Maria Banks Headshot

Maria Banks

Get Maria Banks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Maria Banks News


Bistro Winning-Carole Demas & Sarah Rice Star In Expanded Version Of THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE


This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

Bistro Winning-Carole Demas & Sarah Rice Star In Expanded Version Of THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE


This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

Photo Flash: Andre De Shields, Marta Sanders, Peter And Will Anderson, Shemekia Copeland And More Among 2018 Bistro Award Recipients


Tony Award winning choreographer and director George Faison (The Wiz) presented Andre De Shields, a two-time Tony nominee, Drama Desk nominee, Emmy winner and multi-Audelco Award and Outer Critics Circle Award winner, with the 2018 Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala, held at Gotham Comedy Club in New York on March 12th. De Shields received the Bistro Awards' highest honor for his five decades of stage and nightclub accomplishments.

Actor-Singer-Dancer André De Shields and Renowned Jazz Artist Sheila Jordan Among the Honorees at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala


Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award winner Andre De Shields and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan are among the artists who will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala on Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Award tradition, the evening will feature performances by all of the winners.

Actor-Singer-Dancer Andre De Shield and Renowned Jazz Artist Sheila Jordan Among The Honorees At The 33rd ANNUAL BISTRO AWARDS GALA


Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award winner Andre De Shields and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan are among the artists who will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala on Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Award tradition, the evening will feature performances by all of the winners.

BISTRO WINNER! Broadway's Carole Demas and Sarah Rice Return Engagement


Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, and I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt.

Carole Demas and Sarah Rice to Celebrate Jones & Schmidt with THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE at the Beechman


Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, and I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt.

Broadway's Carole Demas and Sarah Rice to Tribute Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt


In one week - back by popular demand! Broadway vets Carole Demas & Sarah Rice return in tribute to Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt. Thank You For Your Love will feature songs, multimedia, and memories from two storied careers, 2 nights only.

Broadway's DEMAS & RICE Celebrate Jones & Schmidt


Join Broadway Stars and long-time friends, Carole Demas (GREASE original 'Sandy') and Sarah Rice (SWEENEY TODD original 'Johanna') in their musical celebration of Broadway's Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt (THE FANTASTICKS, I DO, I DO, CELEBRATION, 110 IN THE SHADE, COLETTE and more).

Carole Demas and Sarah Rice to Celebrate Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE


Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt. 

Carole Demas and Sarah Rice to Celebrate Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE


Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt. 

Off-Broadway's The Fantasticks Will Not Close on May 3


Producers of THE FANTASTICKS, Catherine Russell and Al Parinello have announced that they will now be able to keep Off Broadway's longest running musical from closing. Two donors (longtime fans of the show who have asked to remain anonymous) have stepped in and pledged to keep the production running, making the Sunday, May 3rd performance a 55th anniversary celebration of the opening of the show in 1960 - not a farewell.

Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS to Close, 5/3


(New York, NY) - Producers of Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS have announced that the long running musical will close on Sunday, May 3rd - the 55th anniversary of the opening of the show in 1960. At the time of its closing the production will have played a total of 20,672 performances in NYC: 17,162 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse and 3,510 performances at the Snapple Theater Center.

Max Crumm Joins Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS Tonight


Broadway and film actor Max Crumm (Easy A, Grease) has signed on to join the cast of The Fantasticks, in the lead role of 'Matt/The Boy', producers Al Parinello and Catherine Russell have announced. He will start performances tonight, July 8.

Max Crumm to Join Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS, 7/8


Broadway and film actor Max Crumm (Easy A, Grease) has signed on to join the cast of THE FANTASTICKS, in the lead role of "Matt/The Boy", producers Al Parinello and Catherine Russell have announced. He will start performances on July 8.

THE FANTASTICKS to Marry Couples on Stage this Summer


Listen up Lovebirds! You now have the chance to tie the knot on the stage of one of the most well known musicals in the world, THE FANTASTICKS, the world's longest running musical, famous for its classic tale of true love, Cast members will be marrying couples of all faiths, races, & sexual orientations during the entire summer of 2014 (June 21 - September 5, 2014).

Edward Watts to Join Cast of Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS, 4/28


Edward Watts (Scandalous on Broadway; Superman in It's a Bird..Plane..It's Superman at Encores!), has signed on to join the cast of The Fantasticks, for two weeks only, right before its 56th anniversary on May 3, producers Al Parinello and Catherine Russell have announced. Mr. Watts will begin performances on Monday, April 28th and continue on in the role until Monday, May 12.

Sarah Rice's GLAMOROUS NIGHTS & CARELESS RAPTURE Plays 54 Below Tonight


One of the most dazzling and beloved singers on the worldwide cabaret and concert scene today, multiple award winner Sarah Rice brings Glamorous Nights and Careless Rapture -- Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more... to 54 Below in a special one night only performance tonight, March 3rd.

Tom Wopat, Elizabeth Stanley, Eric Michael Gillett and More Set for 54 Below, Now thru 3/3


Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including two-time Tony nominee Tom Wopat, Broadway star Elizabeth Stanley, BACKSTAGE award-winning vocalist, director and Broadway actor Eric Michael Gillett, singer/songwriter Tony Desare, singing sensation Hilary Kole, and multiple award-winner Sarah Rice.

Get Maria Banks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos