Lea Salonga News

On Monday, August 8, the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series at Wingate Field, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, will welcome Men of Soul starring Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, and Freddie Jackson.

Bay Area Cabaret, the local non-profit organization devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, has announced its Fall 2011 lineup for the 2011-2012 season, Venetian Evenings.

'PLAY IT COOL' a new musical will be presented Off Broadway at Theatre Row - Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street. Previews for the limited engagement begin on Thursday, September 2nd and the Opening is 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 14th.

BroadwayWorld.com has been following the progress of Broadway-bound musical, ALLEGIANCE, since its first reading in Los Angeles two years ago up to its final workshop presentation held at the Baryshnikov Arts Center yesterday. What we just saw certainly bore little likeness to its initial working draft while some aspects of the production have remained the same, like its central story on the Japanese American experience during and after the World War II internment; and its composer and lyricist Jay Kuo's uplifting and emotionally charged music and lyrics.

International star Lea Salonga, singing voice of Disney's Princess Jasmine and Mulan and a Tony and Olivier winner for MISS SAIGON, sat down to answer fan-submitted questions in a contest for LML Music in a promotion for her new album, THE JOURNEY SO FAR.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced The Old Globe's presentation of a developmental workshop of Allegiance - A New American Musical.

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City will present the second of several Annie-themed master classes. They are thrilled to announce that Broadway's original Annie, Andrea McArdle, will be leading the class on Monday, July 25th. A representative from Telsey & Co., the casting directors for the revival, will also be present to lead an audition technique class. Space is limited, and only a few spots remain available.

'PLAY IT COOL' a new musical will be presented Off Broadway at Theatre Row - Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street. Previews begin Thursday, September 2nd.

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of Steve Barton's passing on July 21st, 2011, Stage Door Records have collaborated with his wife Denny Berry-Barton to develop an online memorial tribute to Barton and his contribution to musical theatre.

LML Music, an independent label that distributes Tony winner Lea Salonga's newest live album, 'The Journey So Far,' launches 'Questions for Lea Salonga' contest for her fans to get a chance to win a signed copy of her CD.

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City will present the second of several Annie-themed master classes. They are thrilled to announce that Broadway's original Annie, Andrea McArdle, will be leading the class on Monday, July 25th. A representative from Telsey & Co., the casting directors for the revival, will also be present to lead an audition technique class. Space is limited, and only a few spots remain available.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of all the events in the theatre world, look no further: here are some of the best articles that the week has to offer!

ALLEGIANCE, presented by San Diego's Old Globe, is currently in rehearsals for a workshop to take place in New York City on July 27th and 28th. The cast of ALLEGIANCE surprised fellow cast member George Takei by all wearing 'It's OK to Be Takei' T-shirts. Check out a snapshot below!

Philippine Development Foundation USA ('PhilDev') announces that it will hold its annual fundraising gala at the prestigious Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center with a concert event entitled 'PhilDev Celebrates Broadway: Suites by Sondheim,' directed by Victor Lirio, on Monday, November 7th, 2011 at 7:30PM. Tom Myron will serve as conductor and music director.

'PLAY IT COOL' a new musical will be presented Off Broadway at Theatre Row - Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street. Previews begin Thursday, September 2nd. The hot jazz influenced musical is Conceived by Larry Dean Harris; with a Book by Martin Casella and Larry Dean Harris; Lyrics by Mark Winkler; Music by Phillp Swann; with Additional Music by Jim Andron, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Emilio Palame, Larry Steelman. It is directed by Sharon Rosen with choreography by Marc Kimelman. The musical is produced by Mary's Hideaway, LLC. The design team, cast and opening will soon be announced.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra today announced the cast for Do You Hear the People Sing? The Dream Concert!, a world premiere pops production of music from renowned Broadway composers, Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the creators of the hit musicals Les Misérables and Miss Saigon among others. Conducted by the Orchestra's Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, Do You Hear the People Sing? The Dream Concert! will open the ISO's 2011-2012 Printing Partners Pops Series on Oct. 7 and 8 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis and also will be performed at The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind., on Sunday, Oct. 9.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra today announced the cast for Do You Hear the People Sing? The Dream Concert!, a world premiere pops production of music from renowned Broadway composers, Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the creators of the hit musicals Les Misérables and Miss Saigon among others.

You wouldn't know it from his youthful looks, but actor Ethan Le Phong has been a longtime global chameleon for quite some time. His past roles have taken him from Germany to New York, from London to Los Angeles. And for almost a year now, he has been spicing things up as Pepper in the 2nd National Tour of the global hit musical MAMMA MIA. Before the show makes its anticipated return to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County for a week-long engagement from June 21 - 26, the actor paused for a brief chat with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about his role in the hit ABBA-rific musical, his influences as a kid, and his wish to see more Asian-Americans on the Broadway stage.

Television icon Regis Philbin, Muppets creator Jim Henson, the extraordinary actresses who vocally brought to life many modern-day Disney Princesses including Jodi Benson (Ariel from The Little Mermaid), Paige O'Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast), Lea Salonga (singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan), Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine from Aladdin), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog) plus other equally impressive contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 EXPO at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

Chris Isaacson and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center proudly present the premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren in "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey," which will make its Los Angeles debut on June 16 at The Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood, with acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler 'Kiss My Brass' Tour, Bernadette Peters) at the helm.