Betty Comden News

Pirates! Crocodiles! Mermaids! Magic! Relive all of the heavenly high-flying highlights of last night's PETER PAN LIVE!

Today we turn our attention to a Golden Age master who was celebrated earlier this week via PETER PAN LIVE! and rightly so given this is now his centennial year, Adolph Green.

Growing up, my brother, sister, and I wore out our VHS recording of one of Mary Martin's TV productions of PETER PAN. Mixed in between viewings of APOLLO 13 and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, we learned every word to every song, and while I don't remember dancing along with the Lost Boys, there is no doubt that we could have, if asked. I've never seen the musical on stage, so, for me, PETER PAN simply belongs on TV; and producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan spared no fiary dust in creating a magical PETER PAN that reinforced why this holiday tradition should never grow up and fly away. Despite a handful of hiccups that befall many live productions, simply put, PETER PAN LIVE! is a triumph for children young and old.

In anticipation of NBC's exciting live broadcast of the musical Peter Pan this Thursday, I knew it was essential to attend the Patrick Grossman directed incarnation running through January 4th at The Noel Ruiz Theatre at CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC). They have been overly buzzing, too, as they even received a shout out from Allison Williams (who portrays the title character for NBC) on the Seth Meyer's show.

Sondra Lee, who portrayed Tiger Lily in the 1954 Broadway production of PETER PAN, as well as the 1955 telecast, spoke about Thursday night's live broadcast on NBC.

Der Winter hat gerade erst begonnen, aber die Freilichtbuhnen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz blicken schon auf den nachsten Sommer. Viele der Openair-Theater in der Region fuhren auch 2015 wieder Musicals auf und haben bereits die Spielplane fur den kommenden Sommer veroffentlicht. Auf dem Programm stehen Klassiker wie Cabaret und Singin' in the Rain, aber auch Deutschlandpremieren wie Zorro und selten gespielte Musicals wie Der Geheime Garten und Das Lacheln einer Sommernacht. Vielerorts auch hat bereits der Vorverkauf begonnen. Damit ihr euch die besten Platze sichern und Ausfluge planen konnt, gibt es hier eine Übersicht uber einen Großteil der Freilicht-Musicals im Sommer 2015.

Reserve your copy of the PETER PAN LIVE! soundtrack now!

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for the new Broadway production of the classic musical On the Twentieth Century starring Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, Golden Globe & SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher, Tony nominee Andy Karl, Mark Linn-Baker, Tony winner Michael McGrath and Tony winner Mary Louise Wilson. On the Twentieth Century will be choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle and directed by six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis, and features music by Cy Coleman and book & lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. On the Twentieth Century is based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur & Bruce Millholland. The original Broadway production was directed by Harold Prince.

The New York Society Library will present a cabaret-style afternoon entitled Many Voices; or, Ms. Right, with soprano Stephanie Horowitz and pianist Darius Frowner celebrating the range of music and lyrics created by women.

The York Theatre Company will honor Tony Award-winning collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held tonight, November 24, 2014 at Park Avenue's Racquet & Tennis Club (370 Park Avenue).

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

Join Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John in the high-flying timeless Broadway musical that will whisk you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! On November 28th running through December 14th Centenary Stage Company will venture into 'Neverland' for their holiday production of Peter Pan.

BroadwayWorld brings you photos of star Kristin Chenoweth in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!

The cast and creative team of NBC's highly anticipated live broadcast of the classic musical PETER PAN LIVE share their thoughts, just weeks before the upcoming December 4th telecast.

Join Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John in the high-flying timeless Broadway musical that will whisk you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! On November 28th running through December 14th Centenary Stage Company will venture into 'Neverland' for the family holiday production of Peter Pan. Based on J.M. Barrie's classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score by Morris 'Moose' Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Peter Pan is one of the most beloved family favorites of all time.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported: in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Broadway composer Amanda Green and PETER PAN LIVE executive producer Neil Meron chat about expanding the lyrics to classic songs such as 'I Won't Grow Up' and 'I'm Flying,' for NBC's upcoming live broadcast of the musical classic. Green is the daughter of one of Peter Pan's original lyricists, Adolph Green, and has an impressive list of theater credits of her own, including the recent Broadway musical 'Hands On a Hardbody.' Commenting on choosing Green for the job of adding new lyrics to familiar numbers, Meron explains, 'It fleshed out the show. It deepened the characters, it kind of drove plot more-which good songs do in musicals. Amanda was just wonderful in capturing the spirit of her father and [Green's partner] Betty Comden.'

Amanda Green and PETER PAN LIVE executive producer Neil Meron chat about expanding the lyrics to classic songs from the musical.

This week's New York Times In Performance video features actress Alysha Umphress and pianist Brett Rowe performing 'I Can Cook, Too' from the Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN.

Today in 1991, the second Broadway revival of Peter Pan opened at the MInskoff Theatre, where it ran for 48 performances. Peter Pan is a musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and Barrie's own novelization of it, Peter and Wendy. The music is mostly by Mark 'Moose' Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne, and most of the lyrics were written by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The original 1954 Broadway production, starring Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, earned Tony Awards for both stars.

The York Theatre Company will honor Tony Award-winning collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held Monday, November 24, 2014 at Park Avenue's Racquet & Tennis Club (370 Park Avenue).