Jerry Herman News

Broadway to the Rescue hopes to raise funds to support the efforts of Pets Alive West (formerly the Elmsford Animal Shelter). We can't forget about the animals and those who care for them, with such dedication, while they wait for their 'forever homes'.

Rodgers and Hart's Broadway classic Pal Joey comes to the University of Miami Jerry Herman Ring Theatre this spring. Running from April 13 - 23, 2011, Pal Joey tells the story of Joey - a nightclub habitué in the habit of loving and leaving women. Despite that, he is also thoroughly lovable.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the smash-hit Broadway Musical Urinetown, featuring Broadway star Andrea McArdle, April 14 - 17 & 27 - 30, 2011 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the Storrs campus.

Is Stephen Sondheim's birthday over yet ???? The truth of the matter is ... 'We hope not.' It's been an amazing year of tributes, appearances, honors, galas, productions, concerts, interviews, discussions, a theatre named after him and on and on and on .... Including even an appearance on Comedy Central with Stephen Colbert.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Barry Manilow in Concert for one performance only on Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. This special event is presented by Reprise Theatre Company as its Annual Gala Performance. Ticket sales from Barry Manilow in Concert support Reprise's mission to produce musical theatre of the highest artistic quality and to make this art form accessible to new audiences through education and outreach programs.

In addition to its Mainstage and Children's Theatre productions, Way Off Broadway produces a number of special events throughout the year.

Talks of a Broadway revival of HELLO, DOLLY! starring Patti LuPone have hit a snag, according to the Courant's Frank Rizzo.

Lauren Blackman, Glory Crampton, Lisa Gold, Cris Groenendaal, Jennifer Jiles, Dana Moore, Terry Rakov, and Jonathan Stahl and more are set to perform at Broadway to the Rescue. The benefit will be held at the Westchester Broadway Dinner Theatre on Monday, April 11 at 6pm.

Bella Vita Entertainment, with Anthony Gruppuso, Calvin Remsberg, and Tricia Stabile announces the Los Angeles premiere of Glory Days. Glory Days has music and lyrics by Nick Blaemire and book by James Gardiner, and will be directed by Calvin Remsberg. Glory Days will preview at 8 pm on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 with opening night at 8:00 pm on Saturday, March 19 and run through April 24 (Thursday through Sunday) at the Lillian Theatre.

Although I'll admit to not being completely familiar with Cole Porter's See America First and George M. Cohan's The Governor's Son, it's quite possible that Frank Loesser's score for Where's Charley? could be considered the finest Broadway debut for a composer/lyricist who would eventually occupy a place on musical theatre's top tier.

According to Deadline.com, Kelsey Grammeris set to direct CBS' comedy pilot 'Vince Uncensored'. The project will star Michael Chiklis, and will include writting by Phoef Sutton, Conaco and Warner Bros. TV. As described by Deadline, the show 'centers on a man (Chiklis) who, after a life-changing experience, decides to take a more honest approach to his life, work and family.'

Four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein was featured today, Wednesday, March 16 on 'The Today Show' during the 10:00-11:00 AM hour. Fierstein won a 1984 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for the original production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Now, 28 years later, he is starring as Albin in the Tony Award-winning revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street). In the New York area, 'Today' airs on WNBC Channel 4. Check local listings.

April at The Metropolitan Room

During April, May, and June the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture will present three cabaret events and four afternoons of high tea accompanied by unique entertainment at Maxim's: The Nancy Goldberg International Center.

Four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein will be featured tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16 on 'The Today Show' during the 10:00-11:00 AM hour. Fierstein won a 1984 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for the original production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Now, 28 years later, he is starring as Albin in the Tony Award-winning revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street). In the New York area, 'Today' airs on WNBC Channel 4. Check local listings.

Andrea McArdle and daughter Alexis Kalehoff co-star as a mother and daughter in TheatreWorks' BLOOD BROTHERS in Naples, Florida. Performances run through March 20.

The Broadway Beauty Pageant adds Lee Roy Reams to open the show in a special number 'Beautiful Boys' created by Gerard Alessandrini. The award-winning Tovah Feldshuh will be the host for this not-to-be-missed event on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 8:00 PM, benefiting The Ali Forney Center, NYC's primary housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. The annual show will again be at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street). This year's contestants are: Matt Anctil, La Cage aux Folles; Michael Cusumano, Chicago; Raymond J. Lee, Anything Goes; Brandon Rubendall, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; and James Tabeek, Mary Poppins. Conceived by Jeffery Self and directed by Ryan J. Davis, The Broadway Beauty Pageant is musically directed by Christopher Denny, choreographer is Erin Porvaznika. Brian Tovar is the lighting designer The evening is produced by Wil Fisher, Ryan J. Davis, Jeffery Self and Matthew Oberstein.

In the roughly five years between November of 1935 and December of 1940, the team of Rodgers and Hart opened nine new musicals on Broadway.  These included revolutionary shows like On Your Toes, which changed the use of dance in musical theatre, and the underappreciated Pal Joey, which brought new sophistication to the characters and themes that could be featured in a musical.  There were also popular hits like Babes In Arms, The Boys From Syracuse, Jumbo and Too Many Girls that introduced classic American songbook entries like 'My Funny Valentine,' 'The Lady Is A Tramp,' 'Falling In Love With Love,' 'My Romance' and 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was.'

Following the record breaking success of Disney's 101 Dalmatians at The Way Off Broadway Children's Theatre, the theatre will next be the home of one of the most memorable tales in storybook history. Continuing the 2011 Season this spring will be the story and adventures of The Three Little Pigs, opening Saturday, April 9th.

Goodspeed Musicals will honor the tremendous creative team that introduced the world to Annie nearly 35 years ago when it debuted at the Goodspeed Opera House. The incomparable team of Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin will be celebrated at a Gala evening on Saturday, June 4, 2011 when they will each receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of their extraordinary careers. Previous award recipients include Julie Andrews, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, William Ivey Long, Michael P. Price, Gerald Schoenfeld, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Stroman, Tommy Tune and Paul Williams. Proceeds from the Gala will support Goodspeed Musicals' Education Programs through The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre.