David Bryan News

Following critically acclaimed and sold-out engagements on the West Coast, the musical MEMPHIS made its Broadway debut October 19, 2009, earning accolades for its score, which features music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change).

Following critically acclaimed and sold-out engagements on the West Coast, the musical MEMPHIS made its Broadway debut October 19, 2009, earning accolades for its score, which features music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change).

The Toxic Avenger, winner of 'Best New Off- Broadway Musical' by both the Outer Critics Circle and BroadwayWorld's Theatre Fans, is on sale through February 21st, 2010. The Joe DiPietro/David Bryan penned musical is currently playing at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Born in Illinois from Taiwanese and East Timorese parents, Jen Shyu is a vocalist, composer, improviser, multi-instrumentalist (piano, moon lute, er hu, and violin), and dancer. She is currently a core member of saxophonist Steve Coleman's Five Elements. As a soloist and bandleader now based in New York City, Shyu has focused on expanding the possibilities of voice and dance in the improvisational, experimental jazz, and creative music worlds. She also continues a dying Taiwanese folk tradition on the 2-stringed Taiwanese moon guitar, recently named the first 'Ambassador of Hengchun Folk Music' by Hengchun's mayor.

Canada's CityTv is reporting that the documentary 'Hot Toxic Love: The Making of The Toxic Avenger Musical' will have its premiere on March 7th at 10PM. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Toronto production from auditions to opening night from the perspective of the cast and crew.

Two Boots Pizza in Hells Kitchen celebrated the SLICE OF BROADWAY honoring the Broadway cast of MEMPHIS with a specialty slice entitled 'Huey's Bad Boy' - Pulled pork, red onions, Dancing Pig BBQ sauce from Memphis, and topped with homemade cole slaw. Cast members from MEMPHIS, along with BroadwayWorld, were on hand to enjoy in the tasty dedication.

The Broadway cast of MEMPHIS will join The Actors' Chapel for a Haiti benefit concert entitled 'African Saints, African Stories: An Evening of Song and Spoken Word.' The concert will feature Dr. Camille Brown, Danny Coackley, and The Amen Choir, in addition to several MEMPHIS cast members. The concert is presented by St. Malachy's - The Actors' Chapel in conjunction with The Office of Black Ministry for the NY Archdioces and will take place at St. Malachy's on February 1st at 7:00pm.

MEMPHIS, currently playing at The Shubert Theatre on Broadway starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, dedicates a special 8:00pm performance last night, January 17, to The Actors Fund, granting proceeds to the fund in support of their programs and services. Following the finale, MEMPHIS leading Lady, Montego Glover, addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support of The Actor's Fund.

MEMPHIS, currently playing at The Shubert Theatre on Broadway starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, will dedicate the January 17 performance to The Actors Fund, granting proceeds to the fund in support of their programs and services. The curtain rises on Sunday the 17th at 8:00pm.

Yesterday, January 14, MEMPHIS celebrated its 100th performance on Broadway. In honor of the event, all involved with the production, along with BroadwayWorld, celebrated at Justin Timberlake's restaurant, ‘Southern Hospitality' following the curtain.

To celebrate the 100th performance at the hit musical MEMPHIS, the first 100 people who buy tickets at the Shubert Box Office on Thursday, January 14th will get the newly released MEMPHIS Cast Album. In addition MEMPHIS will hold a lottery during the curtain call on Thursday, January 14, 2010 to invite a special member of the audience and their party to join the cast at Justin Timberlake's Manhattan hotspot Southern Hospitality. A winner will be chosen by a random seat location drawing. The lucky winner will then join David Bryan, cast and crew at the celebrity hangout Southern Hospitality. All ticket holders for the Thursday, January 14, 2010 performance are eligible.

To celebrate the 100th performance at the hit musical MEMPHIS, the first 100 people who buy tickets at the Shubert Box Office on Thursday, January 14th will get the newly released MEMPHIS Cast Album. In addition MEMPHIS will hold a lottery during the curtain call on Thursday, January 14, 2010 to invite a special member of the audience and their party to join the cast at Justin Timberlake's Manhattan hotspot Southern Hospitality. A winner will be chosen by a random seat location drawing. The lucky winner will then join David Bryan, cast and crew at the celebrity hangout Southern Hospitality. All ticket holders for the Thursday, January 14, 2010 performance are eligible.

MEMPHIS, currently playing at The Shubert Theatre on Broadway starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, will dedicate the January 17 performance to The Actors Fund, granting proceeds to the fund in support of their programs and services. The curtain rises on Sunday the 17th at 8:00pm.

After a successful nine and a half month run, The Toxic Avenger, the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, will end its New York run, having played over 300 performances at New World Stages on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, to prepare for its national tour. The Toxic Avenger had its world premiere at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey where it broke box office records before transferring Off-Broadway, beginning previews on March 18, 2009 and officially opening on April 6, 2009.

A new post on the Memphis blog hints at the possibility of a film version of the musical,and a potential tour, all the while promoting the limited edition of the original Broadway cast recording.

The Toxic Avenger made a special appearance at The Pond at Bryant Park yesterday, December 22, to greet fans and serenade the chilly holiday skaters. BroadwayWorld was on hand to cover the performance by The Toxic Avenger crew, which earned an Outer Critics Circle 2009 pick for Best New Off-Broadway Musical.

It's 'crunch-time' for gift giving and it's never too late to get a gift certificate from Amazon.com, who I wholeheartedly support, because I have yet to find better pricing on everything that my colleagues and I write about and review here at BroadwayWorld.com ... No, this is not a paid endorsement.

Come warm yourself up with a dose of 'Hot Toxic Love' as The Toxic Avenger cast makes an appearance at The Pond at Bryant Park (40-42nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue).

Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher To Ring in the Holidays with TNT's Annual Music Concert CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON. The event will be hosted by George Lopez and premieres exclusively on TNT on Sunday, December 20, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

In a special feature this week, the New York Times profiles Broadway's MEMPHIS, providing insight into the show's 6-year journey to Broadway and 900+ rewrites.