Don McLean News

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

MusicalFare Theatre is proud to announce four October events in their Premier Center Cabaret.

MusicalFare Theatre is proud to announce four October events in their Premier Center Cabaret.

Chinless Productions and Eric & Christine Kovac present the World Premiere of an unauthorized parody, LOST THE MUSICAL: WE HAVE TO GO BACK, written by Steven Christopher Parker and Steven Brandon, musical direction by DeReau K. Farrar, choreography by Heather Ashleigh Rivers and directed by Steven Brandon. LOST THE MUSICAL: WE HAVE TO GO BACK will run through Sunday, October 26 at the Lillian Theatre, 1076 N. Lillian Way. (at Santa Monica Blvd., one block west of Vine) in Hollywood. Below, check out the first scene from the show, which includes an alternate version of Don McLean's American Pie!

Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of our time, thrilling sold-out audiences throughout the world. He returns to the Spencer Theater stage with his dynamic band, Luna Negra at 8 p.m. tonight, July 26, sharing his many evocative tunes.

Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of our time, thrilling sold-out audiences throughout the world. He returns to the Spencer Theater stage with his dynamic band, Luna Negra at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, sharing his many evocative tunes.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its' air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. For two and a half weeks, Signature's intimate cabaret venue hosts an eclectic mix of Signature favorites, DC-area stars, and some of New York's most exciting performers. The cabaret series runs today, July 9 through July 26, with a different performance each night.

Celebrating the vast grape growing and wine producing industry in southern New Mexico, as well as the state's booming microbrews, the Spencer unveils the first Spencer Wine & Brew Festival at the theater today, July 5 from 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. Various wineries and breweries will provide pours at booths set throughout the hall and arts & crafts vendors will also be on site, as will a selection of edibles including gourmet sliders & sides, fruit & cheese plates will be available for purchase. Live jazz music performed by the sizzling ensemble Straight Up Jazz of Albuquerque, and Spanish guitar with area favorite Tomas Vigil, also sets the mood for a day of popping good fun.

Local singer and actor Jerome Elliott presents Up In Flames at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 2 PM. Up in Flames is Elliott's seventh original cabaret show since 2008, following such critically acclaimed shows as Bat Out of Jersey, A Dry Heat, Crawling Back to Broadway, and Sweet Nerd of Youth. Audiences can expect Elliott's trademark witty repartee as he performs a program of "songs so hot, they're cool!" His longtime accompanist and collaborator Charlie Creasy will join him onstage, with a special appearance by Keisha D, Elliott's duet partner for the past two years.

Celebrating the vast grape growing and wine producing industry in southern New Mexico, as well as the state's booming microbrews, the Spencer unveils the first Spencer Wine & Brew Festival at the theater on Saturday, July 5 from 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. Various wineries and breweries will provide pours at booths set throughout the hall and arts & crafts vendors will also be on site, as will a selection of edibles including gourmet sliders & sides, fruit & cheese plates will be available for purchase. Live jazz music performed by the sizzling ensemble Straight Up Jazz of Albuquerque, and Spanish guitar with area favorite Tomas Vigil, also sets the mood for a day of popping good fun.

The biggest challenge in personalizing a tribute show is when the set list is structured to tell a story about the performer's life. Those songs better be good, that life better be interesting, and that storytelling patter better be clever, humorous, and self-deprecating or an audience (let alone a reviewer) will tune you out quicker than a liberal accidentally hitting FOX News on the remote. I recently saw two different shows at The Duplex from enchanting young women performers—Carly Ozard and Nikki MacCallum--who deftly managed to weave their love of a singer (Bette Midler for Ozard) or a songbook (Kander & Ebb for MacCallum) into a tale of life journey and personal growth to produce charming and entertaining shows.

To witness an entire audience on its feet, joyfully clapping, singing, and dancing into the aisles, one might have imagined rocking at Woodstock rather than in picturesque college town of Brunswick, ME. But, indeed, the exuberance and energy that filled the Pickard Theatre on the Bowdoin campus was a tribute to the triumphant production of The Buddy Holly Story with which Maine State Music Theatre opened its 56th season. The jukebox musical which recounts the last three years in the life of rock legend Charles Hardin 'Buddy' Holly is, in many ways a perfect vehicle to showcase this company's strengths and its new optimistic and visionary artistic direction. Buddy features a largely youthful and hugely talented cast of music theatre singer-actor-musicians, dazzlingly production values, and demonstrates the company's ability to forge an intense connection with its audience.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its' air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. For two and a half weeks, Signature's intimate cabaret venue hosts an eclectic mix of Signature favorites, DC-area stars, and some of New York's most exciting performers. The cabaret series runs July 9 through July 26, with a different performance each night.

Clive Davis, Dr. Luke, Colbie Caillat, Brian Tyler (film music composer of 'Iron Man 3,' 'Thor: The Dark World,' 'Fast Five') and music and entertainment industry giants committed to fighting cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases will take part in the 10th anniversary of Songs of Hope

Grammy-winner Melissa Manchester - Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66)). Pop-rock songstress with a bevy of honors and awards for her catalog of beautiful pop ballads “Midnight Blue,” “Through The Eyes of Love,” “Whenever I Call You Friend,” “Don't Cry Out Loud” and “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” among other hits. Melissa will play the piano and sing at her multi-media Spencer gig, which includes guitar and vocal accompaniment. Pre-show ravioli & linguini lobby buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

There's something for everyone in the Spencer Theater's Summer Season 2014 showcase of concerts, dance, comedy, tributes, parties and special fundraising events. The packed schedule, running late May through August features 16 stellar events, all staged with superior lighting and grand acoustics at the award-winning, not-for-profit Alto, New Mexico performance hall. Pre-performance lobby buffets are offered ($20) before most every show, enabling patrons to easily enjoy a scrumptious hot meal with bar drinks before curtain time.

January and February have seen sell-out performances at the Crazy Coqs and March and April look set to continue the trend.

1. Top East Coast Editor 2013: Marina Kennedy, New Jersey. Our Senior Editor of New Jersey, Marina Kennedy writes articles and reviews for Broadwayworld.com on performance venues in New York and New Jersey. She also has a weekly column in BWWFitnessWorld.com, 'Fit Food Finds,' which discusses healthy eating in the New York City area. Her interest in fitness, dance, and theatre stem from the many years she owned and operated a dance school, 'Dance Unlimited' in New Jersey in the late 70's and 80's. She enjoys an active journalism career and loves writing for BroadwayWorld.com. 2. Top West Coast Editor 2013: Don Grigware, Los Angeles, CA. Our Senior Editor of Los Angels, Don Grigware is an Ovation nominated actor and writer whose contributions to theatre through the years have included 6 years as theatre editor of NoHoLA, a contributor to LA Stage Magazine and currently on his own website: www.grigwaretalkstheatre.com. Don hails from Holyoke, Massachusetts and holds two Masters Degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Education and Bilingual Studies. Don is a teacher of foreign language and ESL. Don is a member of the prestigious Road Theatre Company in NoHo and is in his fifth year with BWW, currently serving as Senior Editor of the Los Angeles Page. 3. Top Southeast Editor 2013: Jennifer Perry, Washington, D.C. Our Senior Editor of Washington, D.C., Jennifer Perry has been a DC resident since 2001 having moved from Upstate New York to attend graduate school at American University's School of International Service. When not attending countless theatre, concert, and cabaret performances in the area and in New York, she works for the US Federal Government as an analyst. Jennifer previously covered the DC performing arts scene for Maryland Theatre Guide, DC Metro Theater Arts, and DC Theatre Scene. 4. Top Southwest Editor 2013: Jeff Davis, Austin, TX. Jeff Davis is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Theater with an emphasis in Directing. 5. Top International Editor 2013: Oliver Oliveros, Philippines. Our Senior Editor of the Philippines, Oliver recently received a master's degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional director for BroadwayWorld.com. For nearly 20 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He is also the editor-in-chief for FIL-AM WHO'S WHO, a monthly magazine that tells the real-life success stories of Filipino Americans from the New York Tri-State area. 6. Top New International Editor 2013: Barry Lenny, Adelaide, Australia. Our Senior of Adelaide, born in London, Barry was introduced to theatre as a small boy, through being taken to see traditional Christmas pantomimes, as well as discovering jazz and fine music at a very young age. High school found him loving the works of Shakespeare, as well as many other great playwrights, poets and novelists. Moving to Australia, he became a jazz musician, playing with big bands and his own small groups, then attended the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide, playing with several orchestras. This led to playing in theatre pits, joining the chorus, playing character roles, playing lead roles (after moving into drama), then directing, set and lighting design, administrative roles on theatre boards and, finally, becoming a critic. After twenty years of writing he has now joined the Broadway World team to represent Adelaide, in South Australia. Barry is also a long time member of the prestigious Adelaide Critics Circle. 7. Top New Editor 2013: Teresa Rodrick, Boise, ID. Senior Editor of Boise, ID, Teresa Rodrick was born in Edmonds, Washington - grew up in Mountlake Terrace (WA), married a man from Everett (WA) and her folks moved to Lake Stevens (WA). She lived in England for 2 years, Germany for 6 years and moved to San Antonio, Texas. In San Antonio, she decided she had put her own career off long enough and started going to Palo Alto Community College. She got my Associates Degree in Drama in May 2005. From San Antonio, she moved back to England for just over 3 years. She did one stint in community theatre then moved to Boise, Idaho where she received her Bachelors in Arts in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Secondary Education in May 2012 from Boise State University. 8. Most Creative Male Editor 2013: Stephen Hanks, Cabaret. Senior Editor of BWWCabaret. During more than 30 years as a magazine editor/writer, website writer, and book author for a variety of national magazines and websites,Stephen Hanks has written about sports, health and nutrition, parenting, politics, the media, and most recently, musical theater, and cabaret. While by day, Stephen is the Advertising Sales Director forHabitat Magazine (a publication covering life in New York Metro area co-ops and condos), by night he writes reviews and columns about New York City cabaret for BroadwayWorld.com. Stephen also writes feature stories about cabaret for Cabaret Scenes Magazine and CabaretScenes.org. He is also the Board President of Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab, which workshops new musicals in New York City, and he is the founder, producer and director of theBroadway Musical Fantasy Camp, which is a workshop for amateur performers that rehearses and presents staged readings of classic Broadway Musicals. In 2011, Stephen was an Associate Producer for the Off-Broadway show The Fartiste. Stephen most recently staged his debut solo cabaret show, 'Beyond American Pie: The Don McLean Songbook' at the Metropolitan Room in New York. Please contact Stephen with your comments and questions at: stephenhanks41@gmail.com 9. Most Creative Female Editor 2013: Marakay Rogers, Central PA. Senior Editor of Central PA. America's most uncoordinated childhood ballet and tap student before discovering that her talents were music and writing, Marakay Rogers finally traded in her violin for law school when she realized that she might make more money in law than she did performing with the Potomac Symphony and in orchestra pits around the mid-Atlantic. Unfortunately, she forgot to factor in the student loan repayments! She has never recovered from being chewed out by Terrence Mann in public for hanging up her bow. A graduate of Wilson College (PA), Marakay is also a writer, film reviewer and interviewer for the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Independent Gazette, science-fiction publications, and other news outlets. Additionally, as of 2014, she serves as vice-chair of the Advisory Board of the revived Beaux Arts Society, Inc. She's also taught college-level communications, writing, and English literature classes, has received multiple writing awards for several small-press novels, and is listed in Marquis' 'Who's Who in America'. She has done additional post-collegiate coursework with Open University (UK) in drama and literature. Her junior high English teacher was Broadway star Katrina Yaukey's mother, Kay Yaukey. (Her high school math teacher was Ordean Yaukey, Katrina Yaukey's father, but between Marakay's mother, an editor, and Katrina's mother, English won out.) Marakay is senior theatre critic for Central Pennsylvania and a senior editor for BWWBooksWorld as well as a classical music reviewer. In her free time, Marakay practices law and often gets it right. 10. Best Overall Editor 2013: David Clarke, Houston, TX. Senior Editor of Houston, TX and Editor-in-Chief of Broadway Recordings, David Clarke has had a lifelong love and passion for the performing arts, and has been writing about theatre both locally and nationally for years. He joined BroadwayWorld.com running their Houston site in early 2012 and began writing as the site's official theatre recording critic in June of 2013.

BroadwayWorld would be nothing without its team of talented Regional Editors who work tirelessly, offering countless opinions, reviews, interviews, special features and more. It truly takes a village. While all 260+ of our Regional Editors have helped make BroadwayWorld go 'round, this year, we'd like to recognize our Top 10 standouts who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and who have been an integral part of the success of BroadwayWorld. This was a tough decision that was based on number of articles, traffic, consistency, and other factors. We will also be recognizing several others throughout the year in our 'Meet the BWW Team' series and otherwise, so stay tuned for more!

January and February have seen sell-out performances at the Crazy Coqs and March and April look set to continue the trend.