STAGE TUBE: Audra McDonald, Diane Paulus, et al. on PORGY & BESS Revisions
by Sally Henry Fuller
- Nov 28, 2011
In the video below, members of the cast and creative team of Broadway-bound PORGY AND BESS discuss with PBS the changes made by director Diane Paulus and book-writer Suzan-Lori Parks. They address the history of the opera and that though some people have always viewed this show as racist, Audra McDonald (Bess) adamently shares why that is exaclty what the show is not. Both Diane Paulus and Suzan-Lori Parks talk about the controversy that has surrounded this revamped musical. They reveal why this is an acceptable version of the show, even for purists and die-hard Gershwin fans. Click below to chck it out!
Rose Theatre Hosts Holiday Events, 12/19-1/28
by BWW News Desk
- Nov 24, 2011
Support the Rose through Music, Magic and Christmas Cheer. Christmas is a time for friends to help each other out and it's no different at the Rose Theatre. Everyone from prominent actors to magicians and musicians are coming to Kingston this Christmas to help the Rose raise funds to produce another year of critical successes.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for November 23rd, 2011
by Paul W. Thompson
- Nov 24, 2011
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two national tours in the Loop, two shows at the Royal George, three more Christmas musicals, 'Look, I Made A Hat,' that 'Variety' article about us, and more....
Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, et al. to Take Part in 2012 Tanglewood Festival
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 17, 2011
Tanglewood, one of the world's most beloved music festivals and the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, celebrates its 75th anniversary season, June 22-September 2, with a spectacular lineup of musical guests and programs that spotlight Tanglewood's rich tradition of presenting summertime concerts at their best since 1937.
Hershey Felder Returns to Pasadena Playhouse with New Work: LINCOLN, AN AMERICAN STORY
by Kelsey Denette
- Nov 16, 2011
The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that, by popular demand, Hershey Felder will return to The Pasadena Playhouse with a special presentation of the world premiere of LINCOLN - AN AMERICAN STORY for Actor and Symphony Orchestra which will be performed in front of a 45-piece orchestra, preceded by his tour-de-force works, MONSIEUR CHOPIN - the love story of Frederic Chopin and the authoress George Sand, featuring Chopin's most beautiful piano music, and MAESTRO: LEONARD BERNSTEIN - the hit production that has played nationwide.
PORGY & BESS to Drop 'New Final Scene' on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 14, 2011
Back in August, a controversy arose from a New York Yimes article that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the ART production, and soon to be Broadway transfer, of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS. Specifically in reponse to Paulus' new 'final scene,' which gave the musical a more upbeat ending, theatre legend Stephen Sondheim wrote a memorable letter to the NYT about his thuoghts on the re-interpretation.
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT to Open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on April 24
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 14, 2011
The new musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), will open on Tuesday, April 24 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT stars two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick (The Producers, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) and three-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific, The Pajama Game) and will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, The Pajama Game).
Photo Flash: MAESTRO Opens at Royal George Theatre
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 10, 2011
Award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him) returns to Chicago with Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein. Combining first-person narrative with the music of composer Bernstein and the artists who inspired him, Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein is the story of the legendary American composer and longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic. Helmed by award-winning director Joel Zwick, Hershey Felder will return to Chicago's Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, where from September 2004 through January 2006, he held residence with George Gershwin Alone and the World Premiere of Monsieur Chopin, culminating in 70 weeks of live performances. Maestro will begin previews on November 1st with press opening November 9th, and will play through December 30.
Twitter Watch: Audra McDonald- 'So excited to go to Charleston today.'
by BWW
- Nov 10, 2011
On Twitter Watch, Audra McDonald wrote 'So excited to go to Charleston today. Birthplace of Porgy & Bess! Can't wait to visit Cabbage Row & the DuBose Heyward House. Pics 2 come.
THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, with a score by George Gershwin, a book by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and lyrics byIra Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, has been adapted by Pulitzer prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and two-time Obie winner Diedre L. Murray. A.R.T.'s Artistic Director, Diane Paulus, directs. The Broadway production will star Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life, reprising their A.R.T. roles.
The production will begin previews on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 and open on Thursday, January 12th, 2012- running through June 24, 2012. Tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000
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STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek of Michael Ball's HEROES LIVE
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 9, 2011
Michael Ball's recent UK concert tour has been captured on film by Universal and will be released on dvd on November 14th. The 28-track ‘HEROES LIVE' proves once again that Michael Ball, dynamic performer, platinum-selling recording artist and No. 1 Olivier Award-winning UK musical theatre star, is at the top of his game. ‘HEROES LIVE' was recorded at Birmingham Symphony Hall on June 11th when Michael performed his outstanding new show, Heroes, named after his Top 10 album in which he paid tribute to some of his favourite singers such as Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Scott Walker, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. ‘HEROES LIVE' is a must-have for the loyal legions of Ball fans up and down the country who love to watch their hero in action and for the growing thousands of fans who tune in to ‘Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch' on BBC Radio 2. Check out a sneak peek of the DVD below!
BWW Reviews: OH, KAY! is OK with Audiences Now Through Nov 20
by Harmony Wheeler
- Nov 8, 2011
Many things in 42nd Street Moon's production of George and Ira Gershwin's 'Oh, Kay!' are OK. The singing is OK. The lighting and backdrop are OK. The sets are OK - a good use of small space.
But a few things in this production are amazing. Those few things make it worth going to the production, and they guarantee a fun time that will have audiences saying, as a song from the musical says, 'Oh, Kay, you're OK with me!'
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