Jule Styne News

Reprise Theatre Company presents Brian Stokes Mitchell Sings Broadway, a program especially created for Reprise. It will have one performance only on Monday, May 11 at 8 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Shelly Burch has returned to New York with a vengeance. Last month she costarred at the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics and Lyricists: Rodgers & and this month she is starring in a weeklong cabaret engagement at the Metropolitan Room, February 25 thru March 2. The evening is produced and directed by her husband, Martin Charnin. This new act takes a musical look at the many aspects of love-from those exciting first moments made in a new relationship, to the choices a woman makes as she confronts a career and children, to the wonderful calm that comes when love is allowed to enter one's life, with no holds barred and no questions asked...when love and love alone becomes the answer. Shelly Burch received critical acclaim as the original Claudia in the musical Nine directed by Tommy Tune. Now some 20 years later, Shelly returns to New York and the cabaret scene, in her brand new entertainment, aptly titled Second Coming.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner as Cervantes/Quixote. Julia Migenes, the renowned opera and theatre performer, will play Aldonza/Dulcinea; Valerie Perri will play the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea at matinee performances; and Tony nominee Lee Wilkof will play Sancho Panza.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

The list of nominations has been announced for the 51st annual Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards will be presented on February 8, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that The Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a reading of the new Broadway-bound musical BONNIE & CLYDE on February 8 and 10, 2009. The show features a book by Ivan Menchell, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, direction by Jeff Calhoun and music direction by John McDaniel. Starring in the reading will be Laura Osnes as Bonnie and Stark Sands as Clyde.

Opening Doors Theatre Company announces the first two productions in their 3rd season of Closing Notice productions for 2009: FADE OUT, FADE IN (1964) - First ever NYC revival! Music by Jule Styne Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green Directed by Suzanne Adams Choreographed by Christine Schwalenberg Stage Manager: Billie Di Stefano Musical Direction by Jessica Stewart. Cast - Sarah Cooney, Hector Coris, Brian DeCaluwe*, Sarah Lilley, Jean McCormick*, Patrick John Moran*, Michael Vitaly Sazonov*, Lawrence Street* (Broadway's Urinetown), Rob Ventre*, Lexi Windsor*

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that The Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a reading of the new Broadway-bound musical BONNIE & CLYDE on February 8 and 10, 2009. The show features a book by Ivan Menchell, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, direction by Jeff Calhoun and music direction by John McDaniel. Starring in the reading will be Laura Osnes as Bonnie and Stark Sands as Clyde.

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

Starting February 3rd with a kick-off signing event at the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble store, 'Liza's At The Palace....' will be available wherever fine music is sold, for the suggested retail list price of $19.98.

New York critics and theatre audiences fell under the spell of Liza Minnelli's unmatchable magic when she returned to Broadway's legendary Palace Theatre and played a recent sell-out engagement. Now, music lovers around the world will get the same chance when 'Liza's at the Palace....' the new original cast recording of her incomparable show will be released on February 3rd (Hybrid Recordings).

Week four of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a hot new composer, Broadway's most popular ing?nue, a Disney film and Broadway composer in a rare concert appearance, and a celebration of the music of Richard Rodgers by an acclaimed guitarist/vocalist. On February 18th, young composer Nico Muhly, who wrote the haunting score to the Oscar-nominated film 'The Reader', will collaborate with Thomas Bartlett, alternative folk/country artist Sam Amidon, and designer/illustrator Maira Kalman.

Music and theater related events taking place at Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 66th St. and Broadway. Our performances are free and open to the public. Seating priority will be given to those who purchase the featured book or CD.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Now that her already legendary run in Gypsy is over, Patti LuPone is set for a number of concert dates throughout the year, in addition to the previously announced dates with Mandy Patinkin for 'An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin' she will make a concert stop in Las Vegas at the Orleans Casino & Hotel on June 20th and 21st. She can also be seen (and heard) at the Cincinnati May Festival in Kurt Weil's 'The Seven Deadly Sins', Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. James Conlon will be the Musical Director for the series of concerts. For her complete schedule visit her official website at, www.pattilupone.net. Patti LuPone swept the 2008 theatre awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her performance as Rose in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre.

The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY played its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, January 11, 2009. New York Magazine was granted the exclusive chance to document the historic final performance in a photo essay featuring the production's Tony Winning 'Mama Rose', the legendary Patti LuPone. Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY played 332 performances and 27 previews. The production starred Tony Award winners Patti LuPone as 'Rose,' Boyd Gaines as 'Herbie' and Laura Benanti as 'Gypsy'. GYPSY began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008. GYPSY was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor). The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier). In addition, GYPSY was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards (boasting wins for LuPone and Benanti), four Drama Desk Awards (including wins for LuPone, Gaines and Benanti) and three Drama League Awards including the 'Distinguished Performance Award' for Patti LuPone.

Westchester Broadway Theatre has announced a change in its upcoming season schedule. TITANIC, The Musical which was slated to run from 3/26/09 to 6/14/09 will be replaced by FUNNY GIRL. Donald Birely will Direct The Styne/Merrill Musical. Auditions are imminent & will be announced. The change, press notes state was made to offer audiences a more fun, light-hearted evening of entertainment in these troubled times. Funny Girl, is an only-in-America story of an ugly duckling who transforms herself into a swan. Fanny Brice is a goofy, comic singer from the Lower East Side, who rises to stardom in 1920s Vaudeville with the Ziegfeld Follies. It recounts her stormy relationship with a handsome, very proud gambler turned embezzler, Nick Arnstein, whom she loves, wins, and eventually loses. The Jule Styne-Bob Merrill score is a parade of classic tunes including 'People' and 'Don't Rain On My Parade' 'I'd Rather Be Blue Over You.' and delightful dance numbers such as 'Sadie, Sadie' and 'Rat-tat-tat-tat'.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Patti LuPone has been cast on 30 Rock to play the mother 'of Judah Friedlander's... well, um, unique Frank'. There's no word on how many episodes LuPone will appear on of the hit show.

The Whiting is proud to present singing sensation Sophie Milman on Friday, February 20 at 8pm at UM-Flint Theatre. A major new talent has burst onto the jazz scene! Sophie Milman, the 24-year-old multilingual Russian-born singing sensation, has won critical acclaim for her musicianship and sultry, soulful voice, selling out jazz clubs across the U.S. and beyond. Her latest release Make Someone Happy tops the iTunes and Billboard jazz charts as she continues to win the hearts of audience members throughout the world with her amazing voice and unique style. This performance will be ASL interpreted. Ticket prices are $26 with $12 student rush tickets available the day of the show with proper I.D. To order tickets to this amazing performance simply visit TheWhitng.com, call (810) 237-7333 or (800) 8-CENTER, or visit the Ticket Center located at 1241 E. Kearsley St. just off I-475 between the University of Michigan Flint and Mott Community College. For a complete schedule and full details on the entire 2008-09 season line-up, visit TheWhiting.com or phone the Ticket Center and request a free brochure. Russian-born singer Sophie Milman has toured the world, won a Juno, sold more than 100,000 records - and she's only 25! Since her self-titled debut was released in 2004, it has sold almost 100,000 copies worldwide, hit the Billboard Top 5 in Canada and the Top 15 in the United States, and topped the iTunes jazz charts in five different territories. Her most recent release Make Someone Happy won a JUNO for best vocal jazz album 2008 and since then she has maintained a rigorous touring schedule across the globe - headlining sold-out shows in Canada, the U.S., Japan, and throughout Europe - and continued to balance her burgeoning music career with her commerce studies at the University of Toronto.

Various reports indicate that the 2009 Reprise Theatre Company season which was to present the world premiere of CHESS with a new book by Tony? winner Richard Maltby, Jr., has cancelled the production. THE FANTASTICKS, a musical they were planning for next season will now take it's place. CHESS was to play May 5th through 17th, 2009. Reprise is getting ready to open the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' it begins performances on Feburary 14th.