Jim Steinman News

Producers Ben Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, The Shubert Organization, Peter Bezemes, Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman, Nanda Anand and Peter Bogyo by special arrangement with/and based on the Vereinigte Buhnen Wien GmbH production, announced that the new musical REBECCA, based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, will open on Broadway Sunday, April 22 at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, March 27. Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, Love Never Dies, Master Class and as Christine in last month's 25th Anniversary Concert of The Phantom of the Opera in London) will play the lead role of 'I'. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Jimmy Webb, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the slate of 2012 nominees for induction. The organization, which is dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world, holds annual elections to determine those who will make up the roster of inductees for the following year.

Ghostlight Records has released an updated and re-mastered version of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Footloose the Musical. The album is available digitally on today and in stores and physical retailers on October 25, 2011. To hear song previews and pre-order the CD, visit http://sh-k-boom.com/footloosethemusical.shtml.

Ghostlight Records is set to release an updated and re-mastered version of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Footloose the Musical. The album will be available digitally on October 4, 2011 and in stores and physical retailers on October 25, 2011. To hear song previews and pre-order the CD, visit http://sh-k-boom.com/footloosethemusical.shtml.

Today we are talking to the new Roxie in CHICAGO on Broadway best known for her status as one of the most successful songwriters of the twenty-first century, having had hundreds of songs featured on albums by the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Pink and many, many more - with a significant number of them topping the charts in a variety of genres from pop to rock to country and beyond. In this all-encompassing conversation, DioGuardi and I dissect her career thus far - in front of millions and behind the scenes - and she generously sheds some light on how some of her most famous songs came to be - including the modern-day Gwen Stefani classic "If I Were A Rich Girl", famously sampling a song from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Additionally, we talk about her two-year stint on AMERICAN IDOL and what working with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul was like, as well as her opinions on Simon's new talent competition premiering later this year, THE X-FACTOR, and how she looks back on her experience doing the hit show and her own reality series, PLATINUM HIT. Additionally, we discuss DioGuardi's Broadway baby roots and her formative theatrical experiences, as well as what taking the stage at this point in her career means to her - and, all about wearing Ashlee Simpson's costume. Plus, DioGuardi's thoughts on entertainment legends ranging from CHICAGO composer John Kander to rock icon Jim Steinman to Broadway legends like Liza Minnelli, Gwen Verdon, Stephen Sondheim and many, many more. We also have news on her upcoming songs and collaborations to look out for, featuring a vast array of artists such as Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo and more - many featured through her music publishing company, Arthouse Entertainment. As if all of that weren't enough, DioGuardi also shares her affection for GLEE, Broadway song craftsmanship and gypsies!

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre continues its 2011 season with the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, closing Sunday, August 28.

Broadway star, Recording Artist, and Trans-siberian Orchestra member, Rob Evan will bring his show, The Rock Tenor in the Grand Illusion to (le) Poisson Rouge, Monday night, August 22 at 10pm.

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre continues its 2011 season with the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, playing through Sunday, August 28. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m. Check out photos from the production below!

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre continues its 2011 season with the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, opening Tuesday, August 12 -and playing through Sunday, August 28.

Broadway star, Recording Artist, and Trans-siberian Orchestra member, Rob Evan will bring his show, The Rock Tenor in the Grand Illusion to (le) Poisson Rouge, Monday night, August 22 at 10pm. Special guest performers from Broadway, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the world of ROCK will also be featured. Globalvision Records producer and long-time Evan collaborator Jeremy Roberts will provide musical direction. The evening will highlight a 6-piece rock band and four vocalists. Proceeds go to benefit BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. THE GRAND ILLUSION will celebrate the Classic Rock genre and honor some of the most iconic Rock Tenors of our time, featuring songs inspired by some of the great Rock Tenors: Roger Daltrey (THE WHO), Dennis DeYoung & Tommy Shaw (STYX), Lou Gramm (FOREIGNER), Freddie Mercury (QUEEN), Steve Perry (JOURNEY), Bono (U2), Robert Plant (LED ZEPPELIN) David Gilmour & Roger Waters (PINK FLOYD), David Lee Roth & Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN) And Luciano Pavarotti and more.

One of the most explosive movie musicals bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town where there is a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher. When the reverend's daughter sets her sights on Ren her boyfriend trys to sabatoge Ren's reputation. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Set to the rocking rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre continues its 2011 season with the high-energy dance musical, FOOTLOOSE, opening Tuesday, August 12 -and playing through Sunday, August 28.

Producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza, in association with Tony Fusco and Larry Feinman, and by special arrangement with/and based on the Vereinigte Buhnen Wien GmbH production, announced that the new musical REBECCA, based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, will open on Broadway Sunday, April 22 at a Shubert theater to be announced. Previews will begin Tuesday, March 27. Sierra Boggess (currently starring in Master Class, The Little Mermaid, Love Never Dies) is in negotiations to play the role of 'I.'

Just moments ago the trailer for the 2011 re-imagining of the 1984 Herbert Ross musical film FOOTLOOSE hit the internet, and while the emphasis was on the attractive, largely up-and-coming cast and the gritty, earthy take on the revamped and modernized material, there were enough glimpses of boot-kickin', booty shakin' and barn-stormin' to please the gleeks, DWTS addicts and Broadway musical fans out there in the dark, as well. After all, it isn't very often at all anymore that a film boasting a musical element as prevalent as that in the new 2011 FOOTLOOSE comes along, so - if only for that - it's a cause for anticipatory excitement. Directed by HUSTLE & FLOW helmer Craig Brewer, the new Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced big screen version of the classic story of a town that banishes dancing and the scrappy new kid on the bleak block who puts the spark back in their step clearly appears to be a fully-functioning new twist on the tale all its own, ready to reintroduce the story to a whole new generation hungry for a dance-heavy hit. After all, it's been quite awhile since there was a decent movie-musical or music/dance-centric film - HAIRSPRAY, actually (also a Zadan/Meron production), and CHICAGO before that. While this new FOOTLOOSE does not have any traditional burst-into-song moments - as the late-90s Broadway stage version did (though the original film did not) - the dance element is at the forefront of the proceedings, front and center. Yet, what music can we expect?

Legends in their own time, ascending to the top ranks of the Hollywood and Broadway songwriting landscape, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have accomplished and climbed to heights most of what many film fans, Broadway babies and general entertainment junkies only dream of witnessing and ascending to. Marc Shaiman's work with Trey Parker and Matt Stone on SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT prompted Stephen Sondheim - as he told me himself - to cite it as one of the best musicals of the era. And, it is - as is their Tony-winning Best Musical HAIRSPRAY, based on the film by Pope of Trash John Waters. Featuring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah and an all-around-amazing cast of triple-threats, the stunning Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced film version of HAIRSPRAY may be the greatest cinematic Shaiman and/or Wittman accomplishment so far. Then, there is CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - one of the snappiest new scores on Broadway in a strangely strong season of original scores - boasting boss Sinatra blues and sizzling Shirelles riffs and everything else that's swingin' in between. Up next for the team - onstage and off - is a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, in addition to what is perhaps the most exciting prospect on their impossibly cluttered horizon: the new Steven Speilberg/Craig Zadan/Neil Meron musical/comedy/drama series SMASH which has just been picked up for the Fall season on NBC! In this exclusive, extensive and exhaustive conversation we cover it all from HAIRSPRAY to CATCH ME to CHARLIE to all about SMASH and far, far beyond!

Today we are talking to the internationally renowned recording superstar who is also known to theatre fans for her stint onstage in JEKYLL & HYDE - and for her brilliantly big Broadway belt - with a fantastic new album out now on Sony re-teaming with her frequent collaborator/composer/producer, Frank Wildhorn - the talented and alluring Ms. Linda Eder. In this all-encompassing conversation we discuss her many studio albums recorded over the last two decades, as well as her demo work on the countless Wildhorn musicals over the years and the future of those shows (HAVANA is coming!). We also look ahead to her own future and discuss what can be expected in her upcoming concert series promoting the new album NOW, which she will be performing songs from in her upcoming concert at Town Hall. A truly theatrical album featuring a spellbinding title song with lyrics by Tony-winner Maury Yeston, NOW is Eder at her best. Linda also shares the inspiration behind the new album and what the music of Wildhorn means to her - plus, of course, her favorite tracks and recollections of the studio sessions - plus, her equestrian endeavors and much, much more. NOW is available in stories, on Amazon and on iTunes, and further information about Linda's concert appearances - including her Town Hall concert - can be found at her official site here.

Today we are talking to the composer of the new Broadway musical WONDERLAND, who is the only American composer to have had three of his shows running concurrently on Broadway - JEKYLL & HYDE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and THE CIVIL WAR - and has since solidified himself as one of the most successful international musical theatre composers of the 21st century, with his globe-spanning productions of everything from THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in Switzerland to CYRANO in Tokyo to TEARS OF HEAVEN in Korea to the forthcoming Broadway production of BONNIE & CLYDE - the warm and gracious Frank Wildhorn. Over the span of our considerable discussion last week we touched on everything from his pop music roots writing hits for Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers, to his tenure at Atlantic Records and his series of recordings, shows and concerts with muse Linda Eder, as well as a thorough discussion of his compositional process, what inspires him in a story, his own favorite musicals, what the future holds - EXCALIBUR with Jim Steinman, perhaps? The world premiere of the long-awaited HAVANA? JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MOVIE MUSICAL? - and much, much more!

Supremely gifted. Stupendously stunning. Stupefying in her ability to hold magnetic sway over an audience. Kerry Ellis simply has it all and, now, following the worldwide success of her truly awesome collaboration with Queen's Brian May on their epic rock album ANTHEMS, May and Ellis are hitting the road for a UK tour kicking off at the Royal Albert Hall later this month. Over the weekend Kerry was kind enough to take a look back at her career with me - which includes her earth-shattering turns in WICKED in both the West End and on Broadway, plus her unforgettable turns in CHESS: LIVE IN CONCERT, on CD and DVD, as well as OLIVER and more - plus, we take a look ahead to what she would like to tackle next: a one-woman-musical ala TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, perhaps? Whatever she chooses to do, judging from her track record it is clear she will knock it clear out of the park.

Dance of the Vampires (or Tanz der Vampire as the original German language version is named) is a musical remake of a 1967 Roman Polanski film of the same name (called The Fearless Vampire Killers in the USA). Polanski also directed the original German production of this musical. Music was composed by Jim Steinman and orchestrated by Steve Margoshes, and original German book and lyrics were written by Michael Kunze. The following photos are from the movie premiere in Stuttgart.