John Kander News

Tasti D-Lite has named a new flavor, "MISS BYRD'S RED VELVET D-LITE," to honor one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Current cast members of The York Theatre Company production, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Anika Larsen, James Moye, and Sal Viviano, will be on hand on Thursday, October 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Times Square Tasti D-Lite (1588 Broadway between 47th & 48th St) to introduce the world to the deliciously decadent new treat. There will also be an in-store raffle to win two tickets to Closer Than Ever and a $25 Tasti Treat Card.

Fifteen years after its Broadway debut - when it was nominated for 11 Tony Awards - Steel Pier, a musical by Cabaret and Chicago composers John Kander and Fred Ebb, will get its European professional premiere at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 31 October.

Today we are talking to a charismatic leading man who has made quite a mark on Broadway over the last few seasons, having participated in the original Broadways casts of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (for which he received a Tony nomination for Best Actor), Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT (as Favorite Son) and, most recently, the rapturously-received revival of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS (as Jake), which won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival - the multi-talented Joshua Henry. Discussing the creation, casting, rehearsal and reception of each of the aforementioned musicals, as well as working with his collaborators on said projects - John Kander, Susan Stroman, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Kitt, Michael Mayer, Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, Diane Paulus and more included - Henry illustrates the process of bringing the three wildly different entities to the stage and how he shaped his disparate characters within them. Additionally, Henry also discusses his role in the original production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS and that Tony-winning Best Musical's inception and legacy. Plus, Henry expounds on his new self-composed family-friendly musical, AMIGO DUENDE, directed by Luis Salgado, which begins performances October 5 at El Musio Del Barrio and also shares the inspiration behind it. All of that, first news on his starring role in COTTON CLUB PARADE at City Center (co-starring GLEE's Amber Riley), sharing the screen with Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and the Fab Four in SEX & THE CITY: THE MOVIE, his role in the recent MOTOWN workshop (as Marvin Gaye), future plans and much, much more!

Today, Nancy Rhodes, Artistic Director announced that the Honorary Chairs, Sheldon Harnick and Maury Yeston join Encompass New Opera Theatre in celebrating Alan Menken's life in the American theatre, film and recording world on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Kinky Boots,' 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' the 2012 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, 'Sexy Baby,' 'The Marvelous Wonderettes,' 'One Name Only' and more!

Continuing their "Celebration of Off-Broadway,' The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), will present a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan Wade, Man with a Load of Mischief will play three performances only, today, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 2 at 3:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's. Casting will be announced shortly

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), has announced full casting for a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan L. Wade, the cast will feature P.J. Benjamin (Wicked), Naomi Brockwell, Stephen R. Buntrock (A Little Night Music), Rachel de Benedet (Catch Me If You Can), Nancy Johnston (Elf) and Robert Petkoff (Anything Goes).

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center today announced FREUD'S LAST SESSION, New York's long-running hit play by Mark St. Germain, is set to open in Los Angeles this winter starring Judd Hirsch as Sigmund Freudand Tom Cavanagh as C. S. Lewis under the direction of Tyler Marchant, who helmed the original New York production. Presented by The Broad Stage and CRC Productions, FREUD'S LAST SESSION will begin preview performances January 11(th) through January 15(th). Opening Night is Wednesday, January 16(th) and will run for a limited engagement through February 10(th) at The Broad Stage.

The Public Theater announced today that Public Theater alumna and Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, who played Viola in the critically acclaimed 2009 Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, will perform a one-night-only concert, Perfectly Marvelous: The Songs of Cabaret with Anne Hathaway and Friends, on Wednesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at Joe's Pub to celebrate and support The Public Theater's revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place. Member tickets on sale now. Single tickets go on sale on Tuesday, October 2.

Though rumors have been circulating for some time that Pamela Anderson is headed to the Great White Way, the actress confirmed yesterday that she still plans to make an appearance on Broadway: 'I'm gonna end up in musical theater. I'm gonna be on Broadway,' she said after her elimination from DANCING WITH THE STARS.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback series in October to discuss Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. Winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, the Midwest Premiere of FREUD'S LAST SESSION has received rave reviews and three Jeff Award nominations, including Best Play. The production has been extended multiple times and is now in final weeks, ending its successful Chicago run on November 11. Written by Mark St. Germain, under the direction of Tyler Marchant, the production stars local theater legend, Mike Nussbaum (Emmy, Drama Desk Award, four-time Jeff Award winner, and recent Sarah Siddons Award recipient), as "Sigmund Freud" and Coburn Goss (Vigils at the Goodman Theatre, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Off Broadway When the Messenger is Hot at 59E59) as "C.S. Lewis."

A new block of tickets through Sunday, November 18, is now on sale for SILENCE! The Musical at the Hayworth Theatre.

Thirteen's acclaimed BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL will return to PBS for a show-stopping encore on Sunday, October 7 at 10 pm/ET.

Today, with musicals such as The Book of Mormon enjoying phenomenal box office success, revivals like The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess delighting new generations, and musical stage versions of popular films such as Once and Newsies dominating the Tony Awards, Broadway is proving yet again that its vitality and magic endure. Nominated for five 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards and winner of two, including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, THIRTEEN's landmark Broadway: The American Musical returns Sunday, October 7 at 10 p.m., and continues on six consecutive Sundays through November 11 (check local listings).

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will welcome James Moye (Dogfight, Million Dollar Quartet) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for George Dvorsky from September 25 - October 7, due to a prior commitment.

Today, Nancy Rhodes, Artistic Director announced that the Honorary Chairs, Sheldon Harnick and Maury Yeston join Encompass New Opera Theatre in celebrating Alan Menken's life in the American theatre, film and recording world on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York City.

Beginning tonight, September 19th, Stephen Hanna will be the new Dream Hannibal in Off-Broadway's SILENCE! The Musical at the new Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. The Elektra Theatre has been specially constructed to be the new home of SILENCE! and is located at 669 Eighth Avenue (at 42nd St.)