Ben Folds News

March 2, 2009 Los Angeles - The Off-Broadway hit ?Back to Bacharach and David? will have a short 23 performance engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda April 15 to May 17 (opening April 19).

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Caf? announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Caf? is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Rufus Wainwright is one of the most interesting singer/songwriters of his generation. Rolling Stone called his 1998 debut one of the Best Albums of the Year, and named him Best New Artist of the Year. He has recorded five albums of original music, several EPs, and contributed to numerous soundtracks (Brokeback Mountain, Moulin Rouge, Shrek) and compilations (Live at the World Caf?). His latest, Release the Stars, debuted at #23 and went Gold. He has toured with Tori Amos, Sting, Ben Folds, and Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. The Metropolitan Opera has commissioned him to write an opera. In 2006 he sold out Carnegie Hall twice, performing the entire Judy Garland concert album recorded there in 1961. His music, described as 'popera' and 'baroque pop,' often features just his beautiful tenor with piano or guitar (he plays both), but increasing employs full rock band instrumentation as well as symphony orchestra to deal with themes like love and unrequited love ('This Love Affair'), family ('Dinner at Eight'), religion ('Agnus Dei,' 'Gay Messiah'), distant places ('Sanssouci') substance abuse ('Go Or Go Ahead') school ('Millbrook') and celebrity and its consequences ('Matinee Idol'). This is a special, solo acoustic evening.

Rufus Wainwright is one of the most interesting singer/songwriters of his generation. Rolling Stone called his 1998 debut one of the Best Albums of the Year, and named him Best New Artist of the Year. He has recorded five albums of original music, several EPs, and contributed to numerous soundtracks (Brokeback Mountain, Moulin Rouge, Shrek) and compilations (Live at the World Caf?). His latest, Release the Stars, debuted at #23 and went Gold. He has toured with Tori Amos, Sting, Ben Folds, and Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. The Metropolitan Opera has commissioned him to write an opera. In 2006 he sold out Carnegie Hall twice, performing the entire Judy Garland concert album recorded there in 1961. His music, described as 'popera' and 'baroque pop,' often features just his beautiful tenor with piano or guitar (he plays both), but increasing employs full rock band instrumentation as well as symphony orchestra to deal with themes like love and unrequited love ('This Love Affair'), family ('Dinner at Eight'), religion ('Agnus Dei,' 'Gay Messiah'), distant places ('Sanssouci') substance abuse ('Go Or Go Ahead') school ('Millbrook') and celebrity and its consequences ('Matinee Idol'). This is a special, solo acoustic evening.

Media industry website Broadcasting & Cable.com has revealed that musician John Mayer is currently at work shooting a variety show pilot for the CBS Network. CBS Network entertainment president Nina Tassler discussed the project at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles. Tassler expressed the potential that the pilot could end up becoming a series of specials or a full series. Mayer hosted the short lived 'John Mayer Has a TV Show' which aired for a single episode on VH1 in 2004.

THE ZIPPER FACTORY THEATER (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) will present the following entertainment events in January 2009. For advance tickets to all Zipper events call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com (For IN-PERSON purchases, The Zipper Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain for all events).

McCarter Theater Center has added new events for 2009. Ben Folds has been scheduled for February 11, 2009 at 8pm. Over the last 15 years, Ben Folds' first-class melodic gifts, irony-laced lyrics, and punk-rock tendency to play piano as if it were a contact sport have earned the North Carolina native a legion of devoted fans of all ages. Kris Kristofferson has been booked for February 27, 2009 at 8pm.

THE ZIPPER FACTORY THEATER (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) will present the following entertainment events in January 2009. For advance tickets to all Zipper events call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com (For IN-PERSON purchases, The Zipper Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain for all events).

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper show, KatePazakis: Unzipped! on December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. The show will be recorded for Pazakis' first live album. Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.

Last night Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a benefit concert celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's legendary double album held at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theater raised over $1,000,000 in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Friends in Deed

Stage 13 (Artistic Directors: Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad) will host a party this Monday, October 20 at 8:00PM at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St) to benefit their fall production, the New York Premiere of The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall by Sam Foreman.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a benefit concert celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's legendary double album, will be performed one night only, Monday, October 20, at 8pm, at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theater (214 West 42nd Street). Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Friends in Deed.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a benefit concert celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's legendary double album, will be performed one night only, Monday, October 20, at 8pm, at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theater (214 West 42nd Street). Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Friends in Deed.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com, the leading source for exclusive theater information and live-events tickets nationwide, are proud to present ALEX GEMIGNANI, Monday, September 29, 2008.

Farah Alvin, currently starring in the The Marvelous Wonderettes Off-Broadway will be performing tonight, September 24th 2008 at Ars Nova in New York City.

On Monday, October 20, 2008, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), and Friends in Deed will present a special benefit event, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, exactly 35 years after the classic double album was released in the USA.

UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning singer/songwriters to perform their original music in front of a live audience. Focusing on emerging talents who have yet to break the Billboard 100, this series sets out to cover a wide range of styles while providing music lovers and industry taste-makers an introduction to exciting new music.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com, the leading source for exclusive theater information and live-events tickets nationwide, are proud to present ALEX GEMIGNANI, Monday, September 29, 2008.