Burt Bacharach News

Reprise Theatre Company presents Barbara Cook in Concert. It will have one performance only on Monday, May 16 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Barbara Cook in Concert is the latest in Reprise Theatre Company's tradition of presenting Broadway stars and legendary entertainers in concert, which have included Patti LuPone, Carol Burnett, Sutton Foster, Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) continues its 2010/11 Season with Steven Sater and Serj Tankian's world premiere rock musical Prometheus Bound, directed by Diane Paulus.

Miracle House, a New York City charity that provides temporary housing, meals and advocacy to patients and caregivers coming to the city for critical medical treatment, announced today that its "Be Our Valentine" concert will feature performances by Broadway stars Annaleigh Ashford, Farah Alvin, Terry Burrell, and Ed Staudenmayor among many others.

Casting has been announced for PROMETHEUS BOUND, a new musical with script and lyrics by Steven Sater (from the play by Aeschylus) with music composed by Serj Tankian and directed by Diane Paulus. The production with run at the American Repertory Theater from February 25 - April 2, 2011.

Paul Williams took center stage in the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, January 30th to praise the career of friend and colleague, Hal David. Singing snippets of Hal's hits like 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head,' 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again,' 'Close To You,' 'Walk On By' and many more, Williams declared 'If we tried to cover all of his work, we would have to continue this tribute tomorrow night.' An Honorary Committee that consisted of entertainment industry elite such as Charles Fox, Burt Bacharach, Michele Lee, Carl Reiner, and many more made the Music Center and Club 100's annual 'Magic Moments' gala THE place to be in Los Angeles on Sunday. Though many were on hand to praise Mr. David and his career, the patrons seemed to revolve around two primary tables. That of Mr. David himself, which included the evenings host, Paul Williams and Sally Kellerman (Who would later treat the audience to a selection of Mr David's songs from the stage) and table 10, hosted by noted cabaret singer Barbra Van Orden, which included Tippi Hedren, Florence Henderson, Robert David Hall, and Gary Austin. 'I had to be here tonight, if only to personally express my appreciation to Mr. David for his music and how much it has meant to me,' said Ms. Hedren. Ms. Henderson added, 'I thought I had a good idea about Hal's body of work when I arrived tonight, but as the evening progressed, I caught myself saying, 'He wrote that ... and that as well?' ... It's amazing to think how many great pieces of music he has given us.'

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.

42nd Street's renowned music venue, B. B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL, has debuted a completely redesigned Web site. The homepage boasts a jukebox, 'Request an Artist' tab, photo gallery and, of course, upcoming show description and ticket buy links.

Van Amstel stars along with guest hostess Niecy Nash (Jan 21-23), Jane Seymour (Feb 4-6) and possible other celebrity hosts, 20 top dancers and two American Idol finalists, singers Gina Glocksen and David Hernandez at the classy El Portal. The show is so electrically charged that it is guaranteed to keep audience members jumping for joy.

The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg, conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutrux and Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! begins performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opens Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 6:30pm. Baby It's You! features a cast of 19 that includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.

Dionne Warwick has, over an illustrious four-decade career, established herself as an international musical legend. Her reputation as a hit maker has been firmly etched into public consciousness, thanks to nearly sixty charted hits since 'Don't Make Me Over' began its climb up the charts in December 1962. As a performer, she has charmed and entertained audiences on every continent, amassing fans worldwide. Best known for her partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this music pioneer received her first Grammy Award in 1968 (for the classic 'Do You Know The Way to San Jose?') making her the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance. Warwick comes in second only to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist with 56 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, and in 1968 she became the first African-American female performer to appear before the Queen of England at a Royal Command Performance. Since then, Dionne has performed before numerous kings, queens, presidents, and heads of state.

Inventive choreography, humor and eclectic music are just a few things audiences can expect when Dance Celebration presents the Philadelphia debut of two of New York's boldest troupes lead by today's up and coming women choreographers, Monica Bill Barnes & Company and Kate Weare Company. The companies will combine forces for a shared evening of contemporary dance works that are both original and theatrically striking - Bill Barnes' witty parody Another Parade and Weare's Bright Land. Performances take place February 10-12, 2011 and are part of the 2010/11 Dance Celebration season presented by Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center. For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office located at 3680 Walnut Street.

Multi-talented songwriter Jimmy Webb has been elected Chairman of the Board of the Songwriters Hall of Fame by its Board of Directors.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Barry Manilow in Concert for one performance only on Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. This special event is presented by Reprise Theatre Company as its Annual Gala Performance. Ticket sales from Barry Manilow in Concert support Reprise's mission to produce musical theatre of the highest artistic quality and to make this art form accessible to new audiences through education and outreach programs.

William Atherton, Matt Cavenaugh, Lisa O'Hare, Carol Lawrence, Millicent Martin and Jason Graae are the acclaimed film, Broadway and West End stars who will lead the cast of Reprise Theatre Company's second production of the 2010-2011 season, 'Gigi', playing February 15 to February 27, 2011 (press opening February 16, 2011) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The musical - with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe -- will be directed by veteran musical theatre director David Lee, with choreography by Peggy Hickey and musical direction by Steve Orich.

Variety reported back in July that that the biographical musical about composer Florence Greenberg by Million Dollar Quartet producer and book writer Floyd Mutrux is being prepped for a 2011 Broadway opening. Entitled Baby, It's You, Variety reported that the musical is aiming to open in the winter of 2011, co- directed by Mutrux and Sheldon Epps. Mutrux and Epps also collaborated on the Pasadena Playhouse production in November of 2009. The show premiered at the Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles prior to its Pasadena run. Now, in today's New York Post, Michael Riedel reports that the show is now aiming to open this Spring at the Broadhurst Theatre. He reports that Beth Leavel is in negotiations to play the lead role of Lorence Greenberg.

Dionne Warwick has, over an illustrious four-decade career, established herself as an international musical legend. Her reputation as a hit maker has been firmly etched into public consciousness, thanks to nearly sixty charted hits since 'Don't Make Me Over' began its climb up the charts in December 1962. As a performer, she has charmed and entertained audiences on every continent, amassing fans worldwide. Best known for her partnership with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this music pioneer received her first Grammy Award in 1968 (for the classic 'Do You Know The Way to San Jose?') making her the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance. Warwick comes in second only to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist with 56 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, and in 1968 she became the first African-American female performer to appear before the Queen of England at a Royal Command Performance. Since then, Dionne has performed before numerous kings, queens, presidents, and heads of state.

Chuck Cooper, Daniel Breaker, Patina Miller, Sharon Washington, Daniel Gerroll, John Douglas Thompson and Sherry Boone have been cast in Lost in the Stars, the second Encores! production of the New York City Center season, running February 3 - 6 at City Center.

Chuck Cooper, Daniel Breaker, Patina Miller, Sharon Washington, Daniel Gerroll, John Douglas Thompson and Sherry Boone have been cast in Lost in the Stars, the second Encores! production of the New York City Center season, running February 3 - 6 at City Center. Lost in the Stars has music by Kurt Weill and book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. It will be directed by Gary Griffin and choreographed by Chase Brock, with music direction by Rob Berman.

After 319 performances the curtain has dropped on the Broadway revival of PROMISES, PROMISES.

David Gurland, the multi-award winning singer and recording artist, sadly passed away on January 1, 2011.