On an all-new THEATER TALK, journalist Ben Yagoda discusses the history of the record industry in his new book, The B Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of Great American Song (Riverhead Books), and Margot Harley, Co-Founder and Producing Director of The Acting Company, shares rich stories of the company's history upon her retirement after 43 years of inspired artistic leadership.
The oldest professional summer theater in America, The Cape Playhouse, presents its first-ever Playhouse production of Lerner and Loewe's triumph - My Fair Lady - July 28 through August 8. Tony Nominee Hunter Foster makes his Cape Playhouse directorial debut with the unforgettable story of Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from Professor Henry Higgins so that she can pass as a proper lady. Broadway's Ashley Brown and Jeff McCarthy star in what is generally hailed as a masterpiece of musical theatre. Set against the gorgeous scenery and costumes of Edwardian England, My Fair Lady is filled with some of the greatest songs in musical theater history: Wouldn't It Be Loverly?, With a Little Bit of Luck, The Rain in Spain, I Could Have Danced All Night, On the Street Where You Live, Get Me to the Church on Time and I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face. Lorin Latarro choreographs and Nick DeGregorio is the musical director.
RICKI AND THE FLASH, in theaters nationwide Friday, is a virtual treasure-trove of on-screen talent; you will be hard-pressed to find another film this year with a more eclectically accomplished cast. From three-time Oscar-winner Meryl Streep to six-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald to Oscar and two-time Tony-winner Kevin Kline (and let's not forget Grammy-winner Rick Springfield), the all-star cast is no doubt the draw for Diablo Cody's sweet, but slight film. Despite under-written characters and story, the movie succeeds on the strength of a stellar cast doing their absolute best to draw nuanced characterizations out Cody's surprisingly bare-bones script.
Jonathan Demme's musical dramedy RICKI AND THE FLASH, starring Meryl Streep, will open the 68th Locarno Film Festival. The film was written by Diablo Cody (Juno) will have its world premiere on August 5 at the Festival's Piazza Grande.
Windy City Playhouse, Chicago's newest Equity theater, announces the cast for its third production, the riotous Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight: A Comedy in Three Beds from Peter Ackerman, co-author of 20th Century Fox's hit animated film Ice Age. This contemporary sex farce is directed by William Brown, fresh off his successful run of Doubt at Writers Theatre. Brown directs a stellar cast of Broadway veterans and rising stars including Emily Tate, Peter Meadows, Patrese McClain, Shane Kenyon, Chris Sheard and Robert Spencer. Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight runs August 12-October 4 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park. Opening night is Saturday, August 15. windycityplayhouse.com/things/
The Old Globe's presentation of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter, begins tonight, July 1, on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
The complete cast and creative team have been announced for The Old Globe's presentation of Kiss Me, Kate, the classic musical comedy featuring a book by Sam and Bella Spewack and an iconic score by Cole Porter.
The Segal Centre will close its blockbuster 2014-2015 Theatre Season with The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical, a world premiere musical adaptation of Mordecai Richler's novel and the feature film by the same name, from June 7-28, 2015. This new production boasts an original musical score by Alan Menken, the legendary Oscar and Tony winning composer of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, with book and lyrics by acclaimed lyricist-librettist David Spencerand direction by American theatre veteran Austin Pendleton. Presented with the generous support of RBC and Muse Entertainment. Check out highlights below!
Thespian Festival 2015 presents the opening show The Music of Menken: Audrey, Ariel, Aladdin…and Alan! An Evening with Alan Menken, a tribute to one of the most celebrated composers of stage and screen. The Music of Menken will take place Monday, June 22, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Arts.
Meryl Streep (INTO THE WOODS) takes on a whole new gig - a hard-rocking singer/guitarist - for Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in Ricki and the Flash.
Following the incredibly warm and rousing reception from D23 EXPO fans in 2013, Disney Theatrical Productions is thrilled to announce a new concert presented exclusively for this year's D23 EXPO
Lapham's Quarterly (Editor and Publisher Lewis Lapham) hosted their DECADES BALL: The 1780s last night, June 1 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway). The evening celebrated the 80th birthday of Lewis Lapham, who established the acclaimed literary magazine in 2007. BroadwayWorld has photos from the gala below!
Margot Harley, who co-founded The Acting Company with John Houseman in 1972, will step down as its Producer effective the end of this year. The Acting Company began with the first graduating class of Juilliard's Drama Division, which included Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, David Schramm and David Ogden Stiers. "They were classically trained, superbly talented and had worked together for four years," stated Ms. Harley.
The Muny announced today the complete cast for its production of Alan Jay Lerner (book & lyrics) and Frederick Loewe's (music) classic My Fair Lady. The production will be directed by Marc Bruni, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Ben Whiteley.
Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman and Broadway star Ashely Brown talk about creating the soundtrack to the 'Disneyland Forever' fireworks for the upcoming Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.