Jerry Herman News

In a year when new musical theatre productions in London consisted of juke box transfers, classic revivals, whimsical adventure stories and majestic failures, one might be forgiven for thinking that the age of great new musicals exists merely in days of Auld Lang Syne. So let's pause and think back over the year's musical fayre.

In addition to 'Wall-E,' another well-reviewed summer blockbuster, Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight,' proved popular with the nation's critics. And the acclaimed stage to screen transfers of Doubt and Frost/Nixon made many of the critics top choice lists as well.

The YORK THEATRE COMPANY (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) and Melanie Herman, who produced The Musical Of Musicals (The Musical!), announce the final performances of the Off-Broadway Premiere of My Vaudeville Man!, a new musical based on the life of legendary eccentric tap star Jack Donahue. My Vaudeville Man! had its world premiere at last year's NY Musical Theatre Festival under the title Mud Donahue and Son.

The YORK THEATRE COMPANY (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) and Melanie Herman, who produced The Musical Of Musicals (The Musical!), are proud to announce that the Off-Broadway Premiere of My Vaudeville Man!, a new musical based on The Life of legendary eccentric tap star Jack Donahue, will be recorded on January 2nd for release this Spring.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC) today announced their 2009 benefit gala, ?Laugh Out Loud,' on Tuesday, February 24th from 6:30-10:00 p.m. at the Westside Loft in Manhattan.

With the sponsorship of Southwest Airlines, this amazing evening held at the Alex Theatre in Glendale CA and under the direction of Bruce Mayhall, brought festive song and dance that not only set the audiences feet to tapping and smiles to their lips, but also a tear or two to the eye as chorus members shared stories of Christmas' past.

Chicago Film Critics Association have announced their 2008 Award Winners and Pixar's animated and very successful release WALL-E was in the lead taking four awards, including Best Picture.

On December 13th and 14th a special celebration will be taking place to honor beloved musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz, whose current musical WICKED is the most successful of all time. The Festival of New American Musicals with co-directors and producers, Debi and Asher Lewis, will premiere a new and original musical revue, 7TH & SCHWARTZ, highlighting songs from many Stephen Schwartz shows including Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden and more. The show's cast is comprised of professional adult actors and local performing arts students from our neighborhood schools, and will take place at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center.

Variety has reported that Disney/Pixar's robot love story 'Wall-E' was named best picture of the year by the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. yesterday Tuesday December 9th, marking the first time in the org's 33-year history that an animated film has taken the top prize.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) will honor Tony? Award-winner George S. Irving with the 17th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre Monday, December 8th.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander. 'I Love My Wife' will be directed by Larry Moss with choreography by Lee Martino and music direction by Michael Skloff.

Sensational international artist JOSH GROBAN will serve as host for the concert BBC RADIO 2 CELEBRATES THE MUSIC OF DISNEY.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

Bernadette Peters is keeping busy this holiday season, and this gives you plenty of chances to catch her signing books and appearing on TV. Tuesday, December 2nd -- book signing at New York City's Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue at 4pm as part of the store's all-day Benefit Bash in support of the Fund for Public Schools.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLN?R, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

Maria Friedman, accompanied by an 11-piece band, will play just twenty-five performances of her most recent solo show Maria Friedman: Re-arranged at the Trafalgar Studios from 27 November 2008 - 4 January 2009.

On December 13th and 14th a special celebration will be taking place to honor beloved musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz, whose current musical WICKED is the most successful of all time. The Festival of New American Musicals with co-directors and producers, Debi and Asher Lewis, will premiere a new and original musical revue, 7TH & SCHWARTZ, highlighting songs from many Stephen Schwartz shows including Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden and more. The show's cast is comprised of professional adult actors and local performing arts students from our neighborhood schools, and will take place at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.