Barry Manilow News

Abingdon Theatre Company has appointed Tony Speciale as its next Artistic Director. Mr. Speciale, currently represented Off-Broadway as director of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, succeeds Jan Buttram, who leaves her post after 22 years. Mr. Speciale begins October 1.

First announced back in 2009, BroadwayWorld.com broke news earlier this year about the long gestating BAT OUT OF HELL Musical - revealing exclusively that musician and producer Todd Rundgren joined the team and that the show was hoping to make a 2016 world premiere in Toronto. Producers Michael Cohl and David Sonenberg have joined the project as co-producers, alongside the previously announced Elva Corrie.

Amanda McBroom -- American international theater and cabaret performer and writer of the hit song, 'The Rose' -- will return to 54 Below tonight, September 30th and October 1st at 7pm with her new show, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, featuring unheard songs from her own songwriter's trunk, plus music by some of her favorite writers including Leonard Cohen, Judy Collins, Fran Landesman, John Bucchino, Jacques Brel and more.

After a sold-out engagement in January, Broadway veteran Franc D'Ambrosio returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko to ring in the holiday season with his acclaimed show, Franc D'Ambrosio's Christmas in New York, for one performance only - Thursday, November 19 at 8 p.m. Franc D'Ambrosio's Christmas in New York is a joyous celebration of the magic of the holiday season filled with seasonal pop standards from the Great American Songbook and other favorites, including 'We Need A Little Christmas' and 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.' Familiar carols and the beloved 'Ave Maria' and 'O Holy Night' round out the program. Tickets for Franc D'Ambrosio range in price from $25 - $40 and are available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

This week FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

As previously announced, Beverley Knight is to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats to play the role of Grizabella.  Returning to the London Palladium from 23 October 2015 in a strictly limited 11 week season, Cats is booking to 2 January 2016.  

Thursday through Saturday, October 15 - 17, the Schimmel Center at Pace University presents a revival and newly choreographed version of SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience.

Hook & Eye Theater presents the World Premiere of GOD IS A VERB, an absurdist comedy inspired by the mind and myth of architect and designer Buckminster Fuller. The production, directed by Chad Lindsey (The Summoners with Hook & Eye) will run November 4-21 at The Actors Fund Arts Center @ The Schermerhorn (160 Schermerhorn Street between Hoyt and Smith Streets, Brooklyn). Performances will be Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with matinee performances on November 7, 8, & 15, and an additional performance on Monday, November 16 at 7pm. Tickets ($25) are available atwww.artful.ly/godisaverb. The show will run approximately 100 minutes.  

Dallas Theater Center's World Premiere engagement of MOONSHINE: That Hee Haw Musical, a new musical comedy lovingly (and loosely) inspired by the classic TV series, began performances at Dallas Theater Center on September 2, 2015, and officially opened Friday, September 18, 2015. Performances run through October 11, 2015.

Verve Music Group proudly releases A Love Supreme: The Complete Masters, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of this seminal recording.

Berkeley Playhouse at the historic Julia Morgan Theater opens its eighth season with Avenue Q. The artistic team will be headed by favorite Bay Area actor Danny Cozart (Assassins with Shotgun Players, Babes in Arms with 42nd Street Moon), in his directorial debut. Avenue Q runs from tonight, September 17 - October 11, 2015.

At a time when bullying is a major problem in American society because social media has become a breeding ground for such behavior, concert and cabaret singer Lisa Jason will tell her poignant story of dealing with bullying--both mental and physical--through the music of the 1970s that she loved throughout her childhood. With her director Stephen Hanks, Lisa has created a new show, BULLIED TO BEAUTIFUL, which she will perform in her Metropolitan Room debut on Monday, October 26 at 7 pm. Through her delightful voice and self-deprecating humor, Lisa hopes BULLIED TO BEAUTIFUL will be a show that audiences not only will identify with, but that will also send a powerful message that bullying needs to be stopped.

Thursday through Saturday, October 15th-17th, the Schimmel Center at Pace University presents a revival of SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience. Originally premiering off-Broadway in 2005, SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience features a book by Tony Award winning playwright, Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), based on a concept by choreographers Mariela Franganillo (Forever Tango) and Robert Royston (Swing!) Following in the tradition of West Side Story, this contemporary, Romeo and Juliet story depicts a unique fusion of dance, romance, revelry and rivalry within and between two different worlds. In one evening we see the tale of two lovers; the girl from the sultry world of Argentine Tango, the boy from the lively arena of West Coast Swing. When the lovers conquer their differences, they create the harmonic fusion of Swing and Tango.

On last night's episode of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, hand puppets Ira and his mom Miriam covered the Barry Manilow classic, 'Copacabana' in a bid to move on to the finals of the competition.

Internationally known singer, actor, and the world's longest-starring PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Franc D'Ambrosio, is bringing his vibrant legato voice to the annual Dinner-Show fundraiser of the Elizabeth W. Pouch Center for Special People, on October 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Six exciting performances have been added to the roster of  the McCallum Theatre's 2015-2016 season, including Bill Maher, Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes Starring Jason Petty, Last Comic Standing, Canadian superstar Jesse Cook, Wynonna and The Big Noise and the triumphant McCallum return of 2CELLOS.  Brochures with these added performances and the entire season should reach local mailboxes by the second week of September. Tickets for ALL performances go on sale on Tuesday, September 15th at 8:00am.

Lucas DeBard, this year's Songbook Youth Ambassador, will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., tonight, September 3, as part of their Millennium Stage series.

This September and October, 54 Below presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Lucas DeBard, this year's Songbook Youth Ambassador, will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on September 3, as part of their Millennium Stage series. Lucas will be joined by the three most recent Youth Ambassadors - Madelyn Baillio, Julia Goodwin, and Nick Ziobro. The quartet will be accompanied by members of The American Pops Orchestra for the performance that will be streamed live online and become part of a permanent archive of similar performances on the Millennium Stage, which take place daily in Washington.