Brent Carver News

Song and Script is Toronto's oldest independent music store and they are celebrating their 50th incredible year in our city. Co-owners Dane Taylor and Bob Sagman invited BWW into the store for an afternoon to peruse the selection and quiz employees on all things Broadway! After an exciting afternoon of shopping, we are thrilled to profile this gem of a store to ensure our readers know that there is still somewhere in Toronto that exists solely to celebrate musical theatre.

It was announced today that The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, will open at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Previews will begin Thursday, March 1, 2012.

In November, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will open at La Jolla Playhouse with Des McAnuff directing. However, no plans are confirmed on it's expected move to Broadway, according to Sign On San Diego.

Broadway leading lady, Fosse featured player and, now, the star of the new Fringe Festival play SAMMY GETS MUGGED!, gypsy phenomenon Stephanie Pope Caffey has lit up Broadway stages for almost thirty years - especially memorable for her dance-heavy roles in Bob Fosse's BIG DEAL, SWEET CHARITY, DANCIN‘, CHICAGO and the Tony-winning revue FOSSE itself. We also discuss working with four other legendary directors on four classic shows in the interim - JELLY'S LAST JAM directed by George C. Wolfe, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES directed by Tommy Tune, the hit revival of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM directed by Jerry Zaks and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN directed by Hal Prince (with choreography by Rob Marshall) - and far beyond. These days, Stephanie operates one of the premiere Bikram yoga studios in the country, Bikram Yoga East Harlem, and she evocatively illustrates how that is a continuation of her dance work and how beneficial the practice has been to her life. Additionally, in this career-spanning conversation we analyze the life of a gypsy dancer and what it takes to make it and rise to the top of the ranks in the best corps on Broadway, then and now - and, all applicable anecdotes that arise along the way, of course (and even some surprises). Plus, Stephanie shares all about her role in SAMMY GETS MUGGED! and reveals what drew her to the project, what to expect from the new drama/comedy, what her character is like and much, much more!

Today, Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post that the show will then head to Broadway this Spring, playing the Neil Simon Theatre.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd to outstanding reviews with audiences and critics alike raving about this magnificent new take on the now four decade old show. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life. Since the show's opened, there has been a flood of theatre insiders travelling to Toronto to see the show to discuss moving it to Broadway.

La Jolla Playhouse has announced that the acclaimed Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Playhouse Director Emeritus and Stratford Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Des McAnuff, will replace the previously-announced musical Finding Neverland. This thrilling revival will run in the Mandell Weiss Theatre November 18 - December 31, 2011.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd to outstanding reviews with audiences and critics alike raving about this magnificent new take on the now four decade old show. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life. Since the show's opened, there has been a flood of theatre insiders travelling to Toronto to see the show to discuss moving it to Broadway. The cast recently visited CBC Radio, where they performed 'Heaven on Their Minds,' 'I Don't Know How to Love Him,' and 'Gethsemane.' Click here to listen to the broadcast.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice both travelled to see the show and came away from their experiences - wildly enthusiastic. Now, Michael Riedel in the New York Post has picked up on the trail this morning, and he adds fuel to the fire that has the show likely to come to Broadway in the Spring of 2012.

Now, the paper reports that 'Tim Rice, the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar, attended the Wednesday night performance of his show at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival less than two weeks after his composer colleague, Andrew Lloyd Webber undertook the same journey. This only served to underscore the constant rumbling since the show's June 3 opening that it was headed for Broadway - fast. If both of the show's creators give this production their blessing, then the chances of it going to Broadway have just grown exponentially.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life and the relationship between Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene in a rock pop musical spectacular. View the production's 'Pilate's Dream' perfromed by Brent Carver below!

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life and the relationship between Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene in a rock pop musical spectacular. Take a first look at the production by clicking below!

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life and the relationship between Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene in a rock pop musical spectacular. The show's creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber visited the cast in rehearsal and BroadwayWorld brings you the group photo below!

Commenting on the show on his official web site, Andrew said: "I have just seen a fabulous production of Jesus Christ Superstar. It is very probably the best acted performance of the show I have ever seen and fully worthy of the fantastic reviews it has received. I pass my congratulations to Des McAnuff and everyone involved with the production at the Stratford Festival, Ontario."

Today, the Toronto Star is reporting that composer Andrew Lloyd Webber came to town on Saturday to see the production which has been generating potential Broadway buzz. If true, the production would come to town along with another bible based revival - the already confirmed GODSPELL.

On Friday June 3rd Des McAnuff's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at Stratford's Avon Theatre as part of the 2011 Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Season. People have been buzzing about it ever since. The rock musical has been re-envisioned by legendary director McAnuff, and BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the show. On stage now through October 29th, 2011.

Theatre 20, a new musical theatre company in Toronto, today announced an exciting three-concert series for 2011, to be held at the Panasonic Theatre.

Theatre 20, a new musical theatre company in Toronto, today announced an exciting three-concert series for 2011, to be held at the Panasonic Theatre.

Today, we are presenting a special interview edition of FLASH FRIDAY with a two-time Tony-winning legend famous for her star-making turn in the original cast of WEST SIDE STORY under the direction of Jerome Robbins through to her heralded performances in the original casts of a trio of thrilling Kander & Ebb musicals - CHICAGO, THE RINK and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Most recently, she stormed Broadway with her bio-musical THE DANCER'S LIFE. She is Chita Rivera and over the course of our career-spanning conversation her unmistakable vivacity and earthy elegance belied her more than fifty years experience in show business. Her optimism is positively infectious and her charm alarmingly disarming. You can catch her live onstage beginning a week from today for four special performances at Birdland. Tickets are available at the link below. Don't miss Chita on BroadwayWorld and at Birdland... and all her jazz!

Producer Orin Wolf and Off the Aisle Productions have announced that It Must Be Him, a new comedy by Kenny Solms, co-creator and writer of the legendary, Emmy Award-winning 'Carol Burnett Show,' will premiere this summer at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre (416 West 42nd Street). Directed by Daniel Kutner, It Must Be Him began performances on Tuesday, August 24, and officially opened on Wednesday, September 1. The limited engagement ends Sunday, September 26.