Jerome Kass

Post-world-war-two America somehow managed to erase what 1920s women had fought so hard to create, and what the war effort at home had literally proved, that women could just as easily do a man's job. During the war, women were working in factories, becoming mechanics, if it was a 'man's job' women were out there doing it while the men fought the war. When the men came home, somehow women said hurrah! and happily became housewives and mothers. 'Whew! So glad to be back where I belong!' every magazine, billboard, and family-centric television show seemed to say, characterizing women as happy homemakers whose identity was determined by her biology aka her ability to keep a man happy in bed while producing babies, and all of the domesticity that implies.

Today, BroadwayWorld is flashing back to 1978 when Michael Bennett's Ballroom was the inhabitant of a pre-Phantom Majestic Theatre! 

The Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) has announced it will debut a new, re-imagined version of the 1978 Broadway musical BALLROOM with book by Jerome Kass, music by Billy Goldenberg, and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly's Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein's/54 Below today, September 4th at 7:00pm.

Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly's Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein's/54 Below on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00pm.

Ballroom, the 1978 Broadway musical that was based on the acclaimed television movie The Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an all-star cast at Feinstein's/54 Below on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00pm.

West End leading lady Jessica Martin will play the leading role of Bea Asher in Ballroom at Waterloo East Theatre, the part originally created on Broadway by Dorothy Loudon.

Waterloo East Theatre has announced the The European Premier of this Broadway musical, which has not been produced since it closed on Broadway in March 1979. Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett, three years after A Chorus Line, it has a  book by Jerome Kass music by Billy Goldberg and lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

Barbra Streisand, who last year became the only recording artist or group to achieve #1 albums in each of six decades, has shared a first listen to 'Fifty Percent' an exclusive Target bonus track from her forthcoming album 'ENCORE: Movie Partners Sing Broadway. '

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Stars help Wesley Taylor 'BRIDGE THE GAP' for The Actors Fund tonight, DGF and Abingdon host their annual galas, and more!

BroadwayWorld has learned the sad news that playwright Jerome Kass has died. A Tony nominee for penning the book of the 1978 musical BALLROOM, Kass passed away in his Manhatta home on Thursday, Oct. 22 from prostate cancer. He was 78.

The Players Guild of Leonia present: BALLROOM. Book by Jerome Kass, music by Billy Goldenberg, lyrics by Marilyn & Alan Bergman. Directed by Annette Lenge. Based on Kass' teleplay for the 1975 Emmy Award-winning television drama 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom,' the plot focuses on lonely widow Bea Asher, who becomes romantically involved with Alfred Rossi, a mail carrier she meets at the local dance hall.

According to Variety, a recent industry reading of the 1978 musical Ballroom has incited some speculation about a 2012 Broadway revival with Jerry Mitchell at the helm as director/choreographer.

'Norman's Ark' is an unprecedented production that includes over 100 children from all over greater Los Angeles.

The Festival of New American Musicals, a two-month musical theatre festival, will be held in May and June, 2008, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson and Bob Klein are the Executive Producers of the Festival.

On Thursday, May 25th, Queer Songbook presented an evening of songs by Glen Roven, featuring Donna McKechnie, Douglas Sills, Sandy Duncan and more, at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center