Maury Yeston News

Writers have been personifying the concept of Death for many ages. Geoffrey Chaucer made him a wizened old man who points some riotous characters to three bushels laden with gold in the story told by The Pardoner in THE CANTERBURY TALES. The antithesis of this is the presentation of Death in Maury Yeston's beguiling new musical DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY which is now on stage at the Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre.

On Sunday July 24, actress/singer Kristin Towers-Rowles debuted her one-woman cabaret A Lovely Lineage at Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's to resounding success. The amazing singer, who is the grand daughter of legendary MGM musical star Katharine Grayson and Broadway veteran Johnnie Johnston, saluted them both as well as her musical comedy performing parents Patty and Robert Towers. Although the young descendant of American show business royalty has a stupendous background, her life has not been that rosy. Playing a role onstage in a show called Veggie Tales, Towers-Rowles popped a disc in her back from wearing a 50-pound costume and was told she would never appear on stage again. She made a near complete recovery and although she still is in pain, exclaims, 'If I have to hurt, I might as well hurt on stage.' It is this unsinkably brave spirit that is present in her beautiful singing voice, in her glowing personality and overall captivating aura. She has an infectious sense of humor as well.

BONNIE & CLYDE, which will open this fall on Broadway, has just launched its official website! Additionally, the new site features song previews from the show including: 'Bonnie,' 'Made in America,' 'Dyin AInt So Bad,' 'What Was Always Good Enough,' 'You Can Do Better,'You're Goin Back to Jail,' 'You Love Who You Love,' and more! The production will play at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street), beginning previews on Friday, November 4th and opening on Thursday, December 1st. BONNIE & CLYDE has direction by JEFF CALHOUN, music by FRANK WILDHORN, lyrics by DON BLACK, book by IVAN MENCHELL and music supervision/orchestrations/arrangements by JOHN McDANIEL. Visit the all new website by clicking here!

If you're looking for a quick recap of the events in the theatre world this week, look no further - here are some of the best stories that the week had to offer!

BEAU JEST, the hilarious romp from playwright James Sherman, will have its Los Angeles revival August 18 - September 24, 2011 at the Glendale Centre Theatre (GCT). This heartwarming story about a beautiful young school teacher from Chicago, begs the question: How far will you go to satisfy your parents?

Roundabout Theatre Company opened Death Takes a Holiday last night, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. As reported yesterday, leading man Julian Ovenden was unable take part in the opening because of a case of laryngitis. His understdy, Kevin Earley, stepped in to play the role of Prince Sirki/Death. He will remain in the show until Ovenden returns, which is expected to be sometime next week. Broadway Beat was on hand for the opening night and brings you interviews with the cast below!

Roundabout Theatre Company opened Death Takes a Holiday last night, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. As reported yesterday, leading man Julian Ovenden was unable take part in the opening because of a case of laryngitis. His understdy, Kevin Earley, stepped in to play the role of Prince Sirki/Death. He will remain in the show until Ovenden returns, which is expected to be sometime next week. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night and brings you complete photo coverage below!

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of the new musical, Death Takes a Holiday began performances on Friday, June 10, 2011 and opened on July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). Death Takes a Holiday will play a limited engagement through September 4, 2011. This production marks the second time a new musical has been presented in this theatrical space, following the recent production of The Tin Pan Alley Rag.

Roundabout Theatre Company opens Death Takes a Holiday, tonight, Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, and BroadwayWorld has confirmed that leading man Julian Ovenden will not take part in the opening because of a case of laryngitis. Instead, Kevin Earley will take on the role of Prince Sirki/Death until Ovenden returns, which is expected to be sometime next week.

Glory Crampton, distinguished Broadway soprano, will perform at legendary nightclub Feinstein's at Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue at East 61st Street, New York, New York

Roundabout Theatre Company will open Death Takes a Holiday, tonight, Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Death Takes a Holiday will play a limited engagement through September 4, 2011. Click below for performance highlights!

BWW Discounts is offering you the chance to save over 45% on tickets to see the Roundabout Theatre production of DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY.

Roundabout Theatre Company will opened Death Takes a Holiday on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Death Takes a Holiday will play a limited engagement through September 4, 2011. Click below for performance highlights!

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, opening in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on September 16, 2011, announced today its 2011-2012 season, featuring a diverse array of classical, jazz, and pop music, opera, ballet and contemporary dance, Broadway, comedy, lectures, and more.

Roundabout Theatre Company's DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY is set to open July 21. The new musical, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston is directed by Doug Hughes. The cast includes Linda Balgord (Contessa Danielli), Matt Cavenaugh (Eric Fenton), Mara Davi (Alice), Joy Hermalyn (Cora), Jay Jaski (Lorenzo), Simon Jones (Dr. Dario Albione), Rebecca Luker (Duchess Lamberti), Patricia Noonan (Sophia), Julian Ovenden (Prince Sirki / Death), Jill Paice (Grazia), Michael Siberry (Duke Lamberti), Alexandra Socha (Daisy Fenton), Don Stephenson (Fidele), Max Von Essen (Corrado Montelli). The cast and creatives sat down to talk about the new show. Check it out below!

Roundabout's resident Education Dramaturg, Ted Sod, sits down with Death Takes a Holiday leading man, Julian Ovenden, to discuss working on a new musical, life/death and more, as part of Education @ Roundabout's UPSTAGE Guide. Ted Sod: How did you come to work in the theatre?

Grand Hotel written by Luther Davis, Robert Wright & George Forrest. Additional lyrics and music by Maury Yeston.