Jim Walton News

Today we are taking a listen to Stephen Sondheim's musicals of the 1980s, each a striking artistic achievement attempting to do something never done before in Broadway history and improving the very genre of musical theatre itself with his work on these three very different shows. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and INTO THE WOODS...

Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, have joined the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals.

Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien have joined the New York Philharmonic's presentation of SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

According to published reports, NY Philharmonic's 'Sondheim: The Birthday Concert,' will be recorded for PBS' 'Great Performances' series. The concert will take place March 15-16 at Avery Fisher Hall.

Tom Aldredge, Len Cariou, Nathan Lane, Alexander Hanson and Michele Pawk have joined other stars who have shone in Stephen Sondheim musicals, including Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters in a gala celebration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Monday, April 26. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, will highlight numbers from shows for which Mr. Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and will feature a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Mr. Sondheim.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) limited engagement of Bye Bye Birdie will play its final performance on Sunday, January 24th at 2:00 PM.

New York City Center will celebrate Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Monday, April 26 with a gala celebration featuring stars who have shone in Sondheim musicals including Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Raúl Esparza, Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters. Directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle, the evening will highlight shows for which Mr. Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and will feature a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The Benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Mr. Sondheim.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) limited engagement of Bye Bye Birdie will play its final performance on Sunday, January 24th at 2:00 PM.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) limited engagement of Bye Bye Birdie will play its final performance on Sunday, January 24th at 2:00 PM.

Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien have joined the New York Philharmonic's presentation of SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Stage and screen star John Stamos will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, revealed today, November 16th. The star will be the 2,393rd given to honor a star on the Walk of Fame.

Michael Dale reviews Bye Bye Birdie and focuses on the positives in the production: dance ensemble numbers sparkled with real show-biz energy and livened up the production, Allie Trimm's solid performance, and Dee Hoty's presence.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Thursday, October 29, 2009.

On October 26th and October 27th, a private industry reading of the musical A Day in the Life of Gloucester will take place, featuring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (Shrek), and Broadway vets Christopher Sieber (Shrek) and Lenny Wolpe (The Drowsy Chaperone). Lonny Price (A Class Act) will direct the reading at Chelsea Studios. The musical features a book by Bob Walton with music and lyrics by Jim Walton.

On October 26th and October 27th, a private industry reading of the musical A Day in the Life of Gloucester will take place, featuring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (Shrek), and Broadway vets Christopher Sieber (Shrek) and Lenny Wolpe (The Drowsy Chaperone). Lonny Price (A Class Act) will direct the reading at Chelsea Studios. The musical features a book by Bob Walton with music and lyrics by Jim Walton.

On October 26th and October 27th, a private industry reading of the musical A Day in the Life of Gloucester will take place, featuring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (Shrek), and Broadway vets Christopher Sieber (Shrek) and Lenny Wolpe (The Drowsy Chaperone). Lonny Price (A Class Act) will direct the reading at Chelsea Studios. The musical features a book by Bob Walton with music and lyrics by Jim Walton.

This week, BroadwayWorld.com Radio is celebrating the show in our own style, featuring music from both the Original Broadway Cast Recording and from the soundtrack to the film, played at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour, every hour, all week long!

BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there as 'Queen of All Media' and frequent theater blogger Perez Hilton stopped by backstage after catching the performance last night!

Bye Bye Birdie celebrated Opening Night on Thursday, October 15th at the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street). Bye Bye Birdie stars John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin & Nolan Gerard Funk with Jayne Houdyshell, Dee Hoty, Matt Doyle, Jake Evan Schwencke and Alllie Trimm. BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were on hand to welcome the revival and bring you this MEGA preview featuring interviews with the cast, creative and tons of clips to satisfy even the most rabid 'Birdie' fans!