Bruce Michael News

Star of the international YouTube sensation ‘Portrait of a Princess' Julie Atherton will perform her biggest solo concert yet for one night only at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on Sunday 26th June 2011. She will be joined by fellow West End stars Daniel Boys and Richard Fleeshman.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards the only awards to recognize excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway are offering a limited number of Student Rush tickets with proper student ID at $20 beginning 6pm Sunday May 15 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University Box Office Only, 566 LaGuardia Place, New York City 10012. The dazzling Awards Show & Performances begin at 7:30 pm. The producers want to make this extraordinary event available to young people with an interest in dance and theater.

Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, has announced the first group of Presenters for the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, In addition to Len Cariou and Brian Stokes Mitchell who will co-present the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary, dancer, choreographer, teacher and star of stage, film and television Jacques D'Amboise, additional presenters include Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Charlotte D'amboise, Christopher D'amboise and Karen Ziemba.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards nominees were announced by choreographer & director Lee Roy Reams at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant,. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Check out photos from the reception below!

at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant,. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Award Nominees will be announced at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter, Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant, 365 West 46th Street, New York 10036 on Tuesday April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Actor, Choreographer , director and dancer Lee Roy Reams will announce the nominees.

The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will once again recognize excellence in dance on both stage and film. This year's Awards gala will take place May 15,2011 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University, 566 LaGuardia Place) New York City 10019.

Full casting is announced for Josie Rourke's new production of William Shakespeare's timeless comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

Michael Bruce is the most commercially promising new composer of the last four decades. His debut album Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs, on which he is joined by a plethora of talent that encapsulates the future of the West End, will be launched with a live concert on Sunday 20 March at the West End's opulent and prestigious Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Songs from the album will be performed, and a very special treat revealed.

Ava Astaire and Patricia Watt have announced the nominating committee for the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, the only awards that recognize excellence in dance on Broadway and in film.

Speckulation Entertainment launches a star-studded music video to accompany award-winning composer Michael Bruce's song ‘Portrait of a Princess' to coincide with the launch of his debut album, Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs. Starring West End comedic institution Julie Atherton, the video also features recent Olivier Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical Sheridan Smith, BBC's Being Human star Russell Tovey, fellow ex History Boy Steven Webb, current Jersey Boy and S Club 7 favourite Jon Lee, and Avenue Q star Paul Spicer, in a series of camp, comedy cameos.

Julie Atherton sings a new song by Michael Bruce, with a brand-new video featuring West End stars including Olivier award-winner Sheridan Smith!

We talk to the composer prior to his weekend concert at the Delfont Room

Michael Bruce is the most commercially promising new composer of the last four decades. His debut album Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs, on which he is joined by a plethora of talent that encapsulates the future of the West End, will be launched with a live concert on Sunday 20 March at the West End's opulent and prestigious Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Songs from the album will be performed, and a very special treat revealed.

Speckulation Entertainment will celebrate three upcoming musical theatre albums with live launches at the West End's opulent and prestigious Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Helena Blackman: The Sound of Rodgers & Hammerstein, The Michael Bruce Album and Paul Spicer: Love Songs & Lullabies will all receive their live performance debuts the night ahead of release in this lavishly resplendent Delfont Mackintosh venue.

Best known as runner-up in the BBC's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, West End star Helena Blackman releases her debut solo album The Sound ofRodgers & Hammerstein, celebrating her ongoing association with this legendarymusical theatre writing duo, on 14 th February 2011, to coincide with Valentine's Day.

The world premiere of renowned choreographer Ronald K. Brown's 'On Earth Together' inspired by the music of Stevie Wonder at the Joyce Theater was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation for the electrifying performance of Brown's acclaimed troupe.

We catch up with the lovely Sarah Earnshaw, who is currently playing the strong-minded Emma Carew in the UK tour of Jekyll and Hyde - The Musical.

Patricia Watt, Andrew Wargo, Wendy Federman, Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Bruce Michael, Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster, Sara Johnson, Jamie Watkins and Bronwen Carson co-hosted a Kickoff Reception for the committee & supporters of the 29th Fred & Adele Astaire Awards at the Gramercy Park home of Clare Aich on November 15.