Jule Styne News

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. The buzz from rehearsals tells us that things are going swimmingly, egos are being kept at-bay and all the cast members gather around the campfire to toast marshmallows and sing 'People' at the end of the evening (thus proving untrue my contention they were singing 'Kumbaya' every night). The dozen Fannys, of course, are my current 12 favorite singing actresses (I remind you, gentle reader, that I am contractually required to make that statement at least 12 times a day), and as you've gotten to know each Fanny one-by-one, we continue that tradition, today offering up the case of one, Ms. Bonnie Keen (who really is my favorite, but please don't tell Cori, Corrie, Sondra, Laura, Heather, Joann, Catherine, Alex, Nancy, Lindsay or Erica, they'll take it personally). So, here is today's interview with a Funny Fanny who, interestingly enough, has a funny fanny...read on to find out what I mean...

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. We're giving you a chance to get to know all of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and here's the latest: Nancy Allen...

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. For the past year or so, we've been giving you a chance to get to know each of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, starting with Alex Maddox, and continuing through the whole list of Fannys, including Cori Laemmel, Corrie Miller, Bonnie Keen, Erica Haines Cantrell, Lindsay Terrizzi Hess, Catherine Mai Holder, Nancy Allen, Sondra Morton, Heather Trabucco and Laura Thomas Sonn. But today, gentle readers, with the curtain about to go up on Keeping Scores' Funny Girl in Concert, I'm delighted to introduce you to the most wonderful Fanny of them all...the one and only Stephanie Jones Benton. She's bright, beautiful and, I daresay, brilliant, particularly when it comes to sucking up to the guy at the keyboard. Read about her and you will understand exactly what I mean...

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. For the past several months, we've been giving you a chance to get to know each of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and today's interview features my very favorite Fanny, of course, the gorgeous and oh-so-talented Erica Haines Cantrell (please don't tell any of the other Fannys I said that, okay? I'm already looking over my shoulder every step I take...)...Get to know her better, gentle readers...

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. We're giving you a chance to get to know all of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and today we were forced to sit down with Laura Thomas Sonn, the very personification of diva - as everyone in town knows, she's so demanding and rude (that gracious, kind and sweet act is just that: an act! I have the bruises from the phone she threw at me when last I saw her - and she was onstage at the time and I was in the audience, but didn't have my eyes cast downward when she looked in my direction) and not at all one of the most beautiful women you've ever seen! (I bet that'll get those Fannys in an uproar, just in time for our final two interviews this week). So, read on, gentle readers...oh, yes, she is most definitely my favorite. Well, today.

In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. We're giving you a chance to get to know all of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and here's the latest: Nancy Allen...

The Town Hall (123 West 43 Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, will present 'Easy To Love: Andrea Marcovicci and Jeff Harnar Sing Cole Porter' on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 8:00 P.M.

The dozen Fannys are, of course, my current 12 favorite singing actresses (I remind you, gentle reader, that I am contractually required to make that statement at least 12 times a day), and as you've gotten to know each Fanny one-by-one, we continue the series with a Q&A with one Heather Trabucco (who really is my favorite, but please don't tell Cori, Corrie, Sondra, Laura, Heather, Stephanie [Jones-Benton, the newest Fanny of them all], Catherine, Alex, Nancy, Lindsay or Erica, they'll take it personally). So, here's our latest Funny Fanny...read on and you'll love her as much as I do (maybe I need to re-visit this whole gay thing)...

Upcoming MTI Shows - 4/24 for Toronto

Gamblers and gangsters, shysters and low-lifes alike will take over The 5th Avenue Theatre when Guys and Dolls swaggers on to the stage in a swinging reimagining of Frank Loesser's iconic hit (book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows.)

On April 21, 1961, Broadway audiences and critics fell head-over-heels in love with the new musical Carnival. Produced by David Merrick and adapted from the MGM film Lili by Michael Stewart (from the screenplay by Helen Deutsch, itself adapted from a Paul Gallico short story entitled The Man Who Hated People), the show was directed and choreographed by Gower Champion and had a tuneful and memorable score by Bob Merrill. The critics raved - in the Daily News, John Chapman wrote that Carnival was 'enchantment from the moment the houselights go down.' And so it was, pure enchantment, despite its darker elements - it ran on Broadway for 719 performances, and had a best-selling original cast recording (which debuted at number one on the Billboard chart) and 'Love Makes The World Go Round' became a much-sung song, covered by many of the popular singers of the time. Carnival was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning two (one for Alberghetti - in a tie with Diahann Carroll - and one for Will Steven Armstrong's scenic design). The show had a successful national tour, as well.

On April 21, 1961, Broadway audiences and critics fellhead-over-heels in love with the new musical Carnival. Produced by David Merrick and adapted from the MGM film Lili by Michael Stewart (from thescreenplay by Helen Deutsch, itself adapted from a Paul Gallico short storyentitled The Man Who Hated People), theshow was directed and choreographed by Gower Champion and had a tuneful andmemorable score by Bob Merrill. The critics raved - in the Daily News, John Chapman wrote that Carnival was 'enchantment from the moment the houselights godown.' And so it was, pureenchantment, despite its darker elements - it ran on Broadway for 719 performances, and had a best-selling original cast recording (which debuted atnumber one on the Billboard chart) and 'Love Makes The World Go Round' became amuch-sung song, covered by many of the popular singers of the time. Carnival was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning two(one for Alberghetti - in a tie with Diahann Carroll - and one for Will StevenArmstrong's scenic design). The show had a successful national tour, as well.

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. The buzz from rehearsals tells us that things are going swimmingly, egos are being kept at-bay and all the cast members gather around the campfire to toast marshmallows and sing 'People' at the end of the evening (thus proving untrue my contention they were singing 'Kumbaya' every night). The dozen Fannys, of course, are my current 12 favorite singing actresses (I remind you, gentle reader, that I am contractually required to make that statement at least 12 times a day), and as you've gotten to know each Fanny one-by-one, we continue that tradition, today offering up the case of one, Ms. Bonnie Keen (who really is my favorite, but please don't tell Cori, Corrie, Sondra, Laura, Heather, Joann, Catherine, Alex, Nancy, Lindsay or Erica, they'll take it personally). So, here is today's interview with a Funny Fanny who, interestingly enough, has a funny fanny...read on to find out what I mean...

Spring Dance Concert 2011 - Directed by Nancy Lyons, Kristen Daley and guest artists Mark Haim and Scott Wells

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. Offstage things seem to be going all 'Kumbaya' - despite our best efforts to dig up some dirt. Let's face it, you gather all these divas together and there's got to be some turmoil backstage. Right? Today's Fanny kinda scares me, to be honest, and I just want to say right here and now that if I turn up missing after this interview comes to light, check the trunk of Sondra Morton's car. She'll be the brains behind my disappearance (she scares me). Because of all that, of course, Sondra is my favorite FUNNY Fanny. Yep, that's exactly what she is... my favorite...scout's honor. Read on...

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. But, somehow, things offstage seem to be going swimmingly at rehearsals; meanwhile we attempt to ferret out any backstabbing and catfights - and despite our best efforts to uncover any nefarious goings-on (when offstage, they're apparently gathered around a campfire singing 'Kumbaya'), we haven't dug us any dirt...YET! Maybe we can get today's Fanny to squeal. She's Lindsay Terrizzi Hess, who looks so much like Fanny Brice you'll do a double-take! What's on her mind?

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. Despite that, however, things offstage seem to be going swimmingly at rehearsals; meanwhile we attempt to ferret out any backstabbing and catfights - as well as introducing you to all the Funny Fannys, one-by-one. You've met Alex Maddox (who plays a prominent role in today's interview), Cori Laemmel and Corrie Miller, who are all my favorites, of course. Today, the spotlight falls on relative newcomer Catherine Mai Holder, who remains inscrutable and mysterious throughout her interview. Read on, dear ones, and see what you can deduce from this funny Fanny...

MOC Theatre under the direction of Bob Cline proudly presents Gypsy as you've never seen it before.

Broadway icon Patti LuPone and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe will co-host the sixth annual Opera News Awards, which will take place on April 17 at The Plaza in New York City.

In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. Despite that, however, things offstage seem to be going swimmingly at rehearsals; meanwhile we attempt to ferret out any backstabbing and catfights - as well as introducing you to all the Funny Fannys, one-by-one. You've met Alex Maddox and Cori Laemmel already and today the spotlight falls on Corrie Miller, who is my favorite Fanny of them all. (Note to Alex and Cori: Just ignore that last statement; I was contractually required to tell Mrs. Miller that in order to get her to deem me worthy of an interview. Jeez, what a prima donna!)