Joan Lader News

Writers have been personifying the concept of Death for many ages. Geoffrey Chaucer made him a wizened old man who points some riotous characters to three bushels laden with gold in the story told by The Pardoner in THE CANTERBURY TALES. The antithesis of this is the presentation of Death in Maury Yeston's beguiling new musical DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY which is now on stage at the Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre.

Few stars - or even legends, like this one - boast a resume that includes a Tony Award, the leading role on one of the most cherished sitcoms of the early eighties, a star-making film debut in one of the greatest horror films ever made (with one of the most exciting casts ever assembled), as well as an unparalleled career on the concert and cabaret stages around the world - in addition to a dozen or so leading roles in musicals on Broadway and in the West End, and just as many notable film roles, ranging from intimate indies to big-budget behemoths. Yes, Betty Buckley has conquered every arena of entertainment and it is a rare thrill to reveal such exciting news as Ms. Buckley revealed to me in our comprehensive conversation last week. In this BroadwayWorld Exclusive InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming albums, BOOTLEG: BOARD MIXES FROM THE ROAD and GHOSTLIGHT - the latter produced by Oscar and Grammy-winning producer extraordinaire T Bone Burnett - both in connection to her Town Hall concert on October 16th. Here you will also find the first news of working with Jason Moore, Jake Shears and the rest of the cast and crew of the hotly anticipated new musical based on Armistead Maupin's TALES OF THE CITY premiering next Spring in San Francisco where Ms. Buckley is creating the lead role of Anna Madrigal. We also talk the recent big Emmy-winner out of all of TV this year, HBO's miniseries THE PACIFIC. In this illuminating conversation, Ms. Buckley bares all and reveals that it is the supreme dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to craft that has helped her to become one of the biggest Broadway names of our age with an astoundingly accomplished career almost beyond any comparison. And if all of this breaking news weren't enough, this is the complete unedited conversation where we also look back and talk about everything from CARRIE to TENDER MERCIES, CATS to SUNSET BLVD, William Finn to WYATT EARP, Roman Polanski to Robert Duvall, cabaret to country concert stage and much, much more. Now is the very best time of all to let the memory live again, so it's all eyes (feline and otherwise) on the extraordinary future in the life and career of the legendary Betty Buckley!

After his early triumph in some truly troubled musicals - among them the most notorious of twenty-first century cult Broadway musicals, the infamous DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - this dashing and terrifically talented Broadway leading man went on to star in the most successful production to date of Stephen Schwartz's delicate Gallic musical THE BAKER'S WIFE - causing even the WICKED composer himself to be taken aback by the sheer power of this tenor's voice - and is now singing the most talked about song of the New York Musical Theater Festival - from the new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR - the captivatingly charming and charismatic Max Von Essen. In this thorough discussion we go into his experiences working with Jim Steinman, Roman Polanski, Michael Crawford, John Rando, Mandy Gonzalez and the rest of the cast and creative team of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and how that flash of brilliance of a Broadway debut prepared him for the plight of the working actor making his way on Broadway today. We also discuss the details of his new NYMF musical and singing his star-making solo and adding another notable entry to his pristine performance record. Additionally, we talk about playing Enjorlas in the LES MISERABLES revival co-starring Lea Michele and Daphne Rubin Vega as well as his upcoming appearances and events - such as BROADWAY UNPLUGGED - plus how he keeps his voice in shape to traverse the treacherous vocal territory required of the tenor rock ballads he excels at enacting in song - and thoroughly slaughtering.(He'd be the last to admit he has cords of steel, but he does.) He may be known for 'For Sarah', but this interview is all Max.

Tony Award-winners John Guare and Gregory Mosher are just some of the renowned theater artists who will teach and offer Master Classes to the nation's most talented teenage actors and playwrights as part of Young Arts In the Studio Week, April 17 - 23 in New York City.

Tony Award-winners John Guare and Gregory Mosher are just some of the renowned theater artists who will teach and offer Master Classes to the nation's most talented teenage actors and playwrights as part of Young Arts In the Studio Week, April 17 - 23 in New York City.

Tony Award-winners John Guare and Gregory Mosher are just some of the renowned theater artists who will teach and offer Master Classes to the nation's most talented teenage actors and playwrights as part of Young Arts In the Studio Week, April 17 - 23 in New York City.

The festival will include performances by the faculty and students, as well as seminars by faculty members including Jed Bernstein and Dave Clemmons. Workshops taking place during the project will also be featured including directors such as Frank Wildhorn, David Loud and Christopher D'Amboise.

Susan Boyle wowed the judges with her performance in the auditions for the latest season of Britains Got Talent, singing 'I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Miserables. MSNBC reached out to a number of industry notables, including stage and screen star Rachel York and singing teacher extraordinaire Joan Lader. The consensus reports MSNBC: She really does have an exceptional voice.

Broadway Star and BTP Alum Ashley Brown, currently playing Mary Poppins in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins, Rob Fisher and Joan Lader will be teaching at Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa Week Two.

Broadway Theatre Project announces special guest artists for this summer.

More stars will join the previously announced Christopher D'Amboise, Lisa Jolley and Jed Bernstein as teachers at Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa, during the first week of the program.

The Broadway Theatre Project has announced its comprehensive Summer Musical Theatre Arts Education Program, which will take place July 8-29, 2007 at the University of Southern Florida.

The Broadway Theatre Project has announced its comprehensive Summer Musical Theatre Arts Education Program, which will take place July 8-29, 2007 at the University of Southern Florida.

Speaking to a group of voice teachers and students, Mitchell dissected one of his signature tunes, 'The Impossible Dream.'

Betty Buckley chats about her upcoming New York jazz debut, May 30 - June 4 at the Blue Note New York.