Len Cariou News

This December and January 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Scroll down for details!

t may not be like getting a gift on each of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 6th Annual Urban Stages Winter Rhythms series--presented over a dozen nights at the not-for-profit Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 30th Street--could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 2-14 (no shows on Dec. 9), more than 100 singers, musicians, and songwriters will perform in an eclectic mix of 20 shows including one-night-only group shows, excerpts from new musicals, solo shows, open mics, late night spotlights, and family matinees, with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages On Tour Outreach Program that brings more than 200 free multicultural theater and music programs to elementary and middle school age children and their families in libraries and schools throughout NYC five boroughs.

The day is finally here! After one month of voting on preliminary nominees in 17 categories, the results of more than 5,000 ballots were considered along with the selections of BroadwayWorld's cabaret section editors to determine the final nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards. Joining cabaret icon Marilyn Maye with four nominations is budding star Carole J. Bufford, who made the final ballot for two different shows during 2014 and as 'Best Female Vocalist' and 'Performer of the Year.' Among Maye's nominations were 'Performer of the Year,' two shows in the 'Best Celebrity Show' category, and a 'Best Director' nomination for her work with jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli (who received two nominations). In addition to her usual nod for 'Best Jazz Vocalist,' jazz star Jane Monheit received two other nominations as 'Performer of the Year,' and as 'Best Host' for her new variety show at Birdland, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party (Monheit also co-starred with Clint Holmes in another nominated show, Frank Wildhorn and Friends in the 'Best Revue' category.) Eric Michael Gillett also earned three nominations for 'Best Show, Male,' 'Best Male Vocalist,' and 'Best Director.'

Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist and Director of Musical Programming Peter Napolitano, today announced that Tony Award Nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo will join the line-up for their sixth series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS 2014, beginning Tuesday, December 2nd and continuing through Sunday, December 14th at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

During her musically spectacular performance at 54 Below last night Ann playfully introduces her pianist as George Gershwin. Ted Rosenthal may probably be able to play Gershwin's music with more accuracy than the composer did. However, I'm sure George Gershwin would never be able to accompany Ann as good as Ted Rosenthal does.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Allison Case and Andrew Kober: This is 30, Doreen Montalvo, Burtka, David, Sondheim Unplugged, and 54 Loves Billy Joel: He's Got a Way.

CBS's THE TALK returns to New York City for a week of holiday-themed shows, to be broadcast Monday, Dec. 8 - Friday, Dec. 12 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT/CT).

Joining the previously announced Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson who will lead the cast as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett is Philip Quast as Judge Turpin. Further casting will be announced shortly.

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye just revealed via Twitter that Olivier winner Philip Quast, who played 'Judge Turpin' in the New York Philharmonic's SWEENEY TODD, will reprise his role in the musical at English National Opera. He will reunite with Bryn Terfel in the title role and Emma Thompson as 'Mrs. Lovett'.

Daryl Roth and Karyl Lynn Burns present the New York premiere of Wiesenthal, the award-winning play written by and starring Tom Dugan and directed by Jenny Sullivan. Wiesenthal plays at the Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row, (410 W. 42nd Street). Go inside opening night below!

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), in association with producer/director/lyricist and Director of Musical Programming Peter Napolitano, today announced the line-up for their sixth series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS 2014, beginning Tuesday, December 2nd and continuing through Sunday, December 14th at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Today we are talking to a spectacularly gifted Tony Award-winning stage and screen performer known for originating numerous memorable roles in both new musicals and revivals as well as starring in this month's Encores! special presentation of THE BAND WAGON, Brian Stokes Mitchell. Opening up about the new stage-to-screen adaptation of the movie musical classic while granting a rare few moments for a chat while on a break, Mitchell shares his enthusiasm for re-teaming with frequent collaborator director/choreographer Kathleen Marhshall as well as what audiences can expect from the brand new concert presentation while also commenting on his starry assortment of fellow players in the production, including Tracey Ullman, Michael McKean and Laura Osnes. Furthermore, Mitchell offers first news of his return to FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE for its final season and preliminarily clues us in to what we can expect from his last appearance on the series. Additionally, Mitchell reflects on his starring role in the 2002 Kennedy Center production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's SWEENEY TODD and whether he would be interested in pursuing that part again in the future. Plus, Mitchell reveals he has recorded a series of studio albums awaiting release and shares his opinions on what material he would like to record in the future. All of that, thoughts on THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and if it could work onstage, his upcoming Christmas concert series with the Cincinnati Symphony, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN memories and much, much more in this exclusive conversation with one of Broadway's most beloved leading men!

This November and December 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Tony Award winner Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots, The Normal Heart) and Karyl Lynn Burns (The Best is Yet to Come) present the New York premiere of Wiesenthal, the award-winning play written by and starring Tom Dugan and directed by Jenny Sullivan. Wiesenthal launches a limited 14-week engagement, from tonight, October 24 through February 1, at the Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row, (410 W. 42nd Street). Opening night is November 5.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Today we are saluting one of the most adored and respected stars of the stage and screen in acknowledging her 89th birthday this week, Dame Angela Lansbury!

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Alice Ripley made a special appearance on last week's episode of hit CBS drama BLUE BLOODS and a new clip of the actress in action is now available to view.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include openings of IT'S ONLY A PLAY, CURIOUS INCIDENT, and CAN-CAN, Michael C. Hall's meet the press event for HEDWIG, Len Cariou's birthday celebration at 54 Below, and more!

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the second show of their 2014-2015 season, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion and directed by Jenny Sullivan (Steel Magnolias). 'To have Linda Purl on our stage with one of the more powerful pieces of theatre I have come across is just a triumph that our audiences and subscribers are going to treasure,' offers Wood. 'Jenny Sullivan is quite simply one of our best theatre directors working today and to have her bring her magic touch to the powerful words of Joan Didion is simply a dream realized,' adds Wareham. THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING will begin previews tonight, October 8 and will open on Saturday, October 11 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.