Edward Kleban News

The power may have been lost at McKinley High on FOX's hit musical dramedy series Glee last night, but there was no shortage of mega-wattage musical magnificence to set the night alight anyway - particularly for the Broadway babies among us, given the major tributes to A CHORUS LINE and ANNIE. Yes, indeed, 'Lights Out' was Glee at its very best. Oh, yeah - and Frida Romero, too (you read that name right)!

The greatest songwriters revered him. And his songs-from 'All the Things You Are' to 'The Way You Look Tonight'-remain a vital part of our cultural conversation. It is no accident that Jerome Kern is also known as 'The Dean.' Author and Lyrics & Lyricists series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer takes the helm as artistic director/writer/host for The Song is You: Jerome Kern Coast to Coast, on May 4, 5 and 6. Winer is joined by vocalists Karrin Allyson, Debby Boone, Jeffry Denman, bassist Jay Leonhart, Howard McGillin, Paula West and Karen Ziemba, with special guest Barbara Carroll.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West, has announced the cast of A CHORUS LINE, previewing tonight, April 12, opening April 13 at 8pm, and continuing through April 28. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, A CHORUS LINE is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer of Musical Theatre West, has announced the cast of A CHORUS LINE, previewing April 12, opening April 13 at 8pm, and continuing through April 28. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, A CHORUS LINE is locally-produced in Long Beach with professional actors from Broadway, national tours, film and television, including the best in local talent.

A CHORUS LINE, with Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban and Book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, will dance into Musical Theatre West, April 12-28, 2013. Directed and choreographed by Roger Castellano, the show includes musical direction by David Lamoureux.

A CLASS ACT is an artfully structured memorial musical dramatising Tony Award winning lyricist Edward Kleban's hilarious, passionate and ultimately heartbreaking journey. Providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how a musical is created and the forces behind its creation, A CLASS ACT retraces the high and low points of Kleban's amazing career and explores how an artist's personal life can inspire or interfere with professional pursuits. The show integrates songs (which Stephen Sondheim said he 'wished he'd written') from widely different Kleban projects into the narrative, each number establishing a particular moment of insight and creating a study of a lost era in show business.

Marc Robin's re-choreographed and re-imagined A Chorus Line is Michael Bennett for a new age, and theatrical dance fans will not feel 'Nothing' when they watch it.

Today in 2001, A Class Act opened at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 105 performances. A Class Act is a musical with a book by Linda Kline and Lonny Price and music and lyrics by Edward Kleban. The musical is based on the life of composer-lyricist Ed Kleban, who died at the age of 48 in 1987. The musical uses flashbacks and the device of time running backwards to retrace the high and low points of Kleban's personal and professional life.

A Chorus Line, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize award-winning musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line opens tonight, March 8, 2013, at Theatre Memphis with a gala event featuring the original A Chorus Line cast member and Tony Award winner for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Donna McKechnie.

A CLASS ACT is an artfully structured memorial musical dramatising Tony Award winning lyricist Edward Kleban's hilarious, passionate and ultimately heartbreaking journey. Providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how a musical is created and the forces behind its creation, A CLASS ACT retraces the high and low points of Kleban's amazing career and explores how an artist's personal life can inspire or interfere with professional pursuits. The show integrates songs (which Stephen Sondheim said he 'wished he'd written') from widely different Kleban projects into the narrative, each number establishing a particular moment of insight and creating a study of a lost era in show business.

Seacoast Repertory Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary 2013 Season. After another record breaking year of performances, attendance and contributions The Rep continues to delight audiences of all ages. Given the life expectancy of a new theatre is only 5 years, Seacoast Repertory Theatre has made that mark, in strides, and as of 2013 The Rep celebrates its 25th year as the Seacoast's largest year round professional live theatre. The Rep is a gathering place for actors, musicians, fellow non-profits, and performance artists from all over the country. The success of The Rep is made possible through the generosity of its members, sponsors and patrons. Seacoast Repertory Theatre is proud to announce its 2013 Mainstage lineup.

Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 50th Anniversary Season with a new production of the classic musical Good News!. This high spirited musical comedy will run from April 12 - June 22 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Good News! will be sponsored by Liberty Bank and Updike, Kelley & Spellacy. [Official Press Opening will be May 1, 2013]

A CHORUS LINE has opened at the London Palladium - here are some shots from the after-party!

A CHORUS LINE has returned to the West End! The show, starring John Partridge and Scarlett Strallen, is running at the London Palladium.

A Chorus Line hasn't been performed in the West End since the original London production closed in 1979, making its first revival one of 2013's most anticipated theatrical events.

A CHORUS LINE, starring John Partridge, Leigh Zimmerman and Scarlett Strallen, opened at the London Palladium February 19, 2013.

A Chorus Line, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize award-winning musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line opens March 8, 2013, at Theatre Memphis with a gala event featuring the original A Chorus Line cast member and Tony Award winner for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Donna McKechnie. The event is being held on opening night and will feature a cocktail buffet, live auction that includes a trip to New York City and a pre-show presentation by Ms. McKechnie with drinks and desserts with the cast after the show. Member tickets are available for $75 per person and non-member tickets are $100 each. Reservations can be made by calling 901.682.8323. The full production runs through March 30, 2012.

A CHORUS LINE, starring John Partridge, Leigh Zimmerman and Scarlett Strallen, opens at the London Palladium tonight!