A young songwriter Ben Shapiro is trying to make it as a Broadway composer, where his grandfather couldn't. Ben's father wants him to follow in his footsteps as a lawyer. Instead, Ben follows his heart and stages a reading of his grandfather's unfinished musical about a struggling composer at a swanky Miami resort in 1948.
The erstwhile jazz singer has such musical theater heavyweights as Michael Mayer, Tom Kitt and William Finn in her corner.
In an interview with the January 1st Los Angeles Times, Elton John spoke about his plans for an upcoming biopic that he currently has in the works. When asked in the recent interview about which actor John has in mind to take on the starring role, the singer replied, 'I don't know. I've got a wish list of people. No. 1 on my wish list is Justin Timberlake, because he played me before in a David LaChapelle video of 'Rocket Man' and was superb.'
The Shakespeare Theatre Company continues celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season with the second installment of the Bard's Broadway series with the Tony Award winning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera) performing January 27-29, 2012 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW). Galt MacDermot, John Guare and Mel Shapiro come together to create the music, lyrics and book that add a spicy, funky twist to Shakespeare's work of the same name.
The Roy Arias Studios & Theaters, located in the Times Square Arts Center at 300 West 43rd Street, will present the first Times Square International Theater Festival from January 16 to 22, 2012.
RUPAUL's DRAG RACE returns with a fresh, fun and fabulous fourth season as 13 glorious queens go heel-to-heel as they compete for the title of 'America's Next Drag Superstar.' The 90-minute premiere kicks off Monday, January 30 at 9 PM ET/PT on Logo (the series' regular timeslot), followed by a new season of the behind-the-scenes fan favorite 'Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race' at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) continues its 27th season with the world premiere of the new play, Rx, written by Kate Fodor.
MCC Theater has announced the complete cast for the newly reworked and fully re-imagined production of Carrie, the musical. Carrie features music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford (Academy Award winning composer and lyricist for the original film Fame) and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (who also adapted the 1974 novel by Stephen King for the 1976 Brian DePalma film). Directed by Stafford Arima, performances for Carrie begin January 31, 2012, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The official opening night is set for March 1, 2012.
As 'Chicago' celebrates 15 years on Broadway, we profile its longest-running cast member.
Today we are going to continue our ongoing interview series focusing on composers whose work transcends merely one medium with this highly-lauded and respected film and television composer known for over 100 film scores in his thirty year career - such as his Academy Award-nominated work on CRASH; as well as this year's WARRIOR starring Tom Hardy, in theaters now - the immensely talented Mark Isham! Detailing the challenge of scoring each and every episode of ABC's hit new fairytale-themed series ONCE UPON A TIME and what it is like bringing the magical Disney wonderland of the show to musical life every week - as well as some hints of what we can expect in future episodes - we also look back at many of his most notable collaborations over his accomplished career, many with some of the finest theatre and film directors of our age - Sidney Lumet, Robert Altman and David Mamet included. Additionally, Isham shares insights into the work of fellow composers soon to be featured in this column - such as Alexandre Desplat and Alan Menken - as well as what we can look forward to from him in the future, near and far - on screens, both small and large! Plus - much, much more!
Today we are talking to the songwriter responsible for the new collection of songs culled from his many musical theatre ventures, both new and old - oh-so-appropriately titled OUT OF CONTEXT - who perhaps is best known to Broadway babies as the composer/lyricist of the mid-00s Off-Broadway smash boy-band spoof musical ALTAR BOYZ - the versatile and fiercely committed Michael Patrick Walker. Talking all aspects of OUT OF CONTEXT - including working with the tremendous talent featured on the multi-faceted and highly entertaining album (many of whom are also InDepth InterView participants themselves), such as Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Lisa Howard and many more - as well as describing the shows from whence these songs derived (such as THE DISTANT BELLS, which recently was work-shopped starring Chita Rivera and Ana Gasteyer, among others) Walker and I attempt to paint a picture of the career of a rising star composer such as himself and what we can look forward to from him in the future, near and far - and, of course, what is in the ether for the release party performance concert at Birdland on Monday night featuring Ann Harada, Lauren Kennedy, Peter Friedman, Kenita Miller, John Tartaglia, Julie Foldesi, Noah Galvin, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Andy Mientus, Jim Stanek and Betsy Wolfe. Additionally, he shares his experiences working on screen-to-stage adaptations of KINKY BOOTS and SOAPDISH, as well as shares news of his upcoming musical with Rick Ellis of JERSEY BOYS fame and the Rockettes musical number that will be premiering this season at the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas spectacular. Plus, we also discuss his compositional and lyrical inspirations, favorite scores and composers, thoughts on GLEE and much, much more!
Today we are kicking off the male-centric portion of our ongoing series of interviews with the stars of Lifetime's DROP DEAD DIVA with the heartthrob of the show and Jane's former fiancee in her past life, legal eagle Grayson, played by the dashing and suave Jackson Hurst. In addition to talking all about Season 3 of DROP DEAD DIVA and the future for Jane and Grayson - as well as the hiccups and roadblocks in his relationship with Deb, before, and, now, Jane, that have cropped up so precipitously along the way - we also analyze the various guest stars on the show over the seasons - everyone from Kathy Griffin to Samuel L. Jackson to Elliot Gould to Liza Minnelli and more! In addition, Hurst and I also discuss his past and future stage and screen roles and his experiences on sets and backstage - including a thorough discussion of working with director Terrence Malick on THE TREE OF LIFE and his starring role in the forthcoming September release, A BIRD OF THE AIR, by CHINATOWN scribe Robert Towne - as well as Hurst's own favorite films and ultimate career aspirations - plus much, much more!
Due to the approach of Hurricane Irene, the City has issued a mandatory evacuation order for New Yorkers who live in the low-lying Zone 'A' coastal areas in all five boroughs. This includes all parts of the Rockaways due to its exposure to the ocean.
The Cute Lepers are 100% proof that '77 punk rock/powerpop in the vein of Generation X, Buzzc*cks, and The Boys is timeless in both sound and spirit.
Southern California native, Ryan Scott Oliver, is creating his own unique niche in the world of contemporary musical theatre. He is currently workshopping a brand new musical he has written titled JASPER IN DEADLAND that will receive two performances on August 5th and 6th in Pasadena, and will see a newly-revised version of his musical, Out Of My Head, open in Los Angeles on July 29th. Here he talks about the intricacies of his writing process and about creating a life in musical theatre.
"Any Dream Will Do" sings the title character, Joseph, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. But for Anthony Fedorov, the former American Idol contestant and recording artist, who will don the multi-colored coat when that same show arrives at the Fox on June 26, those words aren't just lyrics in a play, but the theme of his own career that has evolved over the past 6 years. I had the chance to catch up with Anthony and talk about the show, his upcoming record and his musical journey so far.
Triple Grammy Award winner Debby Boone will appear at the Welk Resort in Escondido from June 22 to 25. In 1977 she skyrocketed to fame with 'You Light Up My Life' and has never stopped recording since. In the 80s it was gospel and Broadway into the 90s and more recently Reflections of Rosemary, a CD that honors her late mother-in-law all time great singer Rosemary Clooney. Boone has had a varied career, running the gamut from country to Christian to pop - Broadway and standards - and will soon record a Big Band Swing album. In our chat, this talented gal talks about her music and her childrens' books, which she wrote with her husband illustrator, Gabriel Ferrer.
Choice Theatrical's World Premiere production of Reading Under the Influence: The 'Real' Westchester Women's Book Club will close on May 29, 2011.
Due to popular demand, Choice Theatrical's World Premiere production of Reading Under the Influence: The "Real" Westchester Women's Book Club will extend for two weeks.
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.
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. The following perforers are set to make appearances May 17-20:
Choice Theatricals presents the World Premiere of the comedy, Reading Under the Influence: The 'Real' Westchester Women's Book Club written by Weissberger Award winning playwright Tony Glazer and directed by Wendy C. Goldberg (winner of the 2010 Regional Tony Award).
Choice Theatricals to present the World Premiere of Reading Under the Influence: The "Real" Westchester Women's Book Club written by Weissberger Award winning playwright Tony Glazer and directed by Wendy C. Goldberg (winner of the 2010 Regional Tony Award).
Once again, Maine State Music Theatre breaks new ground in Northern New England with a show that is rarely produced on a professional theatre stage and never before presented to an MSMT audience. The 2011 season ends with a bang, featuring an all-African American cast revving up theatregoers in THE WIZ, the retelling of Frank L. Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ in a unique 70s style.
Once again, Maine State Music Theatre breaks new ground in Northern New England with a show that is rarely produced on a professional theatre stage and never before presented to an MSMT audience.
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