George Gershwin News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Fantasticks,' '13,' Three Missing Tours, 'Porgy And Bess,' 'Oh Coward!,' Sean Hayes, 'Million Dollar Quartet,' more.....

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the second extension of Oh Coward!, words and music by Noel Coward, devised by Roderick Cook. The production, which began its run in November 2009 is directed by Jim Corti, with musical direction by Doug Peck. The production has been extended through April 18, 2010, at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.

Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Repertory Theatre's producing artistic director, announced today his selections for the 2010-2011 season. A major highlight of Asolo Rep's 52nd season is the pre-Broadway try-out production of Bonnie & Clyde opening on November 19, 2010.

Karen Ziemba, a Tony Award-winner and star of Long Wharf Theatre's smash hit production of Sylvia, will be performing at the 2010 Gala: Take the Stage, held on Monday, June 7.

It's right off the spool-when Pacific Symphony dissasembles the traditional concert format to deliver an energetic and mesmerizing third 'Music Unwound' performance: 'Gershwin and All That Jazz.' Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, this special concert features French Canadian pianist Lefevre and one of America's leading bass singers, Kevin Deas, performing a slate of American music to reveal the profound influence of jazz on composers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Rather than following a traditional format, this concert is being presented in a provocative new way, featuring a 'collage' of music-short vignettes performed in a fluid stream-without the interruption of any breaks other than two intermissions. 'Gershwin and All That Jazz' takes place Thursday-Saturday, March 18-20, at 8 p.m., in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Court Theatre proudly announces the company's fifty-sixth annual season, which opens with William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors directed by Sean Graney. The season continues with Samm-Art Williams's Home directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson and Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Orlando directed by Jessica Thebus. Artistic Director Charles Newell, Music Director Doug Peck and Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson will close the season with Gershwin and Heyward's Porgy and Bess. The 2010-11 season's fifth play, to be directed by Charles Newell, is yet to be determined; the complete season will be performed at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Hyde Park.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 3/5/2010.

The LA Phil has confirmed Gershwin Across America, a new concert on the Hollywood Bowl 2010 Jazz series. The concert features a variety of musical artists from different musical genres paying tribute to the music of George Gershwin. The performers include Nancy Wilson and BeBe Winans, as well as other artists to be announced.

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of Porgy & Bess, Cotuit Center for the Arts will present Porgy & Bess: Music & Stories, four staged concerts featuring selected arias and ensemble pieces from the famous folk opera. This will be the premier performance of this show on Cape Cod with a two piano arrangement,Porgy and Bess: Fantasy for Two Pianos, arranged by Percy Grainger, performed by Jared McMurray and Robert Wyatt, which will punctuate the individual performances. Throughout the evening, Dr. Wyatt will also present information focusing on the historical and cultural significance of the opera. Repertoire will include: 'Summertime,' 'My Man's Gone Now,' 'I Got Plenty of Nuttin,' 'Bess, You Is My Woman,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' 'I Loves You, Porgy' and 'There's A Boat Leavin' Soon For New York.'

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of Porgy & Bess, Cotuit Center for the Arts will present Porgy & Bess: Music & Stories, four staged concerts featuring selected arias and ensemble pieces from the famous folk opera. This will be the premier performance of this show on Cape Cod with a two piano arrangement,Porgy and Bess: Fantasy for Two Pianos, arranged by Percy Grainger, performed by Jared McMurray and Robert Wyatt, which will punctuate the individual performances. Throughout the evening, Dr. Wyatt will also present information focusing on the historical and cultural significance of the opera. Repertoire will include: 'Summertime,' 'My Man's Gone Now,' 'I Got Plenty of Nuttin,' 'Bess, You Is My Woman,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' 'I Loves You, Porgy' and 'There's A Boat Leavin' Soon For New York.'

Arizona Theatre Company's post-show discussion at [title of show] following the performance on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 PM will feature the creators and original stars themselves, Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell; and original keyboardist and musical arranger Larry Pressgrove.

Producer David Shor, who is developing Sleepless in Seattle:The Musical for Broadway, announced today that Michelle Citrin, Michael Garin, and Josh Nelson will collaborate on the music and lyrics for the show. The musical is aiming for a Broadway bow on Valentine's Day, 2011.

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess at Bass Performance Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, March 3-4, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30-$65 and are on sale now. Tickets for students with valid IDs are $10.

The DC area stages' theatre choices in March are dizzying! There's a new play by Terrence McNally at the Kennedy Center, and an off-Broadway gem at Signature Theatre. Adam Guettel's gorgeous Tony Award-winning harmonies will fill Arena Stage in Crystal City. Fagin and his orphans and zaftig Edna Turnblad and her daughter Tracy - will be singing and dancing at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Baltimore and Columbia, MD, and a blood-thirsty musical will be establishing roots at Ford's Theatre. With over 30 shows opening this month, come visit the DC area's 205 theatre venues, and have a monumental time!

Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre celebrates the 10th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures' "Fantasia 2000" with a special limited engagement of the film from February 17 to 27. The music for "Fantasia 2000" was conducted by James Levine, and performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is pleased to announce BROADWAY REFLECTIONS on Friday February 26, 2010 at 8PM AND BROADWAY HERITAGE on Saturday February 27, 2010 at 8PM, Produced exclusively for the theater by New York Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis. Both shows will feature Big Broadway talent in the intimate 400 seat setting of the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport. Tickets are ON SALE NOW and are $50.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 2/26/2010.

Regent on Broadway Announces Upcoming Shows and Events.

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is pleased to announce BROADWAY REFLECTIONS on Friday February 26, 2010 at 8PM AND BROADWAY HERITAGE on Saturday February 27, 2010 at 8PM, Produced exclusively for the theater by New York Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis. Both shows will feature Big Broadway talent in the intimate 400 seat setting of the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport. Tickets are ON SALE NOW and are $50.