James Kaplan News

If these (Friar) walls could talk you would hear music and conversation from show biz legends of the past. Irving Berlin was a Friar who together with Friar George M. Cohan wrote many musical reviews called Friars Frolics to entertain their fellow Friars. Last night the Friars Club presented “An Evening With Irving Berlin” to celebrate the publication of Irving Berlin: New York Genius by bestselling author and Award Winner James Kaplan.

James Kaplan, noted biographer and author of the upcoming book, "Irving Berlin: New York Genius," will be guest speaker at Westport Country Playhouse's Sunday Symposium on July 21, following a 3 p.m. performance of "Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin," a musical tribute to the legendary songwriter.

Northern Sky Theater has announced its 2018 Summer Season in Door County, Wisconsin.

Tickets go on sale April 2nd for Northern Sky Theater's summer 2018 season. Casting has also been announced for the season, including BOXCAR, DAIRY HEIRS, and LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE. The three musical comedies will rotate in repertory from June 13th - August 25th at the outdoor amphitheater in Peninsula State Park. 

Northern Sky Theater has announced a new sponsorship opportunity for their 2018 Summer Season in Peninsula State Park. The sponsorship will offer fans a chance to get up close and personal with the cast of Lumberjacks in Love.

There have only been 9 Abbots in the history of the Friars Club starting with George M. Cohan who held the position from 1907-1932. Then came: George Jessel, Milton Berle, Mike Todd, Joe E. Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, Alan King, and the current Abbot Jerry Lewis. The actor, singer, director, philanthropist and comic legend who passed away this year was saluted and given a heartfelt curtain call by The Friars last night. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out full photo coverage below!

Northern Sky Theater has announced its 2018 Summer Season in Door County, Wisconsin.

From the team that brought The Penelopiad to the swing park, comes a story of survival, love, and the enduring power of storytelling. Luminous Theatre presents the Milwaukee premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. In honor of tonight's opening, BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

From the team that brought The Penelopiad to the swing park, comes a story of survival, love, and the enduring power of storytelling. Luminous Theatre is proud to present the Milwaukee premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play.

From the team that brought The Penelopiad to the swing park, comes a story of survival, love, and the enduring power of storytelling. Luminous Theatre is proud to present the Milwaukee premiere of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play.

Penobscot Theatre Company is making the most of the shortest month of the year, preparing a musical comedy that is long on laughs. Lumberjacks in Love, a Maine premiere, will open in previews February 2 and run through February 19, with 15 performances at the Bangor Opera House including a specially scheduled show for Valentines Day. With book and lyrics by Fred Alley and music by James Kaplan, the creative team behind the theatre's 2014 hit Guys on Ice, Lumberjacks is the perfect antidote for the winter doldrums.

Penobscot Theatre Company announces its 43rd Season, a fresh array of plays of musicals to be staged at the company's historic home, the Bangor Opera House.

Penobscot Theatre Company announces its 43rd Season, a fresh array of plays of musicals to be staged at the company's historic home, the Bangor Opera House.

Northglenn Arts has announced a special engagement of GUYS ON ICE, March 4-6 at the DL Parsons Theatre. GUYS ON ICE is produced by the Aurora Fox, and written by Fred Alley and James Kaplan.

The American Folklore Theatre (AFT), located in Door County, Wisconsin, is a theater company that creates musicals and plays which are based on the populist culture and heritage of the United States. They have developed such works as MULE FOR BREAKFAST AGAIN, LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE, LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS, and GUYS ON ICE. The latter is now being staged by Actors Summit.

Every time Guys on Ice takes to the stage writer and lyricist Fred Alley's spirit soars again. Milwaukee Rep's Stackner Cabaret presents this unique musical for the holiday season directed by Northern Sky Theater Artistic Director Jeffrey Herbst and also Alley's boyhood friend. .Music Director and composer James Kaplan mans the keyboards along with Bo Johnson. Played out on the intimate cabaret stage, up close and personal for Miwlaukee audiences, Lloyd, Marvin and Ernie the Moocher revive the age old Northern Wisconsin tradition--Ice Fishing-- with several humorous and poignant 'twists.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stackner Cabaret Season continues with the Midwest's favorite musical, GUYS ON ICE. Deemed a '...legendary play, featuring two fine actors' by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this ice-fishing odyssey returns to Milwaukee after thrilling audiences across Wisconsin and in Michigan, Oregon, California, Texas, and New York since 1998. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Elaine de Kooning and Frank Sinatra are both influential figures that changed the landscape of arts and culture in the post-World War II era. Join us this Saturday, Nov. 14, to take a peek into their lives with  poet Margaret Randall and biographer James Kaplan.

On Friday, November 13 at 7:30 pm, the MSM Jazz Orchestra - under the direction of Justin DiCioccio (MM '71) - is featuring jazz singing great and MSM alumna Jane Monheit (BM '99) in Jane's Way, a special concert celebrating the centennial of Frank Sinatra's birth. (The legendary crooner was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915.)