David Clarke - Page 31

JERSEY BOYS is due out on DVD and Blu-Ray on November 11. But, if you just cannot get enough of the music of Bob Gaudio, Rhino Records has got you covered. This summer they released the 2 Disc set AUDIO WITH A G: SOUNDS OF A JERSEY BOY, THE MUSIC OF BOB GAUDIO, which features all of your favorites and the best renditions of the Bob Gaudio classics.

HAPPY KARAOKE FUN TIME has been kicking around for some time now. Last night, this plucky group of improv heroes just ended their (first) Off-Broadway run at The Davenport. With the goal of "bridg[ing] the gap between NY theater-goers and improv comedians," HAPPY KARAOKE FUN TIME allows audiences to enjoy the opening, and closing, night of a brand new musical every time they perform.

In 2003, she sang "I Saw Three Ships" on BROADWAY'S GREATEST GIFTS: CAROLS FOR A CURE, VOLUME V, and left her fans longing for a Christmas/holiday album. Finally, in 2014 our holiday wishes came true when Warner Brother's Records released her mirthfully charming HOLIDAY WISHES.

I can't imagine a world without the music of Scott Alan. I first discovered his work by following Stephanie J. Block. Her recording of "Never Neverland (Fly Away)" led to me purchase DREAMING WIDE AWAKE, and I have personally been a fan of Scott Alan's charismatic brand of pop songs infused with Broadway storytelling elements ever since. Today, fans can rejoice as they add Scott Alan's GREATEST HITS, VOL. 1 to their music collections.

Joel B. New, a 2008 American Theatre Wing Jonathan Larson grant recipient has written music and lyrics for several projects. His work has been seen and developed at places like Ars Nova, Lincoln Center, and New York Theatre Barn. Earlier this summer, he released the engaging premiere studio recording of his song cycle, STANDALONE.

Well-Strung is impressing audiences with their brilliant mash-ups of classical hits and modern pop standards. Touring their latest show POPSSICAL, Well-Strung visited New York City's 54 BELOW last night and left the assembled audience both awestruck and invigorated. Their pulled from the pages of a magazine looks, winning personalities, wonderful voices, and incredible instrumental skills easily dazzle and delight for their entire set.

Texas stage legend, Jaston Williams, is heading back to Galveston's The Grand 1894 Opera House. This time around he is bringing his newest play, MAID MARIAN IN A STOLEN CAR, to tickle our ribs. Gearing up for the production, Jaston Williams talks to me about why you should see MAID MARIAN IN A STOLEN CAR.

With its World Premiere about a year away, tickets are already on sale for the Broadway bound musical N THE QUEEN OF PARIS. And 2015 is shaping up to be the year of Emile Zola. Recently, I sat down with Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Ferguson, the co-creators of N THE QUEEN OF PARIS, and Pascal Nadon to discuss the upcoming musical.

No two performances are ever the same. This couldn't be truer for the upcoming interactive Off-Broadway improvised musical BLANK! THE MUSICAL. Co-created by Michael Girts, Mike Descoteaux, and T.J. Shanoff, this innovative improv showcase promises to have audiences busting a gut with the only musical show that requires them to help create it.

Natalie Arneson and her husband, without securing jobs before landing in the city that never sleeps, packed their bags in the middle of the Great Recession and embarked on the Texas to Empire State journey. The duo came with the soul purpose of allowing Natalie Arneson to chase her dreams and audition for Broadway musicals. Now, in her charming one-woman, solo cabaret, MAMA DRAMA, Natalie Arneson shares her story, her struggles, and her talent.

Don't feel blue if you didn't win the Saturday Night Live taping and/or rehearsal lottery. The award-winning Israeli slapstick theatre ensemble Tziporela is making their American debut with a five-week run at The Players Theatre with their show ODD BIRDZ. Until recently I had never heard of this group, but their zany and hysterical showcase of quality sketch comedy left me guffawing until I was hoarse. It's truly too good to miss.

I was invited to attend Mary Lambert's intimate and beautiful concert at SubCulture. With just a piano and her remarkable voice, she previewed songs off HEART ON MY SLEEVE and played other songs that both she and the audience love. I left that concert floating on an elevated plane of human existence, and I am happy to report that HEART ON MY SLEEVE takes me back to that transcendental field of bliss.

As the temperatures fall and leaves change color, most people start preparing for the fall family holidays that are just around the corner. Knowing you'll soon be surrounded by your own family, kooky or not, the World Premiere production of Catherine Butterfield's IT HAS TO BE YOU is offering New York audiences the opportunity to trade in their families and spend some time with the one she has created.

The main goal of Straight From New York Workshop and Concert Series is to offer "educational opportunities for performing arts students to work with top Broadway artists in cities around the country. In addition, the concert series features Broadway artists in performance for the public!" This October, Tony Award Nominee Jennifer Damiano and Broadway/TV Star Wesley Taylor are touring Texas to teach a series of Musical Theatre Audition Masterclasses.

It's those quiet hours-the last few before dawn. Every one has left the theatre, and a single, bare bulb on a stand burns on stage to keep the ghosts company. That is more-or-less the inspiration and significance of the incomparable Betty Buckley's new and haunting album GHOSTLIGHT, produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett.

Recognized as one of the best American novels of the 20th century, it is no surprise that From Here to Eternity has continued to stay present in cultural consciousness. The only true surprise is that it took over 60 years for a musical adaptation to become reality. Recently, Omniverse Vision Productions' released FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording), showing that this show still has some fight left in it.

Miral Kotb, director, choreographer, and playwright, describes iLuminate's ARTIST OF LIGHT as a “comic book brought to life.” If you have yet to see the show, it is the perfect way to describe it. Last week, I got to see how the magic of iLuminate is brought to life and sit down with Miral Kotb. Looking at the set under normal lighting conditions, she and I discussed the inception of iLuminate and their current show ARTIST OF LIGHT.

If you're a fan of Cazwell, you've been anticipating HARD 2 B FRESH since Nov. 8, 2011 when his single 'Unzip Me' was released. If you're not familiar with Cazwell, this album is a great introduction to him. Ranging in styles from house and electronica to rap and dance, Cazwell's HARD 2 B FRESH is 100% a contemporary hip-hop album that sounds like it was recorded in the early 1990s. #ThrowbackTuesday, anyone?

Stephen Edwards' TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES, a musical adaption of Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel, is a musical that never found its proper footing. Prior to opening on the West End, the UK tour was met with positive reviews, but poor critical reception at London's Savoy Theatre saw the musical shutter faster than anyone anticipated. Yet, TESS still has life thanks to TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES (Original Cast Recording).

It's almost October, which means it's almost time for The New Yorker's annual Festival. For it's 15th season, this year's festival is 'a three-day celebration that will once again bring together an esteemed and exciting group of writers, thinkers, artists, and other luminaries from a wide range of fields including film, music, television, politics, food, sports, literature, and technology.'