Fred Astaire News

'The more real you play it, the better for any piece, even a comedic piece like this one.' Stage and television actor Robert Creighton is talking about his upcoming role debut in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, which opens August 6th at the Maine State Music Theatre. Creighton, who is playing the meaty role of Frankenstein's bungling, hunchbacked assistant Igor, says of his approach to the part, 'The script is so good, so honed that I just have to say the words and stay out of their way. I don't have to mug. It is so well-crafted that I simply embrace the stupidity of it all, enjoy that and watch the audience enjoy it, too. When you play it for real, you are not making fun of the humor or commenting on the material, and the situation takes care of itself.'

Westchester Broadway Theatre is taking audiences back to the glory days of Hollywood's Golden Age with its upcoming production of Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern's Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical, running August 13-September 20. As the cast, under the leadership of director/choreographer Jeremy Benton, got into the serious business of rehearsals, photographer Jake Primmerman was on hand to commemorate the work that goes into bringing the world of the 1930s movie musical to life onstage at WBT.

Westchester Broadway Theatre to present BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS, conceived and developed by Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern, with book/musical arrangements/original songs by Christopher McGovern. Directed and choreographed by Jeremy Benton, with musical direction by Jose Simbulan, the show runs August 13 - September 20, 2015, starring Darien Crago as Ginger Rogers.

Marcus Goldhaber wears his mantle lightly. Emulating such as Chet Baker, Hoagy Carmichael, and Fred Astaire—those artists who most often sounded nonchalant, yet polished-- the vocalist offers pared down (not simplistic) interpretations of American Songbook/jazz numbers with emotional translucence, as well as authoring his own fine contributions to the oeuvre. I dare you to distinguish those from songs originating in the 1940s and 1950s. With Free and Easy: Livin' on Swing Street at 54 Below (July 25), Goldhaber takes us on a personal walking tour of musical influence. Material is varied yet sustains a distinct style. The vocalist is unhurried (even when up-tempo), mindful of lyrics, and elegantly restrained. He seems comfortable on stage and refreshingly sincere.

Below, watch Taylor Louderman (NBC's PETER PAN LIVE, Broadway's BRING IT ON) sing the superstar's, 'The One that Got Away.'

Cabaret star Steve Ross will debut STEVE ROSS ON BROADWAY: Songs He's Always Wanted To Sing and Songs You've Always Wanted to Hear at Birdland Jazz Club on Monday, July 7th at 7pm. Mr. Ross' very special guest star will be International icon Liliane Montevecchi, featuring Jesse Bielenberg on bass. The wide-ranging program includes songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and others.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for July 27 - August 2, featuring John Pizzarelli Sings Paul McCartney, Steve Ross, Bill O'Connell & The Latin Jazz All-Stars, and more!

Below, Alves gives us a taste Monday's concert by sharing five of his musical inspirations from YouTube. Check them out below!

Dressed by Angels will open at The Old Truman Brewery on 2nd October 2015. This brand new interactive exhibition tells the story behind the world's greatest costume house, presenting visitors with an irresistible mix of costumes, drama and history. Angels Costumiers has been dressing the world for 175 years, including countless Oscar and BAFTA Award winning films, and Olivier and Tony Award winning theatre. Over seven generations of one family, Angels has become the premiere costumier to the world. This is their story – in costumes. Tickets go on sale this Friday 17th July from dressedbyangels.co.uk.

Almost 100 years after being heard for the first time, part of the repertoire of American composer Irving Berlin arrives at Teatro Maria Clara Machado, in Rio de Janeiro, with the musical Be Careful, It's My Heart.

ArtsEmerson: The World on Stage presents the East Coast Premiere of HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN: A NEW MUSICAL PLAY at the Emerson/Cutler Majestic Theatre. Performances have been extended through August 2nd for this feel-good evening of just over two dozen selections from Berlin's vast catalogue. The program includes unknown gems, lovely ballads, patriotic tunes, and favorites that everyone can sing along with, but Felder's artistry also evokes the man behind the music. Irving Berlin is a delight for any and all who appreciate hearing an array of standards from the great American song book.

It's a great year to be named Kelli/Kelley. At this year's Tonys ceremony, Broadway leading lady Kelli O'Hara won her long-awaited Tony Award, and almost exaclty a month later, U.S. Soccer player Kelley O'Hara will compete in the World Cup finals today, July 5.

India Adams and Annette Warren, whose voices have entertained generations of moviegoers in such MGM classics as 'Show Boat' and 'The Band Wagon,' will bring their new show 'Hollywood's Secret Singing Stars' to the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood tonight and tomorrow, June 26 and 27 at 8:30 PM.

What has 21 hit songs, 47 set pieces, 55 sound cues, 119 light cues,  and 311 breathtaking costume pieces worn by a cast of 24 incredibly talented actors, singers, and dancers, who have cumulatively performed for 657 years in 599 productions over 15 states, Puerto Rico, and France? Nicky Wood's Welcome to Broadway!

ON THE TOWN star discusses his show as well as his upcoming show at Birdland and his debut album.

The Muny presents Hairspray, winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best Musical, featuring music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

The Ensemble Theatre in Houston, Texas, is offering Trav'lin - the 1930s Harlem Musical as its season finale, Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris has announced. Official opening is June 25, 2015 with performances from tonight,  June 20 through July 26. The new staging follows a sold-out run of the show at the 2010 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and a successful 2013 production at the Jubilee Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston continues its 47th consecutive summer season with the hilariously entertaining Kiss Me, Kate, from July 9-19, 2015 at the Robinson Theatre (617 Lexington St. Waltham, MA, 02452). Starring Broadway couple Sarah Pfisterer as Lilli Vanessi/Kate (The Phantom of the Opera, Reagle's My Fair Lady) and Rick Hilsabeck as Fred Graham/Petruchio (Billy Elliot, Reagle's My Fair Lady), Cole Porter's hilarious musical recounts the madcap backstage and onstage antics of two feuding couples during a production of The Taming of the Shrew. Reagle will close out its summer season from August 6-16 with Wonderful Town, starring Katie Anne Clarke and Jennifer Ellis. Individual tickets range from $35 to $63; season subscriptions and group tickets are available at a discount. Tickets can be purchased at www.reaglemusictheatre.com, by calling 781-891-5600, or at the theater box office.

India Adams and Annette Warren, whose voices have entertained generations of moviegoers in such MGM classics as 'Show Boat' and 'The Band Wagon,' will bring their new show 'Hollywood's Secret Singing Stars' to the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27 at 8:30 PM.

This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.