Four letters say it all: LIZA. Descended from Hollywood royalty - the only Academy Award winner with both parents recipients of the prize, as well; Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli - Liza Minnelli made her mark on show business first with her stupendous debut in 1965's FLORA THE RED MENACE by a new songwriting team comprised of composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, and the rest is showbiz history. The fruitful musical marriage of the three over the next four decades would result in some of the finest achievements in all of entertainment, many featuring Ms. Minnelli, the peerless entertainer of a generation, as the central interpreter. FLORA THE RED MENACE to CABARET, CHICAGO, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, THE ACT, THE RINK and beyond, the partnership between Liza Minnelli and Kander & Ebb has yielded some of the most spectacular and unforgettable songs ever written or performed and 2012 is a special year indeed to celebrate their many fine achievements. In addition to the long-awaited Blu-ray premiere of the iconic Bob Fosse film musical for which Liza won a Best Actress Oscar, CABARET - premiering in the HD format later this year to mark its fortieth anniversary - this week sees the hotly anticipated CD and digital premiere of one of her finest live recordings ever captured - LIZA MINNELLI LIVE AT THE WINTER GARDEN - completely remastered, with bonus tracks. Featuring a powerhouse performance by the central star at the very height of her astonishing abilities, the diverse catalog of material is woven together seamlessly and quite wonderfully by master director Bob Fosse and conductor/musical director Marvin Hamlisch - and that's without even making mention of the tremendous original specialty songs penned by Kander & Ebb for the event, including a song sequel to "Liza With A Z". Discussing all aspects of the LIVE AT THE WINTER GARDEN album and the new digital and CD release of it, Minnelli reminisces about the electric evening with her trademark style, wit, humor, insight and passion while also sharing anecdotes about noted collaborators Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb, John Kander, Charles Aznavour, Marvin Hamlisch and many more. In addition to all about LIVE AT THE WINTER GARDEN and its multitude of charms and riches, Minnelli and I also discuss the new HD remastering of CABARET and her personal opinion of it, having just viewed the pristine new print at its gala debut, and she also shares how she feels the film has held up in the forty years since its premiere and her remembrances from the set. Additionally, Minnelli offers her candid opinions on a host of topics ranging from her ultimate show business legacy to sizing up CABARET versus THE GODFATHER to her affection for pop superstar and devoted Liza fan Lady Gaga to thoughts on Laura Nyro, Stephen Sondheim - and much, much more!
Laura Nyro News
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame previously announced the presenters and artists who performed at the 2012 inductions. The 27th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place Saturday, April 14 in Cleveland and debuts tonight, May 5 (9:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO. In addition, HBO Signature will present a 24-hour marathon of the HBO special, beginning at midnight that same day, and concluding Sunday, May 6 at midnight.
Maureen McGovern returns to The RRazz Room to perform her new show, 'dangling conversations...' With an introspective look at our very unintrospective times, she celebrates the music of singer/songwriters from the American Pop Songbook, with songs by Paul Simon, J.D. Souther, Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springstein, Jimmy Webb, Pete Seeger, Laura Nyro, among others, including classic songs such as 'Help Me,' 'Time and Love,' 'Turn, Turn, Turn,' 'An American Tune,' 'Up Up and Away', 'Faithless Love' and many more. She will be joined my Music Director Jeff Harris on piano. View photos from the show below!
The Bistro Award-winning singer Grace Cosgrove premieres "Spend an Evening with Grace" in a five-show prime-time engagement at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, beginning Sunday, April 29. Directed by the legendary Marilyn Maye, "Spend an Evening with Grace" opens up a wide panorama of American classics -- from Johnny Mercer to Laura Nyro, and from Burt Bacharach back to Cole Porter. As she ranges through a number of distinct stylistic territories, Cosgrove, who is also an Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Award-winning television editor, weaves together these widely dispersed songs into a storybook of Americana.
NOW. HERE. THIS. closes tonight, April 28, after playing an extended run at the Vineyard Theatre.
Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled 'Andra') -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce -- will be presented under the direction of Walter Bobbie, May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.). The cast just met the press, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos of John Kander, Greg Pierce, Paul Anthony Stewart, David Hyde Pierce, Jake Bennett Siegfried, Julia Murney, David Loud and Walter Bobbie below!
Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner announced today that acclaimed/awarding winning actresses Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico will star as Fosca and Clara in the company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical PASSION, to be directed by John Doyle (the Tony Award-winning revivals of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company). PASSION is slated to begin performances in February, 2013. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks and months, as well as full creative team. PASSION opened on Broadway in May of 1994 and received the Tony Award that year for Best Musical.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced an additional presenter and some artists who will perform at the 2012 inductions. The 27th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, April 14 in Cleveland and debut Saturday, May 5 (9:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO. In addition, HBO Signature will present a 24-hour marathon of the HBO special, beginning at midnight that same day, and concluding Sunday, May 6 at midnight.
According to an audition listing, Walter Bobbie is set to direct Vineyard Theatre's Developmental Lab Production of THE LANDING (previously titled 'Andra') -- a collection of three related one-act musicals written by the celebrated composer John Kander and his new collaborator, Greg Pierce - THE LANDING will be presented May 15-June 3 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.).
Due to critical praise and popular demand, Vineyard Theatre has announced a final extension - now through April 28 - for the new musical NOW. HERE. THIS., which opened to rave reviews and sold out houses at The Vineyard on March 28. This will be the second and final extension for the show, which must close on April 28 due to season and artist schedules.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just announced the presenters who will induct the 2012 honorees. The 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 14th in Cleveland and premiere on HBO on Saturday, May 5th (9:00-11:30 p.m. EST/PST).
George Winston, the celebrated "rural folk" pianist, returns to The Barns to perform selections from his latest release, Love Will Come - The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2, which features originals by the late jazz pianist. Guaraldi is best known for composing and arranging the music featured in animated adaptations of the Peanuts® comic strips. In addition to Guaraldi, Winston has been hard at work on interpreting some of his favorite artists' songs for solo piano-including the Doors, Frank Zappa, Randy Newman, Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Laura Nyro, Al Kooper, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Philip Aaberg-several of which he has prepared for solo concert dates.
NOW. HERE. THIS. which is currently receiving its world-premiere production at Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), will extend by one-week - now through April 22 - due to popular demand and strong ticket sales, it has been announced by Artistic Director Douglas Aibel, and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.
People have been harmonizing for thousands of years but group singing soared in popularity during the 20th century with groups from the Boswell Sisters to the Beach Boys and beyond blending their voices in every conceivable style. Lyrics & Lyricists™ celebrates the beauty of the human voice with its upcoming show In Perfect Harmony: Celebrating the Vocal Group. Guest artistic director Rob Fisher, with vocal groups New York Voices and the DiGiallanardo Sisters, harmonize to a wide variety of jazz, rock, American Songbook standards, folk and doo-wop from such iconic songwriters as Johnny Mercer, Jon Hendricks, John Phillips, Laura Nyro and Brian Wilson. Songs confirmed in the program include "Bei mir bist du shon," "Birdland," "Be My Baby," "Day Tripper," and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Challenged by the traditional images of women in the music-industry, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro explored territory outside the accepted confines of pop music. These prolific singer/songwriters paved the way for women in music, art, and life. Their music is the core of Back to the Garden, a concert style song cycle that honors the stories, music, and history of these women.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the presenters who will induct the 2012 honorees. The 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, April 14 in Cleveland and debut Saturday, May 5 (9:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO.
Challenged by the traditional images of women in the music-industry, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro explored territory outside the accepted confines of pop music. These prolific singer/songwriters paved the way for women in music, art, and life. Their music is the core of Back to the Garden, a concert style song cycle that honors the stories, music, and history of these women.
George Winston, the celebrated "rural folk" pianist, returns to The Barns to perform selections from his latest release, Love Will Come - The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2, which features originals by the late jazz pianist. Guaraldi is best known for composing and arranging the music featured in animated adaptations of the Peanuts® comic strips. In addition to Guaraldi, Winston has been hard at work on interpreting some of his favorite artists' songs for solo piano-including the Doors, Frank Zappa, Randy Newman, Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Laura Nyro, Al Kooper, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Philip Aaberg-several of which he has prepared for solo concert dates.
People have been harmonizing for thousands of years but group singing soared in popularity during the 20th century with groups from the Boswell Sisters to the Beach Boys and beyond blending their voices in every conceivable style. Lyrics & Lyricists™ celebrates the beauty of the human voice with its upcoming show In Perfect Harmony: Celebrating the Vocal Group. Guest artistic director Rob Fisher, with vocal groups New York Voices and the DiGiallanardo Sisters, harmonize to a wide variety of jazz, rock, American Songbook standards, folk and doo-wop from such iconic songwriters as Johnny Mercer, Jon Hendricks, John Phillips, Laura Nyro and Brian Wilson. Songs confirmed in the program include "Bei mir bist du shon," "Birdland," "Be My Baby," "Day Tripper," and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Stars of both stage and screen joined the celebration when the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre honored Tony Award-winner Linda Lavin at the Off-Broadway company's annual Gala on Monday, March 12 at the Hudson Theater in Manhattan. Ms. Lavin made her Vineyard Theatre debut earlier this season in the critically acclaimed production of Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS and will again star in THE LYONS when the play moves to Broadway next month starting April 5 at the Cort Theatre.
