Liz Callaway, Max von Essen, Patti LuPone & More Set for WALL TO WALL STEPHEN SCHWARTZ at Symphony Space Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 16, 2016
Symphony Space pays exuberant homage to the Great White Way with Project B-way/95, a two-week celebration comprising 14 events, now through April 20. A particular highlight is this year's installment of Symphony Space's signature event, WALL TO WALL STEPHEN SCHWARTZ (tonight, April 16).
For five decades, Schwartz's groundbreaking works have garnered him three Academy Awards, four Grammys, and a place in the Theater Hall of Fame and The Songwriters Hall of Fame. The composer and lyricist of such theatrical milestones as Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked, he has also made significant contributions to the worlds of animated film, opera, and concert music. More than 100 performers, including many of Broadway's top names, have joined forces to salute his achievements.
At this time, performers include (listed alphabetically):
Project B-Way/95 is curated by Joel Fram and Annette Jolles.
Other major events include:
- Broadway Premieres, Thursday, April 7 (7:30 pm, Leonard Nimoy Thalia), spotlighting tomorrow's hits today
- Young Lions of Broadway, Friday, April 8 (7:30 pm, Leonard Nimoy Thalia), devoted to rising star composers + lyricists
- All in the Family, Monday, April 11 (8 pm, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre), a cheerfully nepotistic look at Broadway power couples and dynasties
- Sh-K-Boom Records presents..., Thursday, April 14 (7:30 pm, Leonard Nimoy Thalia), celebrating top-selling artists from the label in concert
- Patti LuPone's "Don't Monkey with Broadway," Tuesday, April 19 (8 pm, Peter Jay Sharpe Theatre), featuring her indelible interpretations of classic show tunes.
And don't forget about...
- The King and I: From Book to Stage to Film, Sunday, April 10 (3 pm, Leonard Nimoy Thalia)
An in-depth look at The King and I exploring the fascinating journey this story took from autobiography, to novel, to film, to musical, and then to film musical. Featuring film clips, live performances, and discussions with Broadway performers Francis Jue (Pacific Overtures, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Karen Ziemba (Bullets Over Broadway) and Marni Nixon (Follies), and noted theater historian Michael Portantiere. Curated and hosted by Ted Chapin, President and Executive Director of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. Music direction by Grant Wenaus
- Composers by Chance, Sun, Apr 10 (11 am, Leonard Nimoy Thalia) Musical theater fans and aspiring songwriters will have a chance to get up close and personal with some of their favorite Broadway writing teams. Positioned throughout Symphony Space, composers and lyricists Nell Benjamin & Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde: The Musical, Bat Boy, Mean Girls), Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then), and Matthew Sklar (Gotta Dance, Elf), host intimate discussions on life in the Broadway theatre. Audiences draw lots for two of the three 40-minute sessions, with time for all to mingle at a bagel nosh in Bar Thalia in between.
- The Changing Face of Broadway: Race and Diversity in the American Musical Theater, Wednesday, April 13 (7:30 pm, Leonard Nimoy Thalia)
An exploration of the challenges and rewards of nontraditional casting and the changing landscape of ethnic diversity on the Broadway stage, featuring live performances, film clips and a panel discussion. Hosted by Christine Toy Johnson - actor, writer, and award-winning activist on issues of diversity and discrimination in the arts.
With appearances and performances by:
-- LaChanze (Tony Award Winner for The Color Purple; Once on This Island, If/Then, Dessa Rose)
-- Alvin Hough, Jr. (Pianist & current Associate Conductor of The Color Purple)
-- Tara Rubin (Casting Director, School of Rock - The Musical, Bullets Over Broadway, LES MISERABLES, Aladdin)
-- Jack Viertel (Artistic Director of Encores!, Senior Vice President of Jujamcyn Theaters)
-- Kat Nejat (West Side Story, Lysistrata Jones)
Complete information on Project B-Way/95 programming can be found at www.symphonyspace.org/events/series/192/project-b-way-95.
Symphony Space traces its beginnings to a free marathon concert, Wall to Wall Bach, held in 1978 and organized by co-founders Isaiah Sheffer and Allan Miller. The music marathon then drew thousands of visitors and has since become one of the organization's signature events. Today Symphony Space presents more than 600 events each season, including music, dance, theater, film, and literary readings. Some of its best known programs include Selected Shorts, a reading of short stories by stars of stage and screen, and one of the most popular series on public radio; National Theatre Live,broadcasting the best of British theatre to cinemas around the world; and Just Kidding, one of the most talked about family entertainment series around town. Uptown Showdown has been called "New York's best comedy series" by New York magazine. For more information, visit symphonyspace.org.
Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. Box office hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1 pm - 6 pm, open two hours prior to performances and events. Tickets can also be purchased through www.symphonyspace.org, or by calling 212/864-5400.
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