Hal Prince 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. That 'Sound Of Music' show becomes a national conversation, 'Saving Mr. Banks,' The House 'Nutcracker,' two Scrooge twists, our January 'Phantom,' Dee Snider's show, the 'Meet John Doe' OSCR and our latest Broadway transfers!

Popular Broadway and West End performer Sierra Boggess's eagerly anticipated new solo album recently recorded live at NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, AWAKENING: LIVE AT 54 BELOW, is now available to order.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

CHESS, the hit London and Broadway musical, will be performed in a concert presentation on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Richland Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Richland High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The Opera Ghost is haunting again. Three years after the US touring company of 'The Phantom of the Opera' bowed for a final time in Los Angeles, a new anniversary production of 'Phantom' brings its curtain up in Providence, Rhode Island.

Bay Area Cabaret celebrates the New Year by welcoming back Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and Broadway actress/singer Jessica Molaskey. The charming husband and wife duo will perform their critically acclaimed Cafe Carlyle show This Must Be the Place, which The New York Times called, 'brilliant,' praising Ms. Molaskey as 'a singer whose radar yields infallible insight into a song's emotional crosscurrents.' Pizzarelli and Molaskey will perform 5pm, Sunday, January 19, at the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street. Tickets ($48) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Casting is complete for the world premiere of Greg Edwards & Andy Sandberg's new comedy, Craving for Travel, which will run Off-Broadway January 9 - February 9, 2014 at the Peter J. Sharp Theater (416 W. 42nd Street, NYC).

Broadway By the Bay presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY from December 26th through the 29th at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City (2215 Broadway Street).

Rising up to the task are Shana Rebilas Bousard, Brad Bond, Cynthia Elek, Tony Hodges, Matt MacDougall, Tina Khalil, Diana Thompson and Dorothy Gaynor. Musical direction is provided by Joe Bousard, and accompaniment includes Scott Hay on drums, Joe Bousard on piano and Diana Thompson on woodwinds, with choreography by Tina Khalil.

Just a few months ago, Michael Riedel reported that Bette Midler has been approached for a revival, for which she seemingly passed, telling interviewers that she didn't see herself wanting to carry an entire musical for 8 shows a week. Now, it might be Kristin Chenoweth's turn. Riedel wrote that 'Kristin Chenoweth has said she'd love to play Dolly Levi in 'Hello, Dolly!' in about 10 years. But her wish may come true a lot sooner. I hear she's in discussions to star in a multimillion-dollar Broadway revival within the next two years.' He goes on to note that lined up as director and choreographer is Warren Carlyle (Cotton Club Parade, A Christmas Story, Chaplin, Follies & More.)

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to bring you the exclusive first look at the cover and track-listing for Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess's eagerly anticipated new solo album recently recorded live at NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, titled AWAKENING: LIVE AT 54 BELOW.

Multi-award-winning stage and screen star Joel Grey recounts his legendary participation in the iconic Broadway and Hollywood adaptations of John Kander and Fred Ebb's classic musical CABARET in a new featurette.

Rising up to the task are Shana Rebilas Bousard, Brad Bond, Cynthia Elek, Tony Hodges, Matt MacDougall, Tina Khalil, Diana Thompson and Dorothy Gaynor. Musical direction is provided by Joe Bousard, and accompaniment includes Scott Hay on drums, Joe Bousard on piano and Diana Thompson on woodwinds, with choreography by Tina Khalil.

Hal Prince has more than just Prince of Broadway in the works, according to the New York Post's Michael Riedel. The producer is developing another new Broadway show based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ. The production will feature a score by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Eric Price and book by Tom Meehan.

Today we are talking to a top-tier Tony Award-winning talent known for an incredibly accomplished resume ranging from noted performances in original musicals to reinvented revival roles and beyond - the dignified and dynamic Victoria Clark. Discussing many of her most celebrated dramatic, comedic and musical turns to date, Clark recalls an astounding life in the theatre - ranging from her Broadway debut in the unforgettable original production of Sondheim's iconic SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to the hit revivals of GUYS & DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING to originating memorable parts in the Broadway productions of TITANIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SISTER ACT and CINDERELLA, to name just a few of the highlights so far. On the latter note, Clark outlines her experiences in her most recent Broadway musical foray, that of the beloved Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic CINDERELLA, as well as illuminates her acclaimed run in the Los Angeles transfer of the most recent revival of FOLLIES and her Sondheim work in general (SWEENEY TODD, too). Most importantly, Clark sheds some light on her compelling character in the new drama THE SNOW GEESE and relates candid stories of sharing the stage with co-stars and fellow vets Danny Burstein and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. Plus, Clark looks ahead to the upcoming TITANIC reunion concert and imparts her excitement for the project as well as comments on some of her most memorable film roles while also sharing first news of future plans - which include directing herself - and muses on some potential roles she would enjoy bringing to the stage in the future, near and far; HELLO, DOLLY! or MAME, maybe? All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best grande dames!

Scott D. Miller has announce that casting is now complete for a special concert presentation of CHESS, the hit Broadway and London musical, on December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Richland Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Richland High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Application Pending, a new comedy co-authored by Greg Edwards & Andy Sandberg, the writing team behind the upcoming Off-Broadway play Craving for Travel, will present invitation-only readings in New York on November 11th and 12th.

Today we are talking to a Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist celebrated for his many impressive musical theatre scores since his astonishing debut in the 1990s with SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD and PARADE, the one and only Jason Robert Brown. Discussing the finer points of the vastly different scores for his two new stage musicals premiering this year, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, Brown paints a vivid portrait of his composing process in creating both the serious romantic drama and bubbly musical comedy, respectively. Additionally, Brown outlines his experiences collaborating with theatre legends Harold Prince and Alfred Uhry on his first big Broadway musical, PARADE, and also reflects on the subsequent successful national tour which he himself conducted. Most importantly, Brown sheds some light on the sparkling new cast recording of his recent self-directed revival of his two-character cult mainstay THE LAST FIVE YEARS and how the last ten years have shaded his perspective on the piece, particularly as anticipation builds for the release of the highly anticipated feature film adaptation starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, directed by Richard LaGravenese and set for release next year, which Brown confirms he has completed his scoring duties on this month and offers an enticing endorsement of the indie movie musical. All of that, a discussion of his solo album and specialty material penned over the years, astute observations on his sporadic collaborations with wife, songwriter and fellow InDepth InterView participant Georgia Stitt as well as much, much more in this quick catch-up chat with one of Broadway's busiest musical craftsmen.

Happy Birthday, Beth Leavel! Beth received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nomination for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It's You. She recently performed the roles of Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias at the North Carolina Theatre and the much put upon maid, Berthe, in Boeing-Boeing at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Other Broadway roles Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War,Ellie in Hal Prince's Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street.