Laura Osnes News

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Today we are saluting one of the most beloved Broadway scores of all time, created by the formidable show business songwriting dynasty of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein - THE SOUND OF MUSIC. While the original 1959 Broadway production was well-received and won Mary Martin a Tony Award for her winsome Maria, the property has gone on to win over generations the world over thanks in no small part to the 1965 Robert Wise feature film version starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. On Monday, Carnegie Hall will be presenting a special concert version of the family- friendly show starring Laura Osnes, Tony Goldwyn and Brooke Shields. Be sure to check out my comprehensive conversation with Brooke Shields, who will be playing the Baroness, available here, and, also, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for my upcoming InDepth InterView with the Maria of the concert presentation, rising Broadway superstar Laura Osnes. So, what exactly is it about THE SOUND OF MUSIC that has won over audiences of all ages for more than fifty years and set hearts aflutter and souls stirred? Is it the dramatic story of a family torn apart by death and war only to be brought back together again when least expected by a kindly maternal nun? Is it the slice of life depiction of the family dynamic and how we can all relate to one or many facets of it therein? Is it the ensuing romance between Maria and Captain Von Trapp and their delicately portrayed courtship (particularly when considering the ravishing duet added for the film, "Something Good")? Or, is it that classic Rodgers & Hammerstein score - containing a dizzying assortment of standards that have gone on to become ingrained in our ears, minds and hearts, as well as made a fixture of pop culture itself - "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "The Lonely Goatherd", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", the title song and beyond. AMC's hit series MAD MEN even featured one of the most beloved SOUND OF MUSIC duets on a recent broadcast as an ironic episode capper all too befitting of the moment (and, given the 60s setting of the series, era) - Betty Draper mischievously sneaking an extra bowl of ice cream set to the strains of "I Am Sixteen Going On Seventeen". Between the MAD MEN song reference, the ongoing SOUND OF MUSIC film singalongs occurring every week (with many patrons coming in costume and with props, ala ROCKY HORROR) around the world and the countless professional and amateur productions that crop up every year, as well as the glitzy Carnegie Hall concert on Monday, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has never gone out of style - it shall forever remain sixteen, even when the show itself is not too far away from hitting sixty.

Additional artists have been announced for composer-lyricist Scott Alan's fourth recording, 'Live,' which follows his critically acclaimed 'What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up,' 'Dreaming Wide Awake' and 'Keys.'

Additional artists have been announced for composer-lyricist Scott Alan's fourth recording, 'Live,' which follows his critically acclaimed 'What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up,' 'Dreaming Wide Awake' and 'Keys.' Newly announced for the disc are Wicked's Julia Murney, Ragtime Tony nominee Christiane Noll, Newsies' Ben Fankhauser and Season 3 winners of 'The Sing-Off,' Pentatonix.

Laura Osnes will play Cinderella and Santino Fontana will portray the Prince in the new Broadway-bound production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, it has been announced by the musical's producers. CINDERELLA -- which is aiming for a Broadway opening during the 2012-13 season -- is produced by Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Jill Furman in association with Center Theatre Group.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Hairspray' at Oakbrook, two projects from Team StarKid, 'Rise Of The Numberless' from Bailiwick and New Colony, a new theater in Naperville, 'Bab Fab' and so much more!

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's star-studded 12th Annual Monte Cristo Awards honored tonight, April 16, the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of long-time Trustee Michael Douglas to the American Theater. The award was presented to Mr. Douglas by his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. See photos of the honoree Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury and more below!

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is poised for a star-studded evening to honor the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of long-time Trustee Michael Douglas to the American Theater.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER opened last night, April 15th and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the star filled red carpet on their way in to see the show. Get out your 'Stache' and scroll on down!

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Making a name for herself as a model at a very early age set the stage for a career on screens large and small - as well as the Broadway stage itself many, many times over - for iconic beauty Brooke Shields. On April 24, she takes on the role of the Baroness in a starry Carnegie Hall concert mounting of Rodgers & Hammerstein's much-loved musical classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC, co-starring previous InDepth InterView participant Tony Goldwyn as Captain Von Trapp in addition the subject of next week's upcoming InDepth InterView as Maria, rising star Laura Osnes. Sharing her insights on her many notable Broadway appearances since her bow in GREASE in the 1990s - including thoughts on her stints in CABARET, CHICAGO, WONDERFUL TOWN, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and more - Shields opens up about her affection for the theatrical form and her desire to pursue plays and musicals in the future. Additionally, Shields comments on her role opposite Miley Cyrus on HANNAH MONTANA, as well as her sitcom days on SUDDENLY SUSAN and upcoming film appearance in HOT FLASHES. Plus, all about her impressions of THE SOUND OF MUSIC and her affection for the classic score, original film and its stars as well as the challenges she faces taking on the tricky role of the Baroness in the gala Carnegie Hall concert event. All of that and much, much more!

Carnegie Hall today announced the complete cast for its gala benefit performance of The Sound of Music on Tuesday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. New to the cast are Mary Michael Patterson (Anything Goes) as Liesl von Trapp, Nick Spangler (The Book of Mormon) as Rolf Gruber, Cotter Smith (Next Fall) as Herr Zeller, Drama Desk and Obie Award recipient Reed Birney as Admiral von Schreiber, and Joel Hatch (Billy Elliot) as Franz, The Butler.

Laura Osnes stars as Suzy in the New York City Center Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream running through April 1. Pipe Dream is directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay, and plays for seven performances at New York City Center, West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The Encores! presentation marks the first time the musical will be seen on the New York stage since the original production closed in June 1956.

Despite the loveable antics of those hard-working ladies from Texas, Broadway musicals have always been a little awkward around prostitutes.  The book of New Girl In Town (based on Anna Christie) gets tongue-tied when trying to be honest about its title character's former profession and the creators of Sweet Charity turned Nights of Cabiria's prostitute protagonist into New York's most chaste taxi dancer.  To this day I'm certain there are little boys performing in Oliver! who believe Nancy is some kind of den mother and Bet is her helpful assistant.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

These days, in the new age of social media revolution, the best source of information is YOU. Each day, fans of BroadwayWorld post tens of thousands of comments on our multiple message boards (main and local), weighing in on the latest news, rumors, reviews, stars and more. Each week, we find a few stand-out threads - those that have sparked particularly interesting discussion that we've decided to shine a light on each week in our newest feature: DID YOU KNOW...The 10 Most Interesting Message Board Topics of the Week, brought to you by YOU! Be sure to check back each week to see if YOUR thread made the list!

Rodgers & Hammerstein's PIPE DREAM will be recorded live at New York City Center's Encores! series this week, and released this Summer on Ghostlight Records. Produced by Rodgers & Hammerstein: AnImagem Company, this preservation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1955 Broadway musical rarity marks the first time an Encores! musical has been recorded live.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, began performances last night, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night, and we bring you photos from the first curtain call below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, began performances last night, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night, and we bring you complete backstage coverage below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, begins performances today, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. Get a first look at performance shots below!