David Clarke - Page 38

In the vein of Michael Buble, Nick Ziobro recently released his pop/jazz album A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO. Produced by Michael Feinstein, this collection features a charming mix of Broadway, Jazz, and Pop favorites all arranged by Tedd Firth to showcase Ziobro's attractive vocal instrument. As a cohesive jazz album, Ziobro's A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO is the perfect companion for a romantic date night or a relaxing, quiet night at home with your favorite spirits.

Jay Records, with the support of The Kurt Weill Foundation, digitally released the first complete recording of composer Kurt Weill and lyricist Ogden Nash's score to the 1943 musical ONE TOUCH OF VENUS on October 7, 2013, and the sterling recording had its physical CD release on May 13, 2014. Originally announced over ten years ago, fans eagerly anticipated the album for years. Luckily for us listeners, the recording was well worth the wait.

After being gone for far too long Bayou City Theatrics returned to the Houston Theater Scene with a lovely new venue and a fun production of the Off-Broadway musical comedy BAT BOY. Still renovating their new space, the performance I attended was rough around the edges. However, it is clear that Colton Berry, Jane Volke, and team are back and ready to take the Houston theatre scene by storm.

Houston Ballet is closing their 2013-2014 season with a gorgeous revival of Stanton Welch's SWAN LAKE. Settling in for the lengthy production, I could barely contain my excitement. Impressed as I was by the show, I discovered that Darren Aronosky's Black Swan left me with expectations for the ballet that were not delivered.

It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. This Broadway season has some really interesting 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 the very least pre-ordering).

TUTS Underground is cooking up a musical treat that is as Texan as Pecan Pie with their Texas Premiere of HANDS ON A HARDBODY, a musical based on the 1997 documentary by the same title. BroadwayWorld - Houston was invited to attend a rehearsal of HANDS ON A HARDBODY. We got to bring our camera along to snap some photos and give our readers a sneak peek at the exciting production.

The always charming and incredibly talented Jinkx Monsoon proved to the American public that it was truly Monsoon Season for the last year. On May 19, 2014, she passed on the RuPaul's Drag Race crown to the sixth season's winner Bianca Del Rio. Certainly Hurricane Bianca is sure to rattle the world, but for all intents and purposes it is still Monsoon Season the world over. Jinkx Monsoon is going strong, working harder than ever, and proving that she is a talent to be reckoned with. Shortly after she helped coronate Binaca Del Rio, I chatted with Jinkx Monsoon about her career, THE INEVITABLE ALBUM, her debut solo album, and what's next for the indefatigable star.

Christopher Durang was the talk of 2013 because of his gloomy new comedy VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. Following a successful 2012 World Premiere in New Jersey, the show moved Off-Broadway before transitioning to Broadway and earned numerous award nominations, a handful of awards, and many positive reviews. When the Alley Theatre announced the show for this season, anticipation was high. Sadly, Houston audiences aren't quite getting the show they expected.

On the heels of Memorial Day, Broadway Across America - Houston is presenting the First US National Tour of the acclaimed play WAR HORSE. The visually spectacular production first premiered on London's Off-West End in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre. It transferred to the West End's New London Theatre, where it is still running. It enjoyed Broadway success at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at New York City's Lincoln Center. It has since been produced in Canada, Australia, and Germany. After seeing this tour, it is no surprise that everywhere the play goes, it leaves tear-soaked audiences speechless and amazed.

There is always something exciting happening in Houston's theatre scene, and one of our latest additions is promising to promote education in the arts while offering exhilarating cabaret concerts as well. Recently, I caught up with locally based actor and producer Tyce Green at Empire Cafe on Westheimer Road to discuss his exciting, new Straight From New York Workshop and Concert series.

Will Eno, who is currently enjoying his Broadway debut with THE REALISTIC JONESES at the Lyceum Theatre, won the 2010 Horton Foote Prize for Promising New American Play with his darkly comedic musings on the lives we lead between birth and death in his play MIDDLETOWN. With a solid Regional Premiere, The Catastrophic Theatre is gifting Houston audiences with a chance to experience the wry, philosophic work that celebrates the mundane.

The 1980 film Xanadu is known for being a notoriously bad movie. In 2007 it was adapted into a stage musical by Douglas Carter Beane, featuring songs from the film written by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. This summer, Stages Repertory Theatre is presenting the candy-coated confection as their giddy summer musical. The end product couldn't be more fun, frivolous, and everything audiences would want from the campy, fun show.

In 2009, Theatre Royal Haymarket mounted what is heralded as the most successful production ever of Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT. It was followed by the first-ever staged adaptation of Truman Capote's BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. Recently, a documentary called THEATRELAND was released to DVD. The 2 disc set allows audiences to see the fun and a touch of the drama that occurs in the daily world of professional theatre.

Houston Ballet's current season is wrapping up quickly. Last night they opened a mixed repertory program titled MODERN MASTERS, and in about two weeks they'll be opening SWAN LAKE, this season's closer. As everyone expected, Houston Ballet's current program is filled with beautiful and stunning movement, incredible feats of dance athleticism, and gorgeous emotionality. MODERN MASTERS features four short pieces that highlight the range of the company all while celebrating the best of modern ballet choreographers.

When it comes to breathtaking, dazzling musical scores Jason Robert Brown is no stranger; therefore, his fans and theatergoers in general hotly anticipated his latest musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Ghostlight Records released a beautiful recording of the Tony nominated score on May 19, ensuring that this score can be enjoyed for generations to come.

The Ensemble Theatre is currently producing a revival of John Henry Redwood's 1997 dramedy THE OLD SETTLER. The interesting piece, which examines various types of love, first premiered at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. During it developmental stages it was part of the 1995 Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference in Waterford, Connecticut and was rehearsed and performed in several Russian cities in 1996 by both an American and Russian cast. PBS also filmed it for a TV Movie adaption starring Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rasad, which originally aired on April 25, 2001. Additionally, the show has proven to be quite popular in regional theatres, and The Ensemble Theatre's entertaining production ensures Houston audiences know why.

Standing Room Only Productions is kicking off the summer with a revival of the fun musical revue FEELING ALRIGHT!. The show takes audiences back to 1975 to celebrate the 10 Year Reunion of Memorial High School's Class of 1965. As relationships change shape and truths are laid bare, the energetic cast rocks the audience with tuneful favorites that fit nicely into the light-hearted and romantic plot of the musical.

According to Jessica Walker, she spent much of her career playing trouser roles in opera and musical theatre. From her curiosity, the kernel for THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME was planted. With Director and Co-Writer Neil Bartlett, Jessica Walker crafted a variety show that explores and celebrates this once loved but now almost entirely forgotten aspect of performance history.

Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy stepped into RCA Victor's Studio A on September 17 & 18, 1959 to record their concept album MARRIAGE TYPE LOVE. For some reason the album was never released. Now, Masterworks Broadway has released the long anticipated album after almost 55 years. Fans of the celebrated duo and new listeners alike can enjoy the romantically schmaltzy and sweetly jazzy album for years to come.

William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE has experienced intermittent popularity. With a complex structure, the play is a tragedy, comedy, and romance. Shakespeare draws large inspiration from Robert Greene's Pandosto, and some scholars claim the play is a parallel to the fall of Anne Boleyn. As we bid farewell to the longest winter in recent memory, Houston's Stark Naked Theatre Company is producing a whimsical and surprisingly touching take on THE WINTER'S TALE.