Fanny Brice News

Charles Moeller and Claudio Botelho bring to Brazil the most expensive musical ever produced here. An amazing concept and strong production values, as well as a gifted cast and creative team, turn the Brazilian production of Wizard of Oz in a landmark of the contemporary musical theater in this Country. Based on the theatrical RSC aproach of the original work (book and motion picture),Moeller and Botelho move in astonishing parallel ways to find their own, unique yellow brick road. The Brazilian Oz is a show to be remembered for years to come.

With her bright and beautiful belt, brilliant, quirky singer-songwriter, Amanda Taraska will present her first solo show at Manhattan's acclaimed Laurie Beechman Theatre. The hour-long concert, featuring musical direction by Wicked's Walter Thompson, will showcase original work by up-and-coming writers Nick Blaemire, Jeff Bowen, Rob Hartmann, Natalie Lovejoy, Robby Sandler and Daniel Green, Dustin Sullivan and Elyssa Samsel, and David Alan Thornton and by beloved musical theatre luminaries Jason Robert Brown, Pasek and Paul, and Stephen Sondheim. Additionally, Miss Taraska will duet with special guests David Alan Thornton, Dustin Sullivan and Nikki MacCallum and debut selections from her own musical catalogue.

50s musicals were known for their levity and hit tunes, not for substance, so when a musical such as The Pajama Game had something to say to working class America about standing up and fighting for what they're due, it highly appealed to a middle-class audience... without really meaning to, it served as a precursor of meatier shows to follow in the decades ahead. Of course, Pajama Game is still light... and romantic - it's what audiences craved - with Babe (Karen Volpe) and Sid (Michael Dotson) finding romance and true love while they duke out their differences as labor and management. Now in a pleasantly gleeful production at DCLO (Downey Civic Light Opera) a joyously tuneful piece of nostalgia lives on, as just that - nostalgia, as it does belong to another time and place!

Asolo Repertory Theatre is looking for the greatest star that can Belt it Like Brice for a chance to win a VIP evening on the town and at Asolo Rep. The contest will begin immediately and will run until June 10, 2012. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on June 13, 2012 and will receive a dinner for two at Cafe L'Europe, a personal driver to and from dinner to the theater, box seating for Asolo Rep's production of Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl, a featured spot on Asolo Rep's website, as well as other great prizes. Click here to watch Fanny Brice (Marya Grandy) belting on stage.

Ana Gasteyer, from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and SUBURGATORY and Brian d'Arcy James from the new hit series SMASH performed to a sold-out crowd last night, May 26, at Bay Street Theatre. " Gasteyer and James mingled with the crowd, including actress Blythe Danner, at the post-show VIP soiree. Among the evenings attendees, Board Chairman Frank Filipo, Board Member Jane Holden as well as Hamptonites Bruce Sloan and Sal & Mary Lou Ranieri; and Matt McGrath, a Bay Street Theatre Artistic Associate and the director of the upcoming Mainstage production of Polly Draper in MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, by Geraldine Aron. See below for photos from the after-party!

Bay Street Theatre previously announced an evening with Brian d'Arcy James from the new hit series "Smash" and Ana Gasteyer, from "Saturday Night Live" and "Suburgatory." The show entitled Ana Gasteyer and BRIAN d'ARCY JAMES: ONE NIGHT, TWO VOICES, THREE CHEERS, will be an evening of song. Tickets are $65-$75 or $100 which includes an after party with the stars. Tickets are available online now at www.baystreet.org or at the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

Today we continue the 2012 Tony Awards Clip Countdown - culminating in the final entry on June 10, aka Tony Sunday - with a focus on two tremendous theatrical talents who have crossed over from Broadway fame to international acclaim on Fox's hit musical dramedy series GLEE, which ends its third season tonight: HAIRSPRAY's Matthew Morrison and SPRING AWAKENING's Lea Michele.

On Twitter Watch, Ana Gasteyer wrote 'Nowhere is the depravity of the human spirit more evident than in the Machiavellian hustle for seats at an elementary school performance..'

Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl will open May 23, 2012 and run until June 17, 2012. Previews begin May 20. Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl is a reworking of Maltz Jupiter Theatre's 2009 hit production Fanny Brice: The Real Funny Girl. Writer and Director David H. Bell modified the script and is bringing Asolo Rep the most inspiring version yet. TCPalm raved, "Marya Grandy may not be the real Fanny Brice…but she just might be a new version of Ethel Merman. That's with a little Patti LuPone and the emotional singing delivery al a Judy Garland tossed in for good measure". WJTW FM said "what really brought the audience to its feet for a standing ovation however was the finale…it doesn't get any better than that."

Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl will open May 23, 2012 and run until June 17, 2012. Previews begin May 20. Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl is a reworking of Maltz Jupiter Theatre's 2009 hit production Fanny Brice: The Real Funny Girl. Writer and Director David H. Bell modified the script and is bringing Asolo Rep the most inspiring version yet. TCPalm raved, "Marya Grandy may not be the real Fanny Brice…but she just might be a new version of Ethel Merman. That's with a little Patti LuPone and the emotional singing delivery al a Judy Garland tossed in for good measure". WJTW FM said "what really brought the audience to its feet for a standing ovation however was the finale…it doesn't get any better than that."

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents SHOWTUNES THEATRE COMPANY's THE BROADWAY REVUES at The Moore Theatre tonight, May 5th at 8pm and Sunday, May 6th at 2pm.

On Sunday April 29 Melody Hollis presented the new installment of Melodyland at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Incorporating some different songs into the set like 'I'm the Greatest Star', 'Tchaikovsky', 'You've Got a Friend in Me', 'Hamlet' and a couple of others, material she has performed in Kritzerland shows since last summer, Hollis has turned 14 since she last did the show ...and is now a self-described 'woman'. In spite of this humorous, laugh-guaranteed joke of the grownup fully emerging from the little girl, one can clearly see the changes in physical development and at the same time sense the increased sense of self-awareness and freedom. She is taller, prettier and blossoming nicely into an intelligent young lady - and who says 'home schooling' doesn't work? Bruce Kimmel has written some very cute material for her, and she is learning how to make it work optimally. As she continues to blossom and grow over the next few years, Hollis' vocal instrument, considering her immense talent, should mature beautifully. And maybe, just maybe, if luck will have it...she might just get that chance to sing 'I'm the Greatest Star' on Broadway as the newest Fanny Brice in that still awaited, much anticipated, first ever revival of Funny Girl. She can do it! I know I have my fingers crossed for her!

"DANNY and SYLVIA: THE Danny Kaye MUSICAL", the long-running musical at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, which opened May 13, 2008, will close tonight, April 27th after a special added performance at 1 PM. The musical would have celebrated its 3rd anniversary this May.

Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl will open May 23, 2012 and run until June 17, 2012. Previews begin May 20. Fanny Brice, America's Funny Girl is a reworking of Maltz Jupiter Theatre's 2009 hit production Fanny Brice: The Real Funny Girl. Writer and Director David H. Bell modified the script and is bringing Asolo Rep the most inspiring version yet. TCPalm raved, "Marya Grandy may not be the real Fanny Brice…but she just might be a new version of Ethel Merman. That's with a little Patti LuPone and the emotional singing delivery al a Judy Garland tossed in for good measure". WJTW FM said "what really brought the audience to its feet for a standing ovation however was the finale…it doesn't get any better than that."

Bay Street Theatre today announced an evening with Brian d'Arcy James from the new hit series "Smash" and Ana Gasteyer, from "Saturday Night Live" and "Suburgatory." The show entitled ANA GASTEYER and BRIAN d'ARCY JAMES: ONE NIGHT, TWO VOICES, THREE CHEERS, will be an evening of song. Tickets are $65-$75 or $100 which includes an after party with the stars. Tickets are available online now at www.baystreet.org or at the Box Office beginning April 18 at 631-725-9500.

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) will present SHOWTUNES THEATRE COMPANY's THE BROADWAY REVUES at The Moore Theatre on Saturday, May 5th at 8pm and Sunday, May 6th at 2pm.

On Sunday April 1 Kritzerland presented its monthly show, this time Take Me Along saluting composer/lyricist Bob Merrill at the all new Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal in NoHo. This also marked the opening night for the new venue. Bruce Kimmel hosted a lovely evening with singers Melody Hollis, Juliana Hansen, Julie Garnye, Kristopher McNeeley, Jeffrey Christopher Todd and special guest Lainie Kazan. Christy Crowl served beautifully as musical director at the piano. Shelly Markham played for Miss Kazan. As always, Kimmel told some interesting stories about the composer. As for Merrill, he composed all of his tunes on a toy xylophone and had a series of pop tunes in the 50s long before he had a Broadway success. Songs performed in the 90-minute set included these tunes as well as Broadway fare from hits like Funny Girl, Carnival and Sugar, as well as from flops Pretty Belle, Henry, Sweet Henry, based on The World of Henry Orient and Holly Golightly otherwise referred to as Breakfast at Tiffany's.

"DANNY and SYLVIA: THE DANNY KAYE MUSICAL", the long-running musical at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, which opened May 13, 2008, will close on Friday, April 27th after a special added performance at 1 PM. The musical would have celebrated its 3rd anniversary this May.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre's board of directors has promoted the Theatre's artistic director, Andrew Kato, to producing artistic director.

On Friday March 9 and Saturday March 10, three legendary Broadway talents 'put on a show' for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre called Doin' It For Love...and what a fabulous show it was! Under the musical direction of David Geist, the three greats - Lee Roy Reams, Kaye Ballard and Liliane Montevecchi - did a couple of tunes together to open 'There's No Business Like Show Business' and 'You're All the World to Me' and then proceeded to do their individual cabaret acts.