Barbara Cook News

Today we remember stage and screen icon Joan Rivers in honor of her death this week at the age of 81 with this 2011 InDepth InterView.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting world-renowned artists who expand the definition of cabaret, continues its 11th season, with pioneering Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer Leslie Uggams in her first Bay Area appearance in more than two decades. Celebrating over 60 years in show business, Ms. Uggams has starred on television, films, and Broadway, and has recorded more than fifteen albums. Leslie Uggams will perform an evening of "Classic Uggams," a collection of songs ranging from Lena Horne to musical theatre, from Broadway classics to jazz and blues,5pm, Sunday, November 2 at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street atop Nob Hill, San Francisco. Tickets ($50 general/$45 subscribers) can be purchased by calling (415) 392-4400 or online at www.bayareacabaret.org.

Golden Globe winner, Amanda McBroom - the international nightclub and theater performer and composer of the hit song "The Rose," joins with her husband -- multi-award winning theater actor George Ball -- to present the New York debut of their show, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING -- An Evening of Love Songs for Grownups, at 54 Below. Shows are October 8th at 7pm and October 14th at 7:30pm.

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. The craziness is almost upon us, but there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON below!

There is No Town Like Motown! Saycon Sengbloh (Hollar If Ya Hear Me, Motown, Fela), Marty Thomas (Pageant:The Musical, Xanadu, Wicked) and more are set to perform for Motown's First Baby Shower, honoring N'Kenge 'Mary Wells' (Motown: The Musical, Sondheim on Sondheim).

Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Betsy Wolfe, Andrew Samonsky, John Ellison Conlee, Ann Harada and more starred in Transport Group's concert presentation of THE MUSIC MAN last week. Hosted by Joe Iconis, the evening included 58 actors, and the original orchestration featuring 20 instruments, conducted by Joey Chancey, original choreography by Jeffry Denman. Check out highlights below!

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, Music at the Mansion, on Sunday, August 31, at 3pm. Performers include Jamie Hartmann, Celia Berk and Craig Pomranz. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Talia Wynzel.

Kean Stage Announces its 2014-2015 season, which includes Barbara Cook, Sutton Foster, and more!

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, launches its 11th season this fall at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room with an Opening Night Gala celebrating the work of songwriter/composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt). The evening will feature two on-stage interviews with Mr. Schwartz by ASCAP's Director of Musical Theatre Michael Kerker, and performances by Saturday Night Live's Ana Gasteyer, who performed the role of 'Elphaba' in Wicked on Broadway, and by two masterful interpreters of Schwartz' work, Liz Callaway and Michael McCorry Rose. Bay Area Cabaret's Opening Night Gala Tribute to Stephen Swartz will take place 8 pm, Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street, atop Nob Hill, San Francisco.

Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Betsy Wolfe, Andrew Samonsky, John Ellison Conlee, Ann Harada and more starred in Transport Group's concert presentation of THE MUSIC MAN. Hosted by Joe Iconis, the evening included 58 actors, and the original orchestration featuring 20 instruments, conducted by Joey Chancey, original choreography by Jeffry Denman. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photo coverage below!

Betsy Wolfe, Andrew Samonsky, John Ellison Conlee, Ann Harada and more join Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana and more in Transport Group's concert presentation of THE MUSIC MAN. Hosted by Joe Iconis,the evening will include 58 actors, and the original orchestration featuring 20 instruments, conducted by Joey Chancey, original choreography by Jeffry Denman, to The Irene Diamond Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center tonight, August 11th, 2014. The evening will be directed by five-time Drama Desk nominee, Jack Cummings III.

Those foot-stopping aggies, those friendly ladies of the night (and day), Miss Mona, Sherriff Ed Earl Dodd, the side-stepping Governor, and master media manipulator Melvin P. Thorpe will populate Broadway in the brand-new production of the Larry L. King - Pete Masterson - Carol Hall musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Betsy Wolfe, Andrew Samonsky, John Ellison Conlee, Ann Harada and more complete casting for Transport Group's concert presentation of The Music Man. Hosted by Joe Iconis,the evening will include 58 actors, and the original orchestration featuring 20 instruments, conducted by Joey Chancey,original choreography by Jeffry Denman,.to The Irene Diamond Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center on Monday August 11th, 2014. The evening will be directed by five-time Drama Desk nominee, Jack Cummings III.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 11th season this fall with a sparkling lineup at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. The new season features a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites. The season kicks off on Saturday, September 27, 2014 with a tribute to songwriter Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt), starring Mr. Schwartz, SNL's Ana Gasteyer, Broadway's Liz Callaway and Michael McCorry Rose. The season continues November 2 with Tony winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!, Beulah, Roots) and December 7 with Andrew Lloyd Webber protege and star of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera and Little Mermaid Sierra Boggess.

After more than two decades of exciting contribution to the New York musical scene, The Mabel Mercer Foundation hits a new high this autumn by producing its 25th annual New York Cabaret Convention for four evenings, October 20th-23rd. All performances begin at 6 o'clock at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Frederick P. Rose Hall at Broadway and 60th Street.

The Women's Association of NJPAC presents Nothin' Like A Dame featuring Tony Award winning performers Laura Benanti (Gypsy), Barbara Cook (Music Man), Patina Miller (Pippin) and Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls) and Special Guests: "Honorary Dame" Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek): Musical Director, Sirius XM Personality Seth Rudetsky Musical Director and Sirius XM Personality Seth Rudetsky on Saturday September 27, 2014 at 7PM in Prudential Hall. Tickets for Nothin' Like A Dame go on sale Friday, July 25th at 10AM and at the Box Office at 12 Noon. Reserve your performance only tickets at NJPAC.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) and for full Gala tickets or sponsorships including cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and valet parking call (973) 353-7043 or email womensassociation@njpac.org.

92Y celebrates all things Theater -- plays, musicals (including theater's sister, movie musicals), songwriters, actors, playwrights -- even Broadway ghosts!

DRG Records celebrates the release of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging! (2014 Un-Original Cast Album) which is produced by Grammy Award winner Hugh Fordin, and is available in stores and online today, July 22nd. To kick off the CD release, Barnes & Noble (150 East 86 Street) will host an in-store appearance and performance from 4pm - 6pm. This CD marks Forbidden Broadway's 12th cast recording with DRG Records. Featured on the album are cast members Carter Calvert, Scott Richard Foster, Mia Gentile and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell on piano.

DRG Records will kick off the release of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway: Comes Out Swinging! (2014 Un-Original Cast Album), produced by Grammy Award winner Hugh Fordin, on Tuesday, July 22nd at Barnes & Noble (150 East 86 Street). There will be an in-store appearance and performance at 5pm.

The New York Philharmonic will return to Bravo! Vail in Colorado for the Orchestra's 12th- annual summer residency there, performing six concerts today, July 18-25, 2014.