John Forster News

Four years ago, the Centerstage Board commissioned its Artistic Director, Alan Bryce, to write three new shows. The first of these, For All That, was nominated for a Gregory Award as "Most Outstanding New Play of 2015". The second, Death on the Supermarket Shelf, about the Chicago Tylenol Murders of 1982, received critical acclaim. The third in the series, Cardinal Sins, opens on Saturday, May 13th.

This past Sunday, December 11th, Tony Roberts, legendary actor from Annie Hall, starred as Scrooge, in a performance of A Christmas Carol, to benefit The Nyack Center.  The rest of the cast of neighbors performing for neighbors included: Teddy Bass, Tiffany Card, Noah Morley, Tom Dudzick, Kevin Pariseau, Sean Fleming, Max Reinhardsen, Andrew Greenway, Elizabeth Scotson, Jan Hilliard, Eliza Simpson, Peter Kramer, Steve Taylor, Lorena Mann, Jen White and was narrated by Barry Carl. Live music, and underscoring, was provided by Martha Mooke (viola) and John Forster (keyboards)  Garth Kravits provided live Foley sound effects and Elliott Forrest (WNYC) directed the performance. A Christmas Carol, an audio play, is written by Arthur Yorinks, inspired by the Charles Dickens classic and was performed for the 21st Annual Music and Readings in a Holiday Spirit. 

The first annual HARVARD-YALE CANTATA at Feinstein's/54 Below, a musical competition modeled on the legendary boat race, was nothing short of electrifying. The sold-out show directed and produced by Tom Toce (Yale '78) was one of those evenings that make you grateful and happy to live in New York among so many brilliant and passionate artists. And if you happened to attend either school, it produced a particular pride in all that is wonderful about institutions fashionable to bash in an age of reverse snobbery. (Full disclosure: I graduated from Yale in 1995.) While the second CANTATA played to a slightly smaller crowd, the show featured songs by lyricists who have made lasting contributions to popular music in the 20th Century: Alan Lerner (H '40), Tom Lehrer (H '46 and MA '47), and John Forster (H '69). In more recent years, Cambridge and New Haven have produced Broadway composers such as Larry O'Keefe (H '91 HEATHERS, LEGALLY BLONDE) and Bobby Lopez (Y '97, BOOK OF MORMON, AVENUE Q, and songs from FROZEN), the youngest of only 12 people to win an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, and Oscar.

A longtime member of the Grammy-nominated a cappella band, the Bobs, LA-based composer/vocalist Amy Engelhardt delivered a riotously funny hour of song at Don't Tell Mama on what she conceded was a “shvitzy” Sunday in June (the 19th to be exact). Three o'clock on Father's Day may not be the best slot for a gig, but the Berklee College of Music-trained musician (and 2011 MAC Dottie Burman Award-winner for songwriting) brought her signature wit and warmth to what felt as much like an intimate gathering in her living room as a formal cabaret performance. Engelhardt's show, My Own Devices, featured material from her first album, “Not Gonna Be Pretty,” as well as material to appear on her upcoming second CD release.

The legendary CHITA RIVERA has joined the list of honorees being celebrated at TADA!'s 30th Anniversary Gala on May 23, 2016. The Gala is hosted by TADA! Alum, JORDAN PEELE, of Comedy Central's "Key & Peele."

Performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a radio drama inspired by the Charles Dickens classic, have become a beloved holiday tradition at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR. This year, for the first time, the legendary role of Scrooge will be played by a woman -- acclaimed Golden Globe-winning actress Kathleen Turner.

Performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a radio drama inspired by the Charles Dickens classic, have become a beloved holiday tradition at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR. This year, for the first time, the legendary role of Scrooge will be played by a woman -- acclaimed Golden Globe-winning actress Kathleen Turner. And BroadwayWorld is excited to report the full cast has just been announced!

The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR presents a beloved holiday tradition - a live performance of a radio drama inspired by the Charles Dickens classic.

In honor of his 70th birthday, three-time Grammy winner Tom Chapin is releasing a new solo album 70 that takes the listener on a great ride through the full range of American folk, roots, and singer/songwriter experience.

On Monday, December 8th at 5pm and 7pm, WNYC and WQXR will host the fifth annual presentation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Radio Drama, written by Arthur Yorinks and inspired by the Charles Dickens classic, performed by station hosts and special guests.

Mary Rodgers Guettel died at her home in Manhattan this morning after a long illness, according to her son Alec Guettel. She was 83 years old.

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Last night was Before The Parade Passes By, hosted by KLea Blackhurst and starring Corinna SowersAdler, Raissa Katona Bennett, William Blake, Kevin Dozier, Liam Forde, John Forster, Gregory Generet,Tanya Holt,Eva Kantor, Stearns Matthews, Sally Mayes, Colleen McHugh, Marissa Mulder, Sidney Myer, Mark Nadler, Georga Osborne, and Nick Ziobro.

Last night was Falling In Love With Love: The songs of Rodgers & Hart, hosted by Andrea Marcovicci andJeff Harnar; performances by the cohosts plus, Karen Akers, Christine Andreas, Joyce Breach, Anna Bergman, Liz Callaway, Lauren Fox, Eric Michael Gillett, Clint Holmes, Todd Murray, Steve Ross, and Iris Williams. Check out photos below!

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll. Jones was just honoerd during the festivities and you can check out photos below!

For four magical nights this week, the Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from today, October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll.

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll.

This year WNYC and WQXR continue a beloved holiday tradition with the help of an Emmy Award winner.

This year WNYC and WQXR continue a beloved holiday tradition with the help of an Emmy Award winner.

Composer and writer Mary Rodgers Guettel is at work on her memoirs, according to the New York Post.

The Barns at Wolf Trap Kicks off its Spring Season with a variety of new performers.