Leonard Bernstein News

The regular season just ended for the Metropolitan Opera--all that's left is a series of HD rebroadcasts on Lincoln Center Plaza and a couple of low profile concerts in New York City parks--and it's time for a look back at what kind of season it was. With seven new productions and 21 other operas in rep during a season that ran from the end of September to mid-May, the Met was nothing if not far-reaching in its repertoire. And that's the way it should be. But how did its ambitions work out?

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Director Marin Alsop leads the BSO in a performance of the film score from Bernstein's legendary West Side Story on Thursday, June 13 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore,Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Bernstein's brilliant score will accompany a screening of the 10-time Academy Award-winning motion picture. Please see below for complete program details. Watch the webumentary here.

I suppose Richard Foreman doesn't have many talkbacks after performances of his plays because, really, how many times can you respond to an audience member asking, 'What the f***?'

Theater League has announced the 2013-2014 Thousand Oaks Broadway Series Live! at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It is a season of spectacular National Tours featuring new shows fresh from Broadway and classic Broadway favorites. This noteworthy season full of sensational music kicks off with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, a sparkling new production based on a legendary recording session; THEADDAMS FAMILY, a brand-new Broadway hit inspired by the classic television series; MAMMA MIA!, showcasing the magic of ABBA, with timeless songs and enchanting love; and WEST SIDE STORY, the revival of a classic musical filled with iconic dance numbers and unforgettable songs.

World-renowned playwright and Tony Award nominee Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You, Lend Me a Tenor) will be hosting an interactive discussion on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, followed by a book-signing of his new book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Saturday, June 8 at 12pm.

The Lincoln Center Board of Directors has unanimously selected Jed Bernstein, theater producer and educator, as its next president. The announcement was made today by Katherine Farley, Lincoln Center Board Chair. He will succeed Reynold Levy, who will step down as president in January, 2014.

In an homage to Broadway great Jerome Robbins, the NYC has performed three short Robbins compositions: 'Interplay', 'Fancy Free', and 'I'm Old Fashioned'. The results aren't perfect, but Robbins's unique talents are finely displayed.

From stem to stern, the crew of Lyric Stage Company's ON THE TOWN serves up a boatload of thrills. Leonard Bernstein's glorious score, book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Jerome Robbins' idea fuse into a terrific voyage to end the season. Director Spiro Veloudos, Choreographer Ilyse Robbins, Music Director Jonathan Goldberg, a creative design team, and a shipshape ensemble put on one helluva show.

Today, May 14 at 2:00 p.m., EDT, medici.tv (www.medici.tv) will present a free live Webcast of the New York Philharmonic's concert of 20th- and 21st-century music at Volkswagen's Die Glaserne Manufaktur, or Transparent Factory, in Dresden, Germany, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert.

On January 13, 1910, the first American public radio broadcast aired, featuring Enrico Caruso live from the stage of The Metropolitan Opera. On April 15, 1923 came the first commercial screening of a motion picture with sound-on-film. Although it was not the original intent of either, these events made the concept of "popular music" possible.

The Boston Theater Critics Association previously announced its nominations for the 31st Annual Elliot Norton Awards. The awards, which recognize excellence in Greater Boston theater, will be presented tonight, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Mainstage, 559 Washington Street, Boston.

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston presents ON THE TOWN, tonight, May 10 - June 8, 2013, featuring Book & lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Based on an idea of Jerome Robbins. Directed by Spiro Veloudos, the production will feature music direction by Jonathan Goldberg and choreography & musical staging by Ilyse Robbins.

Bay Street Theatre begins the 2013 Mainstage Season with Lend Me a Tenor (May 28 - June 23). This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy started rehearsals this week in New York City under the direction of Don Stephenson. The cast includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek. Ticket prices are $59.50 and $69.50. For more information call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or buy online at www.baystreet.org.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and Tristan Wilson Managing Director, is proud to announce the June performances for BSC's second season at Mr. Finn's Cabaret, located on the lower level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced the production of a new music television series, American Songbook at NJPAC, taped before a live audience at the Arts Center and airing on NJTV and WNET this fall.

Christine Baranski, Kelli Barrett, Walter Bobbie, Jeremy Cohen, Dalton Harrod, Randy Skinner, Shonn Wiley, Karen Ziemba,New York City Ballet Principaldancer Joaquin De Luz and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Irina Dvorovenko will star in Rodgers and Hart's On Your Toes, the final Encores! presentation of the 2012-13 New York City Center season.

SYMPHO presents two new concert experiences in New York City, Ascending Darkness: Soundtrack to a Dream tonight, May 8, 2013 at 8 p.m. at the Church of the Ascension (Fifth Avenue at 10th Street), and KAPOW! on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Rubin Museum of Art (150 W. 17th Street).

Barrington Stage Company has announced principal casting for the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town from June 12 through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening is Sunday, June 16 at 5pm.

Spectrum presents an afternoon recital with virtuoso pianist Beth Levin today, May 5th at 3. The program features a world premiere by Andrew Rudin, a New York premiere by David Del Tredici and works by Scott Wheeler, Yehudi Wyner, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Michael Rose.