Jerry Herman News

Reprise Theatre Company presents two one-night only special events: An Evening with Sutton Foster for one performance only on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 8:00 pm, and Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky on Monday, February 21,2011 at 8:00pm. Both events will be presented at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. An Evening with Sutton Foster Betty Buckley in Concert with Seth Rudetsky are the latest in Reprise Theatre Company's tradition of presenting Broadway stars in concert, which have included Patti LuPone, Carol Burnett, Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

BROADWAY BY THE BAY (BBBay), the Peninsula's premier musical theatre company, continues its 45th Anniversary season with the classic Broadway musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, running Thursday, September 16 through Sunday, October 3 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center (600 N. Delaware Ave., San Mateo). Tickets for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES range in price from $20 - $48 and are on sale now at the Broadway By the Bay Box Office (851 Burlway Road, Suite 300 Burlingame), by phone at 650-579-5565 and on the Web at broadwaybythebay.org. Special youth, student, senior and group pricings are available.

Light Opera Works' 2010 season continues in the fall with Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's, I DO! I DO! (October 3-November 14) on the Second Stage, and Jerry Herman's HELLO, DOLLY! (December 26-January 2) on the mainstage.

Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company are proud to announce a World Premiere Musical about the life of Bessie Smith written and directed by former Alliance Theatre Associate Artistic Director, David H. Bell.

Today we talk to the world's foremost authority on twentieth-century music, the incomparable cabaret artist and Broadway performer known for his countless albums and appearances on film, television and stages worldwide, the affable and well-spoken - and encyclopedic - Michael Feinstein! In this SOUND OFF Special Interview he does BroadwayWorld the special honor of diagramming a lesser known gem - in this case, one of Cole Porter's final compositions - in his inimitable and illuminating style, as well as opening up about his new PBS reality series. We simultaneously speak to acclaimed directed Amber Edwards (WORDS & MUSIC: JERRY HERMAN) who also provides her insights on how to approach documentation of a life as rich, varied and hectic as Feinstein's. Lest we forget, he also owns and operates the premier cabaret club in Manhattan, Feinstein's At The Regency! Talking everything from Ira and George to iPods and Glee, Feinstein and Edwards share their insights and experiences in championing the twenty-first century Great American Songbook on television and on the internet in 2010 and bringing Feinstein's formidable talents to a whole new generation. All of that, and more show tunes than you can shake a stick at! Be sure to tune into your local PBS station next Wednesday at 8 PM for the premiere episode of MICHAEL FEINSTEIN'S AMERICAN SONGBOOK!

Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting Hairspray, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. On September 26, the company celebrated the show's official opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you after-party coverage below!

Suzanne Petri and Bob Moreen create a portrait of life down the road... through the eyes of the characters they meet on their journey...different portraits in a frame... different shoes in a box...leading to who knows where?

PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, will release the New Broadway Cast Recording for the 2010 Tony Award-winning production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tomorrow, Tuesday, September 28.

Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting Hairspray, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Michele Lynch, at the Millburn theatre from September 22 through October 24, 2010. Yesterday, September 26, the company celebrated the show's official opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

Reprise Theatre Company presents A Party With Marty, an evening of comedy and song with Martin Short and featuring Jason Alexander for one performance only on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 8:00 pm, at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills (formerly the Wilshire Theatre). This world premiere event features old friends, and former cast mates from "The Producers," Martin Short and Reprise Theatre Company Artistic Director Jason Alexander doing what they do best - making people laugh! Ticket sales for this event support Reprise Theatre Company and their mission to produce great musical theatre as well as arts education programs that bring the magic of theatre to underserved members of our community. Reprise Theatre Company is headed by Artistic Director Jason Alexander, who is best known for his 9-year stint as George Costanza on "Seinfeld." Christine Bernardi is Managing Director and Gilles Chiasson is Producing Director of Reprise Theatre Company. Tickets are available for "A Party With Marty" and go on sale to the public on October 4 and are available online at www.reprise.org , ticketmaster.com, by calling the Saban Theatre box office at (323) 655-0111, and at all Ticketmaster Outlets. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Martin Short began his career in Canada's "SCTV Comedy Network" for which he received an Emmy Award. Short's proven ability as a comedic chameleon and his host of hilarious impressions brought him to the attention of "Saturday Night Live." From there, he made his big screen debut in "Three Amigos," Other films include "Inner Space", "Three Fugitives", "Clifford", "Mars Attacks", "The Big Picture", Father of the Bride 1 & 2 and "Jiminy Glick in LALAWOOD, among others Short has received 15 Emmy nominations for his work in television which includes "Merlin", "Alice in Wonderland," "The Martin Short Show", "Primetime Glick" and this season's "Damages", for which he was most recently nominated. A veteran of the theater in Canada and on Broadway, Short has received accolades for his varied work on stage including "The Goodbye Girl" (Tony nomination, Theatre World Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), "Little Me" (Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), and "The Producers" (with Jason Alexander) and in 2006, his musical-comedy Broadway hit "Fame Becomes Me." In 1994, Short was awarded the "Order of Canada" and in 2000 was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame. However, all of the above is a distant second to his love and respect for his wife Nancy and their three children Katherine, Oliver and Henry. About Reprise Theatre Company Since its inception in 1997, Reprise Theatre Company has been a focus of the Los Angeles musical theatre community, producing productions of great American musicals, and a wide variety of concerts, staged-readings, special events and outreach programs. In May 2007, Jason Alexander became Artistic Director. Christine Bernardi is Managing Director and Gilles Chiasson is Producing Director of Reprise. Since its inaugural production of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Promises, Promises," which starred Mr. Alexander, Reprise has brought to the stage vibrant productions from all eras of American musical theatre including the Gershwins' "Of Thee I Sing" and "Strike Up the Band," Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," and Rodgers and Hart's "The Boys from Syracuse" and "Babes in Arms," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," as well as Richard Rodgers' later "No Strings." The "Golden Era" has been well represented - Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg with "Finian's Rainbow," Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe with "Brigadoon," Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green with "On the Town" and "Wonderful Town," Irving Berlin with "Call Me Madam," Robert Wright and George Forrest with "Kismet," both of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musicals "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees," Johnny Mercer and Gene dePaul with "Li'l Abner," Jule Styne with "Bells are Ringing," and Frank Loesser with "The Most Happy Fella" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Musical theatre reached a new peak of popularity in the sixties, along with new creative talents, and Reprise has presented shows by many of them including Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt with "The Fantasticks," Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with "She Loves Me," Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot's "Hair," Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone with "1776," Charles Adams and Lee Strouse with "Applause," Stephen Schwartz with "Pippin," Cy Coleman with "On the Twentieth Century" (libretto by Betty Comden and Adolph Green), "City of Angels" (lyrics by David Zippel), and "I Love My Wife" (libretto by Michael Stewart), Jerry Herman with "Mack and Mabel," Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's "Once on This Island," and four Stephen Sondheim musicals - "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Company," "Sweeney Todd," and "Sunday in the Park with George." Many of the great stage performers working today, as well as those who make their residence primarily in Los Angeles, have appeared in Reprise shows including Scott Bakula, Christine Baranski, Brent Barrett, Orson Bean, Jodi Benson, Stephen Bogardus, Dan Butler, Len Cariou, Carolee Carmello, Vicki Carr, Patrick Cassidy, Anthony Crivello, Jason Danieley, Lea DeLaria, Cleavant Derricks, Manoel Feliciano, Rodney Gilfry, Kelsey Grammer, Josh Grisetti, Harry Groener, Bob Gunton, Sam Harris, Gregory Harrison, Simon Helberg, Mimi Hines, Judy Kaye, Jane Krakowski, Marc Kudish, Ledisi, Vicki Lewis, Judith Light, Rebecca Luker, Eric McCormack, Maureen McGovern, Joey McIntyre, Donna McKechnie, Andrea Marcovicci, Marin Mazzie, Julie Migenes, Karen Morrow, Burke Moses, Kelli O'Hara, John O'Hurley, Ken Page, Robert Picardo, David Hyde Pierce, Larry Raben, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Roger Rees, Charles Nelson Reilly, Cathy Rigby, Alexandra Silber, Douglas Sills, Rex Smith, Brent Spiner, Lea Thompson, Steven Weber, Lee Wilkof, Ruth Williamson, Marisa Jaret Winokur, Lillias White, Fred Willard, and Rachel York.

With the 2010 Season still in full swing, The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre is about to begin work on its 2011 Season, which features some of the biggest name shows in musical theater history, including South Pacific, Hairspray, and Chicago.

Opening this weekend at the Stage Door, and running until September 26, is the musical 'Mack and Mabel.' At the helm is director Michael Leeds (Tony nomination 'Swingin' on A Star'), who was a performer in the first National Tour with Bernadette Peters. Consequently, he has a special affinity for the show and was able to convince Jerry Herman to give him some leeway on new approaches and changes to for this production. 'I didn't get everything I wanted,' says Leeds with a laugh, ' but he was kind enough to give me a lot, including the ending that was eventually used on the tour, but not on Broadway.'

The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, Florida will present Jerry Herman's musical MACK & MABEL through September 26.

September at The Metropolitan Room features...

Some of the most anticipated events at the Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Children's Theatre are part of its family breakfast series that all began with the wildly popular Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus).

Spotlight Theatre Company presents "Showtune: Celebrating the Words & Music of Jerry Herman" August 28 - September 25 at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place in Denver.

A record, near-capacity audience leapt to its feet at the Opening Night of Jerry Herman's 8-time Tony Award-nominated musical, MACK & MABEL, on Friday, September 24, at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ. This rollicking and romantic delight by the Tony Award-winning composer of La Cage Aux Folles, Hello, Dolly! and Mame runs through Sunday, October 17, 2010.

Some of the most anticipated events at the Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Children's Theatre are part of its family breakfast series that all began with the wildly popular Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus).

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Eric Hafen, Artistic Director of the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, proudly launches his 2010-2011 'Stage & Screen' Season with Jerry Herman's most-beloved musical, Mack & Mabel, running on the Bickford Mainstage from Thursday, September 23, through Sunday, October 17.