Louis Prima News

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2015 (Dec. 1, 2014 - Nov. 30, 2015).

Louis Prima and Keely Smith shared a larger-than-life marriage and a groundbreaking Las Vegas act featuring unforgettable songs like "That Ol' Black Magic," "Pennies from Heaven," and "Embraceable You." These songs and many others are featured in the production which has grown from a local Los Angeles-created hit at Sacred Fools Theater Company to a national musical phenomenon. After earlier award-winning and extended productions in Los Angeles and more recent acclaim in Chicago, these outsized personalities and talents have returned to the city in which the show was born. The current production is directed by Taylor Hackford, who also wrote the show with Vanessa Clair Stewart and Jake Broder, and is presented by Hershey Felder (a musical talent in his own right).

LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA returns to the Geffen Playhouse this month in a revamped production produced by the award-winning Hershey Felder. Written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder and directed by Taylor Hackford, it is the story of Louis Prima and Keely Smith whose larger-than-life marriage and groundbreaking Las Vegas act featured an amazing cavalcade of hits that would forever secure their place in American musical history.

JERSEY BOYS is like a bag of potato chips. Once you savor that addictive first taste, you can't enough. JERSEY BOYS is back in town and even if you have seen it numerous times, you don't want to pass this show up. These songs are timeless. The story is timeless. This is the show that never loses its appeal.

The Milton Berle Room heard the sounds of past Friars, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, and Louis Prima last night as Danny Bacher brought his show Swing That Music to the club.  BroadwayWorld was there for the fun.  The club has been home to many of the music world's past legends and Danny Bacher's music added to that storied tradition. Joining Danny for the evenings music and comedy were comedian Marla Schultz and jazz vocalist Alexis Cole along with Danny's 7 piece band.

Presented by IYF Productions, BOOGIE STOMP! opens in Times Square tonight, October 16. Written by John Campana and starring pianists extraordinaire, Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, BOOGIE STOMP! began its limited run on September 25 and will run through November 28, 2015 at Times Square's Elektra Theatre (300 W 43rd Street, 2nd Floor). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A play about the off-stage troubles between Louis Prima and Keely Smith is having its own off-stage troubles.

IYF Productions presents Boogie Stomp! In Times Square this fall. Written by John Campana and starring pianists extraordinaire, Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, Boogie Stomp! will begin its limited run on September 25 and will open on Friday, October 16 and run through November 28, 2015 at Times Square's Elektra Theatre (300 W 43rd Street, 2nd Floor).

IYF Productions is proud to bring Boogie Stomp! to Times Square this fall.  Written by John Campana and starring pianists extraordinaire, Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, Boogie Stomp! will begin its limited run on September 25 and will open on Friday, October 16 and run through November 28, 2015 at Times Square's Elektra Theatre (300 W 43rd Street, 2nd Floor). Tickets are $39-$99 and can be purchased by visiting BoogieStomp.com or call 866- 811-4111.

Danny Bacher and his All-Star Band are back by popular demand at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room with special guest vocalist Charenee Wade tonight, August 25.

Chicago stage, TV and film star Michael Shannon did the honor of announcing the nominees for the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of the presentation is available at www.JeffAwards.org.

Danny Bacher and his All-Star Band are back by popular demand at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room with special guest vocalist Charenee Wade on August 25.

BroadwayWorld has learned that writer and director Randy Johnson (A Night With Janis Joplin -- Broadway and currently at Pasadena Playhouse) has obtained the stage rights to Gayle Wald's biography SHOUT, SISTER, SHOUT!: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ROCK-AND-ROLL TRAILBLAZER ROSETTA THARPE (Beacon Press, 2007). Johnson is currently in discussion with producers and regional theatres to present and produce SHOUT, SISTER, SHOUT! for the 2016/17 season.

WaterTower Music today announced the August 7 release of the soundtrack to director Guy Ritchie's action adventure The Man From U.N.C.L.E. which opens in theatres Friday, August 14, 2015.

Hershey Felder presents Taylor Hackford's Louis & Keely: 'Live' at the Sahara, written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder, directed by Taylor Hackford. Featuring Anthony Crivello (Tony Award Kiss of the Spider Woman) and Vanessa Claire Stewart who originally created the part of Keely Smith, performances are scheduled December 30 through January 17 (press opening Wednesday, January 6) at the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.

Danny Bacher has the performance ease of an artist who's spent twice his years on the circuit. His preternatural feel for swing delivers scrupulous control, hip, unfussy phrasing, nuanced inflection, and the kind of fluent, savory scat “wordless vocables” I haven't heard from a man in some time, certainly not one so young. His soprano saxophone and singing are so like one another in attitude and energy, Bacher epitomizes the musician whose instrument acts as solid manifestation of voice. His new CD release celebration show at the Metropolitan Room, Swing That Music (last performance of a four-show run today at 4 pm) is a jazz tribute to the three Louis: Louis Armstrong--Satchmo (1901-1971), Louis Prima--The King of Swing before Benny Goodman came along (1910-1978), and Louis Jordan--King of the Jukebox (1908-1975.) Musical numbers get along like the old friends they are, brushing shoulders, poking one another in the ribs, slapping backs. The show is well paced with next to no patter. Danny Bacher is the real deal; a musician to watch.

Danny Bacher, celebrating the upcoming debut of his CD 'Swing That Music!', kicks off his June performances. Scroll down for details!

The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre is a unique opportunity to experience diverse artistic programming in what has become one of Toronto's most exciting cultural hubs. Six inspiring series offer concerts, dance performances and engaging presentations that feature both up-and-coming young artists and established international stars. All performances are FREE to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early as late seating is not available.  

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MAY 24 at the Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.