Jacob Storms News

The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival returns to its home in the historic French Quarter for its 34th annual celebration of contemporary literature, culture, theater, and the works of Tennessee Williams. More than a typical book festival, TWNOLF showcases award-winning writers, actors, musicians, and other artists in over 150 events in the French Quarter and other New Orleans venues.

The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival returns to its home in the historic French Quarter for its 34th annual celebration of contemporary literature, culture, theater, and the works of Tennessee Williams. More than a typical book festival, TWNOLF showcases award-winning writers, actors, musicians, and other artists in over 150 events in the French Quarter and other New Orleans venues. 

Sophia Brown and Nick Narcisi will create the tempestuous relationship between renowned characters Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire," the main stage production of the third annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, May 10-19, at the Grandel Theatre. Tim Ocel will direct the production for this year's Festival titled, "Tennessee Williams: The French Quarter Years."

United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, concluded its eighth season with a Gala at Theatre Row in New York. Throughout its ten-week run, the festival offered 120 stage productions, representing six continents, performed mostly in English, but also in Bulgarian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and in the category of physical theatre through body language. Nearly 60 shows sold out, and were presented several times due to popular demand. Fiona Show called United Solo 'the mecca of the solo shows in the world.' This past season, the festival presented productions created by new talents, as well as show business veterans, including Oscar winner Milton Justice and Emmy winner Bill Oberst Jr. This year's festival also offered Master Classes led by Pau Aran Gimeno, a performer at Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch; James Lecesne, an actor, activist, author of the screenplay for an Oscar-winning film; and Austin Pendleton, a renowned actor and director, and a recipient of the Drama Desk Special Award.

During an evening when Mabel Mercer Foundation President and New York Cabaret Convention Producer KT Sullivan devoted a number of opening night spots in the 28th year of the four-day extravaganza (October 16-19 at Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center) to a younger generation of singers and a few veterans making their Convention debuts, the Grande Dame of Cabaret was the star of the night.

The Mabel Mercer Foundation has announced that it will implement a special 'Rush' ticket policy for their 2017 Cabaret Convention, to be held at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, from Monday through Thursday, October 16th - 19th.

The world's largest solo theatre festival will begin its eighth season at Theatre Row on Thursday, September 14, with a night of two shows, both of which are completely sold out.

With its unique combination of the best of past and present popular song, the annual Cabaret Convention stands as a pivotal, highly-anticipated highlight of New York City's autumn music season.

The 27th Annual Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, kicked off on October 18, putting forth performances by some of the most iconic cabaret artists which the arena has to offer, as well as introducing new but equally captivating talent of the art form. Hosted by KT Sullivan, a cabaret stalwart herself, the evening moved briskly through an impressive 19 performers, each of whom was accompanied by their very own pianist--- if they weren't accompanying themselves, that is.

Lovers of Cabaret flocked to New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theatre last night to attend The 27th New York Cabaret Convention and BroadwayWorld was there. Unlike a political convention there was complete agreement that this annual event produced and sponsored by the Mabel Mercer Foundation is one of the best entertainment experiences of the year.  Madam Chairman' and artistic director KT Sullivan kept complete order as one by one the wonderful vocalists made their case to the extremely knowledgeable 'delegates' filling Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It's not politically correct to pick winners at the annual event, which presents newcomers and veterans of the cabaret art form, but if there's one......  The Audience!  For two hours they hear some great music and get a potpourri of diverse singing styles that make the long evening seem brief.  The superb song stylist and New York based vocalist Natalie Douglas was deservedly presented the prestigious Donald F. Smith award, and legend Maureen McGovern received the Mable Mercer Award. 

the 2016 Cabaret Convention returns to the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, from Tuesday, October 18th through Friday, October 21st  to present four different music programs. More than seventy singers are scheduled to appear, and the productions include specific tributes to the songs of Stephen Sondheim, the lyrics of Sheldon Harnick, the melodies of Charles Strouse, and the repertoire of legendary jazz artist Sylvia Syms.

Theater for the New City (Executive Director, Crystal Field) presents the world premiere of the musical comedy Heather Smiley for President, which will begin previews on Thursday, October 1st, at the Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue at 10th Street), with an opening set for Sunday, October 11th.    The musical has a book and lyrics by Tom Attea with music composed by Arthur Abrams. The production is directed by Mark Marcante and choreographed by Angela Harriell. Heather Smiley for President will play a limited engagement through October 25th. Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors) and can be purchased online at www.TheaterfortheNewCity.net or http://www.smarttix.com or at the box office and by calling 212-254-1109.  

In his new show at the Metropolitan Room, Give My Regards to Broadway (which opened on July 18), Jacob Storms wholeheartedly disproves the perception that a singer making their debut in the cabaret arena need a director or more than just a pianist to prove their greatness. Over at Don't Tell Mama, former Oak Room show producer Arthur Pomposello has re-emerged with a new regular blues supper club show.

Triangle, Mark Barkan and June Rachelson-Ospa's "musical chairs romp" opens at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre in New York City Feb. 8, for a run through March 22.

Lyrics for Life to Benefit AFSP on World Suicide Prevention Day Kids of the Arts just presented Lyrics for Life on Wed September 10. The one-night only performance was held at Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the red carpet arrivals below!

Lyrics for Life to Benefit AFSP on World Suicide Prevention Day Kids of the Arts just presented Lyrics for Life on Wed September 10. The one-night only performance was held at Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!

From the writing team that brought you last year's smash FAT ASSES: THE MUSICAL comes the revamped musical/comedy sensation PARKER & DIZZY'S FABULOUS JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE RAINBOW. After a successful run at the New York International Fringe Festival and Encores Series in 2011, this hilariously campy, sci-fi-action-adventure is described as a saucy foursome between The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Thelma & Louise and a 'gay' Da Vinci Code...but instead of revolving around Jesus, it's JUDY!

Studio 7Arts presents an evening of 'Rock'N Roll & Debauchery' tonight, April 24th at The Cutting Room beginning at 7PM. This exciting evening of magic, music and performance will be a collaborative effort of some of New York's most talented performer's that includes an interactive pre-show with performances by MIX'T DANCE, a concert benefiting the organization and Michele Mais (Rock of Ages) with the Rock of Ages Band: ARSENAL, and an post-performance concert by The Annie Minogue Band, (National Artist of the year by LA Music Awards).

Studio 7Arts presents an evening of 'Rock'N Roll & Debauchery' April 24th at The Cutting Room beginning at 7PM. This exciting evening of magic, music and performance will be a collaborative effort of some of New York's most talented performer's that includes an interactive pre-show with performances by MIX'T DANCE, a concert benefiting the organization and Michele Mais (Rock of Ages) with the Rock of Ages Band: ARSENAL, and an post-performance concert by The Annie Minogue Band, (National Artist of the year by LA Music Awards).

Theater For The New City, executive director Crystal Field, will present DIGITAL DILEMMAS, a new musical comedy about our obsession with digital devices, October 4 - 21, at the Theater For The New City, 155 First Avenue (at 10th Street). The production features book & lyrics by Tom Attea, music by Arthur Abrams, direction by Mark Marcante, and chorography by Angela Harriell.