John Tartaglia News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Jeff Award winners, 'Traces,' 'Finishing The Hat,' 'The Rocky Horror Show,' 'The Sound Of Music,' 'It Gets Better,' more....

The treats are multiplying for theatre-loving kids! KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY's special Halloween edition is gearing up with extra spooky tricks and treats!

'Let's see if we can do this without a microphone,' peeped Jo Sullivan Loesser, as she prepared to fill the 1,495-seat Town Hall with 'Somebody, Somewhere,' which she introduced in the 1956 original Broadway production of The Most Happy Fella.  While the age of the widow of the great Frank Loesser is a fact you'll not find via Google, let's just say she's a few decades beyond the point where audiences would expect to hear such lovely, expressive and, yes, loud soprano tones from an unamplified voice.  The house, still and silent for those few minutes of bliss, finally erupted with appreciative cheers for the brief reminder of a time when all Broadway musicals were sung that way.

As any preschool or elementary school teacher can tell you, the hardest part about reaching kids is getting their attention. Once you've done that, you can start to get your message across. Last Sunday, I sat in a dark and crowded theatre full of kids who had just come inside from some pretty spectacular October weather. Most of them were jumping around in their seats and few seemed ready to focus and absorb the experience of live theatre.....including my 6-year-old daughter and her 7-year old friend.

The 2010 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 will be available in Broadway theaters Oct. 22nd. Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2010 Broadway line-up.

The 2010 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 will be available in Broadway theaters Oct. 22nd. Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2010 Broadway line-up.

The Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway hit John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean has partnered with StudentsLive the premiere Broadway education company, to create a special workshop called Imagine That! to take students behind-the-scenes and under the ocean at New World Stages prior to seeing a performance of the show.

Yesterday, October 17, The Town Hall presented Broadway Originals. The afternoon featured songs and memories with performers reprising songs they introduced either in the original Broadway production or revival. This three-concert series, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for THE TOWN HALL, took place over one weekend and included Broadway Melody Makers on Friday, October 15th and Betty Buckley in Concert on Saturday, October 16 at 8PM.

Broadway stars responded in song to the LGBT suicides by recording 'It Gets Better' by Jay Kuo and Blair Shepard.

Lucie Arnaz (They're Playing Our Song), Sarah Uriarte Berry (A Light in the Piazza), Carole Demas (Grease), Loni Ackerman (So Long, 174th Street) and Nancy Opel (Urinetown), join the cast of The Town Hall's Broadway Originals on Sunday, October 17th at 3:00 PM.

The Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway hit John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean has partnered with StudentsLive the premiere Broadway education company, to create a special workshop called Imagine That! to take students behind-the-scenes and under the ocean at New World Stages prior to seeing a performance of the show.

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Judy Kaye Completes the Cast of Broadway Melody Makers on October 15th forTHE TOWN HALL'SAnnual Broadway Cabaret FestivalOctober 15th, 16th and 17th Tony Award ® winner Judy Kaye (Phantom, Souvenir, Mama Mia) completes the cast of THE TOWN HALL's Broadway Melody Makers on Friday, October 15th.

Broadway's Melody Makers on Friday, October 15 - Starring Tom Wopat, Ana Gasteyer, Mary Testa, Nellie MacKay and More!

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport announces its next special event in their ongoing Broadway Concert Series on Saturday, November 6th at 8 PM with Broadway Center Stage.

In light of the recent string of suicides among young gay men in our country, The Laurie Beechman Theatre is humbled to present It Gets Better: Broadway Supports The Trevor Project. The 6pm concert will host some of Broadway's leading voices, lending their support to this vital organization that provides suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

Pre-orders of Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 are being taken now for November 1st delivery.

Lucie Arnaz (They're Playing Our Song), Sarah Uriarte Berry (A Light in the Piazza), Carole Demas (Grease), Loni Ackerman (So Long, 174th Street) and Nancy Opel (Urinetown), join the cast of The Town Hall's Broadway Originals on Sunday, October 17th at 3:00 PM.

The Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway hit John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean has released an anti-bullying PSA. To watch it, click below.

Actor, producer and puppeteer John Tartaglia was invited to be "Principal for the Day" at P.S. 41 on Staten Island yesterday.