Herbert Kretzmer News

Claude-Michel Schonberg gave a wide ranging interview to France's Europe 1, during the chat he confirmed that he is in talks with motion picture producer Paula Wagner (Mission Impossible series Without Limits and War of the Worlds) to finally bring the much discussed and long delayed film version of their iconic stage musical Les Mis?rables to the big screen.

IceTheSite.com, the Andersson and Ulvaeus news site is reporting that the English version of Kristina fr?n Duvem?la, Kristina, will, according to an interview with Benny Andersson on the internet station Sirius Radio, be presented in concert form on September 23rd and 24th 2009 at Carnegie Hall.

NATALIE TORO most recently received accolades for her portrayal of Madame Therese Defarge on Broadway in 'A TALE OF TWO CITIES' a role for which she won Sarasota Magazine's Best Supporting Actress Award when the show played its pre-Broadway run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. BROADWAY: Les Mis?rables, A Christmas Carol. OFF-B'WAY: Zombie Prom. NATIONAL TOURS: Evita (Jeff Award nomination), Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar. REGIONAL: The Fix, Everything's Ducky, Francis of Guernica, Blood Brothers, Zorba. TELEVISION: 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Santa Baby.' FEATURED SOLOIST: Carnegie Hall, National Concert Hall in Dublin, Kentucky and Buffalo Symphonies. Natalie's new CD, entitled Natalie Toro, will be released nationally on Monday, November 24th. She is being honored tonight by the Bronx Borough president, Adolfo Carrion, Jr. as part of PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

NATALIE TORO most recently received accolades for her portrayal of Madame Therese Defarge on Broadway in 'A TALE OF TWO CITIES' a role for which she won Sarasota Magazine's Best Supporting Actress Award when the show played its pre-Broadway run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. BROADWAY: Les Mis?rables, A Christmas Carol. OFF-B'WAY: Zombie Prom. NATIONAL TOURS: Evita (Jeff Award nomination), Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar. REGIONAL: The Fix, Everything's Ducky, Francis of Guernica, Blood Brothers, Zorba. TELEVISION: 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Santa Baby.' FEATURED SOLOIST: Carnegie Hall, National Concert Hall in Dublin, Kentucky and Buffalo Symphonies. Natalie's new CD, entitled Natalie Toro, will be released nationally on Monday, November 24th. She is being honored tonight by the Bronx Borough president, Adolfo Carrion, Jr. as part of PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

Signature Theatre today announced that Andrew Call will sing the role of the student revolutionary Marius in its upcoming production of Les Misérables. He will replace Doug Kreeger, who will be performing in the new off-Broadway production of Rooms. Call recently performed in Signature's world premiere production of Glory Days, playing the role of the would-be jock Andy. Call has also performed in Cry-Baby and High Fidelity on Broadway, in Altar Boyz off-Broadway, and in national tours of Saturday Night Fever and Altar Boyz.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.

For the first time, Pittsburgh CLO will present Broadway phenomenon Les Misérables as part of a spectacular 2009 Summer Season lineup that also includes the previously announced Pittsburgh premiere of Legally Blonde The Musical.

The final production in Jonathan Kent's Theatre Royal Haymarket Season, the world premiere of MARGUERITE, will close tonight, September 13th on the West End. MARGUERITE is a new musical with music by Michel Legrand, book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Jonathan Kent, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer - original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and orchestrations and arrangements by Michel Legrand and Seann Alderking.

'We are thrilled to announce the return of Boublil and Schönberg's LES MISERABLES in an exciting new Theater of the Stars production from September 19 through 28 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre,' states Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. 'Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 404-817-8700 and www.ticketmaster.com.

There will be major cast changes in the world's longest running musical, the legendary LES MISERABLES, at the Queen's Theatre on Monday 23 June.

Marguerite, the new musical currently playing at London's Theatre Royal, Haymarket, has most of the ingredients required to make a great show - stunning music, a wonderfully inventive set, a very strong story that should stir the emotions of an audience, a stellar cast led by performers of genuine star quality and a creative team whose previous track record proves they know how to create a hit. But somehow the result is slightly unsatisfying.

'Marguerite' opens at the Royal Haymarket.

BBC TV hopefuls from 'I'd do Anything' and 'Maria' to join West End 'Les Miserables.'

'Marguerite' at the Royal Haymarket Season.

The final production in Jonathan Kent's Theatre Royal Haymarket Season will be the world premiere of 'Marguerite' a new musical starring Ruthie Henshall, Julian Ovenden, and Alexander Hanson. 'Marguerite' will begin performances on May 7th.

There will be two invitation only industry readings of the original new musical Empire, written by Caroline Sherman and Robert Hull. Directed by Clayton Phillips, New Hampshire Theater's Best Direction Award winner, the cast will include Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens), Karen Ziemba (Curtains, Contact), Michael McCormick (Curtains, The Pajama Game), Mark Lotito (Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof), Megan Sikora (Curtains, Wonderful Town), and Kevyn Morrow (Smokey Joes Café, Dreamgirls). A 2003 Ovation Award winner in Los Angeles and 2004 featured production at Connecticut's Stamford Center for the Arts, Empire is a celebration of the American spirit embodied by those who bravely banded together to build what was then the tallest structure in the world, the Empire State Building. Michael, an architect, hired to build the Empire State building in record time, takes on politicians, deadlines, and a nosy but beautiful reporter, Hildy, dead set on derailing the project. A classic struggle of idealism versus advancement, Empire is filled with romance, dreams, and the struggles that surrounded us when we face a monumental challenge. Written in the spirit of the classic musicals of the 40's and the 50's with big dance numbers and pop-driven melodies, the musical premiered at LA's Hudson Backstage Theatre in 2003. At the Hudson, Empire played to sold out audiences, excellent reviews and garnered 3 LA Theatre Ovation Award-nominations, including Best Musical, and won the award for Best Choreography. Daily Variety called the show 'A fast, flavorful, exciting tale … joyously fresh …', and Backstage West said Empire was a 'Tribute and testimony to the dreamers, doers, and unsung heroes … big and brave, like the building it celebrates …'. The production was then chosen to open the 2004 season for the SCA's Rich Forum and was called 'An outstanding new musical' by the Scarsdale Inquirer. Clayton Phillips, who recently won the New Hampshire Theater Award for Best Direction and Best Musical for Slow Dance with a Hot Pickup by John Pielmeier and Matty Selmen, has been at the helm of the production since its York Theater reading in 2001. The industry readings will be produced by Ricky Stevens and John O'Boyle whose credits include, Is He Dead by Mark Twain, A Catered Affair, by Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino, Glory Days by Nick Blaemire and James Gardiner, and Marguerite Music by Michel Legrand, Book by Alain Boublil/Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.

Prior to the opening performances of Marguerite and for one night only - Sunday April 13 at 7PM - jazz legend and triple Oscar-winning composer Michel Legrand will give a rare London concert performing his own work accompanied by two of the world's top jazz musicians.

Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars, has announced the 2008-09 season, celebrating their 20th year as the resident theater company at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, including Mamma Mia!, Tarzan, The Color Purple, High School Musical 2 and Oklahoma

Marriott Theatre celebrated its opening night of their regional premiere production of Les Miserables. The reception benefited Season of Concern, the Chicagoland theatre community's fund raising effort in the fight against AIDS. Having established a national reputation for launching Broadway musicals into the regional market, The Marriott Theatre is one of only five theatres chosen to produce this epic musical post-Broadway

The final production in Jonathan Kent's Theatre Royal Haymarket Season will be the world premiere of Marguerite, a new musical with music by Michel Legrand, book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Jonathan Kent, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer from the original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and orchestrations and arrangements by Michel Legrand and Seann Alderking. Marguerite will run at the Haymarket from May 7, with press night on May 20. Ruthie Henshall to star.