Jason Strong News

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present its latest feature series: The Performer of the Week! Get to know these amazing talents as they share a bit about themselves, their work and life! Today, we introduce you to Jason Marks!

Discussing all aspects of her sensitive, charming and emotional new collection of songs, MY LIFELONG LOVE, today we are talking to composer Georgia Stitt, a uniquely gifted artist whose moving new album is an ideal representation of the many facets of her songwriting abilities as well as a portal into her own genre-spanning inspirations and projects from which a number of these songs are culled - many musicals included! In addition to all about MY LIFELONG LOVE and the fabulous Broadway personalities appearing on it - such as Jessie Tyler Ferguson, Susan Egan, Shoshana Bean and Brian D'Arcy James - Stitt also illustrates how her personal life and role as a mother to two daughters has influenced her craft and career, as well as what we can expect from her in the future - like the new jukebox musical, HELLO! MY BABY, and the original musical, BIG RED SUN. Plus, working on the recording of the new ballet, THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN, with her husband, Tony-winner Jason Robert Brown; music directing and acting as vocal coach on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and GREASE: YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT, an overview of the musicals she is working on currently - and much, much more!

In just a few short years since his sensational debut in Lawrence Kasdan's MUMFORD, rising star Jason Ritter has carved out an impressive indie resume - including noted standouts such as THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS, HAPPY ENDINGS and GOOD DICK - in addition to a successful TV career - having appeared in featured roles in JOAN OF ARCADIA and THE CLASS before his leading role on THE EVENT last season - but theatre fans are certainly aware of considerable stage skills, as well, having performed in plays for many esteemed directors and premiering works by the likes of Neil LaBute and Wendy Wasserstein. While there has been the occasional big budget vehicle, too - SWIMFAN and FREDDY VS. JASON included - it is Ritter's fierce commitment to fine storytelling and intriguing projects that make him truly one to watch. Discussing many aspects of his busy career from THE DREAMER OF OZ opposite his iconic father, John - now available on the WIZARD OF OZ Blu-ray box-set - all the way up to his forthcoming films such as THE PERFECT FAMILY co-starring two previous InDepth InterView participants, Kathleen Turner and Sharon Lawrence, plus THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF, FREE SAMPLES, an untilled Mark Webber project, I AM I and his new Disney animated series, GRAVITY FALLS. With an emphasis on his theatre background and insights into the currently running LA Theatreworks presentation of COMPLETENESS, Ritter and I shine some light on a career that, based on what we have already seen from him onstage and onscreen, clearly knows no bounds whatsoever. Some people can do it all and do it all brilliantly and Jason Ritter has clearly proven he is one of those select, special few.

'MERTON OF THE MOVIES' a new Musical Comedy by Donald Brenner and Doug Katsaros will receive a private, invitation-only presentation on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 P.M.

'MERTON OF THE MOVIES' a new Musical Comedy by Donald Brenner and Doug Katsaros will receive a private, invitation-only presentation on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 P.M.

Today we are talking to Emmy and multi-Grammy-winning actor, musician and performer Harry Connick, Jr. about his new concert CD/DVD/Blu-Ray HARRY CONNICK, JR.: ON BROADWAY, in stores this week and premiering on PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES nationwide on Sunday. In this revealing two-part discussion encapsulating many of Harry's stage, film and concert memories - as well as anecdotes about working with friends and co-stars like Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank and Renee Zellweger - we analyze the sights and sounds of his new concert album and DVD (which was filmed at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway last year) with central focus of the conversation being his passion for musical theatre music - as a musician, composer, performer and actor - and what the future holds for him on stages and screens large and small around the world. Of course, all of this is coming on the heels of the first news of Harry himself starring in the highly-awaited revival of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER on Broadway next year! All that and much, much more awaits in this extensive weekend triptych feature, so don't miss the special Harry-centric edition of FLASH FRIDAY for the full experience!

With over twelve million hits on YouTube for their 'Twelve Days of Christmas' alone, the all-male a capella group Straight No Chaser has become something of a global phenomenon following their humble collegiate debut in 1996. As one of the founding members of the group, Walter Chase recently spoke with me about his passion for music, the trials and tribulations - and joys - of a capella singing, touring the world as part of a group, fame, as well as all about the dazzling brand new Straight No Chaser DVD/2-CD box set ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, which will be released this week, featuring over thirty holiday tracks - and a few surprises, too! Also, you can catch Straight No Chaser live in concert on December 1 as part of the Live From T5 concert series.

Ever-humorous and award-winning performer, Jason Graae returns to the legendary Birdland October 21 and 22 with his acclaimed solo-act 'Graae's Anatomy.' Graae boasts an incredible list of creative arts experience, including turns on Broadway, Off-Broadway and even voiced breakfast-cereal icon Lucky, the Leprechaun! Not to mention his slew of opera credits among most prestigious companies. Join BroadwayWorld.com's own News Desk Editor, Eugene Lovendusky, in a morning phone chat with Jason dialing in from California…