George Gershwin News

By George Productions presents the Los Angeles premiere of Cole Porter's 1936 hit musical comedy, 'Red, Hot and Blue!' With a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, this was the team's follow-up to 'Anything Goes.' This Depression era screwball comedy deals with a National Lottery offering a first prize to anyone who finds a long-lost love with a rare identification mark.

Neil Berg's widely acclaimed 100 Years of Broadway, a musical revue of Broadway's most celebrated shows, features a dazzling cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band. It is coming to Wadsworth Theatre on Thursday, April 23 at 8 pm. 100 Years of Broadway is produced by Adam Friedson and presented in Los Angeles by RICHMARK Entertainment and Left Field Productions.

Their music became the soundtrack for the Twentieth Century and saw America through some of her darkest days of the Great Depression and the tumultuous years of World War II. George and Ira Gershwin, the song-writing brothers penned such standards as ?They Can?t Take That Away from Me,? ?Embraceable You,? and ?I Got Rhythm.? Unfortunately, the books behind the musicals for which they were writing could not hold a candle to the music. That is, until Ken Ludwig stepped in more than 50 years after George Gershwin died to rework the story behind the Gershwin?s Girl Crazy (1930). The result was the 1992 Tony Award winning?including Best Musical?Broadway smash hit musical Crazy for You, which will be on the Theatre at the Center stage, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, May 7 through June 14. Press opening will be May 14 at 8 p.m.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will embark on a two-week journey of South American music with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and the ¡Música Ardiente? Festival, May 27-June 6.The festival, presented by CNN en Español, will feature three programs.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present a special piano concert event featuring the internationally known, exciting, young pianist Xiayin Wang (pictured) on Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. at the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison (on the campus of Drew University). Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Shakespeare Theatre's extensive education programs.

Tony winner and theatre legend Barbara Cook will play a new engagement at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency from April 14 - May 2, 2009.

MAUDE MAGGART, the critically-acclaimed chanteuse - hailed as 'bewitching' by The New York Times, 'utterly enchanting' by the New York Post and 'stunning' by the Los Angeles Times - will return to THE OAK ROOM of THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL for a six week engagement from April 14 - May 23.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present a special piano concert event featuring the internationally known, exciting, young pianist Xiayin Wang on Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. at the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison (on the campus of Drew University).

Beethoven, As I Knew Him will be performed in Tucson from April 8 -27, 2009 and in Phoenix from May 7 - 24, 2009.

The Sheldon is proud to announce the 2009 - 2010 season of outstanding concerts in the intimate and acoustically perfect Sheldon Concert Hall. As usual, the season includes five series - Jazz at The Sheldon, Fantastic Folk, Sheldon Classics, Saturday Matinees, and Coffee Concerts, as well as Special Concerts and educational programming - all available starting May 13 at 10 a.m.

42nd Street Moon takes pride in presenting 'Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward,' a tribute to writer, actor, director, composer and bon vivant Noel Coward, for four performances only at 7 pm on April 5, 7, 8 and 12 at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. Jessup will be accompanied by acclaimed Bay Area pianist, Ken Muir.

Following the fantastic audience response to last season's 100 Years of Broadway, creator Neil Berg returns to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with an all-new show celebrating 101 Years of Broadway.

'Family cabaret' is no longer an oxymoron! The Nat and Kat Duo has developed and proudly presents an exciting new cabaret series for the whole family. In this first episode of 'Nat & Kat's Adventures with the Time-Traveling Piano', Nat & Kat accidentally transport themselves and their audience to 1939 in the throes of the Great Depression.

MAUDE MAGGART, the critically-acclaimed chanteuse - hailed as 'bewitching' by The New York Times, 'utterly enchanting' by the New York Post and 'stunning' by the Los Angeles Times - will return to THE OAK ROOM of THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL for a six week engagement from April 14 - May 23.

Girl Crazy, with music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and Jack McGowan, will open New York City Center's 2009-2010 Encores! season on November 19, 2009. The season will continue with Fanny, with music and lyrics by Harold Rome and book by S. N. Behrman and Joshua Logan, on February 4, 2010. Fanny will be the 50th Encores! production presented by City Center since 1994. The season will conclude with Anyone Can Whistle, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents' legendary 1964 musical, on April 8, 2010.

The Rose Theater's main stage will spring to life with magic and mystery as the Omaha Theater Ballet presents The Firebird, April 2-11. Audiences will be spellbound by the artistry and talent demonstrated by Nebraska's only professional ballet company during this unforgettable dance event.

Their music became the soundtrack for the Twentieth Century and saw America through some of her darkest days of the Great Depression and the tumultuous years of World War II. George and Ira Gershwin, the song-writing brothers penned such standards as 'They Can't Take That Away from Me,' 'Embraceable You,' and 'I Got Rhythm.' Unfortunately, the books behind the musicals for which they were writing could not hold a candle to the music.

The New York Times is reporting the sad news that Anne Brown, the soaring soprano who literally put the Bess in 'Porgy and Bess' by inspiring George Gershwin to expand the part in his opera that was originally to be called 'Porgy,' died Friday in Oslo. Brown was 96.

Following the fantastic audience response to last season's 100 Years of Broadway, creator Neil Berg returns to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with an all-new show celebrating 101 Years of Broadway.

Although it has been 35 years since 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was recorded, Art Garfunkel's image and signature vocal remain among the most instantly recognizable in popular music. His 'beautiful countertenor,' as Neil Strauss described Art's voice in The New York Times, is clear and resonant, surely one of the finest instruments in all of popular music, and a time-honored friend to a world of listeners. Art collaborated with childhood friend Paul Simon, and they started performing as Simon & Garfunkel at the height of the folk music boom in late-1963. Within a year they were signed to Columbia Records, who paired them with producer/engineer Roy Halee. Simon & Garfunkel maintained a tireless pace in the recording studio and on the road, reaching a wide and loyal international audience.