Matthew Martin News

'That's So Raven' star Anneliese van der Pol has joined the cast of the highly anticipated industry reading of Martin and Realbuto's Ghostlight. Van der Pol will play the central role of Olive Thomas, joining previously announced Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll and Hyde), Rachel Bay Jones (Pippin), Jennifer Hope Wills (Wonderful Town), Trevor McQueen (Annie Get Your Gun), and Kimberly Faye Greenberg (One Night With Fanny Brice). The industry reading will take place on December 2nd at the famed New 42nd Street Studios. Ghostlight had a sold out and extended run at the Signature Theatre in 2011 as part of NYMF. The show has been revamped since then. Alison Holman will provide musical direction for the upcoming reading. Matthew Martin and Tim Realbuto wrote the book, music, and lyrics, and will also co-direct, the same duty they performed during the NYMF production.

Pippin star Rachel Bay Jones (Women on the Verge...; Hair) and Jennifer Hope Wills (Wonderful Town; The Phantom of the Opera) have joined the cast of the highly anticipated industry reading of Ghostlight, with book, music and lyrics by Matthew Martin and Tim Realbuto. Jones and Wills join previously announced Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli, Trevor McQueen, and Kimberly Faye Greenberg. The industry reading will take place on December 2nd at the famed New 42nd Street Studios.

Broadway Concerts Direct presents a NEW MUSIC SALON in Teaneck, NJ, SARAH RICE & FRIENDS, Music Salon, 2013 Dates: Friday, September 27 and The last FRIDAY of every month • 7:30PM (doors open at 6:45pm), Starring SARAH RICE (original Johanna, SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Award, 2010 Bistro Award), DAVID VERNON (International Recording Artist), Special Guests: RICH FLANDERS (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song), JOANNA MORTON GARY JANICE HALL, Other Special Surprise Guests: Matthew Martin Ward, Piano, Jim Russell, Recorder & Percussion, Eve Weiss, Classical Guitar, Sarah Rice, Theremin

Robert Cuccioli, the Tony nominated star of Jekyll and Hyde, will play Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. in an upcoming industry reading of the musical Ghostlight. Ghostlight, which has book, music and lyrics by Matthew Martin and Tim Realbuto, tells the true story of Ziegfeld Follies girl and silent film star Olive Thomas, her rise to fame in the Follies alongside Fanny Brice, her affair with a married Ziegfeld, her Hollywood marriage to movie star Jack Pickford, and ultimately her tragic downfall which led to her mysterious death at age 25 in Paris.

Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott, best known for her role in the original Dark Shadows TV series, is the latest name to sign up for a special-guest-star turn in the award-winning gay web show Old Dogs & New Tricks' third season, shooting this fall in Los Angeles.

Kitt's score and Brian Yorgey's book and lyrics combine for one of the deepest and moving shows to hit a Broadway stage. It's not the typical subject matter for a musical (the theater suggests that it is appropriate for children 16 and up), but you should take advantage of an opportunity to see this excellent rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. That sandwich-making scene in the opening act is terrific as directed by Janine Molinari with De Laurentis skillfully portraying the frenzied breakdown as Diana tries to cope.

One of the world's most beloved musicals is coming to the Manatee Performing Arts Center! The Manatee Players will present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opening tonight, May 2 and running through May 19.

One of the world's most beloved musicals is coming to the Manatee Performing Arts Center! The Manatee Players will present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opening May 2 and running through May 19.

Singer-comedienne Elizabeth Tryon will debut her first solo comedy and vocal music show in New York City, at the legendary Caroline's on Broadway comedy club in Times Square, NY on February 19, 2013 at 7:00PM, in a one night only performance. In her show, "There's A Phantom in my Opera," a contemporary Victor Borge-style show, written and performed by a singer rather than a pianist, Tryon unites several different styles of music with comedy.

By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.

2012 was indeed a very good year for the art of Cabaret in New York City. Here, BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer and Columnist Stephen Hanks offers up his exclusive 'Best New York Cabaret Performers of the Year' for 2012, plus some surprising honorable mentions. Let the debates begin!

Broadway Concerts Direct presents a new music salon in Teaneck, NJ, SARAH RICE & FRIENDS todays at 7:30PM, continuing tonight, Nov 30, 2012 (last one of this year). Doors open at 7:00pm.

Voting is now underway for the Inaugural Cabaret Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Broadway Concerts Direct presents a new music salon in Teaneck, NJ, SARAH RICE & FRIENDS on Fridays at 7:30PM, continuing on Nov 30, 2012 (last one of this year). Doors open at 7:00pm.

Voting is now underway for the Inaugural Cabaret Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the standings here!

After receiving more than 3,000 nominations once BroadwayWorld.com announced it's first-ever New York Cabaret Awards in early October, BWW is now pleased to announce it's final nominations ballot in 20 categories. Now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians and shows of the year. Voting will continue until December 31 and winners will be announced in early January.

No matter if you call it All Soul's Night, Halloween or Samhain, this is the most mystical night of the Celtic New Year. This biggest and most important holiday is also called Ancestor Night. The music must portray mystery, mystique and magic. It must be ethereal, otherworldly. It is a time when anything is possible.

Broadway Concerts Direct presents a new music salon in Teaneck, NJ, 'Sarah Rice & FRIENDS' on Fridays, tonight, October 26 and November 30 at 7:30PM (doors open at 7:00pm).

No matter if you call it All Soul's Night, Halloween or Samhain, this is the most mystical night of the Celtic New Year. This biggest and most important holiday is also called Ancestor Night. The music must portray mystery, mystique and magic. It must be ethereal, otherworldly. It is a time when anything is possible.