Lonny Price News

Today we are taking a look at one of the most exciting DVD/Blu-Ray releases of the year - perhaps ever, at least as far as Broadway connoisseurs are concerned. Taped back in mid-March of this year, a week before the actual central celebratory event itself occurred, comes SONDHEIM! The Birthday Concert, which will also be shown next Wednesday on PBS as part of this season's sensational series of GREAT PERFORMANCES at 9 PM on WNET in New York and across the country. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that has been ever-so-lovingly rendered on disc in high definition preserving a heavenly host of the very best Broadway talent one could ever possibly ask to be assembled. SONDHEIM! has it all.

Image Entertainment is proud to share a celebration of the life and wondrous work of one of Broadway's greatest legends - the incomparable Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist's 80th birthday, scores of the musical theater's brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim's unsurpassed canon. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Sondheim's longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic. Directed for the stage and television by Lonny Price and filmed live March 15-16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, this is a must-have addition for every musical theatre aficionado. SONDHEIM! The Birthday Concert is available today, November 16, at an SRP of $24.98 for the DVD and $29.98 for the Blu-ray; the concert is also be available via digital download. Click below for some preview clips!

As BroadwayWorld has reported, The New York Philharmonic's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, which took place on March 15-16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, will be broadcast on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances on PBS on Wednesday, November 24 (check local listings). WNET, Channel 13 in New York City, will air the concert at 9:30 p.m. that evening. Today, it has been revealed that the Image Entertainment will release the program DVD and Blu-Ray on November 16, 2010. The concert includes songs and orchestral pieces from Sondheim musical theater favorites such as Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, and Sunday in the Park with George. Today, it has been announced that in addition to the PBS telecast, the concert will be released on DVD in November by Image Entertainment.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), launches its 2010-2011 ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION series - six moderated discussions and Q&As featuring leading directors and choreographers on the topic of Artistic Leadership - on Sunday, November 14 at 1:00pm at the Atlantic Theatre Studio 4 (76 9th Avenue) with Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman (THE THUGS) and Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theatre.

At 7pm on November 7, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) will kick off White Plains Performing Arts Center's Conversations @ 7 series. The Conversations series is structured as an intimate open forum, where the participating audience and guest artists share an evening discussing craft and life in the theatre. The spectrum of participating guests will range in their roles in theatre from creative to production to performing with the consistent factor of their level of achievement and a rare chance for audience to interact with these masters of theatre.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), launches its 2010-2011 ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION series - six moderated discussions and Q&As featuring leading directors and choreographers on the topic of Artistic Leadership - on Sunday, November 14 at 1:00pm at the Atlantic Theatre Studio 4 (76 9th Avenue) with Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman (THE THUGS) and Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theatre.

In a year chock full of star-studded 80th birthday tributes to legendary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, the March 15-16 gala evenings with the New York Philharmonic at New York's Lincoln Center stood tall.

A world premiere screening of the Sondheim: The Birthday Concert was held at the NYIT Auditorium on November 1, 2010 and attended by cast, crew and friends. The star-studded event, Sondheim! The Birthday Concert, celebrating the 80th birthday of the Broadway and film legend Stephen Sondheim with performances of his music and songs by some of the world's biggest talents, will make its debut on PBS stations across the country on November 24th, thanks to the Emmy Award-winning producer Ellen M. Krass and multiple Tony Award-winning co-producers Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley in association with Thirteen/WNET and Image Entertainment. The production, which is hosted by David Hyde Pierce, will air at 9PM ET (check local listings).

At 7pm on November 7, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) will kick off White Plains Performing Arts Center's Conversations @ 7 series. The Conversations series is structured as an intimate open forum, where the participating audience and guest artists share an evening discussing craft and life in the theatre. The spectrum of participating guests will range in their roles in theatre from creative to production to performing with the consistent factor of their level of achievement and a rare chance for audience to interact with these masters of theatre.

'Let Me Entertain You' - Susan's days as a sexy internet sensation may be coming to an end after she angers an important client and incurs the wrath of her boss, Maxine; Renee and Gabrielle are headed for a smackdown after each of them reveals an intimate secret about the other to the wrong people; Bree finds herself exhausted by younger lover Keith's sexual stamina; Lynette is angry with Tom after he asks his mother to become the baby's nanny without talking it over with her first; and housewife Emma Graham (singer-songwriter Dana Glover) puts on a cabaret show -- with the aid of saxophonist Dave Koz -- with surprising results, on 'Desperate Housewives,' SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

On November 4th, a workshop production of JUDGEMENT premiered at The Roy Arias Theater on 43rd Street. In this daring comedy, a Robot from outer space comes to Earth and produces a reality TV show.

'Let Me Entertain You' - Susan's days as a sexy internet sensation may be coming to an end after she angers an important client and incurs the wrath of her boss, Maxine; Renee and Gabrielle are headed for a smackdown after each of them reveals an intimate secret about the other to the wrong people; Bree finds herself exhausted by younger lover Keith's sexual stamina; Lynette is angry with Tom after he asks his mother to become the baby's nanny without talking it over with her first; and housewife Emma Graham (singer-songwriter Dana Glover) puts on a cabaret show -- with the aid of saxophonist Dave Koz -- with surprising results, on 'Desperate Housewives,' SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star opposite Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of the company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

It's the late 70s. Oversized mockup stereo speakers adorn both sides of the Freud stage as part of the set for They're Playing Our Song. At opening curtain Jason Alexander enters, not to start the scene, but to give the downbeat as conductor of the overture. The back part of the set that serves as a window and skyline of New York City converts to a screen and the audience is treated to a retrospective slide show of 70s pop culture. Redford and Newman, Sonny and Cher, Lee Majors and Farrah, Ron Howard and Henry Winkler as Fonzie, Charlie's Angels...the list goes on. A fun and flavorful beginning to a wonderfully nostalgic evening of theatre that marks the first production of Reprise's 14th season.

Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company and Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of Reprise Theatre Company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Image Entertainment is proud to share a celebration of the life and wondrous work of one of Broadway's greatest legends - the incomparable Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist's 80th birthday, scores of the musical theater's brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim's unsurpassed canon. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Sondheim's longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic. Directed for the stage and television by Lonny Price and filmed live March 15-16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, this is a must-have addition for every musical theatre aficionado. SONDHEIM! The Birthday Concert will be available at an SRP of $24.98 for the DVD and $29.98 for the Blu-ray; the concert will also be available via digital download. Pre-book is October 19, 2010.

Actress/singer Stephanie J. Block who recently starred on Broadway in The Boy From Oz, The Pirate Queen and 9 to 5: The Musical, as well as winning a Helen Hayes Award for playing Elphaba in the National Tour of Wicked, is about to open the new season on September 28 of Reprise Theatre Company co-starring with Jason Alexander in They're Playing Our Song. In our chat she talks about Song, Sondheim and other theatrical passions.

In a year chock full of star-studded 80th birthday tributes to legendary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, the March 15-16 gala evenings with the New York Philharmonic at New York's Lincoln Center stood tall.

As BroadwayWorld has reported, The New York Philharmonic's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, which took place on March 15-16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, will be broadcast on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances on PBS on Wednesday, November 24 (check local listings). WNET, Channel 13 in New York City, will air the concert at 9:30 p.m. that evening. Today, it has been revealed that the Image Entertainment will release the program DVD and Blu-Ray on November 16, 2010. The concert includes songs and orchestral pieces from Sondheim musical theater favorites such as Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, and Sunday in the Park with George. Today, it has been announced that in addition to the PBS telecast, the concert will be released on DVD in November by Image Entertainment.

Stephanie J. Block will star opposite Jason Alexander in Los Angeles's Reprise Theatre Company's production of THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, the Los Angeles Times reports. The production will be directed by Lonny Price.