Welcome to BroadwayWorld's new feature, and first-ever talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE. Follow Richard as he visits Broadway's best and brightest in their Broadway dressing rooms and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know.
You've seen Richard chat with Spidey lovebirds Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano, visit with UK's First Lady of musical Theatre, Elaine Paige, and go downtown to chat with Jonathan Groff about all things GLEE, Lea Michele and The Submission. Today, Richard is back in Times Square at the Marquis Theatre for some quality time with fan favorite Jan Maxwell, currently starring as 'Phyllis' in Follies. During the talk, Jan speaks candidly about being a young struggling actress in New York, her shortcomings (cooking!), and how she almost left the city for good before she even got going...until she found 'Angels.'
While Broadway fans know full well of Peter Filichia's prowess as a theatre columnist and critic, some may not be aware that he is one of those cliché-defying gents who can define both the infield fly rule and an 11 o'clock number. So in his terrific new book, Broadway Musical MVPs, he borrows a page from the sports section and picks a Most Valuable Player for the past 50 Broadway seasons.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will begin previews for KING LEAR, directed by James Macdonald, on Tuesday, October 18. KING LEAR will run through Sunday, November 20 in The Public's Newman Theater with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 8.
New Leaf Theatre, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, present the final performance of the world premiere of Georgette Kelly's adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's beloved novel Lighthousekeeping. The play, directed by Jessica Hutchinson, closes at Chicago DCA Theater's Storefront Theater at 66 E. Randolph Street.
The Marriott Theatre in far north suburban Lincolnshire has long been a testing ground-- for newly-written musicals, or for musicals never before produced in the round. (When you have that many subscribers, you can take a few highly visible risks.) Now, through August 14, 2011, the theatre is trying to breathe new life into the 2006 off-Broadway musical "Shout!," which you may remember didn't fare so well in a commercial run at the Drury Lane Theatre, Water Tower Place, in the summer of 2008. Award-winning director-choreographer Rachel Rockwell and music director and Northwestern University staff member Ryan T. Nelson have grappled with the jukebox songs originally assembled by others, and they use the Marriott's top-notch team of singers, dancers, arrangers and designers to very nearly come up with a winning 90-minute, intermissionless theatrical diversion. Very nearly.
Tonight's edition of 'Theater Talk' will feature JERUSALEM's Tony-nominated star Mark Rylance and Tony-nominated playwright Jez Butterworth. 'Theater Talk' airs tonight at 12:30 AM on WNET-TV, Channel 13 and on CUNY TV on Saturday, May 14 at 8:30 PM, Sunday, May 15 at 12:30 PM and Monday, May 16 at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Broadway's Leslie Kritzer returned to Joe's Pub in her all-new extravaganza Beautiful Disaster for three performances: May 1, 2 and 3. The all-new show co-written by Randy Blair (Fat Camp, Perez Hilton Saves the Universe, Spidermusical) and Kritzer featured a 4-piece band led by music director/pianist Vadim Feichtner (Spelling Bee, Elegies), and the music of Madonna, Guns n Roses, Alanis Morrisette, Katy Perry, Jane's Addiction, Snoop Dogg, Tori Amos, and Stephen Sondheim. Check out some of the concert below!
Joe's Pub Announces its line up for the week of May 1 - May 6. MAY 1-6:
LORI LIEBERMAN Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 PM Best known for the hit song, Killing Me Softly, Liebman's honest and heartfelt lyrics, coupled with her haunting, and beautiful melodies, cut through to the heart of the listener.
The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg, conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! began performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opens TONIGHT, April 27, 2011, at 6:30pm. Baby It's You! features a cast of 19 that includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.
The 'Sas' is back. Rachelle Rak (better known to the Broadway community as 'Sas'), has had a career as a Broadway dancer to be envied. Having worked on Broadway for ten straight years in the original companies of Cats, Fosse, Starlight Express, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (among others) and the revival company of monster hits such as Oklahoma!, it seemed Rak had not only 'made it,' but found a home as the consumate chrous girl. Until 2006.
After a successful run of Amiel Gladstone's Hippies and Bolsheviks in 2009, Girl Got Lost Productions and director Chelsea McIsaac are excited to present an exuberant interpretation of one of the earlier plays written by North America's most prolific playwright, Sam Shepard, with his girlfriend at the time, high priestess of poetry/punk/rock, Patti Smith.
Oxygen plays matchmaker once again with the return of the hit, dating competition series 'Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too,' featuring three former 'Bad Girls' - Natalie (season 4), Amber B. (season 3) and Lea (season 5) as they compete and search for the man of their dreams. The flirty, feisty and always outrageous group of ladies returns to Oxygen in search of love from a pool of 15 eligible suitors. 'Bad Girl' Tanisha Thomas (season 2) hosts the series which premieres on April 18 at 10PM ET/PT.
After a successful run of Amiel Gladstone's Hippies and Bolsheviks in 2009, Girl Got Lost Productions and director Chelsea McIsaac are excited to present an exuberant interpretation of one of the earlier plays written by North America's most prolific playwright, Sam Shepard, with his girlfriend at the time, high priestess of poetry/punk/rock, Patti Smith.
Rossini's delightful comic opera, The Barber of Seville will close on February 27, 2011 at Opera San Jose. The charming tale of a clever young woman, her eager lover, and their resourceful accomplice, Figaro, The Barber of Seville is a tuneful testament to all that's wonderful about fun and romance.
Joe's Pub will feature the following events throughout March 2011:
Opera San José continues its 27th Season with Rossini's delightful comic opera, The Barber of Seville. The charming tale of a clever young woman, her eager lover, and their resourceful accomplice, Figaro, The Barber of Seville is a tuneful testament to all that's wonderful about fun and romance. Eight performances are scheduled from February 12 through 27 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. Tickets are on sale at the Opera San José Box Office, by phone at (408) 437-4450 or online at www.operasj.org. This production of The Barber of Seville is made possible, in part, by a Cultural Affairs Grant from the City of San José.
The madcap story unfolds fast and furious in 18th-century Seville, Spain. Young Rosina is a wealthy orphan and the ward of a grasping old codger, Dr. Bartolo, who is plotting to marry her not only for her beauty, but for her substantial dowry. However, Rosina has two things on her side: the handsome Count Almaviva, who has fallen in love with her, and the town barber, Figaro, her conniving accomplice, who through clever disguises and quick wit succeeds in securing victory for the young couple.
Oxygen plays matchmaker once again with the return of the hit, dating competition series 'Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too,' featuring three former 'Bad Girls' - Natalie (season 4), Amber B. (season 3) and Lea (season 5) as they compete and search for the man of their dreams. The flirty, feisty and always outrageous group of ladies returns to Oxygen in search of love from a pool of 15 eligible suitors. 'Bad Girl' Tanisha Thomas (season 2) hosts the series which premieres on April 18 at 10PM ET/PT.
The Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center will present the 20th annual New York Jewish Film Festival at the Film Society's Walter Reade Theater, The Jewish Museum, and The JCC in Manhattan, Jan. 12-27, 2011.
The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg, conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! begins performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opens Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 6:30pm. Baby It's You! features a cast of 19 that includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.
Profiles Theatre continues its 2010-2011 Season with reasons to be pretty by Neil LaBute, directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder.
The Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center will present the 20th annual New York Jewish Film Festival at the Film Society's Walter Reade Theater, The Jewish Museum, and The JCC in Manhattan, Jan. 12-27, 2011.
Opera San José continues its 27th Season with Rossini's delightful comic opera, The Barber of Seville. The charming tale of a clever young woman, her eager lover, and their resourceful accomplice, Figaro, The Barber of Seville is a tuneful testament to all that's wonderful about fun and romance. Eight performances are scheduled from February 12 through 27 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. Tickets are on sale at the Opera San José Box Office, by phone at (408) 437-4450 or online at www.operasj.org. This production of The Barber of Seville is made possible, in part, by a Cultural Affairs Grant from the City of San José.
The madcap story unfolds fast and furious in 18th-century Seville, Spain. Young Rosina is a wealthy orphan and the ward of a grasping old codger, Dr. Bartolo, who is plotting to marry her not only for her beauty, but for her substantial dowry. However, Rosina has two things on her side: the handsome Count Almaviva, who has fallen in love with her, and the town barber, Figaro, her conniving accomplice, who through clever disguises and quick wit succeeds in securing victory for the young couple.
Film and theater director Neil LaBute, is considering bringing Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Company' to the big screen.
Tony Award winning star of A CHORUS LINE is regarded internationally as one of Broadway's foremost dancing and singing leading ladies. She began this summer performing in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and has just completed her first tour of Australia with MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE, before taking it to NY and a sold out crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theater.
Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.
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