Julie Andrews News

Yes, I'll say it.  The 1959 Broadway stage version of The Sound of Music is far superior to 1965 film adaptation.  Yeah, yeah, I know…  The Oscar-winning best picture has all that lovely Austrian and Bavarian scenery and those cute kids and, oh yeah, Julie Andrews as the young postulant, Maria, sent to serve as governess to the seven children of Naval Captain Georg Ludwig von Trapp.  But it also has a watered-down screenplay by Ernest Lehman that cuts two of the best songs in Rodgers and Hammerstein's score and eliminates one of the most interesting aspects of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse's original book; the depiction of nice, likeable Austrians who, unaware of the full extent of Hitler's atrocities, argue against resistance of the German overthrow of their country.  The stage musical even includes an important scene, altered in the film, where a Nazi in uniform commits a selfless act of compassion that helps rescue the von Trapps.

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Shana Farr, who last month won The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2012 Julie Wilson Award as "a cabaret singer who is a rising star," has just completed her debut CD, titled Shana Farr: Out Of The Shadows , which will be introduced at a CD release party and performance at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, in New York City tonight, November 30, at 9 PM. Ms. Farr is backed by a trio comprised of Music Director Jon Weber (piano), Adam Fisher (cello) and Dan Levinson (clarinet).

Acclaimed cabaret singer, Broadway performer and host of The Broadway Breakfast on Sirius/XM Radio, Christine Pedi will perform her hilarious holiday show, There's No Bizness Like Snow Bizness at Savannah Georgia's Charles Morris Center tonight, November 29, 2012.

Broadway at Birdland has announced the continuation of the partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn with two holiday-themed "Frank & Friends" concerts. These evenings will celebrate the holiday songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in popular, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment.

Stage and screen legend Julie Andrews returns for the fourth time to host the festive annual New Year's celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst from Vienna's Musikverein. This is Welser-Möst's second time at the podium of this much cherished event; the last was 2011.

The Great American Mousical, a smart and funny celebration of life in the theatre, is currently running through December 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released show highlights below.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC) continues its 2012-2013 Target Storybook Series with Omaha Theater Company's production of How I Became a Pirate on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 2pm. All tickets are $7 and can be purchased by phone at 718-951-4500 (Tues-Sat, 1pm-6pm), or online at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.

She's been a Hollywood legend for decades, but now iconic actress Julie Andrews is taking her talents to a local theater in Connecticut, directing the musical, THE GREAT AMERICAN MOUSICAL based on one of her children's books. 'It's really an homage to the great Broadway musicals that we all know and love,' Andrews said this morning in an interview with 'Today' show reporter Erica Hall. Watch her appearance in full below!

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC) continues its 2012-2013 season with its annual holiday performance of Dance Theatre in Westchester's The Colonial Nutcracker on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 2pm. Tickets are $10 each, and can be purchased by phone at 718-951-4500 (Tues-Sat, 1pm-6pm), or online at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.

The self-proclaimed 'Queen of Rural Media,' Earlene Hoople, returns to Milwaukee, December 12-31, 2012 at Next Act Theatre. Enter the colorful world of the cable access TV hostess as she tapes her last Christmas special in A KODACHROME CHRISTMAS. John McGivern reprises his role as Earlene, a combination and a tribute to all of the heavily lipsticked, nylon wearing, cigarette smoking, kitten heel loving women who came into his isolated world on the east side of Milwaukee and gave him a glimpse into what he believed to be the world of fancy.

A debate started up tonight when a tweeter suggested that Cinderella shouldn't be brunette on Broadway.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miz' mania, a local 'Annie,' and holiday musicals galore: 'Schooner,' 'Jonathan Toomey,' 'We Three Lizas,' 'Gifts Of The Magi,' three 'Christmas Carols' and more!

Complete casting has just been announced for the new production of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, which begins performances in January on Broadway. RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will perform at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd St).

The Great American Mousical, a smart and funny celebration of life in the theatre, is currently running through December 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

I have to admit, it's hard for me to get exited about stage adaptations of the Cinderella story. Growing up, I had Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Julie Andrews crammed down my throat. The 1997 version starring Brandy promised to be a fresh and relevant take on the material, but I was not impressed. Now, the New York Theatre Scene is about to welcome Rogers and Hammerstein's version on Broadway. But, maybe they need to reexamine things because at Houston's Ensemble Theatre the African-American Shakespeare Company and Carlton Leake version of CINDERELLA is captivating, powerful, and beautiful! This well-liked and exhilarating piece of theatre is back by popular demand and being presented for its third time at Ensemble Theatre.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today that it will present 15 films in their original 70mm glory, featuring a mix of beloved classics and rarely screened gems, all at the Walter Reade Theater - one of the last remaining cinemas in the country equipped to screen 70mm prints.

An award-winning actress, Kirsten holds a unique distinction among Broadway performers.

Broadway at Birdland today announced the continuation of the partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn with two holiday-themed "Frank & Friends" concerts. These evenings will celebrate the holiday songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in popular, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment.

GPR Records (Glen Roven, Peter Fitzgerald, Richard Cohen, artistic directors)releases a children's CD of Catherine Zeta-Jones narrating The Runaway Bunny, based on the best selling children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown. Michael Douglas narrates everyone's favorite elephant - The Story of Babar - The Little Elephant, a 1931 classic written by Jean de Brunhoff. Also on the CD will be English Baritone Mark Stone singing Goodnight Moon also by Margaret Wise Brown. The CD, distributed by Naxos, will be released today, November 15th and will be available at www.GPRRecords.com, Amazon, and iTunes.