Anthony Newley News

Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley, incorporates some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

Each holiday season, NextStop Theatre Company produces a community outreach show featuring a cast of local students who are given the opportunity to work alongside actors, directors, and designers from NextStop's professional company.

Early on in Tori Scott's SEEING DOUBLE, the woman of the hour deadpanned, 'I've been in a rut since birth.' If that's the case, we should all be so lucky. But on the subject of things that could be going better, throughout Scott's performance at Joe's Pub on November 13, the unofficial theme of the night was, 'Could this year get any worse?' With the election still looming large, Scott took the stage, explaining she'd been looking forward to the show because she was in need of some attention, before adding, 'Then Tuesday happened and I needed group therapy.'

The Wick Theatre will have audiences jumping for joy with their second show of the season, Sister Act.

Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley, incorporates some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

The Wick Theatre will have audiences jumping for joy with their second show of the season, Sister Act.

Director Courtney Crouse has announced his cast for the Chicago premiere of Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always… Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley incorporating some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

Actor and President of Celebrity Access, Inc Glenn Rosenblum performed his one-man cabaret Glenn Rosenblum Is 'the Musical Man' at Rockwell Table and Stage Monday October 24 to a packed house of adoring fans. Reminding one a little bit of actor James Coco, who had an undeniably infectious sensitivity and sense of humor, Rosenblum took the stage with great ease, sat on a stool by the piano and proceeded to tell his story. First, of course, there was a full overture of Broadway tunes, under the baton of musical director David J. Kaminski at the piano, Jon Butterworth on percussion and Josh Nyback on bass. The three musicians were terrific.

2013 First Night Honoree Jamey Green leads the cast of Act Too Pro's production of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, opening Tuesday night, October 18, at the historic Franklin Theatre. Running through October 23, Willy Wonka follows the critically acclaimed Act Too Pro debut production of Mary Poppins, which played to capacity crowds in 2015.

Just one more chance to join IRA LEE COLLINGS as he celebrates his 80th birthday with his show Simply, Ira Lee (A Gay Geezer Celebration Through the Looking Glass..warts and all at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC on Monday, October 17th at 7 PM.  Ira Lee first presented this show this spring and is revisiting it with some additional surprises.  He is joined by Musical Director John M. Cook on piano. 

I once fell in love with an album cover: Barbra Streisand, dressed in the height of granny chic, in a straw hat, drapey black cardigan and maxi skirt, and men's-style oxfords with rakish white socks...a desolate stage littered with sheet music...a rich burgundy-and-black color scheme. I first discovered Sondheim through that 1985 record, 'The Broadway Album,' and I still can't hear 'Pretty Women' without thinking of Streisand's sinuous interpretation. The talent who first burst forth onstage in 1962 in 'I Can Get It for You Wholesale'; who made a hilarious, touching 'Funny Girl' her signature role; who tackled 'A Star Is Born' in its third film incarnation-and who has stayed mostly in the spotlight professionally and mostly out of it personally over the last 54 years-has mellowed, but her voice is still completely unique, and her fans (old and new) still utterly devoted. Her political activism has become part of her shtick, and her recent live performance of a 'Send in the Clowns' parody mocking Donald Trump has become a popular clip online. She is, for lack of a less battered word, an icon, and fans thrilled to see her-as always, dressed for the occasion-hand the Tony for Best Musical to 'Hamilton' this year.

CSULB Theatre Arts Department's University Players' presents Stop the World, I Want to Get Off with book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, directed by Joanne Gordon. This quirky British musical features Alexandra Billings from Amazon's Transparent as Evie and plays in the Studio Theatre on the CSULB campus October 7, 2016 through October 16, 2016.

 From 1964 to 1967, the extraordinary Nina Simone released seven albums on PhilipsRecords, further establishing her peerless artistic expression and singular voice. During this exceptional purple patch, she recorded some of her best and most important work of her career, much of it fuelled by the Civil Rights Movement and the turmoil of 1960s America. In conjunction with their 60(th) anniversary this year, Verve is celebrating the genius of Simone, the supernaturally gifted singer, pianist and prolific songwriter, and her incredible mid-'60s run with the release of her entire Philips catalog on vinyl.

Singer IRA LEE COLLINGS returns to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC on Monday, October 10th and 17th at 7 PM to continue celebrating his 80th birthday with his show Simply, Ira Lee (A Gay Geezer Celebration Through the Looking Glass..warts and all).

Vintage Theatre presents 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka' September 16 through October 30, at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and Monday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 to $31 and available online at www.vintagetheatre.org or by calling 303-856-7830. Group discounts for 6+ are available.

CSULB Theatre Arts Department's University Players' presents Stop the World, I Want to Get Off with book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, directed by Joanne Gordon. This quirky British musical features Alexandra Billings from Amazon's Transparent as Evie and plays in the Studio Theatre on the CSULB campus October 7, 2016 through October 16, 2016.

Tickets for the new musical Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle, go on sale for the general public beginning today, September 16.

Vintage Theatre presents 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka' September 16 through October 30, at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

Hard to believe, but Kritzerland turned 6 on Sunday September 4 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Bruce Kimmel and his record company Kritzerland began their series of concerts at the Gardenia for the first year, then moved to Vitello's with Michael Sterling and onto the Federal four years ago. Kimmel and Kritzerland are joined at the hip; it's his brainchild ... and he brings all of his ingenious theatricality and cleverness to each show. This anniversary show was over.the.moon great with terribly eclectic, funny numbers and some absolutely wonderful talent. On board were steadies Sharon McNight, Nick Santa Maria, Ilene Graff and hubbie Ben Lanzarone, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and special appearance by composer Richard M. Sherman. Newcomers Marc Ginsburg, Reagan Pasternak and little Hayley Shukiar joined 'Guy Haines' for a heartfelt and laugh-filled concert. Wonderful Richard Allen served as musical director and accompanist for most of the songs throughout the 90-minute set.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions and Neal Street Productions recently announced that tickets for the new musical Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle, would go on sale exclusively for MasterCard Cardholders beginning today, September 6, 2016 at 10am EST through Friday, September 16, 2016.