William Atherton, Matt Cavenaugh, Lisa O'Hare, Carol Lawrence, Millicent Martin and Jason Graae are the acclaimed film, Broadway and West End stars who will lead the cast of Reprise Theatre Company's second production of the 2010-2011 season, 'Gigi', playing February 15 to February 27, 2011 (press opening February 16, 2011) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The musical - with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe -- will be directed by veteran musical theatre director David Lee, with choreography by Peggy Hickey and musical direction by Steve Orich.
The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, Next to Normal, will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, January 16, 2011. Upon closing, the musical will have played 21 previews and 733 performances. Next to Normal is performed at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th street). Here's a look back at Broadway Beat's segment with the show's original Broadway cast and production footage, whose performances won't soon be forgotten!
Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to the best in current songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song. Week Three is a Grammy Awards fest, as three of the four acts are current and past nominees. On February 2nd one can experience life in the Piedmont hills of the Carolinas via the vibrant sound of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. This three-piece string band plays old-time roots music with virtuoso playing of the banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, jug and more. Next up is the crown princess of bossa nova, Bebel Gilberto. Gilberto has taken classic bossa nova rhythms and mixed them with modern pop - for a sound that is up for a Grammy this year. On February 4th perennial Grammy nominee Joan Osborne will perform an emotionally-charged work she has written with Jack Petruzzelli: Love and Hate - A Song Cycle. On February 5th, actress/singer Anika Noni Rose, a Tony winner for Caroline, Or Change, will make her eagerly-anticipated solo concert debut.
The Kennedy Center production of Barrio Grrrl! begins a national tour on Saturday, January 22, 2011 as part of the Center's 18th Theater for Young Audiences on Tour series for young people and their families. The three-month tour of school and public performances will travel to 17 cities in 13 states from January 22, 2011 to April 16, 2011.
Composer, conductor, arranger and all-around music man Lance Horne is a very busy musician these days: this week's GENIUS OF AUTISM benefit and the upcoming American Songbook Series of shows in New York; the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas spectacular playing twice-nightly to sold-out crowds called VEGAS: THE MUSICAL, about to re-open with a slew of new material; a series of London concerts followed by a European tour; conducting at the Sydney Opera House; and a brand new album - FIRST THINGS LAST - released this week. All of this without even mentioning the hotly anticipated new productions he has coming up! Keep your eyes peeled for ARTS & CRAFTS, his new musical created with Jake Shears and starring Sandra Bernhard and Justin Bond, as well as the new Diane Paulus production of the fresh Steven Sater translation of PROMETHEUS BOUND starring Gavin Creel. The future looks bright for a talent like Lance's and in this revealing conversation we touch on all of this and much, much more.
Today we are talking to the composer of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, Tom Kitt, about his influences - from Sondheim to Schwartz to Finn to Elton John to some of his own contemporaries - and working with Green Day on AMERICAN IDIOT and his own eponymous band, to the creation of a Broadway phenomenon by tracing the path of the show from FEELING ELECTRIC to NEXT TO NORMAL - plus, the many exciting projects that he has coming up this year and beyond, including a thorough discussion of his upcoming collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green and Jeff Whitty on BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL and the very first news of a new, original Kitt/Yorkey musical on the horizon - and much, much more.
Broadway favorites Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, are set to debut their new concert entitled, HE SAID/SHE SAID in 2011. The husband-wife team, who currently star in Broadway's NEXT TO NORMAL, begin performances at Axelrod Performing Arts Center on February 5 at 8 PM.
2010 was quite a year for Broadway with some spectacular opening nights. We'll be sharing highlights from the year in photos, videos, interviews and more throughout this final week of the year.
First off is a look at some of the star and excitement filled opening night curtain calls of 2010.
Photos by Walter McBride / WM Photos / Corbis
Dreamlight Theatre Company, under the leadership of Dean A. Carpenter (Executive Producer) and Chip Klose (Artistic Director), in association with Third Coast Creative (Deborah Stavis, CEO and Monte Stavis, President) proudly announces casting and creative team for the world-premiere of the new Off-Broadway musical The Extraordinary Ordinary.
LIVE AT BARNES & NOBLE, has announced a series of special performing arts programming to showcase writers, composers, Broadway casts, recording artists, etc. on the occasion of book publications or CD/DVD street dates. These events will launch artist memoirs & bios, original cast recordings, companion books or special compendiums, solo albums and other related merchandise that is available for sale at Barnes & Noble. This is both a re-launch and expansion of the hugely successful series formerly know as 'Live at Lincoln' that will now span various Manhattan locations.
Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook, which explores the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic songwriting, will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song. Week Two starts on January 26th with a tribute to arguably the greatest songwriting team in American Songbook history: the brothers George and Ira Gershwin. Conductor, arranger and pianist (as well as Artistic Director of the Gershwin centenary) Rob Fisher will lead Victoria Clark (Tony winner for Light in the Piazza) and Norm Lewis (Les Miserables, The Little Mermaid) in a night of gorgeous Gershwin. On January 27th singer/songwriter Shara Worden (from the group My Brightest Diamond) performs her unique blend of vocal music that has her pegged as a star to watch. Week Two closes out with gritty veteran John Doe singing 'real' country, with all its understated empathy and rough poetry.
Pfizer is a proud sponsor of Lincoln Center's American Songbook 2011.
The 22nd Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition raised $3,776,720 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to the tireless work of 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies, it was announced Tuesday. Since 1989, the 22 editions of GYPSY OF THE YEAR have raised a total of $44,137,415 to benefit BC/EFA.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS launched the 22nd Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION yesterday, December 6 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The competition continues today. The proceeds from the event, a dazzling once-a-year variety show filled with lavish musical numbers, original skits and Broadway stars, will benefit BC/EFA. This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR is being hosted by Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky ('Seth's Big Fat Broadway' on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio).
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has just wrapped the 22nd Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The competition began yesterday, December 6. The proceeds from the event, a dazzling once-a-year variety show filled with lavish musical numbers, original skits and Broadway stars, will benefit BC/EFA. This year's GYPSY OF THE YEAR was hosted by Broadway personality Seth Rudetsky ('Seth's Big Fat Broadway' on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio).
The results are in and the grand total raised for BC/EFA amongst Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring shows is $3,776,720!
Didn't get your tickets yet to the amazing GYPSY OF THE YEAR 22 Event? You can still buy 'em at the door. If you've never been, they really are amazing, poignant and fun-filled afternoons that pay tribute to those working their butts off onstage and off fundraising for BC/EFA.... Hope to see you there!
CARRIE is back, according to an Equity casting notice that was just released a few moments ago. A 29-Hour reading is scheduled for February. Exact dates will be determined based on actor's schedules once cast. The notice specifically calls for submission for the roles of Carrie and Sue Snell. Auditions will take place in mid-December.
When one thinks of the Boston Pops, recollections of a grand orchestral sound come to mind, along with memories of brilliant conducting by Maestro Keith Lockhart, incredibly fine arrangements and a long list of Broadway guest stars. These have included Christine Ebersole, Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Victoria Clarke, Jason Danieley, Marin Mazzie, John Barrowman, Faith Prince and a host of others. In the coming weeks, the name of R&B singer Melinda Doolitle can be added to the list. Ms Doolittle, who made such a vivid impression on viewers of 'American Idol' during its sixth season, will be joining the orchestra on their annual holiday tour. During these wonderful and spirited concerts, Ms Doolittle (no relation to Eliza!) will show off her powerful and soulful voice in such holiday favorites as 'Joy to the World' and 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' in what promises to be a series of memorable concerts.
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