NEW YORK FESTIVAL OF SONG (Steven Blier, Artistic Director; Michael Barrett, Associate Artistic Director) has announced its 2016-17 season, including Hot-off-the-press premieres by Adam Guettel, Gabriel Kahane, William Bolcom; A performance of Paul Bowles and James Schuyler's surrealistic and witty Picnic Cantata, a rare, mid-century modern gem;Sumptuous songs of Tchaikovsky and his circle, part of the New York Philharmonic's 'Beloved Friend-Tchaikovsky and his World' Festival; Dazzling comic turns by singer-actors Mary Testa, Lauren Worsham, Hal Cazalet; Two brilliant baritones just entering their prime, American balladeer John Brancy and Russian titan Alexey Lavrov; National Sawdust welcomes the moveable, modern salon NYFOS Next with performances curated by Christopher Cerrone, Gabriela Lena Frank, Kyle Jarrow, Lauren Worsham.
In this second part of Understudying on Broadway (you can find Part 1 here), I'm discussing the subject with two women who each have tons of experience, Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, both currently covering the demanding, central role of 'Alice Murphy' in Bright Star. (I should mention that they both also cover the role of 'Lucy Grant,' and additionally, Sandy covers 'Mama Murphy!')
Steppenwolf Theatre Company has added an additional offering to the LookOut summer lineup in the new 1700 Theatre, 1700 N Halsted. Love Kills: A Concert Reading by writer/composer Kyle Jarrow is a new rock musical about the famous teen spree killer Charlie Starkweather starring Steppenwolf ensemble members Jeff Perry and Ora Jones with Patrick Rooney. Directed by Kent Paul with musical direction by Matt Hinkley, there will be five performances: Friday, July 1 at 8pm, Saturday July 2 and Sunday, July 3 at 2:30 and 8pm. The producers are Ellen Raphael, Kent Paul and Tommy Russell. Tickets ($25) are available now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted) 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.
The 2016 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out last night to recipients in 18 categories, with two special awards and two honorary awards also bestowed. The Lortel Awards were distributed in a ceremony at NYU Skirball Center hosted by Zachary Levi, star of Broadway's She Loves Me. This year's event was once again a benefit for The Actors Fund. BroadwayWorld is taking you to the red carpet below!
The Off-Broadway League tonight presents the 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway at NYU Skirball Center. BroadwayWorld will be bringing you the full list of winners below. Stay tuned to find out who will win big!
MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale)will open its 75th anniversary season with Ricky Ian Gordon's 27, with libretto by Royce Vavrek, starring Stephanie Blythe, Heidi Stober,Theo Lebow, Tobias Greenhalgh, and Daniel Brevik, conducted by Ted Sperling, and directed by James Robinson, with Orchestra of St. Luke's on October 20 and 21, 2016at New York City Center.
Jim Schubin of Plainsboro, NJ, and Brian Vu of Los Angeles, both earned top prizes in the 2016 Lotte Lenya Competition, sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and held on April 16, 2016 in Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
Grammy Award winning Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records - the premiere force in theater music and cast recordings - have added a slew of new performers to its all-star concert to celebrate the label's landmark "Sweet 16" Birthday on Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 PM.
The Play Company (PlayCo), the NYC-based theater company that produces outstanding contemporary plays from around the world, brings together top chefs and theater artists for this year's Cabaret Gourmet, PlayCo's annual gala. Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur and tastemaker, Questlove will be honored at the unique event, which features savory and sweet tasting dishes prepared by hand selected chefs from some of New York City's most celebrated restaurants, on the occasion of the publication of his forthcoming book somethingtofoodabout set for release the next day, April 12. The evening, which celebrates creativity in all its facets, will be MC'd by Tony nominee (Hand to God) and PlayCo alum (Enjoy, The Ugly One) Steven Boyer, with musical entertainment provided by indie pop band Sky-Pony.
The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 18 categories for the 31st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards will be presented on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00 PM EST. This year's event will once again benefit The Actors Fund.
Due to demand, a one-week extension has been announced for The Wildness: Sky-Pony's Rock Fairy Tale, presented by Ars Nova in collaboration with The Play Company. Originally set to play through March 19, this world premiere production will now play a limited Off-Broadway engagement through March 26 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). This new work, with text by Obie Award winner Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Worsham and songs by Kyle Jarrow, is directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Buntrock and choreographed by Chase Brock. The Wildness: Sky-Pony's Rock Fairy Tale features David Blasher, Lilli Cooper, Jeffrey Fernandes, Katie Lee Hill, Kyle Jarrow, Jamie Mohamdein, Sharone Sayegh, Lauren Worsham (Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee) and Kevin Wunderlich. Previews began February 16 and the show celebrated its Official Opening Night on Monday, February 29.
The Play Company's (PlayCo) Idea Lab series complements the productions in their 2016 season by bringing together artists, scholars, writers and community leaders for stand-alone events to examine themes raised in the shows. Following performances of the world premiere of The Wildness, a co-produced with Ars Nova, Playco will present three post show events over three Thursdays, March 3, 10 & 17.
AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS, featuring Fred Barton & His Orchestra in 'An Evening with Cole Porter', stars a cast of today's best Broadway performers. The concerts take place at Pace University's Schimmel Center in New York tonight, March 4 at 7:30 PM and then Kingsborough Community College's 'On Stage at Kingsborough' in Brooklyn tomorrow, March 5 at 8:00 PM.
The world premiere of THE WILDNESS: SKY-PONY'S ROCK FAIRY TALE, with text by Obie Award winner Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Worsham and songs by Kyle Jarrow, opens tonight, February 29, 2016. Presented by Ars Nova in collaboration with The Play Company, a limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through March 19.
Broadway stars Lisa Howard (It Shoulda Been You) and John Bolton (A Christmas Story: The Musical) are joining the cast of AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS featuring Fred Barton & His Orchestra in 'An Evening with Cole Porter' next month.
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
