On Thursday, three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Richard Adler passed away at the ripe old age of 90. Responsible for two of the biggest Broadway smash hits of the 1950s, THE PAJAMA GAME and GAMN YANKEES, Adler never quite managed to equal his career-high double-hitter of that era, yet his earlier work with Tony Bennett ('Rags To Riches'), Doris Day ('Everybody Loves A Lover') and Marilyn Monroe (the iconic 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President') surely shall solidify his place in the firmament of entertainment history along with his two classic musicals from the Golden Age. Winning both Best Score and Best Musical for both THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES, Adler's partnership with lyricist Jerry Ross - which began on Broadway in 1953 with JOHN MURRAY ANDERSON'S ALMANAC - was tragically cut short just months after the DAMN YANKEES premiere when Ross was diagnosed with lung disease and passed away soon thereafter. Yet, thanks to the beloved film versions of THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES and continued interest in the entities as expressed in the revivals and reappraisals of both onstage from Broadway to Biloxi to Bombay year after year, the snappy, snazzy tunes of Adler and Ross live on eight times a week all around the world - even now, more than fifty years after they premiered. Unfortunately, Adler's subsequent shows with other collaborators post-1955 failed to capture the early magic of his previous projects with Ross and his earlier musical and theatrical endeavors in the pop arena, with the racially charged KWAMINA flopping on Broadway in 1961 (though he took home a Best Composer Tony Award for his efforts anyway) and the awkwardly titled MUSIC IS failing to recreate the magic of its source material, Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, in 1976. A MOTER'S KISSES, starring Bea Arthur and a young Bernadette Peters, died on the road, as well. In the intervening years, Adler attempted musical adaptations taken from a number of intriguing sources - OF HUMAN BONDAGE and others among them - though only his ballet scores seemed to reach an audience; particularly his last, commissioned for a new production of Lorca's THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA in 1998. Of course, THE PAJAMA GAME has had two Broadway revivals - most recently the rapturously received Kathleen Marshall-directed production starring Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O'Hara; and DAMN YANKEES famously returned to the Great White Way with much ado in 1994 starring Victor Garber. Now seems particularly ripe for remounting YANKEES, as we approach twenty years in its absence - especially given the musical's seriously smashing showing at Encores! in 2007. Who knows, perhaps some risky producer will even take a chance on a new production of KWAMINA, MUSIC IS, A MOTHER'S KISSES or one of the bottom drawer shows someday soon to see if they possess any of the limitless potential shown by Adler's earlier work. Or maybe a stage treatment of his TV musical GIFT OF THE MAGI (originally composed for then-wife Sally Ann Howes)? Or, better yet, how about a revue? What a stupendous songstack Adler created over the course of his career - 'Whatever Lola Wants' to 'Hey There' to 'Hernando's Hideaway' to 'You Gotta Have Heart' to 'Steam Heat' to the aforementioned Bennett, Day and Monroe standards and so many more chestnuts.
Bea Arthur News
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater produces the 2011 Tony Award-winning production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, directed by George C. Wolfe. Wolfe, who directed the show's sold-out Broadway engagement last season, mounts the professional D.C.-area premiere of this production, which features returning Broadway cast members Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, among others. Presented by special arrangement with Daryl Roth, The Normal Heart runs tonight, June 8-July 29, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater.
Sunday, June 3rd, tribute artists Peter Mac as Judy Garland and John Schaefer as Bea Arthur attended the Mayor's Gay Pride GArden Party to kick off Los Angeles Gay Pride week. Check out photos of the pair with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and more at the event below!
The Drama Desk Awards previously announced the lineup of presenters for this year's awards ceremony, hosted by Brooke Shields and Drama Desk winner Brian d'Arcy James. The presenters represent many different aspects of the New York theater community including Broadway royalty: Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones, Bernadette Peters; award winning dramatists: Doug Wright and Rick Elice; legendary composers: Maury Yeston, William Finn; heralded directors: Roger Rees, Alex Timbers; celebrated designers: Peggy Eisenhauer; revered orchestrators: Jonathan Tunick; valued members of the New York theater scene: Oskar Eustis, Jenny Gersten; and, of course, popular performers: Martha Plimpton, John Larroquette, Julie Halston. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards take place today, Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8PM at The Town Hall. BroadwayWorld will be updating with the winners live!
Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference this morning by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards took place tonight, Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan.
Nominations for the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at a news conference on April 27 by Drama Desk winners Donna Murphy and Brian d'Arcy James. After weeks of anticipation, the ceremony is tonight, June 3, at The Town Hall and BroadwayWorld will be bringing you the full spectrum of coverage, of course!
The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be streamed live from the red carpet (7:15-7:45PM) as well as inside the Town Hall (beginning at 8PM) at DramaDeskAwards.com. Plus, don't forget to check in here at BroadwayWorld.com for live updates on winners and more!
Ars Nova previously released information about its upcoming June 2012 events, all part of ANT Fest, the annual All New Talent Festival. Tickets and more information can be found online at www.arsnovanyc.com.
The Actors Fund's Auction of 1000 Stars this year offers Broadway and celebrity experiences, including walk-ons, celebrity meet and greets, autographed memorabilia from the stars, vacation packages and more, all in support of The Fund's free programs and services that help everyone in entertainment. Bidding is online through June 9, and ends June 10 via in-person and text bidding during The Fund's 16th Annual Tony Awards® Viewing Party in Los Angeles.
Bea Arthur would have turned 90 years old on May 27, 2012. To celebrate her birthday, actor D.J. Schaefer is transformed as Bea Arthur and will join Judy Garland played by rewound tribute artist, Peter Mac in a very special show Bea Arthur and Judy Garland: Tribute Artists Celebrate 90th Birthdays.
The Drama Desk Awards have announced the lineup of presenters for this year's awards ceremony, hosted by Brooke Shields and Drama Desk winner Brian d'Arcy James. The presenters represent many different aspects of the New York theater community including Broadway royalty: Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones, Bernadette Peters; award winning dramatists: Doug Wright and Rick Elice; legendary composers: Maury Yeston, William Finn; heralded directors: Roger Rees, Alex Timbers; celebrated designers: Peggy Eisenhauer; revered orchestrators: Jonathan Tunick; valued members of the New York theater scene: Oskar Eustis, Jenny Gersten; and, of course, popular performers: Martha Plimpton, John Larroquette, Julie Halston. The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8PM at The Town Hall.
Ars Nova has just released information about its upcoming June 2012 events, all part of ANT Fest, the annual All New Talent Festival. Tickets and more information can be found online at www.arsnovanyc.com.
Bea Arthur would have turned 90 years old on May 27, 2012. To celebrate her birthday, actor D.J. Schaefer is transformed as Bea Arthur and will join Judy Garland played by rewound tribute artist, Peter Mac in a very special show Bea Arthur and Judy Garland: Tribute Artists Celebrate 90th Birthdays.
Theater producer Daryl Roth, who produced last season's Tony Award-winning revival of The Normal Heart and has presented an unprecedented seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays on the stage, will receive her second award of the month today. At its Stella by Starlight Gala tonight, May 20, the Stella Adler Studio of Acting will present Roth with The Harold Clurman Spirit Award "for courageous contribution to the culture of the city of New York and beyond." Her fellow honorees at the Stella by Starlight Gala include Harry Belafonte, James Earl Jones, Ed Schultz, and Masa Tanaka.
The Drama Desk Awards have just announced that award winning actress, model and author Brooke Shields will co-host the 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards with TV Star, Broadway's favorite leading man and past Drama Desk Award winner, Brian d'Arcy James. The Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan. This year's award show is being written by cast album producer, playwright, and two-time Drama Desk Award winner Bill Rosenfield and directed by multi-award winning director Mark Waldrop (Divine Miss Millennium Tour, When Pigs Fly, Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends).
Judy Garland (Peter Mac) is spending Mother's Day evening with some of her her favorite gal pals with a VERY Special guest, Bea Arthur (D.J. Schaefer). Those dropping by will be Liza Minnelli, Tallulah Bankhead, Katherine Hepburn, Peggy Lee and all are played by, actor and triubte artist Peter Mac. The special event for the Mother's Day Show is tonight, May 13 at 8pm with doors open at 6:45pm dinner.
Judy Garland (Peter Mac) is spending Mother's Day evening with some of her her favorite gal pals with a VERY Special guest, Bea Arthur (D.J. Schaefer). Those dropping by will be Liza Minnelli, Tallulah Bankhead, Katherine Hepburn, Peggy Lee and all are played by, actor and triubte artist Peter Mac. The special event for the Mother's Day Show is on May 13 at 8pm with doors open at 6:45pm dinner.
Theater producer Daryl Roth, who produced last season's Tony Award-winning revival of The Normal Heart and has presented an unprecedented seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays on the stage, is set to receive two prestigious honors next month. The Family Equality Council will present Roth with the Hostetter-Habib Family Award for her continued support of the LGBT community. The presentation will take place at the organizations Night at the Pier event tonight, May 8.
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater produces the 2011 Tony Award-winning production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, directed by George C. Wolfe. Wolfe, who directed the show's sold-out Broadway engagement last season, mounts the professional D.C.-area premiere of this production, which features returning Broadway cast members Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, among others. Presented by special arrangement with Daryl Roth, The Normal Heart runs June 8-July 29, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater.
Judy & Company will run every Friday & Saturday at 8PM for the month of May at the Peter Mac's Supper Club Theater, a private theater seating 60 people. It is located in the back of The French Market Quarter. The show has Tribute Artist Peter Mac performing all roles as the iconic ladies of yesteryear, including Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Tallulah Bankhead, Katherine Hepburn and Peggy Lee . The evening includes performance by Peter Mac as Peter Mac, with musical direction by Bryan Miller.
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