Linda Lenzi - Page 43

Broadway Backwards is a star-studded event featuring songs that even those not familiar with Broadway know and love, with a very unique and memorable twist. Instead of seeing a woman sing the iconic 'As Long As He Needs Me' from Oliver!, if that song were to be featured in Broadway Backwards, you might see someone like Alan Cumming sing it! The event was a benefit for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Manhattan.

Broadway Backwards is a star-studded event featuring songs that even those not familiar with Broadway know and love, with a very unique and memorable twist. Instead of seeing a woman sing the iconic 'As Long As He Needs Me' from Oliver!, if that song were to be featured in Broadway Backwards, you might see someone like Alan Cumming sing it! The event was a benefit for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Manhattan.

On Friday February 7th, 2009, Daniel Radcliffe, the young star of Peter Shaffer's play EQUUS on Broadway had his very own Broadway Wall of Fame portrait unveiled at the popular theater district Italian eatery, Tony DiNapoli's. Tony DiNapoli's is located at 147 43rd Street. The hosts for the evening were radio personality Valerie Smaldone and Tony DiNapoli's General Manager, Bruce Dimpflmaier. We had our BroadwayWorld cameras there to make sure you caught all the unveiling celebration!

Each year, The Drama League's one-night-only gala concert at NYC's famed Rainbow Room boasts an incredible roster of Broadway's biggest and brightest stars, performing favorite songs from Broadway seasons past and present. The musical revue is the highlight of The Drama League's annual benefit gala at Rockefeller Center's breathtaking Rainbow Room.

Tony nominees Euan Morton and Xanthe Elbrick co-star with Victor Villar-Hauser and Alexa Kelly in the U.S. premiere of British playwright Philip Ridley's highly acclaimed 'Leaves of Glass.' Co-produced by Origin Theatre Company (which specializes in emerging European playwrights) and Stiff Upper Lip (whose bailiwick are daring British plays from London's Fringe), 'Leaves of Glass' plays a limited 4-week engagement from Wednesday January 14 through Sunday February 8 at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre, 416 West 42nd Street, on Theater Row. The opening was on Sunday January 18 at 3pm, BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to meet the cast! Directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser, who made a splash several season's ago with 'The Countess,' the long-running hit drama she both directed and produced, 'Leaves of Glass' had its world premiere in May 2007 in a highly acclaimed production at London's Soho Theatre.

Composer and lyricist Scott Alan returned to Birdland on January 12th for a concert featuring a starry line-up of Broadway performers. The January 12th performance featured selections from Alan's debut CD, 'Dreaming Wide Awake' and his recently released CD 'Keys.'

The Dicapo Opera Theatre presented a glittering all Puccini program to celebrate the composer's 150th birthday at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater. The program featured arias and scenes from all of Puccini's operas- from LeVilli through the last music he composed and orchestrated for Turandot- including the Opening Act II of Edgar, and selections from both the Brescia and La Scala versions of Madama Butterfly.

On December 17, 2008 the Dicapo Opera Theatre presented a holiday concert called 'Yuletide Classics', a two hour show which included holiday songs, carols and opera classics. The cast featured the Dicapo Opera Children's Chorus and The Dicapo Opera Theatre's Resident Artists. The sold out show was performed in The Dicapo Opera Theatre's 220 seat theater in New York City under the direction of Diane Martindale, and General Director Michael Capasso.

Liza's at the Palace...! ended her extented run yesterday, January 4th, 2009. Produced by John Scher/Metropolitan Talent Presents & Jubilee Time Productions the show was directed and choreographed by Ron Lewis. Gary Labriola served as Executive Producer.

Angels, the new Broadway-bound musical about an Angel who discovers her place and purpose, presented two staged readings (3:30 & 7PM) on Tuesday, December 16th at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Written by the new Australian team of Ken Lai (book, music and lyrics) and Marcus Cheong (book and lyrics), the readings featured Robert Cuccioli, Jessica Grov? and Nicholas Rodriguez in the leading roles. Direction is by Rich Fowler.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. brought SHREK THE MUSICAL to the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway @ 53rd St) last night Sunday, December 14, 2008. Preview performances began on Saturday, November 8, 2008. The big green musical celebrated in full Broadway style and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to bring you the starry arrivals for Shrek's big opening night party!

New York's television and theatrical celebrities took 'center stage' behind the counter at the annual 'Celebrity Bartending Night' on December 4th at Bar 13 (35 E. 13th st.)to raise money for the not-for-profit organization Stockings With Care.

George Street Playhouse continues their 35th season with the New Jersey premiere of Conor McPherson's Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated play, The Seafarer. Broadway's Jekyll & Hyde Robert Cuccioli, last seen in New Jersey in the20NJ Shakespeare Festival's production of Amadeus heads an ensemble including David Adkins (from GSP's A Walk in the Woods), Matthew Boston (NJ Shakespeare Festival's Julius Cesar), William Hill (from Steppenwolf's Broadway production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and David Schramm (from TV's Wings). Anders Cato, who has directed Playhouse productions of I Am My Own Wife, Souvenir and Doubt, returns to helm. The Seafarer begins its voyage onstage beginning November 18 and continues through December 14.

POZ's 'Bacharch to the Future' Fundraiser brought music and promise to the New World Stages on Monday, December 1, 2008, World AIDS Day. The premier performance of Bacharach to the Future, a fund-raiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, honored music legend Burt Bacharach, the composer of 'That's What Friends Are For,' the pioneering recording that benefited The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985.

The YORK THEATRE COMPANY (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) and Melanie Herman, who produced The Musical Of Musicals (The Musical!) announces the Off-Broadway Premiere of My Vaudeville Man!, a new musical based on the life of legendary eccentric tap star Jack Donahue. My Vaudeville Man! had its world premiere at last year's NY Musical Theatre Festival under the title Mud Donahue and Son. Performances are at The Theatre at Saint Peter's (54th Street just east of Lexington Avenue). Karen Murphy and Shonn Wiley star. The show officially opened, Monday November 17th.

NYS ARTS presented four awards for outstanding leadership and advocacy of the arts in New York State at its annual gala Monday, November 17th. at the Manhattan Penthouse, 80 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues was originally produced by in 1998 and went directly from Crossroads to New York where it was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical. Opening with African chant and moving through some three dozen musical numbers, this rousing show traces the roots of the blues-America's cultural treasure.

On Tuesday, November 11th, Macy's and Marc Ecko presented the 2008 Emery Awards at Cipriani 42nd St. This year's awards honored those who have worked to support LGBT youth, and featured a special performance by Cheyenne Jackson, star of Broadway's XANADU, ALL SHOOK UP and AIDA.

The stars came out for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's 18th Annual A Magical Evening gala event on Monday, November 10th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Jeremy Schonfeld's 'DRIFT' BENEFIT took place on November 3rd At BB KING BLUES CLUB. This one night only event was a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and The Broadway Dreams Foundation and was presented with Scott Coulter and Michelle Kinney and The Path Fund Inc.