Jon Fletcher News

Although that bountiful cornucopia of high praise, John 'I Loved It!' Simon, chose to heap lavish compliments on those he saw as standouts with his usual critical generosity, I'd rather not review the performances showcased by Scott and Barbara Siegel in their second annual concert of new talent, Broadway's Rising Stars. Oh, if I did, words like dazzling, beautiful and heartfelt would certainly come to mind, but I'd rather see last Monday night's show as a celebration of all the new faces without comparing their abilities at this early stage of their careers.

Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma's premiere professional theatre company, opens the 2009 'Lyric at the Plaza' season with The Who's Tommy, playing from February 5th through 21st. Produced in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre, this production of Tommy blends young Oklahoma talent with the experience and polish of exceptional Broadway performers. Tommy, the stunning stage adaptation of the 1969 rock opera by the legendary British rock group, The Who, made history in 1993 when it opened on Broadway and brought authentic rock music into the musical theatre realm. The Who's Pete Townshend played a vital part in the creation of the show, staying true to the album's identity as a rock and roll piece, while simultaneously allowing actors to fully develop its drama and bring the emotionally raw and moving story to a final conclusion of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma's premiere professional theatre company, opens the 2009 'Lyric at the Plaza' season with The Who's Tommy, playing from February 5th through 21st. Produced in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre, this production of Tommy blends young Oklahoma talent with the experience and polish of exceptional Broadway performers. Tommy, the stunning stage adaptation of the 1969 rock opera by the legendary British rock group, The Who, made history in 1993 when it opened on Broadway and brought authentic rock music into the musical theatre realm. The Who's Pete Townshend played a vital part in the creation of the show, staying true to the album's identity as a rock and roll piece, while simultaneously allowing actors to fully develop its drama and bring the emotionally raw and moving story to a final conclusion of reconciliation and forgiveness.

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd St.) presents some of the best music in town as it announces its next production, Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, directed by Charlotte Moore with traditional and original music. Previews begin Wednesday, December 3,2008. The official opening will be on Sunday, December 7, 2008.

On Monday July 21st, Town Hall continued to present it's series of acclaimed summer concerts with the performance of BROADWAY'S RISING STARS. BROADWAY'S RISING STARS was co-directed by Tony Nominee Emily Skinner and Nightlife Award winning vocalist Scott Coulter. Designed to launch the careers of the next generation of Broadway stars, the show featured 20 of the most outstanding young talents from performing arts schools in New York and across the country. The future stars of the Great White Way were chosen during auditions throughout the spring and come from theatrical institutions including as AMDA, CAP21, Julliard, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Marymount and the New School.