Laura Nyro News

SHINE! The Horatio Alger Musical with a Book by Richard Seff; Music by Roger Dean Anderson and Lyrics by Lee Goldsmith is being presented by Other Side Productions (Peter Mercurio, Chuck Blasius - Co-Artistic Directors) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Theater at St. Clements, 423 West 46th Street.

SHINE! The Horatio Alger Musical with a Book by Richard Seff; Music by Roger Dean Anderson and Lyrics by Lee Goldsmith is being presented by Other Side Productions (Peter Mercurio, Chuck Blasius - Co-Artistic Directors) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Theater at St. Clements, 423 West 46th Street.

Today we begin a new comprehensive academic music discussion series on BroadwayWorld in which I speak to the most cutting-edge artists in the recording industry, on Broadway and in Hollywood about their influences and experiences in the industry with an emphatic emphasis on the songwriting process itself and what drives and inspires it. While these discussions may be on occasion only tangentially theatre-related, the insights provided by the various participants is a demonstrative way in which to illuminate perhaps the most mysterious of all the arts: music. Peering into the psyche of the composer and lyricist, we may begin to understand what the craft of composition and lyric-writing is all about and why musical theatre tends to attract the most talented and innovative songwriters, both in the twentieth-century and today (as this column proves).

SHINE! The Horatio Alger Musical with a Book by Richard Seff; Music by Roger Dean Anderson and Lyrics by Lee Goldsmith is being presented by Other Side Productions (Peter Mercurio, Chuck Blasius - Co-Artistic Directors) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Theater at St. Clements, 423 West 46th Street.

This afternoon I was lucky enough to score some talk-time with legendary recording artist, Oscar-nominated songwriter and the most iconic female pop singer of the 60s, Ms. Lesley Gore. She will be appearing in Broadway's hit jukebox musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET one night only on Friday night, September 24th, but in this SOUND OFF SPECIAL INTERVIEW she opens up about her illustrious and accomplished career in the studio and on the stage - and also onscreen in an oh-so-classic BATMAN with Julie Newmar - as well some breaking news about her new biographical musical using both the stacks of hit songs she is so famous for and some newly written compositions. As if all that - and compelling recollections of time spent with Liza Minnelli, Jerry Lee Lewis, Quincy Jones, Laura Nyro (almost) and many more - weren't enough, we also have some breaking news about the future of her brother, a world-famous songwriter in his own right due to FAME, Michael Gore's infamous Broadway musical CARRIE may be making its way back to the boards very soon - which is the epitome of good news for Broadway babies who have wanted to know! Bloody lucky Broadway will be to have CARRIE - and the disarmingly warm and exceptionally delightful Lesley Gore!

Today we are taking a listen to the Original London Cast Recording of Jerry Mitchell's sexily studious stunner of a show, LEGALLY BLONDE, and the remarkable score by Laurence O'Keefe (of BAT BOY fame) along with his wife, an accomplished and gifted lyricist in her own right, Neil Benjamin. They are the strongest male/female composing team since Betty Comden and Adolph Green and LEGALLY BLONDE possesses one of the most sharply satirical, witty and effortlessly enjoyable and winning scores in decades, surely as good if not better than any score on Broadway right now. While critics and audiences were less than enraptured with it on Broadway, the MTV telecast and subsequent reality show casting the next Elle Woods - alongside the smash-hit national tours - bodes well for its future in the States. The West End production is ten times the success the show was on Broadway so Elle & Crew have finally arrived - and in style. It's the age of Elle! Plus, A BONUS: A review and link to a new song by another blonde bombshell in her own right, but a bit brainier one than Elle Woods: Nellie McKay! And a link to a download of her new single 'Caribbean Time'! Top hats off and a salutatory Dickensian 'ello' to Elle and Nellie!

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 2010 Tony-Award Season will close this week with the final performances of the Cabaret and Performance Conference, led by Artistic Director Michael Bush. Performances include: Nicki Parrott, Peggy Lee, Big Instruments, and Other Weapons of Mass Distraction, Brent Barrett Night Songs, 2010 Cabaret Fellows Evening Two, Stoned Soul Picnic The Songs of Laura Nyro and the Grand Finale Cabaret.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 2010 Tony-Award Season will close this week with the final performances of the Cabaret and Performance Conference, led by Artistic Director Michael Bush. Performances include: Nicki Parrott, Peggy Lee, Big Instruments, and Other Weapons of Mass Distraction, Brent Barrett Night Songs, 2010 Cabaret Fellows Evening Two, Stoned Soul Picnic The Songs of Laura Nyro and the Grand Finale Cabaret.

Joe's Pub announces its upcoming events, August 8-11. Tickets may be ordered online at joespub.com, by phone at 212-967-7555, in person at the Public Theater Box Office (1 PM to 6 PM), or at the Joe's Pub Box Office from (6 PM to 10 PM) both located at 425 Lafayette Street, NYC. For table reservations please call 212-539-8778. Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person is standard.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 8/01 for Connecticut

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 8/01 for Hartford

Due to her sold-out 2009 & 2010 shows, an encore performance at The Rrazz Room on Fri. July 30, 2010 at 10:15 pm has been added.

Carly Ozard Brings BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BIPOLAR To Rrazz Room 7/30

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 7/25 for Connecticut

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 7/25 for Hartford

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 7/18 for Connecticut

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 7/18 for Hartford

Due to her sold-out 2009 & 2010 shows, an encore performance at The Rrazz Room on Fri. July 30, 2010 at 10:15 pm has been added.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 7/11 for Hartford