Johnny Mercer News

The Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis announces a major retrospective exhibition of the work of St. Louis-born artist Al Hirschfeld to open on Friday, September 7, 2012 as part of The Sheldon's 100th anniversary celebration.

Shaina Taub plays a rare solo acoustic concert tonight, August 28th at Room 5 Lounge at 8:30 PM, featuring brand new original music and celebrating the one-year anniversary of her record, What Otters Do.

The Sundays In Summer Cabaret Concert Series at the Arthur Newman Theater continues today, August 26th with singer/songwriter and winner of the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award, Michele Brourman. Ms. Brourman has written numerous contemporary standards that have been recorded by Michael Feinstein, Olivia Newton-John, Cleo Laine, Margaret Whiting, Rita Coolidge, Donny Osmond, and Sheena Easton. For the cabaret-set, her songs have been recorded by and performed by some of the best in that genre including Heather MaCrae, Karen Mason, Sharon McKnight, Sally Mayes, Billy Stritch, and her frequent collaborator Amanda McBroom.

American Traditions Competition (ATC) is now searching for singers to submit applications for their 2013, annual competition held January 15-19 in Savannah, Georgia. Deadline for applications is October 15, 2012. A downloadable application is available on the American Traditions website, www.americantraditionscompetition.com, on the Contestants Information page, along with complete American Traditions Competition details.

Rising superstar Jake Owen revealed to fans in Detroit over the weekend that he will return to Motor City as the next headliner of the 11th annual CMT ON TOUR, with special guests Love and Theft and Florida Georgia Line.

Mike Stoller, of the legendary Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller, will appear for a book signing of "Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography" at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Question and Answer Session and screening of the 1957 Warner Bros. classic film (originally made by MGM), "Jailhouse Rock" starring Elvis Presley at 2:00 p.m. today, August 19, 2012 at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif. The screening will celebrate the life of The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, while simultaneously commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the late singer's passing.

Shaina Taub plays a rare solo acoustic concert on Tuesday August 28th at Room 5 Lounge at 8:30 PM, featuring brand new original music and celebrating the one-year anniversary of her record, What Otters Do.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announced casting for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - May 26, 2013, both at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont and the naming of new Artistic Associates and members to the Advisory Board. Alexis J. Rogers will play "Billie Holiday" in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, by Lanie Robertson to be directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley.

The Sundays In Summer Cabaret Concert Series at the Arthur Newman Theater continues on August 26th with singer/songwriter and winner of the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award, Michele Brourman. Ms. Brourman has written numerous contemporary standards that have been recorded by Michael Feinstein, Olivia Newton-John, Cleo Laine, Margaret Whiting, Rita Coolidge, Donny Osmond, and Sheena Easton. For the cabaret-set, her songs have been recorded by and performed by some of the best in that genre including Heather MaCrae, Karen Mason, Sharon McKnight, Sally Mayes, Billy Stritch, and her frequent collaborator Amanda McBroom.

Mike Stoller, of the legendary Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller, will appear for a book signing of "Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography" at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Question and Answer Session and screening of the 1957 Warner Bros. classic film (originally made by MGM), "Jailhouse Rock" starring Elvis Presley at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif. The screening will celebrate the life of The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, while simultaneously commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the late singer's passing.

After a four year, 45-city run, actor Joseph Leo Bwarie, critically- acclaimed for his starring role as Frankie Valli in the 1st National Tour of the hit musical Jersey Boys, will depart the production today, August 12, 2012 to begin work on his second solo studio album.

For 12 years, Merkin Concert Hall's Broadway Close Up series has been taking audiences behind the scenes of classic musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances. The annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway gives theater lovers sneak peeks at some of the best new shows in production. This season's line-up includes:

Jim Gaffigan is on top of the world with the release of his new CD, Mr. Universe, to be distributed by Comedy Central Records on August 28th. The Mr. Universe CD is classic Gaffigan-from in-depth discussions of fast food and having four kids to lengthy insights about whales, his hilarious takes on the mundane never disappoint. Fans can now visit www.getmruniverse.com where they will be treated to an exclusive download of 10 minutes of material from the special.

THE OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE (OPC), one of the most prestigious and acclaimed new play development programs in the United States, will celebrate its 15th Anniversary Season with a stellar program of playwrights, new play workshops, special performance events and guest artists during its Summer New Works Festival from tonight, August 8-August 12, 2012 in Ojai.

That great incubator for cabaret and musical theater, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Cabaret & Performance Conference will present a very special evening in tribute to one of America's greatest and most prolific songwriters. Johnny Mercer, "AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE", A Johnny Mercer Celebration on Friday, August 3 at 8:00 PM at the O'Neill Center's Dina Merrill Theater.

MOONRISE KINGDOM will begin showings at Forum Theatre in Metuchen, NJ, tomorrow, Friday, July 27 at 7:30, Saturday, July 28 at 5:30 & 7:30 and Sunday, July 29 at 4pm.

One for My Baby, set to a score of some three dozen Harold Arlen classics and billed as "a song-and-dance celebration ofbig-city nightlife at the end of World War II," will have a private, industry-only workshop at the New 42nd Street Studios, 229 West 42 Street, this October 11 and October 12.

Artistic Director Michael Bush presents the final schedule of performances for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 2012 Cabaret & Performance Conference. Beginning today, August 1, the ten-day conference will feature performances nightly, with the Grand Finale on Saturday evening, August 11.

Shaina Taub plays Rockwood Music Hall on Monday July 30th at 8 PM, featuring brand new original music and songs off her record, What Otters Do.

MOONRISE KINGDOM will begin showings at Forum Theatre in Metuchen, NJ, tomorrow, Friday, July 27 at 7:30, Saturday, July 28 at 5:30 & 7:30 and Sunday, July 29 at 4pm.