Irving Berlin News

As the year draws to a close it is time, once again, for that great Adelaide seasonal tradition, the Christmas Proms. When it comes to family shows, this one takes the cake.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Those who were fortunate, and prescient, enough to avail themselves of tickets to Stephanie Blythe's glorious San Diego Opera concert presentation, We'll meet again:?The Songs of Kate Smith, were treated to an evening as indulgent as musical chocolates and champagne bubble bath.

For that special mix of naughty and nice, About Face Theatre, in association with Theater Wit, presents BIG RED and THE BOYS, a non-traditional evening of songs, stories and spirits starring Meghan 'Big Red' Murphy, John Francisco*, Patrick Andrews* and Nick Davio. This sexy and spicy holiday concert plays five performances only this weekend, December 12 - 13, 15, 19 - 20, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.

Lyrics & Lyricists gets going on the opening show of its 45th season with "A Good Thing Going: The Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince Collaboration" on January 10, 11 and 12. Artistic director David Loud, himself a frequent Sondheim collaborator, explores the 1970-1981 partnership behind the groundbreaking musicals Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd and Merrily We Roll Along - with cast members Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Liz Callaway, James Clow, Jason Danieley, and Alan H. Green.

Director/Choreographer Marc Robin brings home a dance extravaganza of the Irving Berlin holiday musical

San Diego Musical Theatre announces the final production of their 2014 season, IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, tonight, December 11-21, 2014 (press opening on Friday, December 12) at the North Park Theatre.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced that its critically lauded presentation of The Pianist of Willesden Lane, starring acclaimed pianist Mona Golabek, will return in February for a limited engagement. After a record-breaking run last fall and a triumphant New York premiere, Golabek is back with the true story of her mother, Lisa Jura, a young Jewish musician whose dreams are interrupted by the Nazi regime.

The other day, I was deleting pictures from my phone to make room for the Kim Kardashian game the new iPhone update, and I came across a photo from a local event that some of us attended back when we first arrived in Connecticut. My first thought was, 'What a cute baby!' (more on that later), and my second thought was, 'Wasn't that like seven years ago?' No. No it was not. It was a mere three months ago.

59E59 Theaters will host the New York premiere of EVERYBODY GETS CAKE!, created and performed by Joel Jeske, Danny Gardner and Brent McBeth, and directed by Mark Lonergan. Produced by Parallel Exit, EVERYBODY GETS CAKE! begins performances on Friday, January 16 for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 8.

Emerging artist, Clayton G. Williams will sing the Baritone Solo in an upcoming performance of Handel's Messiah with the Southeast Queens Ecumenical Community Chorale this holiday season.

Allison Spratt Pearce is excited to be stepping into San Diego Musical Theatre's production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas". This is the third year the show has been produced by SDMT but Allison's first time being a part of the cast.

While the Renaissance Players' mounting might be a little rough around the edges, there's still plenty to recommend the show if you're in need of some Christmas cheer. Directed by Jon Kopischke, with choreography by Alaina Deaver and musical direction by SharonTaylor, Irving Berlin's White Christmas features Jarrod Clark, Zane Jordan, Amanda Mollehour and Tawny Frey as the leading quartet of showbiz types (along with the showstopping Linda Sue Runyeon, who delivers some of the night's best moments) who breathe life into the libretto.

Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Theatre, announces today that the Broadway-bound production, BEACHES will replace DEATHTRAP from June 24 through August 16 during the 2015-2016 season. Presenting the first new work on the Drury Lane stage in 21 years, BEACHES signifies the theater's renewed dedication to develop new works.

Marty Thomas presents DIVA is a weekly show at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. Featuring a rotating cast of tremendous female vocalists, it is hosted and produced by Marty Thomas (XANADU, WICKED, THE SECRET GARDEN). DIVA celebrates fabulous female vocalists paying tribute to some of histories most over the top icons! The cast performs a brand new show every week with exciting new guests rotating.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company today announced that Kate Baldwin would star in a rare revival of John & Jen, the musical with music by Andrew Lippa, lyrics by Tom Greenwald, and a book by Greenwald and Lippa. This production will include the premiere of a new song, "Trouble with Men." Additional casting and designers to be announced shortly.

Pierce Peter Brandt and Jim Ambler lead the energy and talent of Hillbarn Theatre's White Christmas. The two equity actors give great character and Broadway-quality vocals to song and dance partners Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. Behind them, an ensemble provides perfect harmonies attuned to the show's 1950's era. And although the scenic design remains simple throughout, a grand finale features Kuo-Hai Lo's gorgeous mountain background and an audience surprise that we won't spoil here.

Inspired by all the seasonal festivities that abound, we asked people in the theater community to share their favorite things to see onstage during the run-up to Christmas…

Watching a singer like Celia Berk, who brings a heartwarming balance, a subtle good humor, originality, and a lot of affection to everything she sings, makes one realize the crucial role good instincts play in the self-conscious, self-absorbed world of cabaret. Right at the top of her recent debut run of shows titled You Can't Rush Spring (the title of her recently released excellent debut CD) at the Metropolitan Room, this New Yorker from the business world ingratiated herself with the audience by admitting she was fulfilling a lifelong dream. Berk had already built a following with a few excellent guest performances (most notably at this past October's Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center) and in this auspicious debut she proved she easily puts her personal stamp on an eclectic mix of songs. Such ability springs directly from who she is and not from someone's idea of who she should be.

Three-time MAC-Award nominated songwriter Patrick Dwyer returns to the Duplex with his critically-acclaimed one-man show THIRTYWHATEVER on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 7pm.