Kerry Conte News

Irish Repertory Theatre celebrates its award-winning 25th Anniversary Season with SOMETHING WONDERFUL! THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN, an evening celebrating classic Rodgers and Hammerstein hits performed by a galaxy of Broadway stars, for one night only, Monday, June 10 at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Tom Hanks hosts the gala evening, direct by Charlotte Moore, with special guests to include Shirley Jones, best known for her roles in 'Oklahoma!' and 'Carousel,' and Patrick Cassidy (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, 42nd STREET).

I must say that there was plenty of Disney magic in this visual extravaganza and it delighted my inner-child ever so much.

The world's best nanny has just flown into Durham, and has taken up residence at the Durham Performing Arts Center for one week only.

The Jacksonville premiere of MARY POPPINS opens tonight, Tuesday, January 22 at 7:30PM at the Times-Union Center for a limited engagement of 8 performances through Sunday, January 27. 'We are delighted that sales have exceeded expectations, but there are still great seats available for this wonderful musical,' said Milt Russos, Executive Director of the Artist Series.

Producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh are pleased to announce full casting for the Jacksonville premiere engagement of MARY POPPINS. Jacksonville's most eagerly anticipated stage production will begin performances at the Times-Union Center's Moran Theater on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 for 8 performances only through Sunday, January 27. Opening night is also the 11th Annual Family Night on Broadway, with pre-show activities beginning in the lobby at 6:30PM for the 7:30PM show. Buy one Adult ticket for Family Night, get the Child's ticket free with passcode: CHILD. Restrictions apply; please inquire at (904) 442-BWAY (2929) or purchase online at www.artistseriesjax.org.

Producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announce full casting for the Miami engagement of MARY POPPINS. Miami's most eagerly anticipated stage production will begin performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, January 1st for a limited engagement of one week through Sunday, January 6th. Opening night is Tuesday, January 1st at 8 p.m. MARY POPPINS is part of the Broadway in Miami 2012-2013 subscription season presented by Bank of America.

My distant cousin Walter Elias 'Walt' Disney had a knack for turning everything into perfection, or at least practically perfect in every way. He took the mean, cranky nanny from P.L. Travers' book "Mary Poppins" and turned her into a saint. He excised two of the four Banks children, allowing the cutest ones to remain in the story. Travers' nanny couldn't dance on rooftops, didn't have adventures with Bert, didn't win at the horse races and couldn't sing. Travers was Australian; they take pride in being able to endure aggressive crocodiles, harsh deserts and appalling alloparenting. For those of us in the northern hemisphere who prefer our protagonists to be a bit on the spoonful of sugar side, Disney's Mary Poppins is just the ticket.

Producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh have announced full casting for Pittsburgh's return engagement of MARY POPPINS.

Watch the video below for the inside story of how Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman dreamed up the lyrics for 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' in Disney's classic film, Mary Poppins. For the theatre, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe expanded the song to make it 'a stage excursion for the whole cast.' Check out the interview, featuring lots of great footage from the touring production, below!

The award-winning musical "Mary Poppins", which opened Friday, August 10th at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles has once again been declared a spectacular hit with Los Angeles audiences. BWW TV's Los Angeles correspondent Michael Sterling and JLE Media Producer Jerry Evans spent the day and evening with the stars of the North American National touring company... Rachel Wallace (Mary Poppins) and Nicholas Dromard (Bert), an original Broadway company member. Check out the interview below!

Rockwell: Table & Stage continues their "BROADWAY BARRE" monthly event where LA's vibrant musical theater community comes together to enjoy each other's company as well as perform familiar showtunes. Guided by the skilled hands of musicdirector, Christopher Lloyd Bratten, and hosted by Broadway's talented and funny Kate Pazakis this night is sure to be a fun and entertaining evening for every musical theater lover in LA. For the month of August, the event will include special guest co-host Barrett Foa (Broadway's Avenue Q and CBS's "NCIS:LA"). The evening is produced by Rockwell: Table & Stage Artistic Director Shane Scheel and Program Manager Ben Caron.

The Providence premiere of MARY POPPINS opens tonight, Thursday, February 9 at the Providence Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement of 2 weeks through Sunday, February 19. MARY POPPINS plays Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7PM, Thursday and Friday evenings at 7PM, Saturday evenings at 8PM, Sunday evenings at 6:30PM, and Saturday matinees at 2PM and Sunday matinees at 1PM with an additional performance on Thursday, February 16 at 2PM.

The Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances- presented THE HOUSEWIVES' CANTATA on October 21. Two performances remain, on October 22 and 23.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced preliminary casting for its upcoming Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced preliminary casting for its upcoming Fall 2011 Musicals in Mufti Concert Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances. This October, the York will continue its Off-Broadway Celebration with the Muftis of The Housewives' Cantata (October 21-23) and Tomfoolery (October 28-30).

Off-Broadway's Irish Repertory Theatre presented its 2011 Annual Benefit Gala, a concert performance on Broadway of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's CAMELOT yesterday, June 6 at The Shubert Theatre. Charlotte Moore, who directed last year's acclaimed concert staging of BRIGADOON on Broadway and helms the Irish Repertory's current production of Dion Boucicault's THE SHAUGHRAUN, adapted and directed. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Off-Broadway's acclaimed Irish Repertory Theatre presents its 2011 Annual Benefit Gala, a concert performance on Broadway of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's CAMELOT - the beloved musical that defined an age with its lush romantic score that soars above the legendary tale of idealism, passion and betrayal - on Monday, June 6 at The Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street) in Manhattan. Charlotte Moore, who directed last year's acclaimed concert staging of BRIGADOON on Broadway and helms the Irish Repertory's current production of Dion Boucicault's THE SHAUGHRAUN, directs a cast of Broadway stars.

Off-Broadway's Irish Repertory Theatre presents its 2011 Annual Benefit Gala, a concert performance on Broadway of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's CAMELOT - the beloved musical that defined an age with its lush romantic score that soars above the legendary tale of idealism, passion and betrayal - on Monday, June 6 at The Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street) in Manhattan.

The Concert Series at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer presents the Songs of Micah Young featuring the Broadway talents Wendi Bergamini (Promises, Promises, South Pacific), Joseph Medeiros (White Christmas, Guys and Dolls) Ric Ryder (Music Man, Grease, Blood Brothers), Matthew Deming (My Fair Lady Concert), and Kerry Conte (Brigadoon). The concert is at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 30-14 Cresent St, Astoria NY. The Concert is at 6 pm Sunday February 20th; there is a $10 suggested donation

The Concert Series at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer presents the Songs of Micah Young featuring the Broadway talents Wendi Bergamini (Promises, Promises, South Pacific), Joseph Medeiros (White Christmas, Guys and Dolls) Ric Ryder (Music Man, Grease, Blood Brothers), Matthew Deming (My Fair Lady Concert), and Kerry Conte (Brigadoon). The concert is at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 30-14 Cresent St, Astoria NY. The Concert is at 6 pm Sunday February 20th; there is a $10 suggested donation