Ira Gasman News

Full casting of the hit Broadway musical, The Life, includes John Addison (Jojo), David Albury (Fleetwood), Jalisa Andrews (Chichi), Matthew Caputo (Oddjob), Lawrence Carmichael (Snickers), Omari Douglas (Slick), Aisha Jawando (Carmen), Thomas-Lee Kidd (Bobby), Charlotte Reavey (April), Jo Servi (Lacy), Lucinda Shaw (Tracy), Johnathan Tweedie (Theodore), T'Shan Williams (Queen) and Joanna Woodward (Mary). They join the previously announced musical theatre stars Sharon D. Clarke (Sonja), who was recently appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Queen's New Year Honours for services to drama, and Cornell S. John (Memphis).

Goodspeed Musicals wants to help singers and actors to succeed in dance auditions.  In keeping with our mission to educate and support artists, Goodspeed will offer its first Goodspeed Movers Boot Camp January 6 - 8, 2017 at Pearl Studios in NYC. 

Arriving in the UK for the first time, hit musical The Life makes its long awaited London debut, directed by the show's original Broadway director Michael Blakemore.

Actress, Sharon D. Clarke, has assumed a the key role in the upcoming UK premiere of Cy Coleman and Ira Gasman's, The Life, which will run at the Southwark Playhouse beginning March 25.

Eric Yves Garcia has stepped away from the piano. I repeat, stepped away from the piano. The performer strides into the center stage light, his dark eyes twinkling, his jaw defined by just the right amount of stubble. This guy could be a movie star. I was excited. For the Metropolitan Room audience, Garcia's November 5 opening night of his new show Pour Spirits was about to be a down and dirty tell-all of some of New York's bacchanalian carousers as related by the handsome, attentive piano man of Chez Josephine, Bemelmans Bar, and other NYC nightspots. Garcia remained center stage for the better part of the show, allowing his inner storyteller and actor to take the reins, punctuating his alcohol-soaked dispatches from the wrong side of midnight with songs far afield of the traditional American Songbook.

There was More Music by Alex Rybeck at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.

Three Tony-winners converged to honor Cy Coleman at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.

Cy Coleman and Ira Gasman's musical The Life explores the human flotsam and jetsam of Times Square in the 1980s--prostitutes, pimps, dealers, runaways, the seedy, lost and desperate. And, of course, this being a musical, some have hearts of gold. The Life began Off-Broadway in 1990 at the Westbeth Theater and moved to Broadway in 1997, garnering three Drama Desk Awards and Tony Awards for Lillias White and Chuck Cooper. On Sunday evening (5/17), 54 Below presented a concert version of The Life as part of its 54 Below Sings series. The cast sunk its teeth into this score with gusto offering 15 songs that reminded us of the show's pith and sass. Intermittent narrative sketched the storyline. Few of those onstage were acting, but everyone sang up a storm.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

This May and June, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

In 1997, the beloved Broadway musical The Life transported us back to a pre-Disney Times Square-a much grittier time in NYC where hookers, hustlers, and even young dreamers battled it out in a game of survivor. For one night only, The Life returns to the 'Great White Way', May 17 (5:15PM & 8:45PM) at 54 Below.

Just when one thinks Carole J. Bufford has thoroughly plumbed the genre for which she has so much affinity, the artist comes up with an audacious new show whose distinct focus, original format, and unblushing presentation delivers a fresh take. Heart of Gold: A Portrait of the Oldest Profession (this past Saturday night at 54 Below) offers a cavalcade of women who get paid to provide 'pleasure'--madams, streetwalkers, dancehall girls, and kept women from salty to sensuous, weary and bitter to a view from the catbird seat, enmeshed or looking back.

In the coming weeks, 54 Below revisits some of our favorite Broadway productions with concert events celebrating beloved scores as well as reunions bringing together original company members.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Broadway on 22nd Street, Ryan Scott Oliver and Lindsay Mendez's ACTOR THERAPY, The Songs of Adam Wachter: Just Come to This, A Night Like This Live in Concert, and The Music of Alex Rybeck.

This November and December 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Performances are today, October 4 at 8 PM and Sunday, October 5 at 2 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and industry, and are available at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by calling 267-987-9865.

Performances are Saturday, October 4 at 8 PM and Sunday, October 5 at 2 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and industry, and are available at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by calling 267-987-9865.

11th Hour Theatre Company announces its 2014-2015 season including a world premiere musical as its main stage production, and four musicals in its Next Step Concert Series.