Julie Garnyé News

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runs Jan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage.

An Italian vacation, young love and a parent's heart-rending decision are all part of the award-winning Broadway hit, The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, and based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. Directed by Kent Nicholson, The Light in the Piazza runs Jan. 24-Feb. 23 on SCR's Segerstrom Stage.

Today, check out some of BWW's most popular interviews from 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

On Sunday December 22 the amazing Cortes Alexander presented his Thou Swell Noel to a packed house at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Alexander has such frenetic energy and charm that, and I've said this before, you just want to wrap him up. What a joyous Christmas present...and with his two glorious backup singers, the Swell Girls Melissa Bailey and Julie Garnye, who could ask for anything more? Yes, a band! There was an electric four-piece band with musical director Norman Ludwin on bass, David Arana at the piano, Mark Converse on drums and Paul Landry on guitar.Paul's 10-year old son Zeut Landry was a very special guest who accompanied Alexander on a Cajon Drum Box during his beautiful composition 'Marguerite'. This 'Little Drummer Boy' is also big on talent!

This week (Nov. 27 - Dec.1), Joe's Pub wil feature INNA BARMASH, MICHAEL CERVERIS, CARL HANCOCK RUX, MIKE VIOLA, PIERCE TURNER, OUR LADY J, REVEREND BILLY & THE STOP SHOPPING CHOIR, KENNY ENDO AND KAORU WATANABE'S CONVERGENCE, and JOEY ARIAS.

For the second week in a row, Lorna Luft brought her fund-raising 'Pink Party' to the Broadway at Birdland stage with thrilling results. After a recent bout with breast cancer, the award-winning performer decided to 'give back' with two sold-to-the-walls events benefitting The Actors Fund's Phyllis Newman Womens Health Initiative and the Tower Cancer Research Foundation's Dr. Philomena McAndrew Fund. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the evening below, including performances from Liza Minnelli, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nick Adams, and more!

For the second week in a row, Lorna Luft brought her fund-raising "Pink Party" to the Broadway at Birdland stage with thrilling results. After a recent bout with breast cancer, the award-winning performer decided to 'give back' with two sold-to-the-walls events benefitting The Actors Fund's Phyllis Newman Womens Health Initiative and the Tower Cancer Research Foundation's Dr. Philomena McAndrew Fund. Check out a look back!

Following on the heels of a sold-out May premiere, A LITTLE NEW MUSIC comes back to Rockwell: Table & Stage tonight, September 24.

Following on the heels of a sold-out May premiere, A LITTLE NEW MUSIC comes back to Rockwell: Table & Stage on September 24.

On September 15th, 1 host, 12 singers, 2 musical directors, 1 comedian, and a packed house of friends and invited guests celebrated Michael Sterling's birthday at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. The night, appropriately titled A Sterling Affair, was a sparkling tribute to the man whose name has come to be synonymous with Los Angeles cabaret.

Music for Autism and The Help Group present a free interactive concert for individuals with autism and their families on Sunday, July 14, 1:00 - 2:00pm at The Help Group Autism Center in Sherman Oaks.

The cast and creators of the Tony nominated musical Hands On A Hardbody were cheered and celebrated when they performed at Birdland on Monday night during the weekly Jim Caruso's Cast Party open mic extravaganza. Co-writer Amanda Green (Tony-nominated for her Hardbody work, as well as Bring It On), Tony nominee Keala Settle, as well as Kathleen Monteleone, Jim Newman, and Jay Armstrong Johnson all sang from the show, guaranteeing some future record sales just from the few hundred folks enjoying Cast Party. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

On Monday, May 13, Cortes Alexander stormed the Broadway at Birdland stage with 'The Swell Show,' along with Billy Stritch at the piano, Ray Marchica on drums, Norman Ludwin on bass, Clarke Thorell on guitar/ukulele, and Julie Garnye and Melissa Bailey as 'The Swell Girls.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The performance from the cast of LES MISERABLES began with Hugh Jackman taking the stage to perform the new original song 'Suddenly' from Tom Hooper's adaptation, where he was then joined by Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne - as well as numerous members from the show's various productions - to perform the Act One Finale 'One Day More', while Anne Hathaway will sing a section of 'I Dreamed A Dream'. Can this happen every year? Check out the clip below!

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF Stephen Schwartz, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place today, February 10.

GIFTS OF LOVE: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a benefit concert featuring premiere talent from the musical theatre world, is to take place on February 10. Tickets are $50 a person (food included), and may be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at noon for a lunch/brunch buffet, and the show begins at one. All proceeds benefit Musical Theatre Programs at Culver City/Valley Glen campuses. The event will be hosted by True Blood's Carolyn Hennesy. To learn more about Summit View School please visit: www.summitviewschool.org.

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.

This week's 'episode' of Jim Caruso's Cast Party started off with a bang, as the National Yiddish Theater Company's cast of The Golden Land stormed the stage with two wonderful songs. Not to be outdone, Mira Awad came all the way from Israel to serenade the sold-out house with a song from her native land.

Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation hosted a company of Broadway stars, Hollywood favorites, and a number of local talents for the third annual "Broadway Comes to Anaheim" musical celebration. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!

The Coterie presents an all-star lineup of some of the fiercest vocal talent that Broadway, Film & Television has to offer with DIVAS UNITE for GCP 2012, a benefit concert for the Girls Camaraderie Project (GCP). Founded by Broadway's Arielle Jacobs (In the Heights) and Lexi Lawson (Rent, In the Heights, "American Idol"), GCP is a philanthropic organization dedicated to encouraging self-esteem and empowerment amongst middle school girls.