Today we are continuing the 5 SONGS BY... series by talking to a noted composer of many Off-Broadway musicals and special events including SAVED, THE BLUE DEMON, IN THE BUBBLE and more all about his latest musical offering, the Itamar Moses collaboration THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE. Based on the celebrated novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem, THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE provided Friedman with rich dramatic fodder with which to craft a spectacular musical score overflowing with melody and displaying a wide swath of influences befitting of the coming of age story and 1970s milieu, ranging from traditional musical theatre to rock, pop, R&B, rap, world music and beyond, which he describes in detail via his personally chosen selections from the show in today's show-focused discussion.
Andre De Shields News
New Dramatists, Tony Honor recipient and the nation's premier playwright development laboratory, just honored Tony Award winning actor and Chairman of the Board of The Actors Fund, Brian Stokes Mitchell with their 2015 Distinguished Achievement Award at its 66th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute. The event featured musical performances from some of Mitchell's most memorable shows by Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams (King Hedley II, Hallelujah Baby), Nicolette Robinson (Brooklynite, TV's 'The Affair,' 'Hart of Dixie') and Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton, NBC's 'Smash'), and Tony nominated Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q, Carnival at City Center Encores!). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!
In honor of this week's big casting coup coming in the form of original Dorothy Stephanie Mills joining the cast of NBC's live musical presentation of THE WIZ later this year, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, today we are posing some possible casting suggestions that line up with the thoughtful and affectionate choice of Mills as Auntie Em by taking a look at some of the other original leads and stars associated with the property who could be perfect fits for the live telecast as well as some familiar faces who would be ideally cast in the Oz-centric musical spectacular. Tony Award-winning Broadway divas to Hollywood superstars and beyond, this list has more potential than munchkins in Oz!
The Visit, the final musical ever by legendary Tony Award-winning duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, celebrated its opening last night, April 23, 2015 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). The cast is led by Tony Award winners Chita Rivera as Claire Zachannassian and Roger Rees as Anton Schell, with George Abud as Karl, Jason Danieley as Frederich Kuhn, Matthew Demingas Louis Perch, Diana Dimarzio as Annie Dummermut, Tony Award nominee David Garrison as Peter Dummermut, Rick Holmes as Father Josef, Tom Nelis as Rudi, Chris Newcomer as Jacob Chicken,Mary Beth Peil as Matilde Schell, Aaron Ramey as Otto Hahnke, Elena Shadow as Ottilie, Timothy Shew as Hans Nusselin, with John Riddle and Michelle Veintimilla. BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities and you can check out photos from the red carpet theatre arrivals below!
Martin Wilkins has an intensive professional theater career that include a long list of fellowships and freelance assignments at impressive venues such as The Arena Stage (Washington, DC) and The Eugene O'Neill Center Theater. Yet, here in Charlotte, we are glad to call him one of our own.
This week it was announced that NBC would be following up its successful broadcasts of THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and PETER PAN LIVE! with an all-star new production of popular 1970s R&B musical THE WIZ and today we celebrate some of the most tantalizing aspects of the entertainment event. Given the fact that THE WIZ is based on one of the most cherished and timeless stories ever written, L. Frank Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ, the potential for this new live presentation of THE WIZ to become a widely-viewed take on one of the most well-known tales of all time, poised to introduce a classic to a whole new generation, is doubly stacked.
The original cast album of the world premiere musical THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE from Ghostlight Records is now available in stores and online at iTunes here and other digital outlets. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive featurette, titled “The Making of the Album,' which includes interviews with the cast and creators!
Joe's Pub at The Public Theater will celebrate the original cast album of the world premiere musical THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE on Monday, April 13 at 9:30 PM.
The famed series 'American Masters' premieres 'August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand'
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for August Wilson's classic drama King Hedley II. Set in the 1980s Hill District of Pittsburgh, the ninth installment of Pulitzer Prize winner Wilson's acclaimed play cycle examining Black America follows a scarred ex-convict who struggles to turn his life around and lock away his past. The drama is directed by Timothy Douglas, who worked with the late playwright on the world premiere of Radio Golf and has directed eight plays out of Wilson's 10-play cycle. King Hedley II runs February 6-March 8, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night photos below!
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents August Wilson's classic drama King Hedley II. Set in the 1980s Hill District of Pittsburgh, the ninth installment of Pulitzer Prize winner Wilson's acclaimed play cycle examining Black America follows a scarred ex-convict who struggles to turn his life around and lock away his past. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
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: HAM opens at Ars Nova, 'WOMEN ON THE VERGE' opens in the West End, John Lithgow gets feted at the New 42nd Street's gala, Paul Rudd bowls for charity and more!
Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include coverage of Laura Osnes and Annaleigh Ashford at 54 Below, opening night of THE ELEPHANT MAN, Sting's return to Broadway in THE LAST SHIP, and more!
The Public Theater presents The Fortress of Solitude, a world premiere musical with a book by Itamar Moses, and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. Conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin, The Fortress of Solitude runs through Sunday, November 2. BroadwayWorld brings you phtotos from opening night below!
Long-time friends, associates and family gathered last night (October 6) to celebrate the 70th birthday of one of the theatre community's most treasured members - award-winning sound designer Abe Jacob.
On Monday, September 22, 2014, The Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization who for the past 10 years has been dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, announced the 2014 recipients at its annual event. Celebrating ten years and thousands of nominees, the New York Innovative Theatre awards took place at Mason Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center, 17 Lexington Avenue. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!
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: FATAL WEAKNESS begins off-Broadway, LA CAGE stars Broadway vets in Sacramento, the company of IT'S ONLY A PLAY meets the press, and Daniel Radcliffe appears on Ovation tonight!
Mermaid Sand Productions and Breezy Prodcutions present PORNOLOGUES- An evening of monologues benefitting the upcoming production of All's Well That Ends Happy by Sarah Shaefer. The event is set for tonight, August 4, 2014. Doors open at 6:45PM, performance begins at 7:30PM
Mermaid Sand Productions and Breezy Prodcutions present PORNOLOGUES- An evening of monologues benefitting the upcoming production of All's Well That Ends Happy by Sarah Shaefer.
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