In his early days circa 1984, when he won 13 consecutive weeks on TV's Star Search, Sam Harris was flatly denied work on TV and in film because he was labeled 'too theatrical'. This quality - and I say quality - is what makes a performer exceptional; it sets him apart from the crowd, separating the men from the boys, so to speak. But casting people and agents frankly did not know what to do with him; his enormous talent defied categorization. He can sing, he can dance, he can act the bejesus out of a piece, injecting so much raw energy and passion into it that its substance literally leaps off the stage, directly into our hearts. Well, times did change. He has worked on television and on Broadway to great acclaim, and now he is back onstage once more with his autobiographical show HAM: A Musical Memoir for a limited run at the Renberg Theatre of LGBT, Hollywood through February 7 only.
Next week Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Ben Vereen, Elizabeth A. Davis and more!
FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jesse Luttrell with the Fred Barton Broadway Band on January 29 at 9:30PM. Jesse Luttrell unleashes his shattering voice and theatrical, post-modern vaudevillian style on an evening of treasured swing, big band, and show songs. Jesse's repertoire runs the gamut from Jule Styne, Cy Coleman and Rodgers & Hart, to Anthony Newley, Jerry Herman specialties, and Peter Allen showstoppers. Fred Barton has created high-octane new arrangements and will lead his 8-piece Broadway Band. 54 Below favorite Seth Sikes will make a special appearance with Jesse, as they strut the stage in rare Jule Styne barn-burner that never fails to bring down the house. Jesse Luttrell and the Fred Barton Broadway Band play Feinstein's/54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on January 29 at 9:30PM. There is a $25-$35 cover charge, with premium seating at $65, and a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.
In a production commissioned by the Finborough Theatre, the first professional UK production in more than 30 years of Andy Capp The Musical by Alan Price and Trevor Peacock runs at the Finborough Theatre, playing Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 7 February (Press Night: Monday, 8 February 2016 at 7.30pm).
FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW - Adam B. Levowitz, producer, composer and music director's "The Quentin Tarantino Songbook, Vol. 1: Music from Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown" on Friday, January 22 at 9:30pm.
On December 12 singer Frank Sinatra Jr. will perform a 100th Birthday Celebration of his father Frank Sinatra's music at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills at 9 pm. In our talk he describes the concert in detail. He also talks about his mentors and what music he prefers to listen to nowadays.
When and how did this celebration concert come about?
When Frank Sinatra died back in 1998 I engineered a celebrational show which I intended to run for eighteen months to two years, to celebrate his life and his career. The show at that time was called Sinatra Sings Sinatra. As it turned out, the audiences and the people who hired our program wanted very much to keep Sinatra Sings Sinatra going long after two years had passed. By now we were getting close to going into the 21st century, and it has been so ever since. Now we come to December the 12th forthcoming here which will have been his 100th birthday. OK! Two years ago I discussed with my family and the people that we work with the importance of organizing a special series of events to commemorate his 100th year. I was wondering whether or not this was a little bit of overkill at the time, but I have been told such things happen for people like Duke Wayne, Bing Crosby and people of that situation that they have these big festivals, recapitulations, tributes, you name it. In 2013 I started writing a show for the end of 2015. That show debuted in May this year.
Recent Broadway hits Mamma Mia! and The Little Mermaid - along with the 23rd year of the downhome-flavored Smoke on the Mountain - are among the highlights of the 2016 season at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse, which was announced during a Wednesday morning press conference at the Playhouse in the midst of its 50th anniversary season.
Whatever type of entertainment escape audiences are looking for, Cumberland County Playhouse's 2016 Season offers something for everyone. From a magical chocolate factory to an underwater kingdom, to a romantic Greek island - and a dozen other locales - the Playhouse's new season promises to be its most exciting yet. 'We're thrilled to announce next year's lineup,' said Associate Producing Director Bryce McDonald. 'It's filled with some of the biggest titles to have appeared on Broadway in recent years. We've also secured the rights to new titles by the authors of some of the Playhouse's biggest hits, along with bringing back the perennial favorites, Smoke on the Mountain and A Sanders Family Christmas.'
Monty Python legend Terry Jones is to direct the world premiere of Jeepers Creepers, a play about comedy star Marty Feldman and his ambitious wife, Lauretta.
The Off-Broadway cast recording of the new Bock and Harnick musical, Rothschild & Sons, an intimate reimagining of the Tony nominated musical The Rothschilds, will be recorded and released by JAY Records. Produced by John Yap, the recording will feature the original cast of The York Theatre Company production who will gather at The Avatar Studios on Monday, October 26, 2015 to lay down the tracks for the recording scheduled for release on JAY Records in early January. Executive Producers are John Yap and Arnold Mittelman.
For the first time in its 53 year history, two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals is offering a Two Theatre - Five Show Package. Today Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed's Executive Director, announced the five fantastic shows set for 2016.
Herbert Kretzmer, the former London theatre critic who went on to write the lyrics for LES MISERABLES, the longest running and most successful musical in the world, will celebrate his 90 th birthday on October 5th.
Gary Naylor sees a show that looks back at over sixty years of remarkable songs written by Leslie Bricusse, the Londoner who conquered Hollywood and Broadway.
It's not every day you're invited to the home of a bona fide legend - but BWW:UK editor-in-chief Carrie Dunn got the chance to do that when she visited songwriter Leslie Bricusse in London this week...
Following a critically acclaimed world premiere opening September 12th at Burbank, California's Grove Theatre Center, Welcome to My World starring Sami Staitman has been extended through October 4th at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. BroadwayWorld TV's own Michael Sterling was on hand for the opening to talk to the young Ms. Staitman; close friend and Disney Channel series star Corey Fogelmanis (Girl Meets World); and the show's Grammy Nominated Producer/Director/Writer/Composer Bruce Kimmel. The first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old, has also just completed recording sessions for the Kritzerland Records release of the show which will feature all 14 songs from the score, plus a bonus track of 'Everything is Going to be Alright' recorded by Fogelmanis who, during opening weekend, was on hand for a private Meet & Greet with fans who supported the production.
New official photo released as rehearsals end.
To mark the final day of rehearsals for PURE IMAGINATION - The Songs of Leslie Bricusse, we are releasing a new photo of legendary British songwriter Leslie Bricusse with the ridiculously talented cast of Dave Willetts, Julie Atherton, Niall Sheehy, Siobhan McCarthy and Giles Terera.
It's been an incredible year and six months or so for me since From Here To Eternity said goodbye to the Shaftesbury in London's glittering West End. My plan was to not be idle and dwell on what might have been.
One remarkable dance team. One big chance. One small twist. You gotta be over 60. Broadway In Chicago and Producers Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke announced the individual tickets for GOTTA DANCE, the new Broadway-bound musical about professional basketball's first ever aged 60-and-older dance team, go on-sale to the public on Sunday, September 13. GOTTA DANCE begins performances on December 13, 2015 and runs through January 10, 2016 at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe St, Chicago).
Welcome to My World, starring Sami Staitman, is the first ever one-girl musical written for and about a fourteen-year-old. The musical will have its world premiere tonight, September 10, and continue through September 27, 2015 at the Grove Theatre in Burbank, CA. The official Press and Gala opening will be September 12th at 8pm.
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