One of the central joys of GLEE for theatre fans is the constant stream of top-tier triple-threat talent on display, oftentimes the very best and brightest stars on Broadway - and the epic return of Idina Menzel on GLEE last night was certainly a cause celebre of the highest order on that accord. While Idina's WICKED co-star Kristin Chenoweth has certainly made more appearances over the seasons - and racked up Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her splendid work, as well; as recently as in the Season 2 finale and the "Rumours" Fleetwood Mac tribute episode - it is Menzel who has a pivotal role in the story of the show in a way perhaps no other guest star does: she plays Rachel Berry's estranged mother, Shelby. While the physical similarities in the appearance of Menzel and Lea Michele are easy to see (and, in some ways, hear) - although they bare no actual relation - it is in their masterful musical marriage that some of the best moments of GLEE arise and have arisen in the past - many the most heart-breaking and heart-warming among them. "Poker Face" is the gold standard by which every other duet is held up to since Season One and their take on the LES MIZ (and Susan Boyle) classic "I Dreamed A Dream" fulfilled the promise of its title for every Broadway baby - and even Idina's "Funny Girl" left a little footprint on our hearts. Yet, what about these two titanic Broadway leading ladies taking on one of the most well-known and best-loved musical theatre songs of all time - from one of the greatest musicals ever written, no less - "Somewhere" from WEST SIDE STORY? Furthermore, what about Chris Colfer essaying yet another grand dame show-stopping number, this time in the form of FUNNY GIRL'S "I'm The Greatest Star"? And, most of all, how did the hotly anticipated performance by Darren Criss of the WEST SIDE STORY staple "Something's Coming" come off - a song that had its audio world premiere in this very column this weekend - and did it ultimately pan out onscreen on GLEE as stupendously as it sounded it would? To find out all about how last night on GLEE the divas dominated, Criss catapulted to the top of the gleek heap and Colfer channeled Barbra Streisand herself - as well as all the other McKinley High-related drama and overall epic entertainment value that the show offers every week - read on.
Hugh Jackman is everywhere this week and it appears he has really arrived in a big way, both in Hollywood and on Broadway - announcing his return to the Great White Way later this season in a solo musical; starring in a new Dreamworks action CGI extravaganza opening in theaters soon, REEL STEEL; as well as the biggest news of all (which is saying something), his being cast in the lead role of Jean Valjean in the big screen version of the international musical sensation LES MISERABLES, opposite Russell Crowe as Javert. Broadway babies have known since his Tony-winning work in the Peter Allen musical THE BOY FROM OZ that Hugh can cut up a carpet and knock out a tune like the best gypsies in town, but it is his immediate and lasting rapport with the audience and his eminently likeable manner that seems to pour forth from every orifice that make him perhaps the greatest Broadway leading man of the twenty-first century. With these new endeavors offering ample opportunities for Hugh to sing, strut and show his stuff for an international audience in a major way, his one-man-musical and LES MIZ are the ideal way to showcase his significant triple-threat talents in full while REEL STEEL fulfills his action star ascent. So, today we are going to take a look at some of Hugh's best filmed stage work as available on YouTube, complete with his equal parts rousing, exhilarating and phenomenal Tony Awards performances over the last few years - including this year's unforgettable duet with Neil Patrick Harris; as well as his inimitable take on the disco DREAMGIRLS knock-out "One Night Only", and, of course, a glimpse at his actual Tony-winning role itself as the Boy From Oz. In addition to all of that, we also have his pseudo-audition for LES MIZ in the form his duet with Anne Hathaway at the Oscars - and rumors are flying that Hathaway has been cast in the role of Fantine in the film after all, the character who sings the song they share in one of today's featured clips, the classic "On My Own". We also take a look at REEL STEEL and his brand new stage show in its tryout form in both Toronto and San Francisco, plus his live in-character retort to a cell phone while starring with Daniel Craig in A STEADY RAIN and much, much more!
'Body and Soul' is the final recording made by Winehouse before her passing on July 23rd of this year, and is released today to mark what would have been the singer's 28th birthday. The single and video of 'Body and Soul' has also been released today on the iTunes Store to benefit The Amy Winehouse Foundation.
'Body and Soul' is the final recording made by Winehouse before her passing on July 23rd of this year, and is released today to mark what would have been the singer's 28th birthday.
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel is Scott Burland (Theremin) and Frank Schultz (Steel) will perform at the Conundrum Music Hall on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 9 pm (doors open at 8 pm). Tickets are $6.
Two highly respected contemporary artists and choreographers, Jodi Melnick and David Neumann, come together for the first time in an exclusive mixed bill engagement at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, August 10-14 in the Doris Duke Theatre. In her Pillow debut performance, two-time Bessie Award-winner Jodi Melnick presents Fanfare, a sophisticated dance of rhythm and gesture set against a kaleidoscope of light and sculpture designed by visual artist Burt Barr. Neumann and his company, Advanced Beginner Group, also take the stage with signature wry humor and creativity in Hit the Deck and Tough the Tough. This exclusive program also includes the world premiere duet, July, commissioned by Jacob's Pillow, and choreographed and performed by these two original artists.
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel is Scott Burland (Theremin) and Frank Schultz (Steel) will perform at the Conundrum Music Hall on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 9 pm (doors open at 8 pm). Tickets are $6.
Monday July 11th sees the release of "Ruby Electric" - Philip Sayce's latest album on Provogue Records. The album showcases previously unreleased studio and live tracks and includes the single "Let The Love In" featuring a duet with Melissa Etheridge.
Matthew Morrison has added a duet with Sting to his self-titled debut CD lineup.
Last night GLEE took on the catalogue of Fleetwood Mac - namely, their 1977 Grammy-winning Album of the Year, RUMOURS - and proved that you can do justice to the originals - as inimitable as they may be - but still go your own way with them. And, have your own way. Also, Broadway baby Kristin Chenoweth made her long-awaited return as boozy April Rhodes just in time to duet with Matt Morrison on the Stevie Nicks-penned classic 'Dreams' and a few of the secondary leads - namely Santana, Artie and Quinn - got a chance to shine with these silvery takes on the solid gold classic rock tracks. While some of the tribute shows have been hit-or-miss in the past, Fleetwood Mac and the self-avowed queen gleek herself, Stevie Nicks - who was on set for Gwyneth Paltrow's taping of 'Landslide' earlier this year, cheering the cast on - surely won't be digging an early grave with her silver spoon after hearing and seeing these sensitive and respectful takes on her tunes - and Lindsey Buckingham‘s and Christine McVie‘s, as well. But, I guess if anyone in the group has an issue with any of these covers, they can always cast a spell using some white witches and black magic. Speaking of which - or witch - too bad they didn't do 'Gold Dust Woman' or 'Silver Springs'! And, no cover of 'The Chain'? But, I suppose they're saving them for 'Rumours: Part 2' or, perhaps, an all-Stevie Nicks episode - particularly if it happened to feature songs from her splendid new album, IN YOUR DREAMS, which is out this week (her first new album this decade). So, break out your feathers, rings, and shawls, we've got all the gypsy magic you can handle inside thanks to the ever-revolving door of the ever-evolving cast of GLEE paying due respect to the similarly designed/aligned folk/rock super-group of the 70s making their momentous musical marriage somehow oh-so-apropos to the times, no?
This Tuesday 10th May in Roscommon Arts Centre, 77 year old Madge Bolger takes to the stage with her son, the award-winning choreographer David Bolger, in a national tour of Swimming with my Mother. This evocative duet won Best Production at the Limerick Unfringed Festival and has already played to full houses in Paris and at the prestigious NOTTDANCE Festival.
After ten years of FOX dominating mid-week television ratings, NBC has finally responded to mega-hit ‘American Idol' with its own vocal competition- ‘The Voice.' It took them long enough! Premiering just last night, music stars Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton took a turn judging America's talent, seated in oversized revolving thrones that made Idol's panel look like a picnic table.
CoisCéim Dance Theatre presents Swimming with my Mother (stage duet) & Deep End Dance (short dance film) Roscommon Arts Centre on Tuesday 10th May 8pm
According to Oh No They Didn't, Gwyneth Paltrow will duet with Broadway and GLEE star Matthew Morrison on his debut solo album, which is set for a May 10 release. Morrison shared: 'The hardest part of doing this album was asking these people favors, like Elton [John] and her. I'm so not that guy.'
Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) announces three collaborative creations piloted by fearless women, Ximena Garnica, Jennifer Nugent and Adrienne Westwood, in the Winter 2011 installment of OBject.obJECT, February 17-20. Through self-reflection, Garnica's interdisciplinary work investigates identity and the continuous state of 'Becoming'; a vigorous duet integrates partnering, awkwardness, tension and vulnerability in Nugent's I'd Go Out With You; Westwood's nostalgic world premiere, Record, incorporates varied forms of multi-media including miniature objects with a live projected video feed and an engineered traveling sound score.
A post-performance talkback moderated by choreographer/dance film presenter Michael Bodel will take place on Thursday, February 17.
Each year, The Drama League's one-night-only gala concert boasts an incredible roster of Broadway's biggest and brightest stars, performing favorite songs from Broadway seasons past and present. This year, the show included performances highlighting Patti LuPone's unequalled stage career.
Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) announces three collaborative creations piloted by fearless women, Ximena Garnica, Jennifer Nugent and Adrienne Westwood, in the Winter 2011 installment of OBject.obJECT, February 17-20. Through self-reflection, Garnica's interdisciplinary work investigates identity and the continuous state of 'Becoming'; a vigorous duet integrates partnering, awkwardness, tension and vulnerability in Nugent's I'd Go Out With You; Westwood's nostalgic world premiere, Record, incorporates varied forms of multi-media including miniature objects with a live projected video feed and an engineered traveling sound score.
A post-performance talkback moderated by choreographer/dance film presenter Michael Bodel will take place on Thursday, February 17.
The Swing Set, a new album from six-time MAC Award winner Jim Caruso, was released on January 11th. This is Caruso's sophomore album, and his first release under the Yellow Sound Label.
Recently, Broadway favorite - and Caruso fan - Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5, The Pirate Queen, Wicked, The Boy From Oz) spoke with Caruso about creating the album, for which she recorded a guest spot. Click below to hear about the genesis of The Swing Set, Caruso's career and, yes, the significance of 'corduroy day.'
BARBARA COOK, Broadway's legendary singing actress, and MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, the platinum-selling vocalist and pianist, will release their first-ever duet CD "Cheek to Cheek," recorded live during their sold-out engagement at Michael's nightclub Feinstein's at Loews Regency last season.
TVLine's Michael Ausiello got the scoop on an exciting duet on an upcoming episode of GLEE. GLEE diva Amber Riley revealed at the Golden Globes last night: 'Sue tells Mercedes that Rachel was talking [smack] about her, so Mercedes says [to Rachel], ‘We're having a diva-off once and for all, and we're going to settle this.' Over song, naturally. The pair will be belting out a rendition of 'Take Me Or Leave Me' from Rent.
BARBARA COOK, Broadway's legendary singing actress, and MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, the platinum-selling vocalist and pianist, will release their first-ever duet CD "Cheek to Cheek," recorded live during their sold-out engagement at Michael's nightclub Feinstein's at Loews Regency last season.
Sam is honored to record this duet with the legendary Miranda Sings, known for her interpretations of popular music from Katy Perry, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Aretha Franklin, and a multitude of Broadway songs and so many others. Click below for the just released music video of the duet between Harris and Sings, featuring music and lyrics by Nat Kipner and John McIntyre Vallins.
Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan are spreading holiday cheer with a new TV movie, 'Big Time Christmas,' premiering Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The hour-long special features three musical performances by Big Time Rush: an exclusive duet with Miranda Cosgrove of the contemporary classic 'All I Want for Christmas is You;' an animated music video with Snoop Dogg featuring an original song 'Let's Stay In Our PJs (All Christmas Long); and an all-new holiday song 'Beautiful Christmas.'
Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan are spreading holiday cheer with a new TV movie, 'Big Time Christmas,' premiering Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The hour-long special features three musical performances by Big Time Rush: an exclusive duet with Miranda Cosgrove of the contemporary classic 'All I Want for Christmas is You;' an animated music video with Snoop Dogg featuring an original song 'Let's Stay In Our PJs (All Christmas Long); and an all-new holiday song 'Beautiful Christmas.'
TV Guide reports today that it is quite possible everyone's favorite cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, may be getting married on an upcoming episode of GLEE. According to the report: 'Looking to steal some of the glory away from the over-the-top wedding Kurt's planning for his dad and Finn's mom (think doves and glitter!), Sue (Jane Lynch) announces to the school that she, too, is getting married. To whom, you ask? All I'll say is that it's the only person Sue views as her equal.'
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