James Taylor News

As the 21st Century chugs along toward completing its first decade, perhaps Broadway's new role in American theatre with emerge as the place where talented composers and lyricists with interesting projects will premiere their less-inspired shows while their exciting, adventurous and better-written work continues to hide in the under-publicized shadows of Off- and Off-Off Broadway, festivals and the occasional cabaret appearance.  Just as Legally Blonde, the Broadway debut of composer/lyricists Lawrence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Sarah, Plain and Tall) and Nell Benjamin (Pirates!, Sarah, Plain and Tall) doesn't match the quality of their Off-Broadway and regional work, last season composer Tom Kitt made his first main stem appearance with the catchy-tuned and enjoyable, but not especially notable, High Fidelity while musical theatre lovers in the know were anxiously awaiting a production of Feeling Electric, his substantially superior collaboration with bookwriter/lyricist Brian Yorkey, first seen at the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Andrea Marcovicci returns to 'Lyrics & Lyricists'™ with an evening of gems from the post-1965 repertoire to refute the notion that rock 'n' roll killed the art of songwriting. At the final 'Lyrics & Lyricists' of the 2009 season - Did the American Songbook Really End in 1965?

'Two Steps Forward--One Look Back'--performed on Wednesday May 14 at 9:45pm at the Metropolitan Room--is a revue of folk, country, bluesy/jazzy pop, nouveau swing and singer-songwriter music of the 1950s-1980s. It is the cabaret debut of operatic singer Kathryn Allyn.

Ravinia Festival's Box Office officially opens for walk-up sales on Saturday, May 17 during a day filled with discounts, the chance to purchase pavilion seating to some sold-out concerts and promotions and samples from some of Ravinia's sponsors.

1968, a hard rock, psychedelic, Motown, folk, and country cabaret, plays May 2nd at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party , announced the JEREMY SCHONFELD OFFICIAL CD RELEASE PARTY FOR 37 NOTEBOOKS Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Renowned Music Coordinator and Bass Player John Miller adds singer to his repertoire with 'Stage Door Johnny', a witty and unconventional interpretation of familiar Broadway songs. The 12-song CD, set for June 10th release on PS Classics, takes an irreverent and engaging musical trek through a collection of beloved tunes -- songs which are a part of virtually every listener's 'gene pool' -- ranging from 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly?' to 'Old Man River' to 'I Won't Grow Up'. At the same time, Miller presents an inviting 'Broadway road-map' for the uninitiated, offering an introduction to the music for people who don't necessarily know Broadway.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com, the leading source for exclusive theater information and live-events tickets nationwide, are proud to announce the JEREMY SCHONFELD OFFICIAL CD RELEASE PARTY FOR 37 NOTEBOOKS Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Win Limited Edition Music and Photos from singer songwriter Brendan James!

Jerry Kravat passed away this morning at Sloan Kettering hospital, a native New Yorker, Mr. Kravat was the founder of Jerry Kravat Entertainment Service Inc., and a longtime manager for Barbara Cook.

Maureen McGovern returns to the Manhattan cabaret scene with her new show A Long and Winding Road at New York City's Metropolitan Room at 7:30PM on February 13-16 and February 21-23.

PBS will offer a wide selection of new features and concerts during its March 2008 line-up; including specials from Andre Rieu, James Last, Sarah Brightman, Daniel O'Donnell, James Taylor, Martina McBride and the High Kings. Shangri-La, a remarkable special from China, explores new dance horizons. And new compilations of classics include a Hollywood treasure chest of singing and dancing and a trip through the 60s. Continuing new music programs are also coming in March and April from signature PBS music series

Brent Barrett, Diana Canova, Tyne Daly, and David Garrison are all set as guest artists for 'Life Is a Cabaret: A Tribute to Fred Ebb,' to be presented as part of the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics and Lyricists series running February 23-25. Rob Fisher will be the guest artistic and musical director for the evening, which will salute Ebb, the lyricist of such shows as Cabaret, Chicago, Zorba!, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Maureen McGovern returns to the Manhattan cabaret scene with her new show A Long and Winding Road at New York City's Metropolitan Room at 7:30 p.m. on February 13-16 and February 21-23.

The 3rd Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival was filled with magic moments musical theatre geeks... I mean connoisseurs.

In November, Kristin Huffman made her Broadway debut as Sarah (flute, piccolo and sax) in John Doyle's production of Company. The actress, with a new series of tales that go inside the making of Company from an actor's perspective, starting at the Cincinnati Playhouse and on to New York, continues her stories about a 15-year career that has led her to the door of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Landmark on Main Street is delighted to announce that the 2007 Gala will be held at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater for a magnificent Concert starring Melissa Errico and Brian d'Arcy James on Saturday, November 3.

The Metropolitan Room, the popular cabaret located at 34 W. 22nd St., has announced a partial July line-up of performers

Tony Award-winner Cady Huffman and Rent film star Tracie Thoms have joined the cast of Jeremy Schonfeld's (Drift) Joe's Pub show, which will take place on Sunday, June 24.