Eric Rockwell News

Exceptionally crafted, Sacramento Theatre Company's world premiere of "A Little Princess" is full of imagination and excitement. A well-paced book by William J Brooke follows the story of young Sara Crewe's dealings with life's troubles. From "supposing" optimism to acceptance and pragmatism, the psychological drama of the adaptation reads down-to-earth and true, especially as Sara's journey contrasts with schoolmistress Miss Minchin's aversion to happy endings. And it's matched by exquisite music written by Eric Rockwell.

A special tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim, including 17 premieres of commissioned works inspired by his songs, will be taking place at "Music in the Loft" in Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 801, on April 7, 2013 at 3:00 pm. Pianist Anthony de Mare will be premiering/performing some of the 36-piece "LIAISONS Project" featuring Sondheim-inspired pieces by composers ranging from Nico Muhly and Steve Reich to Duncan Sheik and Jason Robert Brown.

Theater Works - Peoria Center for the Performing Arts Resident Theatre Company - invites you to experience a hilarious and sassy production, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) - a musical about...musicals, opens tonight, Friday, March 15, 2013.

Tonight, March 9 (7 pm), as part of Symphony Space's The Music of Now Series, pianist Anthony de Mare returns to the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre for the second installment of Liaisons: Reimagining Sondheim from the Piano. Marrying his reputation as a champion of contemporary classical music with his deep respect for legendary musical theater composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, de Mare is building a unique piano repertory by commissioning 36 leading contemporary composers from the classical, jazz, theater, and film worlds to write short solo piano pieces inspired by Sondheim's music.

Concert pianist Anthony de Mare premieres 17 new pieces from The Liaisons Project, his landmark concert and commissioning project based on the work of legendary musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim. With LIAISONS, de Mare is building a brand new piano repertory, featuring 36 of today's most revered contemporary composers, that marries his reputation as a champion of contemporary classical music with his deep respect for Sondheim as one of the 20th century's great composers. The first 17 completed works from the LIAISONS project premiered on a 2012 multi-city tour that culminated with a sold-out performance at Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theater in April 2012. Another 17 will premiere during the 2013 season.

On Saturday, March 9 (7 pm), as part of Symphony Space's The Music of Now Series, pianist Anthony de Mare returns to the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre for the second installment of Liaisons: Reimagining Sondheim from the Piano. Marrying his reputation as a champion of contemporary classical music with his deep respect for legendary musical theater composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, de Mare is building a unique piano repertory by commissioning 36 leading contemporary composers from the classical, jazz, theater, and film worlds to write short solo piano pieces inspired by Sondheim's music.

?The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Winter Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street on Thursday, January 31 at 5:00PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

On Saturday, March 9 (7 pm), as part of Symphony Space's The Music of Now Series, pianist Anthony de Mare returns to the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre for the second installment of Liaisons: Reimagining Sondheim from the Piano.

As 2012 comes to a close, many Austin theater companies are putting together their 2013-2014 season. Given the incredible talent in this town and the large number of daring, courageous theater groups in the Austin area, here are my picks for 13 musicals that I'd love to see produced in the 2013-2014 season.

Tomorrow, December 7, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut the hilarious musical tribute written in the spirit of "Forbidden Broadway," THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) with music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by JoAnne Bogart, and book by Rockwell and Bogart. Curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on this five-week run. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Tonight, December 7, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut the hilarious musical tribute written in the spirit of "Forbidden Broadway," THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) with music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Joanne Bogart, and book by Rockwell and Bogart. Curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on this five-week run.

On Friday, December 7, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut the hilarious musical tribute written in the spirit of "Forbidden Broadway," THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) with music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Joanne Bogart, and book by Rockwell and Bogart. Curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on this five-week run.

It's closing night for TADA! YOUTH THEATER's EVERTHING ABOUT SCHOOL (ALMOST). Conceived by Eric Rockwell, Everything About School (Almost) has music and lyrics by Brad Alexander along with Daniel Acquisto, Deirdre Broderick, Helen Chayefsky, Richard Chiarappa, Van Dean, David Ganon, Keith Gordon, Bruce Keisling, Jim Lochner, Margaret Rose, Dan Shore, Shawn Sturnick, and Eddie Sugarman. Directed and choreographed by Joanna Greer, Everything About School (Almost) concludes its limited engagement at TADA! Youth Theater (15 West 28th St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10001) today at 4pm.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER is back again with the World Premiere of UP TO YOU. The creative team includes book and music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Joanne Bogart and direction by Janine Nina Trevens. The limited engagement at TADA! Youth Theater (15 West 28th St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10001) continues through Sunday, May 20.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER presents, in conjunction with the now-playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event today, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte and featuring a special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE (http://bwaypride.org). The event is free, and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform. Reservations can be made at www.tadatheater.com.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER, the Drama Desk and Coming Up Taller Award-winning organization, is currently registering mini thespians ages 6-8 and 9-14 for their musical theater. Create and perform a mini-musical...in just five days…with Professional Teaching Artists directing scenes and musical numbers from original TADA! musicals and Broadway/Off-Broadway shows. Each week has a new theme to 'Gleek' Out! and sure to be a lifetime of memories for the performers. New this summer, TADA! will also offer a two-week half-day program for kids ages 4-5 in both July and August, giving even younger singers and dancers the chance to participate. And all July campers will attend a performance of TADA!'s show "Everything About School (Almost)" for free.

TADA! YOUTH THEATER will present, in conjunction with the now playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte, featuring an special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE. The event is free and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform.