A Year with the Producers: One Actor's Exhausting (But Worth It) Journey from Cats to Mel Brooks' Mega-Hit - by Jeffry Denman
* This e-book contains 10 new illustrations. The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ in order to escape burdensome social obligations. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Contemporary reviews all praised the play's humour, though some were cautious about its explicit lack of social messages, while others foresaw the modern consensus that it was the culmination of Wilde's artistic career so far. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play.
The successful opening night marked the climax of Wilde's career but also heralded his downfall. The Marquess of Queensberry, whose son Lord Alfred Douglas was Wilde's lover, planned to present the writer with a bouquet of rotten vegetables and disrupt the show. Wilde was tipped off and Queensberry was refused admission. Soon afterwards their feud came to a climax in court, where Wilde's homosexual double life was revealed to the Victorian public and he was eventually sentenced to imprisonment. His notoriety caused the play, despite its early success, to be closed after 86 performances. After his release, he published the play from exile in Paris, but he wrote no further comic or dramatic work.
The Importance of Being Earnest has been revived many times since its premiere. It has been adapted for the cinema on three occasions. In The Importance of Being Earnest (1952), Dame Edith Evans reprised her celebrated interpretation of Lady Bracknell; The Importance of Being Earnest (1992) by Kurt Baker used an all-black cast; and Oliver Parker's The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) incorporated some of Wilde's original material cut during the preparation of the original stage production.
Grammy and Tony nominee and Emmy winner Liz Callaway will release her new holiday single “There’s Still My Joy,” on Friday, December 6, 2024, on all digital platforms, including iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.
Edinburgh's Christmas has announced multi-award winning actor Alan Cumming and author of bestselling book The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins will join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive edition of their in-conversation event, In The Company of Books.
The musical comedy Manuel Vs the Statue of Liberty, which played an award-winning, sold-out, extended run at NYMF, will release its concept album this January.
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, will release an EP. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Learn more about the show and the album!
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, has released an EP of 5 songs on November 26. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Listen to the new EP here.
Patrick Finegan has announced the release of his new novel, Toys in Babylon: A Language App Parody and Whodunnit, a satire and murder mystery. Learn more about the novel here.
Chris R. Weilert has announced the release of his newest book, Deep Thoughts from a Recliner Quarterback, Volume 2. Learn more about the book and how to purchase here!
Get ready for more Wicked music! In an Instagram post, John Powell has confirmed that a score album, featuring instrumental compositions from him and Wicked's Stephen Schwartz, will be released on December 6.
The Moana 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available now. Featuring the music of Grammy® Award winning songwriters Barlow & Bear, listen to Moana 2's songs here.
Newly released listings are previewing the home video release for the Wicked movie, which will arrive in stores in either February or March of 2025. The standard 4K Ultra HD release will include the theatrical version of the film, along with a sing-along edition.
In celebration of Cher's memoir's release (which also happens to feature an audiobook read by Tony winner Stephanie J. Block), we're turning back time for a special multimedia flashback of the acclaimed Broadway show.
BroadwayWorld spoke with Wicked author Gregory Maguire about the upcoming film adaptation starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, his new book Elphie: A Wicked Childhood, and much more. Read the full interview here.
David Friedman and Christina Connors released a children's book, WE CAN BE KIND, teaching kindness and empathy through story and song. The book offers a multi-sensory experience for young readers.
Center Stage Records has announced the release of The Sabbath Girl: A New Musical (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) on all digital platforms, with a CD to be issued in early 2025.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe latest joint venture, an album titled, 'Together At Home', has hit the #1 spot on the official UK Albums Chart, making it their fourth album to do so.
Rob Rokicki, known for THE LIGHTNING THIEF, announced the digital release of his concept album THE REAL GEMMA JORDAN, featuring a book by Anna K. Jacobs and a cast of Broadway stars. Learn more!
T.3 has released their new holiday EP FaLaLaLonely in streaming and digital formats. A CD edition will be released in December. Learn more about T.3 and their album!
Rufus Wainwright's latest work, Dream Requiem, received its world premiere in Paris this year with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and with Meryl Streep as the narrator. On January 17th 2025, Warner Classics will release the live recording.
Cue the snow and holiday cheer: the Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical studio album from Boldly Productions is almost here! Listen to the single 'Ready to Try' now!
Reefer Madness: New Los Angeles Cast Recording, featuring the full cast from its 25th Anniversary Los Angeles revival will be released this winter! Three tracks are available now. Listen here!
BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to the track 'Little Saint Nick' from vocal trio T.3. Listen to the track now, and learn more about the EP out this week!
Join the South Street Seaport Museum's free book club to discuss 'Native New Yorkers' by Evan T. Pritchard, focusing on the Lenape's legacy in New York City. Registration encouraged.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL will release of the new album Reefer Madness: New Los Angeles Cast Recording, featuring the full cast from its critically acclaimed 25th Anniversary Los Angeles revival. Check out a first listen of a song from the album here!
GREG PROOPS (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) will release his new comedy album 'PURPLE SHASTA RACCOON' on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15. The album was recorded live at The Punch Line in San Francisco for the third New Year's Eve in a row.
Mauricio Martinez is writing his inspiring autobiography, tentatively titled My First Act. The book, scheduled for worldwide release in late 2025, will be accompanied by a new album that serves as a musical companion.
Musical Theatre Melodies, hosted by Rob Morrison, will mark the 70th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Fanny by Harold Rome on Tuesday, November 12th featuring the original 1954 Broadway cast recording.
Author Anton S. Sommer has released his latest novel, Modern Times - Double Future, a gripping political thriller set against the backdrop of a not-so-distant future.
Naomi Moon Siegel has released her third album, SHATTER THE GLASS SANCTUARY. The album explores her transition to life in Missoula, Montana. Listen to it now!
David G. Gitkov has invited readers on a journey spanning continents, seas, and decades in A Long, Long Watch: Volume II: The Sea: 1925 to 1946. This remarkable historical biography chronicles Gitkov's relentless pursuit of a life shaped by ambition, adventure, and the pursuit of freedom during some of the 20th century's most turbulent years.