Joseph Thalken News

Tonight, April 1 at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center, New York Festival of Song concludes its 2013-14 edition of NYFOS Next-the series for new song in which composers curate and host an hour of contemporary song-with celebrated composer HAROLD MELTZER.

Pride Films & Plays' next mainstage show is the Chicago premiere of Mark Campbell's musical revue Songs from an Unmade Bed, a love letter to gay men living in the city. Songs From An Unmade Bed is performed by Kevin Webb* and Jordan Phelps*, joined by understudies Jonas Davidow and Tommy Thurston on percussion, and is directed by Derek Van Barham*, under the music direction of Robert Ollis*. Scroll down for a look at the cast!

To witness---and, yes, hear---Tony Award-winning legend Patti LuPone on a stage live-belting the bejesus out of a note (well, several notes, really) is just another not-so-subtle reminder for newbies and veterans alike why she's such a one-of-a-kind, ultra-talented star in the first place. She can, pretty much, take any piece of music and make it sound... well, effortlessly incredible. The results? Jaws dropped. Audible 'wows' echoed. Cheers were deafening and plentiful. That prowess was certainly in full-display on the evening of March 22, when LuPone came to Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Concert Hall for a one-night-only performance of her latest high-concept concert entitled FAR AWAY PLACES.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cats' and 'Les Miserables' open in major suburban productions, a world premiere from Hershey Felder, a Chicago premiere from Pride Films And Plays, 'Carnival' spins, Harms and Scrofano feted, season announcements from Porchlight, Williams Street and Milwaukee Skylight, and more!

Award-winning musical theater superstar, Patti LuPone, who has portrayed some of Broadway's most memorable roles, returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a special one-night-only performance of her latest concert, Far Away Places tonight, March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Gingold Theatrical Group, under the leadership of David Staller, honored philanthropist Anita Jaffe and playwright/actor Charles Busch at its Annual Golden Shamrock Gala, earlier this week at Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Ave at 14th Street). The GTG Golden Shamrock Award is given annually for artistic contribution to society. Past honorees include Terrence McNally, Judith Ivey, Brian Murray, and Robert Osborne. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night abd you can check out photo coverage below!

On Tuesday, April 1 at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center, New York Festival of Song concludes its 2013-14 edition of NYFOS Next-the series for new song in which composers curate and host an hour of contemporary song-with celebrated composer HAROLD MELTZER.

New York Festival of Song celebrates one of its oldest and closest friends with a special evening on its forward-looking NYFOS Next series: The Music of John Musto tonight, March 4, 2014, at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center.

New York Festival of Song celebrates one of its oldest and closest friends with a special evening on its forward-looking NYFOS Next series: The Music of John Musto on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center.

Tonight, January 28, 2014 at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center, New York Festival of Song opens the 2013-14 edition of its forward-looking NYFOS Next series with MARK ADAMO & FRIENDS.

A total of 46 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus in East Haddam, CT this month to participate in the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing nearly 30 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center, New York Festival of Song opens the 2013-14 edition of its forward-looking NYFOS Next series with MARK ADAMO & FRIENDS.

Award-winning musical theater superstar, Patti LuPone, who has portrayed some of Broadway's most memorable roles, returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a special one-night-only performance of her latest concert, Far Away Places on Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Tony Award winner and Broadway star Patti LuPone returns to Carnegie Hall on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, presenting her solo show, Far Away Places-a travelogue of styles and stories that traces the actress's wanderlust with songs from the likes of Kurt Weill, Cole Porter, and Edith Piaf, conceived and directed by Scott Wittman, and with music direction and arrangements by Joseph Thalken.

Well sung and engaging, this show is one to see!

Cornelia Street Cafe presents CCi's Serial Underground featuring The Life I'm Leading: Music of Daniel Felsenfeld including several premieres tonight, June 2nd at 6pm. Guest Artists include flutists Meerenai Shim (California based), Jessica Schmitz and Sarah Carrier, pianists Blair McMillen and Mila Henry, cellist Rose Bellini, soprano Marcy Richardson and violist Stephanie Griffin.

Cornelia Street Cafe presents CCi's Serial Underground featuring The Life I'm Leading: Music of Daniel Felsenfeld including several premieres on Sunday, June 2nd at 6pm. Guest Artists include flutists Meerenai Shim (California based), Jessica Schmitz and Sarah Carrier, pianists Blair McMillen and Mila Henry, cellist Rose Bellini, soprano Marcy Richardson and violist Stephanie Griffin.

Atlantic Theater Company welcomes Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare, who will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

Some of Broadway's brightest stars came out to cheer Rebecca Luker in her return to 54 Below on Thursday, May 9. Bernadette Peters, Martha Plimpton, Howard McGillin, Ron Raines, Sally Wilfert and Luker's husband Danny Burstein were among those who came backstage to visit with Luker following the opening night of her return engagement, 'Rebecca Luker sings Jerome Kern.' Scroll down for photos from backstage!

Atlantic Theater Company has announced that Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.