Hal Prince News

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center has acquired the papers of renowned performers and acting teachers Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof. The collection consists of thousands of pages of unpublished correspondence, diaries, scripts and manuscripts, photographs, clippings and other documentation relating to the dynamic theatrical careers of both Hagen and Berghof. This collection of professional and personal papers, spanning nearly 100 years of theater history, is being made public for the first time. To celebrate the bequest, the Library is planning a series of eight free public programs featuring many close friends and colleagues of Ms. Hagen and Mr. Berghof's including such figures as Harold Prince, Edward Albee, David Hyde Pierce and Eli Wallach. Programs take place in the Bruno Walter Auditorium in The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center located at 111 Amsterdam Avenue (between 64th and 65th streets). Admission to all programs is free and first come, first served. For information, please call (212) 642-0142 or visit www.nypl.org/lpaprograms. Programs are curated by Alan Pally, Manager of Public Programs at the Library for the Performing Arts.

London Calling with Champaign Charlie September 12th 2008.

On September 23rd, 2008 Elaine Paige, the iconic star of Evita, Cats and Sunset Boulevard celebrates 40 years on the stage in Memories, a revealing insight into a dazzling life. The platform will be followed by a book signing.

After a record-breaking run of 27 years, including 18 separate editions and more than 9,000 performances, Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway will play its final performance on January 15th, 2009, the 27th anniversary of the show's debut at Palsson's Supper Club in 1982.

The Carlyle Hotel (James McBride, Managing Director) welcomes the return of John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey, the gifted husband-and-wife team, as they open the fall entertainment season in the legendary Café Carlyle. Beginning Tuesday, September 9th and playing through Saturday, November 1st, Mr. & Mrs. Pizzarelli, who made their debut engagement in May 2007, will once again grace the stage to present an entertaining evening of romantic ballads and swinging jazz tunes, including songs from each of their latest recordings: 'With A Song in My Heart' (Telarc, 2008), Mr. Pizzarelli's tribute to composer Richard Rodgers, and 'A Kiss to Build a Dream On' (Arbors Records, 2008), a sophisticated collection of 15 of Ms. Molaskey's favorite tunes. Mr. Pizzarelli (guitar and vocals) will lead a quartet consisting of younger brother Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Larry Fuller (piano) and Tony Tedesco (drums).

The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) dedicated its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4. The ceremony began at the theatre (261 West 47th Street at 8th Avenue) . MTC previously announced that it was renaming its Broadway home, until now known as the Biltmore Theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in recognition of the pioneering Broadway publicist.

Gerard Alessandrini's new edition, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY GOES TO REHAB will open on Wednesday, September 17th at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street). The show is now in previews. This edition is dedicated to the memory of the legendary Alvin Colt, who designed the show's costumes for 15 years.

The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will dedicate its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4.

Variety is reporting that Tony-nominated choreographer Rob Ashford will be joining the creative team of the upcoming production of Shrek on Broadway.

The finale of Rubicon Theatre Company's celebratory 10th Anniversary 'Festival' Season is the delightful Bock & Harnick musical comedy SHE LOVES ME.

Michael Riedel of the New York Post is reporting that Hal Prince, after suffering a stroke back in January, is back to work and already working on his next Broadway Production. In an exclusive interview Prince states that he will be producing and directing his 61st Broadway show, Paradise Found and will be aiming for opening sometime in the spring.

Seth Rudetsky announced that he will be hosting Young Frankenstein star Beth Leavel on his popular show Chatterbox on Thursday, August 28th. The event will take place at 6PM at Don't Tell Mama. There is a $10 cover charge which will go to benefit BC/EFA. Call 212-757-0788 for reservations.

This September, Charles Strouse's year-long 80th birthday celebration continues in the United Kingdom. Following tributes at venues ranging from New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Paley Center for Media, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, Chicago's Theatre Building and Washington DC's The Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center, Strouse will cross the Atlantic where he will celebrate his 80th birthday, his 50 years of composing for the theatre, film and television and the release of his new book, Put On a Happy Face - A Broadway Memoir.

Sony BMG Masterworks is proud to announce the release of Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far, a comprehensive four CD box set with a playing time of over four and a half hours devoted to the entire career of the legendary Broadway songwriter.

The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will dedicate its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4.

They met during The Phantom of the Opera and these two have been making beautiful music together ever since.

The Marvelous Wonderettes lands at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with performances beginning Friday, August 29. Written and directed by Roger Bean, The Marvelous Wonderettes will have its Official Opening Night on Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 PM.

Beth Leavel, Michele Ragusa and Kelly Sullivan become the new leading ladies of Mel Brooks' award-winning Young Frankenstein this summer at the Hilton Theatre (213 W 42nd St), joining original cast members Roger Bart, Shuler Hensley, Fred Applegate and Christopher Fitzgerald. Kelly Sullivan will assume the role of Inga on Tuesday, July 8th; Tony winner Beth Leavel (Drowsy Chaperone) will become Frau Blucher on Tuesday, July 22nd and Michele Ragusa (Adrift in Macao) takes over the role of Elizabeth on Tuesday, August 5th.

Gateway Playhouse , Long Island's premiere professional Equity musical theatre, presents the award winning American musical classic, 'Show Boat' July 30-August 23.

Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and 'American Idol' finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray) will star in the new Broadway production of GODSPELL. The first Broadway revival of the landmark rock musical will officially open on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Previews will begin on Monday, September 29, 2008.