You probably don't have to feel sorry for a mature, experienced female singer who decides to tackle the gritty music of Tom Waits and calls her show 1978 NYC Underground, but it was still tough not to feel for Billie Roe as she performed this week at the Metropolitan Room. Roe, who in 2011 offered the highly-praised Dangerous Women: Life In Film Noir, admittedly has yearned to present a Waits songbook for 35 years, but just a couple of months before her four-show run which ends tonight at 9:30 pm (her prize for winning the 2012 MetroStar Challenge Competition at the Met Room), rising cabaret star Marissa Mulder staged a Tom Waits-themed show that was close to perfect in every way and earned rave reviews from the New York Times and BroadwayWorld.com.
PBS announced today a fall primetime line-up featuring a strong roster of wide-ranging programs.
Among the exciting highlights will be "Barbra Streisand: Back to Brooklyn" in which the legendary Barbra Streisand makes a historic homecoming back to Brooklyn at the new Barclays Center arena
As previously announced, John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur. Also starring will be Michelle Ragusa as The Lady of the Lake, Kevin Cahoon as Historian, John Scherer as Sir Robin, David Hibbard as Patsy, Chris Hoch as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Tally Sessions as Dennis' Mother/Sir Bedevere. Joining them will be broadcast legend Bob Costas as The Voice of God.
A special tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim, including 17 premieres of commissioned works inspired by his songs, will be taking place at "Music in the Loft" in Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 801, on April 7, 2013 at 3:00 pm. Pianist Anthony de Mare will be premiering/performing some of the 36-piece "LIAISONS Project" featuring Sondheim-inspired pieces by composers ranging from Nico Muhly and Steve Reich to Duncan Sheik and Jason Robert Brown.
Houston Grand Opera (HGO)-the only opera company with two Grammys, two Emmys, and a Tony - continues to raise the bar for American opera with next season's gripping new line-up.
Simply to recite a list of the recently deceased Marvin Hamlisch's awards--three Oscars in 1973 for The Way We Were and The Sting; a Tony and Pulitzer Prize for A Chorus Line; three Emmys, two Golden Globes, four ASCAP awards, and a Grammy is enough the inspire awe. But as host Bruce Kimmel reminds us during the fabulous 26th Kritzerland Show at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in NoHo on October 7, he had his share of flops too like The Goodbye Girl, or Jean Seberg. But even a flop show can have some beautiful songs in it, and Kimmel includes a number of these among the twenty selections offered.
TACT/The Actors Company Theatre celebrates the success of its critically-acclaimed 2011/12 season and honors the accomplishments of Victor Garber - one of this country's most versatile actors, at its annual Spring Gala tonight, May 7th at The Loeb Boathouse Central Park (East 72nd Street & Park Drive North). The celebratory evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and the new "Pick-a-Prize" Raffle where attendees can select which prizes they want to win. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. TACT company member Simon Jones will serve as master of ceremonies and introduce the evening's entertainment and live auction - which includes VIP tickets to the 2013 Australian Open and tickets to the 2013 Olivier Awards in London - set to commence at 8:30 p.m.
New York's City Center can be a dark and unwelcoming place on a Friday afternoon. The recently restored interior is obscured by shadows and the only light comes from the merciless worklights over the stage which only partially illuminate the two performers beneath them. Yet, even through these shadows, the admirable skills of two Broadway veterans are evident as they recreate their roles in WEST SIDE STORY. Both actors appeared in this musical classic over forty years ago at Lincoln Center.
TACT/The Actors Company Theatre will celebrate the success of its critically-acclaimed 2011/12 season and honor the accomplishments of Victor Garber - one of this country's most versatile actors, at its annual Spring Gala onMonday, May 7th at The Loeb Boathouse Central Park (East 72nd Street & Park Drive North).
Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron - executive producers of NBC TV's just-renewed series Smash, and currently represented on Broadway with the popular revival of the Frank Loesser musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - make their first appearance on THEATER TALK in an all-new interview premiering Friday, March 30 (2012) at 1 a.m. on Thirteen, followed by airings on CUNY TV Saturday (8:30 PM), Sunday (12:30 PM) and Monday (7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM).
Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron - executive producers of NBC TV's just-renewed series Smash, and currently represented on Broadway with the popular revival of the Frank Loesser musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - make their first appearance on THEATER TALK in an all-new interview premiering Friday, March 30 (2012) at 1 a.m. on Thirteen, followed by airings on CUNY TV Saturday (8:30 PM), Sunday (12:30 PM) and Monday (7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM).
MICHAEL BALL's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th.
Michael Ball's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th. The 28-track ‘HEROES LIVE' proves once again that Michael Ball, dynamic performer, platinum-selling recording artist and No. 1 Olivier Award-winning UK musical theatre star, is at the top of his game. ‘HEROES LIVE' was recorded at Birmingham Symphony Hall on June 11th when Michael performed his outstanding new show, Heroes, named after his Top 10 album in which he paid tribute to some of his favourite singers such as Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Scott Walker, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. ‘HEROES LIVE' is a must-have for the loyal legions of Ball fans up and down the country who love to watch their hero in action and for the growing thousands of fans who tune in to ‘Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch' on BBC Radio 2. Check out a sneak peek of the DVD below!
MICHAEL BALL's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th. The 28-track ‘HEROES LIVE' proves once again that Michael Ball, dynamic performer, platinum-selling recording artist and No. 1 Olivier Award-winning UK musical theatre star, is at the top of his game.
David Henry Hwang, one of America's most dynamic and versatile playwrights, is the Honoree of the 31st Annual William Inge Theatre Festival, in Independence, Kansas, on the campus of Independence Community College.
Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced that The Old Globe will produce the World Premieres of four new plays and musicals in its 2011-12 Winter Season. The season will feature the World Premiere musicals Some Lovers by music legend Burt Bacharach and Tony Award winner Steven Sater and Nobody Loves You by Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses, as well as the West Coast Premiere of John Kander and Fred Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys, recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical, directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The two plays receiving World Premiere productions are Somewhere by Globe Playwright-in-Residence Matthew Lopez and The Recommendation by Jonathan Caren. The new season also includes revivals of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show and the Eugene O'Neill classic Anna Christie directed by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner David Auburn. Special events include the World Premiere of Odyssey by Todd Almond, a music theater event conceived and directed by Lear deBessonet celebrating the Globe's 75th Anniversary, The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program production of Twelfth Night and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which returns for its 14th consecutive year.
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.
Popular TV/ film/Broadway actor Monte Markham will play Antony in a scene from Antony and Cleopatra for CART (California Artists Radio Theatre) on October 9 at the Beverly Garland Hotel in NoHo at 1:30 pm. Markham is well known to TV/film audiences for his consistent work in TV series, MOWs and theatrical movies for the last 50 years. He is also producer/director of a series of acclaimed documentaries which have changed the face of Cable TV, since before the History Channel began. He started his Broadway career in 1973 co-starring in song and dance with Debbie Reynolds in the musical Irene, for which he won the prestigious Theatre World Award. In our interview he concentrates on his roots in and passion for theatre, and may I add with tremendous intelligence, wit and integrity.
This week, we are taking a look at Sunday evening's starry West End salute to Stephen Sondheim which was broadcast in the UK on TV and everywhere on the BBC website, BBC PROMS: SONDHEIM AT 80. This unforgettable event stars Dame Judi Dench, Maria Friedman, Bryn Terfel, Caroline O'Conner, Julian Ovenden, Daniel Evans, Jenna Russell and Simon Russell Beale singing selections from Sondheim's entire oeuvre - among them: 'Send In The Clowns', 'Broadway Baby', 'Children Will Listen', 'Move On' and 'Side By Side'. Dame Dench's recreation of her Desiree Armfeldt - a role currently essayed by Bernadette Peters who opened this week in the replacement cast of the Broadway revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, replacing Tony-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones - is merely impossibly elegant decoration on a decadently rich, rewarding, fulfilling and entertaining gateau of celebratory Sondheimian greatness. A piece of birthday cake like few others. Come along and hear it for yourself if you haven‘t already!
On Saturday, July 31, stage favorites Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Michael Cerveris and George Hearn teamed up with the Ravina Festival and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in tribute to Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Lonny Price and conducted by Paul Gemignani, the concert featured Sondheim classics from shows such as A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Gypsy and more. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the concert below.
Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim.
Here, Donna McKechnie sings 'Where Am I Going?' from SWEET CHARITY.
Today, Saturday, April 10, Tony-winner Donna McKechnie will premiere her new one-woman show, My Musical Comedy Life, at the Springside Inn in Auburn New York. McKechnie, who won a Tony for her performance as Cassie in A Chorus Line, played the inn last night as well. Richard Jay-Alexander will direct the shows with musical direction by Eugene Gwozdz. The series, its inaugral year, is being produced by Barbara Walsh (Thommie's sister), Baayork Lee (who starred in A CHORUS LINE with Thommie) and Merete Muenter.
Here, McKechnie and director Jay-Alexander chat with WCNY Connected.
Tomorrow, Friday, April 9, Tony-winner Donna McKechnie will premiere her new one-woman show, My Musical Comedy Life, at the Springside Inn in Auburn New York. McKechnie, who won a Tony for her performance as Cassie in A Chorus Line, will play the Inn through Saturday April 10. Richard Jay-Alexander will direct the shows with musical direction by Eugene Gwozdz.
Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awardâfor Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).
Videos
