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.
In today's theater, singers and actors are called upon to learn music quickly and accurately, and fluency in the written language of music is an enormous advantage in their always-competitive field. In MUSIC ESSENTIALS FOR SINGERS AND ACTORS: FUNDAMENTALS OF NOTATION, SIGHT SINGING, AND MUSIC THEORY (Hal Leonard Books; September 5, 2018; $34.99), award-winning composer and music director Andrew Gerle offers a music theory text focused exclusively on topics and techniques of practical and artistic value for singers. Drawing on his years of experience, Gerle shows readers how to use music theory to think like a composer, analyzing musical choices for dramatic clues to inspire more detailed and powerful performances.
As magical as the evening was, after Freddie Gershon gave an impassioned presentation to the duo, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones hit the stage and brought the house down at ages 88 and 89 respectively. They joined forces onstage to perform a song from their musical The Bone Room, described by Jones as being about 'the pleasures of dying and being embalmed in this great country of ours.' Below, watch as they perform together for the last time. BWW feels privileged to share with you a bit of highlights of these two legends together before a rapt and ecstatic audience who precded to shower them with a (well deserved) standing ovation... RIP Harvey Schmidt.
As BroadwayWorld sadly reported earlier today, legendary composer Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!) passed away last night in Texas at 88 years of age. A family only funeral will take place in Texas next week, with a New York memorial to come at a future date.
BroadwayWorld is sad to report that legendary composer Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!) passed away last night in Texas at 88 years of age. A family only funeral will take place in Texas next week, with a New York memorial to come at a future date.
The York Theatre Company honored legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue). BroadwayWorld has more photos from the celebration below!
Last night The York Theatre Company honored the musical theatre writing team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in a Fantastick gala concert and award ceremony directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. The 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre was presented to the legendary team (The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) at the event held at the Asia Society on Park Ave in NYC and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photo coverage below!
This Weekend we reached out to Richard to fill us in on the event and what attendees can look forward to. We found him in the midst of rehearsals and planning for the event to take place at The Asia Society with cocktails beginning at 6:00 PM and the Award Presentation starting at 8:00 PM.
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has added Samantha Bruce (The Fantasticks), Ava Della Pietra (School of Rock), Julian Fleisher (February House), Randy Harrison (Cabaret), Samantha Massell (Fiddler on the Roof), Randy Rainbow (Viral Video Sensation), Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street), Ben Rimalower (Bad with Money), the HOT singing string quartet Well-Strung, and The Manhattan School of Music Musical Theatre Ensemble (Judith Clurman, Director) to the line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced a line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala set for Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
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.
The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones.
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.
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.
The New Victory Theater, a leading presenter of Theater for Young Audiences, is presenting a special invitational reading of The Great Blueness, a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Andrew Gerle (Meet John Doe) on Thursday, November 10, 2016, as part of the 2016-17 New Victory LabWorks Artists series.
The New Victory Theater, a leading presenter of Theater for Young Audiences, announces the 2016-17 New Victory LabWorks Artists. This year's roster will include projects from a variety of art forms--theater, musical theater, aerial acrobatics, physical theater, magic, music and Vietnamese water puppetry--and explore an extensive range of topics, from one of Iran's most beloved folk tales to the experience of American trans youth.
On Monday, June 27, A LITTLE NEW MUSIC debuted in its new venue, the historic Catalina Jazz Club, showcasing the best of new musical theatre songwriting with an incredible cast of Broadway and LA talent. Comedian, actress, and writer Chris Farah ('Superstore,' 'Modern Family,' 'Chelsea Lately,' solo show/cult character FANCY!) hosted the evening alongside the ALNM band (Will Yanez, Eliana Athayde, and Alex Stickels) and resident musical director Bryan Blaskie.
A Little New Music (ALNM), now at the renowned Catalina Bar & Grill, invites Los Angeles to discover something new to love about musical theater. The Monday, June 27th concert marks ALNM's twelfth collaboration with emerging musical theater creators and performers from near and far.
Highlights from this week include MISERY opens on Broadway, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY gets ready to hit the road, THE WIZ LIVE gets ready to hit TV screens, LAURA BENANTI ties the knot and SO much more!
