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!
Mary Testa, a two-time Tony Award nominee and celebrated veteran of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film, is coming to Houston this summer for two performances only. In addition to her theatrical and film work, she has done numerous solo cabaret performances, but she has a real treat in store for Houston audiences. For the first time ever, she is doing a cabaret performance comprised of musical numbers she performed in various shows. Both of these evenings are sure to fun-filled treats that audiences simply won't want to miss. In anticipation of these thrilling performances, Mary Testa and I talked about her lauded career in theatre and her upcoming cabaret at Houston's Music Box Theater entitled ON BROADWAY… AND A LITTLE BIT OFF!
Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.
For 12 years, Merkin Concert Hall's Broadway Close Up series has been taking audiences behind the scenes of classic musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances. The annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway gives theater lovers sneak peeks at some of the best new shows in production. This season's line-up includes:
City Theatre welcomes Matt M. Morrow as its new Associate Artistic Director. Mr. Morrow joins City Theatre's artistic staff for the 2011-12 Season. In addition to working closely with Artistic Director Tracy Brigden and the artistic staff, Matt will direct the 12th Annual Young Playwrights Festival in September and October and the season play Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock in April.
New York City Center honored Walter Bobbie, Kathleen Marshall and Jack Viertel in a benefit celebration hosted by Christopher Fitzgerald on Monday, April 4 at The Plaza Hotel. Highlights from City Center's acclaimed Encores! series were recreated by a star-studded cast that included Jason Danieley, Christopher Fitzgerald, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth and Emily Skinner, accompanied by members of the Encores! Orchestra under the musical direction of Rob Berman. The evening benefited New York City Center's artistic and education programs.
Alfred Music Publishing, the official print music publisher of thousands of popular songwriters, artists, and Broadway musicals, releases the first-ever Michael John LaChiusa Songbook, arranged for piano and voice.
In December 2010, Four Seasons Theatre (FST), in partnership with Madison Theatre Guild, will present a 10th anniversary production of The Spitfire Grill, a musical with Wisconsin roots. Written by American Folklore Theatre's Fred Alley and James Valcq, THE SPITFIRE GRILL is the story of Percy, a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. As the story unfolds, each resident of Gilead learns the true meaning of friends, family, and home.
In December 2010, Four Seasons Theatre (FST), in partnership with Madison Theatre Guild, will present a 10th anniversary production of The Spitfire Grill, a musical with Wisconsin roots. Written by American Folklore Theatre's Fred Alley and James Valcq, THE SPITFIRE GRILL is the story of Percy, a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. As the story unfolds, each resident of Gilead learns the true meaning of friends, family, and home.
In a career that has consisted of everything from voicing Howard the Duck to originating the roles of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS and Marvin (and Dr. Mendel) in the FALSETTOS trilogy by William Finn, as well as some DePalma and numerous stage roles in between, Chip Zien is a character actor extraordinaire who now is trying out a new role - that of book writer - in the New York Musical Theater Festival's new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR. Last week we spoke to one of the stars of the show, Max Von Essen, and today we shine some light on the process of bringing the show to the stage as well as a look back at many of the notable film and theatre appearances that Zien has made over his nearly four decades in show business. Working with Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Dustin Hoffman and Nicolas Cage is just the tip of the iceberg, as Zien also opens up about his unusual career and the many friendships he has built along the way. All that, and what it was like to be at the birth of a brand new Sondheim song written just for him in the form of 'No More' from INTO THE WOODS. Marvin to Mendel, Baker to book writer, Chip Zien is an authority of all the glitters and the gold of having a true collaborative breakthrough as he has had on FALSETTOS, INTO THE WOODS and, now, THE HISTORY OF WAR. Tickets are on sale at the link below! Only three performances left, tonight and tomorrow only!
Awards were handed out for 14 categories and 2 special awards are announced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year?s ceremony benefits The Actors Fund. A list of nominees follows below.
Nominations in 14 categories and 2 special awards are nnounced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund.
Join Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens at 5pm on January 23rd, at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center (northeast corner of B'way and 66th Street) to celebrate the release of 'The Glorious Ones' Original Cast Recording on Jay Records.
Marin Mazzie and Brian Stokes Mitchell, who starred in Ragtime, have just joined the program as special guest stars and will be performing at a special event at NYPL.
The Lincoln Center Theater production of The Glorious Ones, a new musical with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and choreography and direction by Graciela Daniele opened Monday, November 5 at 6:45 PM at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The Opening Night Party was held at O'Neals.
ONE OF THE GREATEST musical theatre teams fo the modern theatre, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, have amassed a hug canon of songs and shows knownt he world over. They drop by to talk to us about their new show, The Glorious Ones, now playing at Lincoln Center at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The team informs us of where they get their ideas, how they write, and the hardest hitting question: who comes first... Ahrens or Flaherty?
Lincoln Center Theater's Platform Series, a forum for public discussion between Lincoln Center Theater artists and interested theatergoers, continues its 2005-2006 season on Wednesday, March 29, at 6:30 pm with a pre-performance talk with Michael John LaChiusa, who wrote the words and music for LCT's new musical, BERNARDA ALBA.
