Jacques Brel News

42nd Street Moon takes pride in presenting 'Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward,' a tribute to writer, actor, director, composer and bon vivant Noel Coward, for four performances only at 7 pm on April 5, 7, 8 and 12 at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. Jessup will be accompanied by acclaimed Bay Area pianist, Ken Muir.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the Tony Award? winning musical that captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman coping with day-to-day 'shtetl' life, Jewish traditions and the women in his life in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

A memorial will be held in honor of Eric Blau, who passed away on February 17, 2009. Elly Stone, Eric Blau's widow, announced that a memorial will be held on Thursday, March 5th at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel (630 Amsterdam at 91st Street) at 1:30 p.m. Producers and performers of his various works, including cast members of his musical, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, as well as friends and fans are expected to attend.

The Alliance Theatre regretfully announces the cancellation of its planned world premiere of iSondheim: aMusical Revue. iSondheim, with music by Stephen Sondheim and book and direction by James Lapine, was to begin performances Apr. 15.

'LOVE SONGS' will continue to seduce New Yorkers every Saturday in March with an additional Sunday matinee concert on March 15. On Saturday, March 21st, Barbour will be joined by special guest Robert Cuccioli.

The New York Times has reported the sad news that Eric Blau, who created one of Off Broadway's most enduring hits, 'Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,' died on Feb. 17th in Manhattan. He was 87 years old, the cause of his passing was pneumonia after a stroke, according to his son Matthew

SHEERA BEN-DAVID, acclaimed as 'an exciting and provocative vocalist' by United Press International and 'a fully-developed dramatic singer who delivers the goods on several counts' by The New York Times, will return to the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel with an exclusive return engagement from February 24 to March 7. Her new show 'Let Me Sing And I'm Happy' will celebrate the new year with an eclectic mix of classic standards by George Gershwin ('Nice Work If You Can Get It'), Harold Arlen ('Ill Wind') and Harry Warren ('Zing A Little Zong') along with popular hits by Stevie Wonder ('Sir Duke'), ABBA ('Thank You For The Music') and John Denver ('Perhaps Love').

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.

Join celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy when she celebrates Oscar with an evening featuring Academy Award-winning songs and winners as the theme of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Monday, February 16th (7:00PM) at the New York hotspot The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues).

Constantine Maroulis and Morgan James will be Barbour's special guests for the Friday, February 13, 2009 concert.

The gender-reversed benefit concert extravaganza is always one of the Center's most anticipated events of the year, and on Monday, February 9, 2009, Broadway Backwards returned to Broadway's American Airlines Theatre. BroadwayWorld's cameras were everywhere to capture all the gender-bending fun!

Cabrillo Music Theatre continues its 2008-2009 season with the grandest and most spectacular musical of all, 42ND STREET. Directed and Choreographed by original Broadway cast member and Dance Captain, Jon Engstrom, 42ND STREET features a cast of 40, a full professional orchestra, and some of the greatest songs and dances ever to hit the great white way.

Join celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy when she celebrates Oscar with an evening featuring Academy Award-winning songs and winners as the theme of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Monday, February 16th (7:00PM) at the New York hotspot The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues).

Constantine Maroulis and Morgan James will be Barbour's special guests for the Friday, February 13, 2009 concert.

Playwright Julia Brownell's Smart Cookie is a wickedly funny comedy about how a shocking surprise helps a wealthy Manhattan socialite become the woman she never realized she wanted to be. The clear favorite of the 2008 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition judges, this World Premiere play combines laugh-out-loud humor with a provocative story about social image and the powers that can change a person's attitudes.

SHEERA BEN-DAVID, acclaimed as 'an exciting and provocative vocalist' by United Press International and 'a fully-developed dramatic singer who delivers the goods on several counts' by The New York Times, will return to the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel with an exclusive return engagement from February 24 to March 7. Her new show 'Let Me Sing And I'm Happy' will celebrate the new year with an eclectic mix of classic standards by George Gershwin ('Nice Work If You Can Get It'), Harold Arlen ('Ill Wind') and Harry Warren ('Zing A Little Zong') along with popular hits by Stevie Wonder ('Sir Duke'), ABBA ('Thank You For The Music') and John Denver ('Perhaps Love').

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce $20 Student Rush Tickets available 30 minutes prior to curtain for all performances of the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. Performances Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Regular tickets prices are $45.00; $30 for seniors. After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

SHARON CARR ASSOCIATES, LTD announced today the addition of Jessica-Snow Wilson to the cast of GLIMPSES OF THE MOON. Wilson will be replacing Autumn Hurlbert in the leading role of Susy. GLIMPSES OF THE MOON premiered exactly one year ago at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel to rave reviews and quickly sold out its limited run. The show returned this fall with an expanded production and received more enthusiastic reviews. The run has now been extended through the end of March, with performances every Monday night. Starting in February, in partnership with the Algonquin Hotel, the production is adding alternating Thursday lunch matinees. The following special guest stars confirmed to appear in the show, Monday nights at 8pm in the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel: January 26 - ANDREA MARCOVICCI (Mabel Award Winner/Back Stage Bistro Award Winner) February 2, 5 & 9 - NATASCIA DIAZ (Jacques Brel) February 16 & 23 - TOM WOPAT Future guest stars to include: Leslie Uggams (Tony and Emmy Award-winning), Robert Cuccioli (Tony Nominated), and Gay Marshall (Jacques Brel). GLIMPSES OF THE MOON, a Jazz Age musical with book & lyrics by Tajlei Levis and music by John Mercurio, choreographed by Denis Jones, and directed by Marc Bruni, plays 'only on Monday nights but elicits a Sunday kind of love,' (John Simon, Bloomberg.com) in the Oak Room at the historic Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave.).