Harvey Schmidt News

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm, including selections from The Way We Were and A Chorus Line, along with tributes to Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Scott Joplin. He will be joined on stage by tenor J. Mark McVey.

The Thin Air Theatre Company has announced its new season at the Butte Theater 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek. The news season starts June 5.

In preparation for the opening of the theater's renovated complex in Southwest D.C., Arena Stage has undertaken ARENA RESTAGED-a two-year festival of American voices. Part One of ARENA RESTAGED was an ambitious staging of 10 productions ranging from classics such as Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance to the Broadway-bound rock musical Next to Normal. Part Two will continue the remarkable exploration of American work and provide the theater with necessary time to move into the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in time for the Fall 2010 opening.

Award-winning singer KEVIN DOZIER, who was named ?Male Performer of the Year' at the 2003 San Francisco Cabaret Competition, will debut his new CD 'LOVE-WISE' at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, on Wednesday, February 18th at 6 PM as part of the ?Any Wednesday' Series of free concerts. Kevin made his highly anticipated NYC cabaret debut last June with Musical director/arranger CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE at the piano and played an equally successful return engagement in October. During his 10 years in San Francisco, he headlined at San Francisco's Plush Room, performed at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, Lush Lounge, and in various benefit concerts including 2 editions of Steve Murray's Viva Variety. He has appeared with such entertainers as Bobby McFerrin, Carmen McRae and Barry Manilow.

Thin Air Theatre Company producers are gearing up for a new year at the Butte Theater 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek. The news season starts June 5. The Fantasticks - June 5-Sept. 26 The Fantasticks, a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, the world's longest-running musical, for 42 years. Tickets: $15.75 Adult; $13.75 Senior; $9.75 Children; $12.75 for groups of 20+ See butteroperahouse.com for schedule and to buy tickets.

Several short plays by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer William Inge, never before publicly performed, will premiere April 22 at the annual William Inge Theatre Festival in his Kansas hometown. The 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival celebrates the legacy of great American playwrights and honors Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt April 22-25. They will receive the coveted Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award, joining the list of previous Inge Festival honorees such as Arthur Miller, August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Neil Simon, and Stephen Sondheim.

Karen Carpenter, former associate artistic director at the Old Globe Theater of San Diego, director at the Yale Cabaret, and former production manager of more than a dozen Broadway musicals, will be guest director of the world premiere of One-Act Inge plays at the William Inge Theatre Festival this April in Independence, Kansas. Ms. Carpenter is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) and Actors' Equity Association. Karen Carpenter was one of seven nominees nationwide for the coveted Mike Ockrent Fellowship this year.

The Fantasticks, 'the most child-friendly show currently playing in the theater district' (Terry Teachout, Arts Journal), invites kids to see the show for free at select weekend performances throughout February. Children age 16 and under will receive a free ticket and a free Fantasticks CD sampler with each paying adult for performances on Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM and 7:15 PM. The Fantasticks plays at The Snapple Theater Center, 210 West 50th Street at Broadway. To take advantage of the offer, call the box office at (212) 921-7862 or Ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100 and use the code KIDS09. Tickets must be purchased by Monday, February 23.

Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, who have fashioned American musical history, are the Honorees of the 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, Kansas. Jones and Schmidt-perhaps best known for 'The Fantasticks,' the longest running musical in history-will receive the Inge Festival's Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award during the festival, which runs April 22-25, 2009.

Award-winning singer KEVIN DOZIER, who was named ?Male Performer of the Year' at the 2003 San Francisco Cabaret Competition, will debut his new CD 'LOVE-WISE' at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, on Wednesday, February 18th at 6 PM as part of the ?Any Wednesday' Series of free concerts. Kevin made his highly anticipated NYC cabaret debut last June with Musical director/arranger CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE at the piano and played an equally successful return engagement in October. During his 10 years in San Francisco, he headlined at San Francisco's Plush Room, performed at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, Lush Lounge, and in various benefit concerts including 2 editions of Steve Murray's Viva Variety. He has appeared with such entertainers as Bobby McFerrin, Carmen McRae and Barry Manilow.

4th Wall Theatre, a non union professional theatre in Bloomfield, NJ is presenting Schmidt & Jones musical, I Do! I Do! as a Valentine for lovers of all ages. Starring in the 4th Wall production is the incredible team of Julie Waldman-Stiel and Will Lampe. Waldman-Stiel has toured the country with Topol in Fiddler on the Roof, the national tour of Cats, and was seen opposite Tony Award winner Michael Crawford in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber. Lampe has done NY and regional theatre and toured in the 1st National Company of Urban Cowboy: The Musical. The musical is a photo album of memories that follow the lives of two people through fifty years of a marriage: from the wedding night, to having children and all the trials, tribulations, laughter and tears that a couple endures. The musical originally paired Mary Martin and Robert Preston in 1966 on Broadway and was revived in 1996 with Karen Ziemba and David Garrison. The show will be directed by 4th Wall Artistic Director, Gregory G. Allen, music directed by Deborah Martin and choreographed by Randy Accardi. The musical will run two weekends from January 30 - February 8 at the Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield. NJ. More info at www.4thwalltheatre.org. Tickets are $22 and can be reserved at: 973-748-9008 ext 279 or purchased at the door.

Reprise Theatre Company announced today that 'The Fantasticks' will replace the previously announced production of 'Chess,' May 5-17 at the Freud Playhouse. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, 'The Fantasticks' is the world's longest-running musical and will be performed in Los Angeles as its current New York revival continues running off-Broadway. Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise, said, 'I am saddened to report the reason why. Our world premiere production of 'Chess' was commissioned and brokered by Gerald Schoenfeld, President of the Shubert Organization. Just before the end of last year, Gerry passed away unexpectedly. Without his support our production of 'Chess' simply is not possible at this time. I am disappointed, both for the loss of this wonderful opportunity and for the loss of an old and good friend.'

Celebration: The forgotten musical by the creators of The Fantasticks. Words by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt New Helvetia Theatre invites you to Celebration. This semi-staged reading of Celebration will feature Kiera O'Neil* (Junie B. Jones, The Lucille Lortel), Bradford Anderson* (General Hospital), and Rick Kleber* (B Street Theatre) with Rosemary Babich, Lauren Parker, Julie Soto, Josh Brown, Lafras le Roux, Ryan Warren, Erin Island,* Connor Mickiewicz,* and Graham Sobelman. (* Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.) New Helvetia Theatre, founded by artistic director Connor Mickiewicz, seeks to bring theatre relevant to Sacramento - hence the reason the theatre is named after John Sutter's first settlement, Nueva Helvetia. The hope for New Helvetia Theatre is to build and educate a new generation of theatre-goers by rediscovering forgotten gems of the American Musical while re-examining classic musicals and plays.

When a writer has done the number of celebrity interviews that I have, he realizes that there are a handful of celebrities he would never want to meet again. Most, however, are genuinely nice people and enjoyable to work with. There are others who become friends-true and genuine friends. Such is the relationship that has developed between me and Nick Spangler who is currently starring as Matt in the lovely revival of The Fantasticks which is enjoying a healthy run Off Broadway.

Nick Spangler, currently appearing as Matt in the Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, will compete in the season finale of The Amazing Race airing tonight Sunday, December 7, 2008. After nine weeks of competition that has brought him to such diverse destinations as Cambodia, Bolivia, India and Kazakhstan, Spangler will be awarded the series' million dollar prize if he is first to cross the finish line in Portland, Oregon during tonights's episode, which airs at 8PM ET on CBS.

Nick Spangler, currently appearing as Matt in the Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, will compete in the season finale of The Amazing Race airing this Sunday, December 7, 2008. After nine weeks of competition that has brought him to such diverse destinations as Cambodia, Bolivia, India and Kazakhstan, Spangler will be awarded the series' million dollar prize if he is first to cross the finish line in Portland, Oregon during Sunday's episode, which airs at 8PM ET on CBS.

On Sunday, December 7, 2008 The Fantasticks will present Grandparents Day, a daylong celebration of the show?s enduring legacy during which children will be admitted free with each paying grandparent. In addition, all children and grandparents will be invited to a private meet-and-greet after the show with members of the cast of the longest running musical in the world. The offer is valid for both the 3PM and 7:15PM performances.

Nick Spangler, currently appearing as Matt in the Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, set a new record on The Amazing Race last night when he and his sister, Starr, ate a dish of Kazakhstanian sheep's buttocks and won their fourth challenge in a row - a first in the 13-season history of the Emmy Award-winning reality competition.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre kicks off 30th season with the world's longest-running musical and it'll leave you humming

Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt are the Honorees of the 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, Kansas. Jones and Schmidt-perhaps best known for 'The Fantasticks,' the longest running musical in history-will receive the Inge Festival's Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award during the festival, which runs April 22-25, 2009.