Today we are talking to a legendary leading lady famous for a few of the most iconic roles in some of the most memorable musicals of the 1980s and 1990s as well as a versatile vocalist and concert performer set to make her cabaret debut later this month - the ingratiating and amusing Randy Graff. Looking back at originating the role of Fantine in the original Broadway production of mega-hit mega musical LES MISERABLES and singing the unforgettable 'I Dreamed A Dream' eight times a week (and on the best-selling cast recording) as well as recounting her Tony Award-winning work in the endlessly entertaining Cy Coleman/David Zippel musical comedy CITY OF ANGELS, Graff share stories from behind the scenes and gives us a rare look at theatrical history in the making and her elemental role in both productions. Additionally, Graff opens up about some of her other most fondly remembered work, including her fantastic turn in Ed Kleban's A CLASS ACT, William Finn's FALSETTOS, Cole Porter's HIGH SOCIETY, the stage play and documentary MOON OVER BUFFALO co-starring Carol Burnett, the most recent revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and much more. Most importantly, Graff generously outlines what we can expect from her upcoming solo shows at NYC hotspot 54 Below titled MADE IN BROOKLYN, in what will actually be the stalwart star's solo show premiere. In addition to all of that, Graff also touches upon some of her big screen and small screen work, ranging from LAW & ORDER to RENT, as well as recounts some theatrical tales involving theatre greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, John Simon and more. All of that and much, much more awaits in this rich resume recounting retrospective with one of Broadway's best!
Join Lyric Stage for a special evening of song from Tony Award nominee Sally Mayes tonight, February 11 at 8 PM at the Irving Arts Center's Dupree Theater, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, just concluded its seven performance run, directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Below, BroadwayyWorld brings you photos from the closing night after party!
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, just concluded its seven performance run, directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Below, BroadwayyWorld brings you photos from the closing night curtain call!
Today we are talking to a terrifically talented triple-threat diva known for her legendary Broadway performance as the title character in the iconic original production of ANNIE as well as notable appearances on Broadway since in STARLIGHT EXPRESS, LES MISERABLES, STATE FAIR and more - the engaging and passionate Andrea McArdle. Opening up about her life after 'Tomorrow' as well as sharing memories of her time in ANNIE, McArdle sheds some light on her idiosyncratic showbiz career and shares sensational stories from her past and present while also looking ahead to the future. Additionally, McArdle looks back on many of her most famous roles to date, including her roller skating days in STARLIGHT EXPRESS and her recent stint as MAME herself, as well as her various Judy Garland-related properties, too - the TV biopic RAINBOW and the stage adaptation of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS among them, not to mention her sensational star turn as the opener of the recent sold-out series of 10th anniversary concerts at Joe's Pub, BROADWAYWORLD.COM VISITS OZ, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and MaryBeth Abel, where she exquisitely performed 'I'm Always Chasing Rainbows'. Plus, McArdle comments on her recent Broadway Records live album 70'S & SUNNY and the material and decade that inspired it. Most importantly, McArdle looks ahead to her new series of solo shows kicking off at 54 Below this week titled DREAM ROLES and previews some of the stupendous song selections she has chosen for the show - with material by Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse and more included! All of that and much, much more awaits in this career-spanning chat with one of Broadway's best and best-loved leading ladies.
Sweet Charity - the first production at Hayes Theatre Co - starts this week, with limited tickets available for the season's performances. The classic award winning musical, is produced by Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding Productions and will play at the Hayes Theatre Co from 7 February - 9 March 2014
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, runs for seven performances, February 5 - 9. The show is directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.Little Me, Neil Simon's first musical, is the story of the glamorous Belle Poitrine (Rachel York as young Belle, Judy Kaye as older Belle), a self-invented celebrity who has spent her life in pursuit of wealth, culture and social position. Tony Award-winner Christian Borle will play all six of Belle's oddball lovers, who range from an innocent college boy to an octogenarian lecher to the dying king of a tiny European country that doesn't seem to exist. BroadwayWorld brings you and exclusive sneak peek of the cast in action below!
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, runs for seven performances, February 5 - 9. The show is directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.Little Me, Neil Simon's first musical, is the story of the glamorous Belle Poitrine (Rachel York as young Belle, Judy Kaye as older Belle), a self-invented celebrity who has spent her life in pursuit of wealth, culture and social position. Tony Award-winner Christian Borle will play all six of Belle's oddball lovers, who range from an innocent college boy to an octogenarian lecher to the dying king of a tiny European country that doesn't seem to exist. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!
Join Lyric Stage for a special evening of song from Tony Award nominee Sally Mayes on Tuesday, February 11 at 8 PM at the Irving Arts Center's Dupree Theater, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir begins an Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) February 28th, with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, runs for seven performances, February 5 - 9. The show is directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.Little Me, Neil Simon's first musical, is the story of the glamorous Belle Poitrine (Rachel York as young Belle, Judy Kaye as older Belle), a self-invented celebrity who has spent her life in pursuit of wealth, culture and social position. Tony Award-winner Christian Borle will play all six of Belle's oddball lovers, who range from an innocent college boy to an octogenarian lecher to the dying king of a tiny European country that doesn't seem to exist.
The company met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with them about the production. Check out what they had to say and watch a performance preview below!
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh's Little Me, the opening production of New York City Center's 2014 Encores! season, runs for seven performances, February 5 - 9. The show is directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.Little Me, Neil Simon's first musical, is the story of the glamorous Belle Poitrine (Rachel York as young Belle, Judy Kaye as older Belle), a self-invented celebrity who has spent her life in pursuit of wealth, culture and social position. Tony Award-winner Christian Borle will play all six of Belle's oddball lovers, who range from an innocent college boy to an octogenarian lecher to the dying king of a tiny European country that doesn't seem to exist.
The company met the press yesterday and you can check out the first photos of the whole gang below!
Today in 1966, Sweet Charity opened at the Palace Theatre, where it ran for 608 performances. Featuring music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon, the musical was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse starring his wife and muse Gwen Verdon. It is based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for Nights of Cabiria. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1966, where it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, and also ran in the West End as well as having revivals and international productions.
Dynamic talents, such as triple-threat Chita Rivera, rarely give up. They are having too much fun to retire. Passionate, warm, funny and forever loyal to her art, Miss Rivera has always captivated her audiences and is still very much doing so, based on her performance on Saturday January 25 at the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge. It was a stroll down memory lane, and a delicious one, as Rivera took the stage in Chita Rivera: A legendary Celebration with 'I've Got a Lot of Living To Do' from Bye Bye Birdie and sang, moved vibrantly with rhythm and grace and told terrific stories about Leonard Benstein, Cy Coleman, and Kander & Ebb, among others.
Roy Sexton's first book Reel Roy Reviews, Vol. 1: Keepin' It Real is set for release on the Open Books imprint February 28, 2014. Sexton, a resident of Saline/Ann Arbor, launched his entertainment blog of the same name (www.reelroyreviews.com) on Independence Day in 2012 and, nearly two years later, is a published author.
Theatre at St. Clement's hosts the World Premiere of The Clearing, written by Jake Jeppson (Jerome Fellowship recipient) and directed by Josh Hecht (Drama Desk Award winner for Christine Jorgensen Reveals). The Clearing runs Off-Broadway now through February 9, 2014. Previews began January 15 for a January 19 opening. Theatre at St. Clement's is located at 423 West 46th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues in New York City. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!
Happy Birthday Michael Crawford! In 1981, Crawford starred in the Original London production of Cy Coleman's Barnum (1981) as the illustrious American showman P. T. Barnum. He is best known for starring opposite Sarah Brightman in the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera as the title character. In 1986, Crawford began his performance in London, continuing on to Broadway in 1988, and then Los Angeles a year later, in 1989. He played the role for 2½ years and over 1,300 performances, winning an Olivier Award (Best Actor in a Musical) and a Tony Award (Best Performance By An Actor in a Lead Role, Musical). Beginning in February 2011, Crawford has played the role of the Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical version of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.
