Alex Wyse News

Michael Einfeld, popular talent manager, returns to New York to celebrate his birthday. After last year's successful concert at Broadway Sessions, the party moves to 54 Below.

On Monday, February 3rd, musical theatre writing team Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne will present an evening of their music with 'Tim & Charlie Go Solo' at Birdland Jazz.

In 2013, I turned 28, which apparently is one of several years at the end of your 20s where basically your life hits the fan and sudden changes surround you. I looked around, and everyone else seemed so happy. Then, I breathed and realized that I have plenty to be happy about. In 2013 I became BroadwayWorld.com's official theatre recording critic and have been exposed to some incredible albums since accepting that title. Some I have loved; others I have not. Regardless of my feelings towards the albums themselves, these are the top 20 songs from 2013 I simply cannot get out of my mind.

How good is the production of WICKED which is now appearing at the State Theatre? In 2009 when I took my then 14-year old grandson, known as the Kid Reviewer because I take him along to give the teen/tween view of shows, he gave it a 9.5 out of 10 on his 'rate the play scale.' Why only a 9.5? He said he's reserving the 10 for the most unbelievable show he's ever seen. But, he indicated 'WICKED' was GREAT!' Why? 'It had everything. Great story, outstanding production qualities...sets, costumes, lights, special effects. The music and the performances were awesome.' His advice: 'Go see this show! It's appropriate for kids and their parents.'

I was a freshman at Sam Houston State University when I first read Gregory Maguire's riveting and racy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. That same year, on October 30, 2003 WICKED opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre. I was first bewitched by WICKED when the Original Broadway Cast Album was released on December 16, 2003. In October 2005, I saw the miraculous show for the first time when the First National Tour landed in Houston. Now, WICKED is retuning to Houston for the fourth time and the musical's Broadway production will turn 10 years old this year. It is currently the 12th Longest Running Show in Broadway history. WICKED, with its multiple productions all over the world, is a musical phenomenon that enchants audiences everywhere it goes.

LYSISTRATA JONES had its New York premiere in a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production at The Gym at Judson. It transferred to Broadway and opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on December 14, 2011. Living in Houston, this show was not even a blip on my radar. Having been a longtime reader of BroadwayWorld, the name was familiar, but I didn't know anything about the show. With the June 14, 2013 announcement that a film adaptation is in the works, I felt compelled to track down a copy of the Original Cast Album and give the quirky comedy at least a few listens.

WICKED, the musical that reminds us that so much happened before Dorothy dropped in OZ, is visiting Houston's Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for the fourth time this summer. There is no denying that excitement is growing in Houston. Billboards for the show line our highways, commercials play on our TVs and radios, and everyone is buzzing about the much-loved musical. Recently, I chatted with Alex Wyse, who joined the cast as Boq on June 6, 2013. He took a few minutes out of his busy tour and performance schedule to chat with me about WICKED and his incredible career.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED is thrilled to welcome John Hillner as Dr. Dillamond and Jenny Fellner as Nessarose on Monday, July 1 in Milwaukee, WI and Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible on Wednesday, July 10 in Houston, TX.

Nighttime Traffic, a musical with music and lyrics by Alex Wyse and book by Alex Wyse and Steve Wargo, will have an industry reading today, April 23 in midtown Manhattan.

Nighttime Traffic, a musical with music and lyrics by Alex Wyse and book by Alex Wyse and Steve Wargo, will have an industry reading April 23 in midtown Manhattan.

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. This week will feature Broadway's own Liliane Montevecchi, rising star Adam Gwon, Barbara Carroll with Ken Peplowski for the WBGO Jazz Series, award-winning performer Linda Eder, Broadway star Telly Leung and actress, producer and singer Rita Wilson.

Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon, Baby), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, Cabaret), Betsy Wolfe (The Last Five Years, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked, Dogfight), Zachary Prince (On A Clear Day…) and Sam Heldt (Junie B. Jones) have joined the lineup of performers for musical theater writer Adam Gwon's upcoming concert at 54 Below tonight April 8, 2013 at 9:30pm. Heading up a five-piece band, Gwon will premiere brand-new songs and share fresh and funny tunes from his musicals Ordinary Days, Cloudlands, The Boy Detective Fails, and String.

Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, "Smash"), Jennifer Damiano (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, Next To Normal), Justin Guarini ("American Idol"), Caissie Levy (Ghost) and many more of Broadway's brightest talents appear on Drew Gasparini's music theatre album "I Could Use a Drink" set for release by Broadway Records on April 23, 2013.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long present the world premiere of Buyer & Cellar, written by Jonathan Tolins, directed by Stephen Brackett, and performed by Michael Urie. Opening was last night, April 3, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, west of Seventh Avenue South. Check out photos from opening night below!

Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon, Baby), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, Cabaret), Betsy Wolfe (The Last Five Years, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked, Dogfight), Zachary Prince (On A Clear Day…) and Sam Heldt (Junie B. Jones) have joined the lineup of performers for musical theater writer Adam Gwon's upcoming concert at 54 Below on Monday April 8, 2013 at 9:30pm. Heading up a five-piece band, Gwon will premiere brand-new songs and share fresh and funny tunes from his musicals Ordinary Days, Cloudlands, The Boy Detective Fails, and String.

Alex Wyse (Bare, Triassic Parq, Lysistrata Jones) performed 'The Man That Got Away' from A STAR IS BORN at Broadway Sessions on January 24th, 2013. Watch him sing below!

Rising-star musical theater writer Adam Gwon will play 54 Below for a one-night-only concert extravaganza on Monday April 8, 2013 at 9:30pm. Heading up a five-piece band, Gwon will premiere brand-new songs and share tunes from his musicals Ordinary Days, Cloudlands, The Boy Detective Fails, and String.

"Exposed: Drew Gasparini in Concert" will be presented March 24th, 2013 at the Time Out Lounge at New World Stage

Ars Nova announces a March and April lineup featuring exciting new comedy, music and theater programming.

Ars Nova announces a March and April lineup featuring exciting new comedy, music and theater programming.