking to the legendary Broadway and Hollywood composer best known for his work with estimable lyricist Fred Ebb on legendary shows such as CABARET, CHICAGO, THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN and THE VISIT - as well as the classic, Oscar-winning film adaptations of those first two shows - who also composed the unofficial New York anthem 'New York, New York' and yesterday premiered his newest original musical on Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - none other than thoughtful and gentle genius John Kander. We discuss his fifty-year career writing with Fred Ebb, writing for Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenoweth, working with directors like Bob Fosse, Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, plus his thoughts on GLEE, the future of his shows written before Ebb's passing - as well as some SCOTTSBORO BOYS talk - in this comprehensive conversation on all things razzle-dazzlingly resplendent as only Kander & Ebb can claim be.
Plus, Kander dissects and discusses the writing process of five of his finest compositions! Start spreadin' the news...
On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community will gather alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.
On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community will gather alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.
Stephen Sondheim's upcoming book 'Finishing the Hat', will compile his lyrics from the past 50 years and give readers a look into his personal life as well as his remarkable productions. Though the book is not set to hit stores until October 26, the cover has recently been revealed to the public.
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in association with
David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Cineworld has announced the full Broadway company for Kneehigh Theatre's production of Noël Coward's Brief Encounter, adapted and directed by Emma Rice.
Emily Post would be horrified at the goings-on at this dining table, but you'll find it hilarious and ask for a second helping
Director/Actor Andréas Voutsinas, best known to audiences for his role as Carmen Ghia in the 1968 Mel Brooks comedy 'The Producers,' has passed away at 79. Voutsinas died in Athens on Tuesday.
Conveniently located in the heart of Times Square near Penn Station and Port Authority, The B.B. King Blues Club & Grill offers music fans a unique experience. Owned by the Bensusan Family, proprietors of the world renowned Blue Note Jazz Club, the club features world-class musical talent and consists of two distinct spaces: the Showcase Room & Lucille's Grill.
From Broadway to Hollywood. On stage and on screen. There is no other voice like the phenomenal Maureen McGovern. With a voice that is a beacon for American song, Ms. McGovern returns to join Peter Nero and the Philly Pops to wind her way around the songs of the 1960s and 1970s.
From Broadway to Hollywood. On stage and on screen. There is no other voice like the phenomenal Maureen McGovern. With a voice that is a beacon for American song, Ms. McGovern returns to join Peter Nero and the Philly Pops to wind her way around the songs of the 1960s and 1970s.
From Broadway to Hollywood. On stage and on screen. There is no other voice like the phenomenal Maureen McGovern. With a voice that is a beacon for American song, Ms. McGovern returns to join Peter Nero and the Philly Pops to wind her way around the songs of the 1960s and 1970s.
From Broadway to Hollywood. On stage and on screen. There is no other voice like the phenomenal Maureen McGovern. With a voice that is a beacon for American song, Ms. McGovern returns to join Peter Nero and the Philly Pops to wind her way around the songs of the 1960s and 1970s.
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