Leslie Uggams News

August Strindberg's Chekhovian comedy, 'Playing With Fire' (Leka med elden, 1893), in a translation by Ulrika Brand that has been newly adapted by Obie-winner Leslie Lee, Executive Director of Negro Ensemble Company, will be presented May 18 to June 10 with an all-black cast as the inaugural production of August Strindberg Repertory Theatre, directed by Robert Greer. The play, to be staged at New School for Drama, 151 Bank Street (West Village), will be a co-production of August Strindberg Repertory Theatre and Negro Ensemble Company in association with Theater Resources Unlimited.

Following the Brighton Beach and Downtown Brooklyn series, the Brooklyn Phil concludes its 2011-12 relaunch season with three free concerts in the heart of BED-STUY, in partnership with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and Brooklyn Public Library.

Today we are completing our extensive three-part look at THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Carnegie Hall with an career-spanning chat with one of Broadway biggest rising stars, the amiable and accomplished Laura Osnes. Since her Broadway debut in GREASE - coming after the reality casting competition TV series, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT - in 2007, Osnes has found great success with lead roles in three more Broadway musicals, spelling for Kelli O'Hara in SOUTH PACIFIC at Lincoln Center as Nellie Forbush, as well as taking on the title role in Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE with Jeremy Jordan and playing Hope Harcourt in the Roundabout revival of ANYTHING GOES alongside Sutton Foster and Joel Grey. In addition to outlining her experiences in those shows and her reflections on her time spent on Broadway thus far, Osnes also opens up about her recent essaying of three Rodgers & Hammerstein roles, having just starred with Will Chase in PIPE DREAM at Encores!, her just-confirmed casting in a new Broadway-bound stage adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA that has recently had a workshop production (and will have another in July, again co-starring Santino Fontana) as well as all about the star-studded Carnegie Hall concert presentation of THE SOUND OF MUSIC co-starring Tony Goldwyn and Brooke Shields which she headlines on April 24. Plus, she recounts her experiences participating in the recent Kennedy Center Honors salute to Barbara Cook alongside a dizzying roster of divas and tackling FOLLIES in the spectacular SONDHEIM! THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT presentation now available on DVD - and she also clues us in on her favorite shows, acting influences, plans for the future and much, much more!

54 BELOW, the nightclub and restaurant announced earlier this year, today confirmed additional bookings at the new space located at 254 West 54th Street. Taking the 54 BELOW stage will be world famous Tony Award winners, recording artists, as well as new talent from the New York and Broadway stage.

Folk singer, Carrie Newcomer arrives at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge on April 20 at 8pm accompanied by pianist, Gary Walters.

Leading Ladies of NY's Famous Persian Room, Lainie Kazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden join author, Patty Farmer for a Q&A and sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

Rachel York will join Megan Hilty in the Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opening May 9 at New York City Center. York will play the brunette, Dorothy Shaw, best friend of Lorelei, the diamond-loving blonde played by Hilty. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes will be directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Randy Skinner and will play for seven performances, May 9 - 13, at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

The Clint Holmes Cabaret opened last night, April 10, at Cafe Carlyle, New York. Check out these photos of Clint Holmes, Chita Rivera, Gloria Vanderbilt, Leslie Uggams, Clint Holmes, Michael Douglas, Tommy Tune and more.

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, and recording artist Leslie Uggams (On Golden Pond, King Headley II, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, Jerry's Girls, Her First Roman, Hallelujah, Baby! and television's Roots) has launched her new CD Uptown Downtown, now available online at CDBaby.com. This 2-CD cast album includes 21 tracks (24 songs) from her one-woman autobiographical musical that charts her career from Harlem (Uptown) to Broadway (Downtown), and everywhere in between.

Folk singer, Carrie Newcomer arrives at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge on April 20 at 8pm accompanied by pianist, Gary Walters.

Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 43rd Year with a Gala evening on Monday, April 2th, featuring a special concert by Tony-Winner, Lillias White. The Amas Benefit Event honors the iconic restaurateur, author and transcultural lifestyle pioneer B. Smith with the "Rosie Award." The event takes place at the Baruch Performing Arts Center, East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues, at 7pm.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Despite the loveable antics of those hard-working ladies from Texas, Broadway musicals have always been a little awkward around prostitutes.  The book of New Girl In Town (based on Anna Christie) gets tongue-tied when trying to be honest about its title character's former profession and the creators of Sweet Charity turned Nights of Cabiria's prostitute protagonist into New York's most chaste taxi dancer.  To this day I'm certain there are little boys performing in Oliver! who believe Nancy is some kind of den mother and Bet is her helpful assistant.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's PIPE DREAM will be recorded live at New York City Center's Encores! series this week, and released this Summer on Ghostlight Records. Produced by Rodgers & Hammerstein: AnImagem Company, this preservation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1955 Broadway musical rarity marks the first time an Encores! musical has been recorded live.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, began performances last night, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night, and we bring you complete backstage coverage below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, began performances last night, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night, and we bring you photos from the first curtain call below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, begins performances today, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. Get a first look at performance shots below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, begins performances today, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld.com got a sneak peek at the production's dress rehearsal - check it out below!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, begins performances today, running through April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay.

Geva Theatre Center's 2011-2012 Season continues with Lorraine Hansberry's classic play, A Raisin in the Sun, which runs in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through March 25.