John Fischer News

About halfway through Jim Brochu's Saturday, June 29 performance at the Metropolitan Room of his new show Character Man, I realized I was witnessing what was probably the best cabaret show I'd seen this year, and perhaps was one of the best in my almost three years of reviewing cabaret. By the time the show ended, I had changed my mind. Not because the show fell apart in the second half, but because what Jim Brochu had created (and is opening tonight at the Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, Florida, where it will be performed until August 11) was more than a cabaret show. Character Man is a delightful, extremely well-crafted Off-Broadway theater piece that is destined for a run that might rival his critically-acclaimed one-man Zero Mostel tribute show, Zero Hour, which played throughout the country between 2006-2012 and earned Brochu 2010 Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Awards.

Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Award winner Jim Brochu ('Zero Hour,' 'The Big Voice: God or Merman?') just debuted his new solo show 'Character Man' at the Metropolitan Room. Check out photos from the concert below!

On Monday, April 8, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented an encore performance of 'Eleven O'Clock Numbers,' a musical review that ran at Feinstein's at the Regency Hotel for eight months. Scroll down for photos from the show!

Broadway performer Janet Hubert, best known as the outspoken notorious Viv Banks, the original mom from the hit 90's sitcom THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR, returns to New York with FROM BROADWAY TO TV, NOW BACK TO ME. It will be presented for one night only, tonight, December 1 at The Laurie Beechman Theater at West Bank Café. John Fischer will serve as Musical Director.

Broadway performer Janet Hubert, best known as the outspoken notorious Viv Banks, the original mom from the hit 90's sitcom THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR, returns to New York with FROM BROADWAY TO TV, NOW BACK TO ME. It will be presented for one night only, Saturday, December 1 at The Laurie Beechman Theater at West Bank Café. John Fischer will serve as Musical Director.

“We should not do a show more often,” quipped Ryan Silverman as he an Jill Paice took in the appreciative applause of the Town Hall audience before even singing a note of the Broadway musical they were expected to star in this season, Rebecca.  Host Scott Siegel had just recapped the story of the show's numerous delays, fake investors, missing funds and the fact that an estimated 150 theatre professions had either turned down work or stopped seeking immediate employment because of their expectation to be working on Broadway by Christmas.

The only trouble with these 90-minute musicals that start at 7pm is that I really can't get all that enthused over the big 8:15 number.

Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Award winner Jim Brochu ("Zero Hour," "The Big Voice: God or Merman?") will debut his new solo show "Character Man" at the Triad Theatre on Monday, October 1st at 9pm.

On Monday night, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the return of "Eleven O'Clock Numbers," a musical revue that ran for eight months at Feinstein's at The Regency. Starring it's original stars Christina Bianco, Carole J. Bufford and Scott Coulter, the show featured show-stopping Broadway songs from the 1930's to the present. Once again, Scott Siegel produced the evening, and John Fischer musical directed. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the concert event below!

Magda Katz is joining forces with Richard Skipper to launch Richard Skipper Presents...A New Monthly Series at the Triad that will be partly a cabaret show, partly a party! And They ALL will benefit The Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts (www.ChanningArts.org).

Magda Katz is joining forces with Richard Skipper to launch Richard Skipper Presents...A New Monthly Series at the Triad that will be partly a cabaret show, partly a party! And They ALL will benefit The Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts (www.ChanningArts.org).

'I want you to know that the most exciting part I've received recently is my new knee.'

'Do you really think Apple doesn't know?'

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venuekicket off BROADWAY ORIGINALS! on Sunday, October 16nd. Tony winner Tammy Grimes (Unsinkable Molly Brown), Tony nominee Lorraine Serabian (Zorba!), Tituss Burgess (Guys & Dolls/The Little Mermaid), Sarah Uriate Berry (Taboo), Andrea Fierson (Once on This Island), Anne Runolfsson (Cyrano-The Musical) Marianne Tatum (Barnum), and Marva Hicks, Vanessa A. Jones, and Ramona Keller ('The Radio Ladies' from Caroline or Change) starred in the event, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities Click below to check out full coverage.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue, is pleased to announce additional casting for BROADWAY ORIGINALS! on Sunday, October 16nd at 3PM. The matinee is part of The Town Hall's Seventh Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival, which is now being presented In a new format of three consecutive weeks. The additional two evenings are Elaine Stritch At The Town Hall on Saturday, October 22nd and A Tribute To Judy Garland and Gene Kelly on Friday, October 28th, all created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel.

As I wrote five years ago, regarding the first edition of Town Hall's Annual Broadway's Rising Stars concert, the traditional middle evening of their Summer Broadway Festival, this is an event where I have absolutely no intention of writing anything the least bit negative about any of the young performers who were hand-picked by Scott and Barbara Siegel to sing an evening of showtunes.  I have no desire to be the critic who drives some 22-year-old to tears with a bit of constructive criticism, inspiring him or her to angrily vow to the heavens, 'Someday I'll show that Michael Dale!'

The annual Broadway's Rising Stars features students from theatrical institutions throughout the country, including AMDA, CAP21, Steinhardt, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Carnegie Melon, Marymount Manhattan College, and The New School. These future performers make their debut on The Town Hall stage in what has become a national showcase. Scott Coulter is the director, with choreography by Vibecke Dahle and musical direction by John Fischer.

The Town Hall, New York City's landmark theater and concert venue, kicked off its acclaimed 5th Annual Summer Broadway Festival with Broadway's Rising Stars on July 11th and concludes with All Singin' All Dancin' on Monday, July 25th at 8PM. Broadway's Rising Stars showcases students from theatrical institutions across the country who will be making their debut on the Town Hall stage. All Singin' All Dancin' features Broadway show tunes sporting brand new choreography from Mark Stuart and Lorin Latarro, performed by today's Broadway song and dance stars. Ross Patterson is the musical director, with Scott Siegel as creator, writer, and director.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue is presenting the 5th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Presented on three consecutive Monday nights in July at 8PM, the festival kicked-off with BROADWAY WINNERS! THE AWARD WINNING MUSIC OF BROADWAY on July 11th. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), New York's landmark theatre and concert venue presents the 5th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Presented on three consecutive Monday nights in July at 8PM, the festival kicks-off with BROADWAY WINNERS! THE AWARD WINNING MUSIC OF BROADWAY on July 11th. Initial casting for BROADWAY WINNERS! includes two-time Tony Nominee Tom Wopat (Catch Me if You Can), Stephanie Umoh (Ragtime), Drama Desk nominee Alexander Gemignani (Sweeney Todd), Drama Desk Nominee Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid) and Kendrick Jones (The Scottsboro Boys). The evening features Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award Award-Winning music created on the Great White Way.