Leah Hocking News

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

We need a little Christmas, now! Haul out the holly at the 7th Annual CHRISTMAS SINGALONG on Sunday, December 9th at 5:30 PM. Held at the historic Broadway Presbyterian Church (NW corner of 114th and Broadway), this joyous 80 minute community event will feature the talents of Jennifer Allen (Bridges of Madison County), Leah Hocking (Billy Elliot, The Last Ship), John Rapson (LES MISERABLES), Rashida Scott (Beautiful..., Sister Act) Avionce Hoyles (Sister Act), Jessica Leigh Brown (Spiderman) and Patrick McCormick (LES MISERABLES).

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Tony Award winner Carole Shelley, who passed away on Friday, August 31 at age 79. Take a moment to remember the legendary star with a look back at some of her recent appearances.

The Weathervane Alumni Association invites you to attend a special concert benefit performance of the 2015 Broadway musical, It Shoulda Been You. The concert will star Weathervane alumni Leah Hocking (Mamma Mia, All Shook Up, Billy Elliott), Kirsti Carnahan (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Baby), Laura Hall (Wonderland), as well as Monica Rosenblatt in the role of Jenny Steinberg. The one-night-only benefit will raise funds for the Weathervane Alumni Association, whose mission is dedicated to enlarging creative and financial support for the Weathervane Theatre. The event will take place on Sunday, August 12 at 2:00pm at the Weathervane Theatre (389 Lancaster Road, Whitefield, NH 03598).

'Raise Your Voice & Raise Some Funds'--LaGuardia High School's (The 'FAME' school) sparkling Annual Benefit takes place this Monday, March 5th at The Little Flower Theatre at 100 Amsterdam Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 PM, BROADWAY SINGALONG II at 7:30 pm.

59E59 Theaters has announced that Jay Armstrong Johnson will remain with The Mad Ones through the conclusion of its run on Sunday, December 17.

THE MAD ONES book and music writers Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, director Stephen Brackett and cast members Krystina Alabado, Emma Hunton, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Leah Hocking joined friends and family to celebrate the Opening Night of THE MAD ONES at Sarabeth's on Central Park South. BroadwayWorld has photos from the evening below!

Simply stated, you'll love 'The Mad Ones.' The NYC premiere of this musical is now onstage at 59E59 Theaters through December 17. The show features book, music and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, direction by Stephen Brackett, choreography by Alexandra Beller and an exceptional cast.

59E59 Theaters has announced that Jay Armstrong Johnson will continue in the role of Adam through December 3, while Ben Fankhauser remains on vocal rest. Mr. Fankhauser will return to the role on December 5.

59E59 Theaters announces that Ben Fankhauser will be out of THE MAD ONES this week on doctor-imposed vocal rest. Jay Armstrong Johnson will play the role of Adam in his absence.

Broadway vet Leah Hocking, whose credits include Billy Elliott: The Musical, Hairspray and All Shook Up, rounds out the cast of THE MAD ONES, a new musical featuring book, music & lyrics by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, and directed by Stephen Brackett.

The epic struggle between good and evil came to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscar- and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has played the world over.

Located in the heart of Times Square, Royal Family Productions is presenting a one-night-only, 'live concept album' concert performance of Serving Time, a new musical revue capturing the frantic, eclectic and eccentric world of restaurant life conceived by Michele Foor, who also wrote the lyrics, along with composers David Gaines, William TN Hall, Timothy Huang, Ryan Langer and Frank Spitznagel.

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, Blessing, music and lyrics by Andrew R. Butler and book by Andrew Farmer, and The White City, music by Avi Amon and book and lyrics by Julia Gytri, which will be developed in an intensive two-week summer lab at Yale School of Drama, June 13-25.

How many of these great songs do you know from underappreciated musicals?

The Algonquin Kid is based on Michael's experience as child being raised at the opulent and historic landmark building in NYC of The Algonquin Hotel. Located in the heart of NYC, this palatial haven to talent Icons from Ella Fitzgerald to the most unknown up and comers, The Algonquin Hotel's history has housed more talent in NYC than any other structure still in existence. Beautifully woven together by Mr. Colby, The Algonquin Kid-The Musical combines both his personal journey as a child with original material by Mr. Colby in addition to a slew of musical favorites from the American Songbook. This weave helps tell the story of his life growing up in the glory days at this incredible Hotel. The Algonquin Hotel was owned by Mr. Colby's Grandparents, Ben & Mary Bodne from 1946-1987.

Librettist/Lyricist Michael Colby will bring a concert adaptation of his well-received memoir, THE ALGONQUIN KID: ADVENTURES GROWING UP IN NEW YORK'S LEGENDARY HOTEL to Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NY 10001 on Dec. 13th at 2:00pm.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director, Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director of Musical Programming) today announced the line-up for this year's Award-Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre. WINTER RHYTHMS 2015 marks the seventh year that Urban Stages has brought noted musical artists to its stage during the holiday period. The mission of Winter Rhythms is to bring the talents of known and unknown singers, musicians, lyricists and composers to the attention of the New York theater community while performing at Urban Stages Theater. Winner of the 2015 Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series MAC Award, WINTER RHYTHMS benefits Urban Stages' acclaimed Outreach Program, which brings more than 200 free "arts in education" presentations to libraries and schools throughout the five boroughs. This year's event features 20 shows and more than 100 artists.

Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's Award Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30thStreet, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $25 per show and may be purchased by visiting urbanstages.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. For complete schedule information, visit urbanstages.org.

The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Lab Series presents the musical, LORD TOM, with book by Kimberly Vaughn and Stanley Jay Gelber, and music & lyrics by Mr. Gelber at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!