George Gershwin News

In celebration of Koerner Hall's fifth anniversary, Dr. Peter Simon, President of The Royal Conservatory, and Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, revealed today some of the details of the 2013-14 concert season. As always, the upcoming season will include pop, world music, and new special series. Classical and jazz concerts are being announced now, and the rest of the season of over 70 concerts will be released in June. The Conservatory is thrilled to welcome Broadway star Audra McDonald; soprano Natalie Dessay with composer and pianist Michel Legrand; cellist Mischa Maisky; violinists Midori, Isabelle Faust, and Leonidas Kavakos; pianists Yuja Wang, András Schiff, Kirill Gerstein, and Menahem Pressler; Europa Galante with Fabio Biondi; and jazz musicians Joe Sealy, Jackie Richardson, Arlene Duncan, Ranee Lee, Ramsey Lewis Quintet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington, Lalah Hathaway, Nona Hendryx, John Pizzarelli, Daniela Nardi, and The Manhattan Transfer.

The Jewish Museum Announces Spring 2013 Exhibition Schedule

Classical pianist virtuoso, Lola Astanova, will bring her unique style, emotional depth and dramatic stage presence back to the Big Apple for a night of symphonic enchantment presented by event partner, luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, Ulysse Nardin, tonight, January 23 at 7:30pm.

Live From Lincoln Center's winter and spring broadcast season kicks off with a special concert from Lincoln Center's 2013 American Songbook series celebrating the legendary songwriting duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The broadcast, "RingThem Bells! Rob Fisher Celebrates Kander & Ebb," is hosted by Audra McDonald and will air on PBS stations on Friday, February 15, 2013, at 9 p.m. (ET) (check local listings).

Eighty-Eight Entertainment presents the Chicago Premiere of Hershey Felder's riveting new production, AN AMERICAN STORY for ACTOR AND ORCHESTRA, which tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's last day, in a limited engagement at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted, previewing Friday, March 8, 2013 and opening Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m. The Chicago Premiere follows successful tryout productions in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Today in 1942, the first revival of Porgy and Bess opened at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 286 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, will present the following acts.

The Town Hall will present the first of four concerts of their acclaimed series BROADWAY BY THE YEAR on Monday, February 11th. The season begins with 1937, a year that witnessed the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, the sudden death of George Gershwin, the Hindenburg disaster and a world on the brink of war.

The smash-hit Gershwin musical comedy, CRAZY FOR YOU, tap dances onto the West Fargo High School stage for six performances, February 15, 16, 22, & 23 at 7:30pm and February 17 & 24 at 2:30pm.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 1/18/2013.

The Ohio State University Wind Symphony - a nationally recognized student ensemble -- presents Made in America in Cleveland's historic Severance Hall at 7:30 pm Tuesday, February 12.

Love will be in the air when the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) honors the generosity and dedication of long-time supporters Jennifer and Royce Diener (Santa Monica residents) and David K. and Kay Duke Ingalls (Santa Fe, New Mexico residents) at its annual gala, "Taking a Chance On Love," on February 2, 2013, 6 pm, at The California Club in downtown Los Angeles. David K. Ingalls served as President of LACO's Board of Directors from 1980 to 1983 and as Chair from 1983 to 1988; and Jennifer Diener served as President from 1991 to 1995 and Chair from 1995 to 1998. Both were instrumental in establishing the Orchestra as a premier cultural institution of Los Angeles and currently serve on LACO's newly established Emeritus Board of Directors. The evening's theme is a nod to the era of George Gershwin and Ballets Russes composer Vladimir Dukelsky - better known as Vernon Duke - whose enchanting tunes are at the heart of the Great American Songbook. Duke is Ingalls' late husband. Proceeds benefit LACO's concert series, radio broadcasts and community engagement programs.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Awards Celebration, Hershey Felder returns, shows at The Music Theater Company, a Broadway star in 'The Music Man,' the Lincoln Squares, and music in the sketch comedy world, from '50 Shades' to the opera to Team StarKid at Second City! And more....

Classical pianist virtuoso, Lola Astanova, will bring her unique style, emotional depth and dramatic stage presence back to the Big Apple for a night of symphonic enchantment presented by event partner, luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, Ulysse Nardin, on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:30pm. Accompanied by the Orchestra of St. Luke's, New York's greatest American Orchestra, Astanova will perform Tchaikowsky: Piano Concerto #1 and Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto #2. She is the only pianist virtuoso, since Van Cliburn, to play these two piano concertos consecutively in 15 years-making this one of her most anticipated performances.

Legendary Manhattan based singer/pianist Steve Ross brings his critically acclaimed Puttin' on the Ritz... The Music of Fred Astaire to Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club located in the trendy Tujunga Village of Studio City, CA for two performances only: today, January 12; and Sunday, January 13, 2013.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 1/11/2013.

Emmy and Tony Award winner Blythe Danner has joined the cast of Nice Work If You Can Get It for 12 weeks only, continuing through March 10th. Ms. Danner assumes the role of Millicent Winter, the mother of Matthew Broderick's character Jimmy Winter. The role was originated on Broadway by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons, who played her final performance on Sunday, December 16. Check out photos of Danner in action below!

Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill Jazz...Etc. will present ARIANA SAVALAS - 'SOPHISTICATED LADY,' a CD Release and Birthday Celebration, Starring singer Ariana Savalas, with Guest Artist Pianist, Corky Hale for a One Night Only engagement tonight, January 9, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc.; 2930 N. Beverly Glen Circle; Bel Air, Calif. Savalas will be accompanied by Joe Bagg, Piano; Steve Venz, Bass; Andy Sanesi, Drums and Steve Cottor, Guitar. Savalas will not only be celebrating her birthday that night, but the completion of her first jazz album entitled 'SOPHISTICATED LADY.' The concert will be followed by a CD signing.

The producers of the Tony-winning hit musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT have announced that Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar will perform the role of ‘Cookie McGee' beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, January 8th during Michael McGrath's two month leave of absence. This reunites Mr. Oscar with Matthew Broderick for the first time since they starred together in the original cast of The Producers.

Following a successful tryout production in Los Angeles, Hershey Felder's AN AMERICAN STORY for ACTOR AND ORCHESTRA, which tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's last day, will have its world premiere at San Diego's beautiful Birch North Park Theatre beginning tonight, January 4, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.