David Clarke - Page 15

Happy Tonys season BroadwayWorld! Is your CD collection and iPod Tonys ready? The big show-the 71th annual Tony Awards-is just over 24 hours away! Naturally, New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies, which will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 8/7c on CBS. As always, this Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

New York City burlesque performer, producer, and porn star Chris Harder is known for exhilarating audiences and leaving them breathless. This week, he performs in the world premiere of his debut solo-play #BIGBRIGHTSTAR. To get the skinny on the show, we caught up with Harder for a chat.

Inspired by a 70-page sliver of the sprawling 1215-page tome War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Dave Malloy's NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 is an all-encompassing feat of musical theater. Now, Reprise Records has released the sterling and elaborate NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Original Broadway Cast Recording).

A musical adaptation of 1993's Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and written by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis may not seem like the most plumb choice for Broadway. However, the show's score and lyrics by Tim Minchin will make audiences reconsider any doubts they may have had.

As a whole, HELLO, DOLLY! (The New Broadway Cast Recording) is wonderfully vibrant and cheerful. From opening to close, this music-this album-is just as giddy for you to listen to it as you are to hear it.

Migguel Anggelo, the Brooklyn based, Venezuelan born singer-songwriter and all around artist, is coming back to Joe's Pub with SO CLOSE: LOVE & HATE. It's been a while since we've seen him on stage, so we caught up with the gifted and energetic performer to get the inside scoop on the brand new show.

For HERO, Tyce's rocker persona is front and center as he sings the best of Jim Steinman. Across the dual disc album, he uses an edgy bravado when singing the songs, skrelts when the music calls for it, but doesn't fully commit to the gritty emotions of these beloved rock hits.

COME FROM AWAY is the celebrated new musical with lyrics and music by Irene Sankokff and David Hein. COME FROM AWAY (Original Broadway Cast Recording) captures the resplendent, raw emotions of the Broadway production. Just be warned: the uplifting story of human kindness and charity packs an emotional wallop on the album, so you'll probably want to listen to it with tissues in hand.

Deborah Cox stepped back into Houston's footsteps when she was cast as Rachel Marron in the US national tour of THE BODYGUARD - THE MUSICAL. Cox has recently released I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, an eight track EP of her singing songs featured in the musical.

Broadway's rockstar and Two-time Tony Award Nominee, Constantine Maroulis, is back with 'All About You.' The new single dropped on iTunes and Spotify this morning, and is a collaboration with hitmaker Sam Hollander (Fitz and the Tantrums, Train, Daughtry, Weezer). The catchy, new track from Maroulis is a heartfelt ballad about being completely caught up on and still in love with someone who got away.

To call THE BODYGAURD - THE MUSICAL good would be kind. But, being completely honest, the theatrical confection is simply high-octane fun. The show's book is as flimsy and full of cheese as anyone could expect. Where the show excels is its score. So, it's no surprise that First Night Records/R.E.D.'s release of THE BODYGUARD - THE MUSICAL (World Premiere Cast Recording) is a treasure trove of excellently sung covers of iconic pop hits.

Ghostlight Records' recent release of A BRONX TALE (Original Broadway Cast Recording) perfectly captures the spirit of the Broadway show. The record sounds reminiscent of JERSEY BOYS with music and lyrics that pulsate with a heart that reminds listeners of HAIRSPRAY. The up-tempo tracks, enthusiastic performances, and pop and funk sounds of the 60s flood the album. This ensures audiences will be tapping their toes to the infectious beats, even if the songs don't stick to their ribs after the CD ends.

Consummate musician and Tony Award winner Levi Kreis has returned with a stunning new album that celebrates musical theater with BROADWAY AT THE KEYS. His signature gospel and blues inspired vocal stylings reverberate with joy and sincere heart across the album, allowing him to expose the emotional depth of each song with his sparkling arrangements.

Broadway veteran and twelve-time MAC Award winner, Karen Mason released IT'S ABOUT TIME, earlier this month. The lovely, yet understated, record perfectly captures the vibrancy of Mason's instrument. Despite being recorded in a studio, IT'S ABOUT TIME captures the magic of live cabaret performance and offers it as something listeners can experience anywhere in the world.

Billy Mitchell's hilarious VILLAIN: DEBLANKS makes a triumphant New York City return tonight at Feinstein's/54 Below. Tonight's sold out show features Kathleen Turner, Morena Baccarin, Lesli Margherita, Michael Potts, Maulik Pancholy, and Micah Stock and will benefit New York Civil Liberties Union.

The hilarious, sexy, and surprisingly touching musical PRETTY FILTHY made a splash Off-Broadway in early 2015. Ghostlight Records' PRETTY FILTHY (Original Cast Recording) perfectly captures the humor of the show. Michael Friedman's often blunt but always-relatable lyrics are uncompromised on the recording. The cast's voices shine across the 13-track album.

Today, Morgan Reynolds (who recently charmed audiences as the Scarecrow in the 2nd National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WIZARD OF OZ) turns 30! As a birthday present from him to the world, he has released a music video for his latest single 'Twirl Queen,' a campy and catchy holiday pop song that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Surprise! Ghostlight Records just pulled a Beyonce. They dropped the digital edition of FALSETTOS (2016 Broadway Cast Recording) shortly after the stroke of midnight on December 16, 2016. To be fair, they did announce that the cast would be recording the score on October 26, 2016, but no hard date for release was previously set. Now, fans in the United States can purchase the lush score through iTunes (the digital version will be available internationally on December 23, 2016) while they wait for the physical version of the dual disc album to be released on January 27, 2017.

Playing Alex with aplomb, Nick Cearley instantly buries himself deep in the hearts of the audience. With a charming smile and glittering personality, he gently wraps the audience around his finger before the opening statements about the story being entirely fictional come to an end.

Last Sunday, BROADWAY BARES: ON DEMAND raised $1.48 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Musical theater dancer and actor Ian Campayno personally raised over $3,000 as a member of the cast for this years show. Just before this years BROADWAY BARES show, I sat down with Ian Campayno to talk about his current show, TRIP OF LOVE and BROADWAY BARES.