Lorenz Hart News

The Human Race Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals, has announced the three-play line-up for its 2012 Festival of New Musicals.

Making good on his promise to eventually show up in Orange County to speak about his enduring career in the theater, legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim finally made his long-awaited appearance at the Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa for the landmark event STEPHEN SONDHEIM: IN CONVERSATION on July 13. Back to provide live performances were Christine Ebersole and Brian Stokes-Mitchell, while ASCAP Musical Theater scholar Michael Kerker hosted the talk show/concert hybrid.

I am not given to gushing but, with apologies for doing so, I am about to gush. You see, on Saturday evening, I felt very privileged. For on that night, I went to Las Vegas' gorgeous Smith Center for the Arts and saw Stephen Sondheim: A Life In The Theater, An Evening of Music and Conversation.

The Human Race Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals, has announced the three-play line-up for its 2012 Festival of New Musicals.

Today in 1976, the second Broadway revival of Pal Joey opened at the Circle in the SquareTheatre, where it ran for 73 performances. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. The 1976 cast featured: Christopher Chadman (Joey), Harold Gary (Mike), Terri Treas (Kid), Janie Sell (Gladys), and Gail Benedict (Gail).

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) and The Philhallmonic Society present 'Swingin' On A Star'--a musical celebration of the 1940s tonight, June 23rd, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center (entrance on 65th and Amsterdam Avenue). The concert is free with general seating.

BroadwayWorld Chicago contributor Paul W. Thompson, author of the popular weekly column, THE SHOWTUNE MOSH PIT, will be performing his 2012 solo show, SONGS I'VE NEVER SUNG BEFORE, on the afternoons of June 21 and June 28 (both Thursdays). Both concerts last about an hour, and both concerts are FREE!!

The Colony Theatre Company has announced its 2012 - 2013 season of shows. In this, its 38th season, the multi-Ovation Award-winning theatre company, for the first time in its history, will be bringing its subscribers and audiences six World, West Coast or Los Angeles premiere shows. The season includes a world premiere musical that looks at the life of lyricist Lorenz Hart - to a smack-down of biblical proportions in Savannah, Georgia; From a Hitchcock-ian style thriller to a behind-the-scenes look at a non-profit theatre; throw in a legendary Stradivarius violin and some Fiestaware and you have one of the company's most exciting seasons ever.

The 20th Anniversary season of New York City Center's Tony Award-winning Encores! series will open on January 30, 2013 with Fiorello!, the show that launched the series in 1994. The season will continue with It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, followed by On Your Toes. A Gala Encores! at 20 Celebration on November 12, 2012 will star Tony Award nominees and Encores! alumni Rauil Esparza and Kelli O'Hara.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) and The Philhallmonic Society present 'Swingin' On A Star'--a musical celebration of the 1940s on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center (entrance on 65th and Amsterdam Avenue). The concert is free with general seating.

Triangle Productions presents a new original musical GRACIE that celebrates the life of Northwest native, Gracie Hansen. The musical begins on the eve of her gubernatorial announcement in 1970 and looks back on her years in entertainment in Morton, Washington; the '62 Seattle World's Fair and the years at the Hoyt Hotel's Roaring 20's Room.

Gary Naylor sees a musical full of classic songs.

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) Today's column features the marvelous Marilyn Maye and her new show 'The Happiest Sound In Town' at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

Triangle Productions presents a new original musical GRACIE that celebrates the life of Northwest native, Gracie Hansen. The musical begins on the eve of her gubernatorial announcement in 1970 and looks back on her years in entertainment in Morton, Washington; the '62 Seattle World's Fair and the years at the Hoyt Hotel's Roaring 20's Room.

Greg MacKellan and Stephanie Rhoads, artistic and producing directors of 42nd Street Moon, today announced details for the company's 20th Anniversary Season of musical theater: Moon Goes Platinum! It will be celebrated with five diverse comedies - all first-time productions for the organization, including a political comedy, romantic comedy, singing satire, a comedy-drama and a no-holds-barred farce.

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.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announces Porchlight's 18th season. The season includes the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 14; a new to Chicago holiday production of The Gifts of the Magi, November 17 - December 30 and two classics of the American musical canon: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 17, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - June 2, 2013. Weber described Porchlight's 2012 - 2013 18th season as "Continuing the path we began in 2011, by presenting Chicago's audiences with incomparable productions that not only entertain but also challenge audiences to see music theatre in a new way." "Early Bird" Season Membership Renewals are on sale March 6 - April 1. New Season Memberships go on sale Monday, April 2 and single tickets to the 2012-2013 season go on sale Monday, April 23. All memberships are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.777.9884.

Sony Music Entertainment will release TONY BENNETT DUETS II: The Great Performances on DVD on March 6th which is a stunning companion to the singer's celebrated DUETS II CD (on RPM/Columbia Records), which has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists just presented MAKIN' WHOOPEE: Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn and the Jazz Age. Robert Kimball hosted the evening, which featured Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Christine Andreas, Jason Graae, Howard McGillin, and William Bolcom & Joan Morris. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and brings you photos below!

92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists will present MAKIN' WHOOPEE: Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn and the Jazz Age.