John Morris

Review: BYE, BYE, BIRDIE at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - Jun 12, 2024

The latest entry into Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage series is one that you don’t see produced professionally very often which is a good thing. The 1960 Charles Strouse/Lee Adams/Michael Stewart musical Bye, Bye, Birdie was at one point the most produced musical by high schools and community theatres but strangely it has had very few large-scale revivals. Roundabout Theatre Company’s production in 2009 marked the last time the show was seen on Broadway in a major production.

Interview: Kennedy Center's Musical Director on Why BYE, BYE, BIRDIE's Orchestrations Sound Better Than Ever
by Elliot Lanes - Jun 10, 2024

Nowadays orchestra size has become more and more of an issue for me. Even when seeing productions of classic Broadway musicals, there is a tendency to reduce the size of the orchestra for more in the way of production elements. It’s even worse when a production “reimagines” the charts completely and wipes away the work of Robert Russell Bennett, Don Walker, and even Jonathan Tunick. The latter should be deemed sacrilege.

Klea Blackhurst to Return to Chelsea Table + Stage With ONE OF THE GIRLS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 19, 2024

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Klea Blackhurst to Present THE BOX SET Series at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 29, 2024

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Announces Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason As 2024 MAC Music Innovator
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2024

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra reveals Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason as the 2024 MAC Music Innovator in a groundbreaking announcement.

Klea Blackhurst to Present Ethel Merman Tribute EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2024

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present Klea Blackhurst in “Everything the Traffic Will Allow,” her loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Learn how to purchase tickets!

State Theatre New Jersey Presents RESPECT: A Tribute To Aretha Franklin With New Jersey Symphony
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2024

State Theatre New Jersey and New Jersey Symphony present RESPECT: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin with New Jersey Symphony on Sunday, February 18 at 3pm.

Photos: Bergen County Players A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL A Hit In Oradell
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 16, 2023

Bergen County Players rang in the holiday season this month with Broadway heavy-hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens's musical adaptation of the timeless Charles Dickens tale 'A Christmas Carol'. See photos from the production.

Cincinnati May Festival Names Matthew Swanson as New Director of Choruses
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 14, 2023

Cincinnati May Festival has named Matthew Swanson as new Director of Choruses for the 2024-25 season.

Cincinnati May Festival Reveals Matthew Swanson As New Director Of Choruses
by Stephi Wild - Dec 13, 2023

Following an extensive national search, the Cincinnati May Festival has announced Matthew Swanson as its next Director of Choruses. Swanson will begin his term on June 1, 2024 and lead the storied May Festival Chorus, one of America's most active symphonic choruses.

Apple's SPIRITED Movie Musical Returns to Theaters This Weekend
by Michael Major - Nov 22, 2023

Apple Original Films' holiday musical comedy, “Spirited,” starring Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer is coming back to theaters for a limited theatrical run this weekend. The sing-along version of “Spirited” invites fans to get into the holiday spirit by belting out tunes composed by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Bergen County Players Ring in the Holiday Season with A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Nov 9, 2023

Bergen County Players will ring in the holiday season with Broadway heavy-hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens's musical adaptation of the timeless Charles Dickens tale 'A Christmas Carol.'

Paige King Johnson Nominated For Female, Country, Songwriter, And Country Tour Of The Year At The Carolina Country Music Awards
by Michael Major - Oct 30, 2023

With four nominations, Johnson is already a four-time Carolina Country Music Award winner and will also be performing live at the show. The Carolina Country Music Awards is an annual event open to performers who grew up in or now reside in North Carolina or South Carolina.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops Launch 2023-24 Live From Music Hall Digital Concert Series
by Stephi Wild - Oct 3, 2023

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops have announced the 2023-24 Live from Music Hall Digital Concert Series. Learn more about the full upcoming performance lineup here!

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Announces The Release Of JOY!
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 21, 2023

The Cincinnati Pops announced the release of its newest recording, JOY!, led by Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. JOY! will feature recordings of live performances from the Orchestra's popular Holiday Pops programs, including a diverse and eclectic collection of favorite holiday classics in new arrangements.

BASKERVILLE Comes to Peninsula Players Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 30, 2023

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater, presents performances of 'Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery' beginning on September 6 for a six-week run at Door County's premiere professional theater. 

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra And Music Hall Selected For Filming And Live Recording Of ALL WITHOUT WORDS LIVE
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 21, 2023

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Cincinnati Music Hall have been selected by The Boundless Arts Foundation for the filming and live recording of a new, large-scale multimedia and multidisciplinary presentation of composer Justin Morell's jazz trumpet concerto, All Without Words on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Birdland to Present DREAMING OF A SONG: THE MUSIC OF HOAGY CARMICHAEL With Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 19, 2023

Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Hoagy Carmichael as Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch take the stage at Birdland. Don't miss this unforgettable night of 'Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael' with two incredible performers.

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: RAGTIME IN CONCERT Presented by Cincinnati Pops at Cincinnati Music Hall
by Taylor Clemons - Apr 29, 2023

What did our critic think of RAGTIME IN CONCERT at Cincinnati Pops At Cincinnati Music Hall?

Alton Fitzgerald White, Nikki Renée Daniels & More to Star in RAGTIME in Concert With The Cincinnati Pops
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2023

The Cincinnati Pops has announced the cast for its new symphonic concert adaptation of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime.