Jerry Herman News

Conceived and directed by Tony-winner Tommy Tune and written by Mark Saltzman, FIFTY FOUR FOREVER, will receive its world premiere at The University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, from November 9 to 19. The associate director and choreographer of the production will be David Warren Gibson. Check out photos from the production below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Jeff Award results, 'Joseph' in Aurora, three shows at Northwestern, two at Northlight, two national tours and more....

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) presents an All-American classic as it continues its Mainstage Series with the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!.

Conceived and directed by Tommy Tune and written by Mark Saltzman, FIFTY FOUR FOREVER, will receive its world premiere at The University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, from November 9 to 19. The associate director and choreographer of the production will be David Warren Gibson.

The University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Theatre Arts continues its exciting season this November with the musical Fifty*Four*Forever, conceived and directed by nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune.

This year's Children's Theatre season has been one of the biggest ever, having, for the first time, brought a Disney production to the Way Off Broadway stage with Disney's 101 Dalmatians at the beginning of the year and a regional theatre premiere of Dora the Explorer Live! Dora's Pirate Adventure this past fall.

This year's Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) at Way Off Broadway will mark the ninth installment of what has become one of, if not the most, popular events at the theatre. The first Breakfast with Santa was held in 2003 but with a twist.

The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber, arrives at PlayhouseSquare November 8 - 20, 2011, as part of the KeyBank Broadway Series.

The holidays are always the busiest time of the year at The Way Off Broadway Dinner. Whether it's the theatre's mainstage production, Children's Theatre show, or one of the many holiday events, including the popular Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus), once December rolls around, there is usually one, two, or even three shows a day at the popular entertainment venue located in the Willowtree Plaza directly off The Golden Mile in Frederick, MD.

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.

Sometimes even in disappointment, comes something wonderful, which was certainly the case with the magnificent impromptu showcase that occurred at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa on Saturday, October 29. A mixed blessing if there ever was one, the evening's original agenda--a one-on-one candid conversation between ASCAP's Director of Musical Theatre Michael Kerker and legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim--instead morphed into an enchanting 100-minute expanded tribute concert featuring two veteran Broadway powerhouses in their own right: Tony Award winners Christine Ebersole and Brian Stokes-Mitchell. This ad-hoc concert quickly assembled that afternoon ended up being such a magical night, filled with gorgeous, soul-stirring performances, lots of hearty laughs, and even the occasional tear-jerker.

Christopher Sieber shines as Albin. George Hamilton...not so much.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency continues its Fall 2011 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer Marilyn Maye. Her new show, 'The Best Of Times Is Now!' - which honors the legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman on this 80th Birthday year - features songs from his shows including Mame, Mack and Mabel, Hello, Dolly! and Milk and Honey. Marilyn starred in Hello, Dolly! many times and recorded a CD of all the songs from the Tony Award winning score. Her recent local appearances have been received with rave reviews and full houses. The show opened November 1 and runs through Saturday, November 12 at the Loews Regency Hotel. Broadway Beat was on hand for opening night and takes you inside the showroom below!

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, called 'a riotously funny and campy variety show' by Next Magazine, and 'a rollicking, wry affair complete with funny political commentary on current events' by Gay City News, will present their newest edition on Thursday, November 17 at 9:30 PM.

Even before John Iachetti (Loews Hotels Corporate Director of Entertainment) escorts you to your table at Feinstein's, you are aware of a special excitement in the air. When Marilyn Maye comes into town, the Loews Regency becomes more like a Revival Tent, as the faithful flock to be inspired by the Johnny Carson-dubbed 'super singer'.

With the holidays still only on the horizon, Way Off Broadway has already begun work on its upcoming production of Damn Yankees which will open the theatre's 2012 Season in January.

M & P Productions has announced a rare Hollywood appearance by the legendary Mack & Poppy, one of the nation's most celebrated lounge acts, in their new holiday show, It's Christmas! (and lesser holidays celebrated by Heathens).

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Fall 2011 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE.

The Frederick theatre scene will be rockin' this Halloween as Way Off Broadway and Stock•ing Productions team up to bring the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show to the stage for a special Halloween presentation. The limited engagement will have performances on Sunday, October 30th and Monday, October 31st.

'Atmosphere is more real than truth,' explains Michael Evans, the narrating character recalling his childhood days in Brian Friel's thickly atmospheric Dancing At Lughnasa, now enjoying a warm and lovely mounting by Charlotte Moore at the Irish Rep.