Jennifer Ashley Tepper News

OK...this just makes me HAPPY! In junior high school I found a new Christmas Song I love to play every year. I'm even smiling as I write this :)

This song always reminds me of my father. He Loved B.B. King and this was always on rotation with our many Christmas albums. I found this rare live performance of the legend doing his version that is so embedded in my heart.

On this sixth day of the 12 days of Christmas, I need to thank BroadwayWorld, Robert Diamond and Nicole Rosky for asking me to curate this year's edition. I never dreamed it would be so much fun and bring back so many memories of holiday seasons past. Here's an iconic group, The Temptations, singing 'Silent Night.' We had many albums in our home by the legendary Motown group, but this one was definitely played over and over during the holidays. I immediately flash to my high school and college years when I hear it. Magic.

I loved cartoons on Saturday mornings growing up, but I looked forward to watching them in primetime during the holidays. Some of my favorites were Frosty, Rudolph, The Little Drummer Boy, and A Charlie Brown Christmas (especially the dance and Linus' speech). Even though they were the same stories told over and over again, I was riveted every year. I guess because in my mind both the fictional stories and the religious stories were all real to me. I loved the music and would sing along with so much joy.

I love Vanessa Williamsa?? but who doesn't? She's a singular woman with an equally singular career and we have worked together on the stage and in film and always have a great time. She's incredibly beautiful, wildly intelligent, supremely talented, and... she's a great mom. She has recorded many albums and topped the charts with some unforgettable singles but many people aren't aware of a beautiful Christmas album she recorded, titled 'Star Bright'. I love the album and love this particular cut and video. 

A New York City Twisted Holiday Tradition celebrated its Twelfth Year of putting the 'extra' in 'extravaganza!' Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks brought their insane celebration of all things red and green back to Feinstein's/54 Below.

Anyone who knows me knows that my love for Johnny Mathis is infinite. He was a singer I recognized, very early on, who looked like me and made all that beautiful sound- making contact with the most glorious music and lyrics. I'd be lying if I didn't say he was a huge influence on me. He also became synonymous with Christmas and the holiday season. I could never have dreamed that one day I would get to sing with him, but blessed as I've been, it happened. I love him, I love this song... and I love that fireplace!

Andy Williams was a staple in our house growing up. He had those great Christmas specials every year on NBC and they always made you feel cozy and special and spirited. Great sets, costumes, sketches and terrific music. It was traditional, and he always wore great sweaters. Needless to say, all of this made me want to have a traditional-looking cover for my first Christmas album. All the stars used to sing the same handful of songs, but it was the arrangements that made them stick in your brain. No matter what he sang, I was always happy to see and hear Andy Williams. This song is a particular favorite- 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.'

The Supremes' 'Merry Christmas' album was the first one off the shelf every year, which in my house, growing up, marked the official beginning of the holiday season. We would trim the tree to this record and others to come. This is my absolute favorite and why I have sung that song now for years. In this video, they perform the song on The Ed Sullivan Show, with the ORIGINAL Supremes: Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. It aired on CBS on Dec. 4, 1966, and was unforgettable ... and indicative of the kind of preparation that was paid attention to by Motown, in presenting all of their acts.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS announced it will record the new musical comedy Broadway Bounty Hunter for an original cast album to be released later this season. Featuring music and lyrics by Tony Award Nominee Joe Iconis (a?oeSmash,a?? Be More Chill, The Black Suits), who also co-wrote the book with Lance Rubin (Denton Little's Deathdate), and Jason SweetTooth Williams (Be More Chill), the show is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner (The Book of Mormon Supervising Associate Director) and stars Screen Actors Guild Award winner Annie Golden (Hair, Assassins, a?oeOrange is the New Blacka??) in the title role. The album will be produced by Joe Iconis and Charlie Rosen, and co-produced by Geoffrey Ko and Ian Kagey, with Jennifer Ashley Tepper serving as executive producer.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

This Month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

BroadwayCon announced today BEETLEJUICE has joined the MainStage lineup at BroadwayCon 2020. As part of MainStage programming, the BEETLEJUICE Spotlight session will feature members of the cast on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Additional MainStage programming will be announced at a later date. BroadwayCon celebrates its fifth year in 2020, returning to the New York Hilton Midtown on Friday, January 24 through Sunday, January 26. Tickets are on sale now at BroadwayCon.com/register.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts announced today the 2020 class of Emerging Artists, recognizing diverse and exceptional talents from across all disciplines represented on its campus. Each recipient was nominated by the artistic leadership of one of Lincoln Center's eleven resident organizations.

Rehearsals have begun and it feels like sha la la for Love in Hate Nation, an original rock romance set in a 1960s Juvie Hall that features book, music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis, directed by John Simpkins.

It used to be young Broadway performers rarely did their own shows, at least not in NYC. Some of them found a place-and there are examples to be cited for sure-but it wasn't all that common. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, downstairs at the West Bank, likely hosted the most. The more established music venues, such as Birdland, were for more established performers. While Joe's Pub was established for 'young artists' in 1998, it often didn't recruit from the Broadway stable. Some theater companies would host a pop-up night or series, but it usually wasn't more than that unless the performer would automatically attract a big crowd.

Tony and Emmy-award-winning Broadway producer and filmmaker Dori Berinstein (The Prom, Legally Blonde, ShowBusiness: The Road To Broadway) and podcast host/producer & engineer Alan Seales (a?oeThe Theatre Podcasta??) launch the Broadway Podcast Network, the first-ever digital network dedicated to theater and its stories, they announced today.

Last night was the American Theatre Wing's 2019 Gala, celebrating Jonathan Larson! Stars in attendance included Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, Joe Iconis, Brandon Victor Dixon, Christopher Jackson, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Karen Olivo, Jenn Colella, and many more!

Last night, Monday, September 9, 2019, The Players honored Tony Award-nominated composer and writer Joe Iconis (Be More Chill) with a Pipe Night, a club tradition that has celebrated significant cultural figures for over a century.

Bartlett Sher, Daniel Fish, Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and more weigh in on the modern impact of classic musicals.