Andy Monroe News

New works hub New York Theatre Barn is teaming up with the Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop to take a trip down memory lane by presenting an evening of 'assignment songs' from BMI alumni. Hosted by BMI Fun Committee members Kate Anderson,Timothy Huang and Sara Wordsworth, 'Your Holiday Assignment is….' will take place on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City as part of New York Theatre Barn's revolutionary new musical development platform NYTB in the D-Lounge, produced by Laura Brandel and Jason Najjoum. Patrick Cook, director of the Musical Theatre Workshop, is also producing.

Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano have announced additions to WINTER RHYTHMS 2013 performer line-up now running throughSunday, December 15, 2013 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $30 per show (unless otherwise noted).Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444.

It may not be like getting a gift on every one of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 5th Annual Urban Stages Winter Rhythms series--presented over a dozen nights at the not-for-profit Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 30th Street--could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 3-15, dozens of singers and musicians will perform in an eclectic mix of a dozen shows plus late night and matinee 'extras,' with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages 'On Tour Outreach Program that brings more than 200 free multicultural theater and music programs to elementary and middle school age children and their families in libraries and schools throughout NYC five boroughs. Three years ago, Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill brought in MAC and Bistro award-winning director, lyricist and producer Peter Napolitano to produce the Winter Rhythms program and broaden its scope.BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Columnist Stephen Hanks recently caught up with the Sol Hurok of Urban Stages to learn how Napolitano has helped Winter Rhythms evolve and to get some insights into this year's program.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano announces a series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS 2013, beginning on Tuesday, December 3 and running through Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $30 per show (unless otherwise noted).Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444.

Broadway Close Up takes you behind the scenes of musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances by some of Broadway's greatest talents. The 2013 performances kick off with the annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway and continues with Tony-nominated lyricist Amanda Green, an evening with the fascinating women from the musicals of Cy Coleman, and an enchanting exploration of duets, trios, quartets and ensemble numbers by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein and Irving Berlin among others.

Richard 'Bick' Goss, a noted New York City-based theater director and choreographer, former Bob Fosse dancer, and the Founder and Co-Artistic Director (with Frank Evans) of the non-profit musical theater development organization, Musical Mondays Theatre Lab, died this past Saturday, August 3, from complications related to Parkinson's Disease, which Mr. Goss had battled for more than five years. He was 75 years old.

The 2013 Festival opened earlier this week and BroadwayWorld wants to keep you in the loop on highlights of this season. Check out some of the most buzzed-about productions below!

Kaufman Center's Broadway Close Up takes you behind the scenes of musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances by some of Broadway's greatest talents.

Broadway Close Up takes you behind the scenes of musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances by some of Broadway's greatest talents. The 2013 performances kick off with the annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway and continues with Tony-nominated lyricist Amanda Green, an evening with the fascinating women from the musicals of Cy Coleman, and an enchanting exploration of duets, trios, quartets and ensemble numbers by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein and Irving Berlin among others.

4@15: Four New Fifteen-Minute Musicals, performed in conjunction with University of California, Irvine, will commence performances Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, for three performances only at the Playroom Theater. Tammy Holder serves as Music Director; Brian Blythe directs.

Broadway Gives Back presents a concert entitled 'Broadway Charity Songs!' 'Broadway Charity Songs' has paired a group of award-winning musical theatre composers with a group of outstanding charities and tasked them with composing an original piece that each prospective charity could use for fundraising purposes. The result is a group of songs gifted to the charities - with the hope that the songs 'go viral' while increasing awareness for these outstanding organizations. The concert will take place tonight, March 25th, 2013, 7:30pm at Le Poisson Rouge.

Broadway Gives Back has announced an upcoming concert entitled 'Broadway Charity Songs!' 'Broadway Charity Songs' has paired a group of award-winning musical theatre composers with a group of outstanding charities and tasked them with composing an original piece that each prospective charity could use for fundraising purposes. The result is a group of songs gifted to the charities - with the hope that the songs 'go viral' while increasing awareness for these outstanding organizations. The concert will take place on March 25th, 2013, 7:30pm at Le Poisson Rouge.

?The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Winter Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street on Thursday, January 31 at 5:00PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

David Sisco (Founder/Curator) and Lorene Phillips (Contributing Editor) will celebrate the launch of THE DIRECTORY OF CONTEMPORARY THEATRE WRITERS in a star-studded concert on Monday, January 21 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43 Street).

Artistic Directors Bick Goss & Frank Evans and Board President Stephen Hanks present the new musical: "DRIVE" with book, music and Lyrics by Andy Monroe, Outer Critics Circle and Jonathan Larson Award Winner for 'THE KID.'

Artistic Directors Bick Goss & Frank Evans and Board President Stephen Hanks present the new musical: "DRIVE" with book, music and Lyrics by Andy Monroe, Outer Critics Circle and Jonathan Larson Award Winner for 'THE KID.'

Artistic Directors Bick Goss & Frank Evans and Board President Stephen Hanks present the new musical: "DRIVE" with book, music and Lyrics by Andy Monroe, Outer Critics Circle Award Winner for 'THE KID.' Monroe's previous musicals for Musical Mondays include "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN JEFFERSON JOE BLOW" seen at the Greenwich Street Theatre and "THE TRAGIC AND HORRIBLE LIFE OF THE SINGING NUN" subsequently produced by the New York Musical Theater Festival. DRIVE will be presented at The Jerry Orbach Theater, Snapple Theater Center, 210 West 50th, Just West of Broadway on Thursday, December 6, 6:30PM . Single Admission: $18.00; Subscriber Series for 'DRIVE' and 2 more new musicals: $39.00 reservations@musicalmondays.org or call: 212-989-6706

Artistic Directors Bick Goss and Frank Evans and Board President Stephen Hanks announce the first presentation of their series of new musicals for 2012-2013: NEUROSIS: THE MUSICAL, with Book by Allan Rice ('New Adventures of Old Christine,' CBS), Music by Ben Green, Lyrics by Greg Edwards ('White House Christmas' music by Marvin Hamlisch.) Director is Andy Sandberg (LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA; on Broadway and London's West End as a producer of HAIR (2009 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards) and the recent revival of Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN (2012 Tony Award Nomination).