Maury Yeston News

On February 27th, Foster performed and signed CDs at an In-Store appearance at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center and BWW joined the beloved Broadway starlet as she wowed the crowd!

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, today announced casting for the world premiere production of the musical Giant by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

Sutton Foster's debut CD 'Wish' was released February 17th on Ghostlight Records. The album features 15 songs culled from the worlds of jazz, pop, Broadway and cabaret, and highlights Foster's eclectic choices, ranging from Patty Griffin's ?Nobody's Cryin' to Duke Ellington's ?I Like the Sunrise'...from Frank Loesser's ?Warm All Over' to John Denver's ?Sunshine on My Shoulders'. Tony-winner Foster also looks forward to a sold-out, February 19th, NYC appearance, as part of the popular Lincoln Center Songbook Series. On February 27th, Foster will perform and sign CDs at an In-Store appearance at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center, at 5 pm. Currently starring as Princess Fiona in Broadway's ?Shrek the Musical', Sutton Foster was given high praise by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, who compared her to musical royalty: 'She has emerged as an inspired, take-charge musical comedian in the tradition of Danny Kaye and Carol Burnett...' Foster's unique ability to be irreverent and respectful from moment-to-moment shines through on ?Wish', as her voice wallops through ?Oklahoma' (a bonus track,) only minutes after a delicate, warm delivery of Noel Coward's ?Come The Wild, Wild Weather.' She is a musical chameleon with a voice as appealing as her down-to-earth personality. ?Wish' was Produced by Joel Moss, and Co-Produced by Michael Rafter. Executive Producers are Kurt Deutsch and Sutton Foster. The CD package features original artwork by Sutton Foster.

A new Stage House will be the star of the 2009 Summer Season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park. Moonlight Stage Productions is presenting its 29th summer season at the new facility, which is scheduled for completion in time for the season opening production of ?42nd Street? on July 15. The season will also include Kopit and Yeston?s ?Phantom: The American Musical Sensation? and Andrew Lloyd Webber?s ?Cats.? Each production will run for three weeks, which is a week longer than usual for the Moonlight. Season packages for the 2009 Summer Season are on sale beginning May 1, and single tickets are available beginning May 30 at the VisTix Ticket Office, 600 Eucalyptus Avenue, or by calling (760) 724-2110.

'LOVE SONGS' will continue to seduce New Yorkers every Saturday in March with an additional Sunday matinee concert on March 15. On Saturday, March 21st, Barbour will be joined by special guest Robert Cuccioli.

The film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman, recently wrapped shooting and is now scheduled to hit cinemas November 25, 2009.

Michael Martinez is proud to present An Evening of Music and Comedy V at Don't Tell Mama. This showcase and variety show will feature singer/songwriter Matt Hurd, singer/songwriter Paige Nichols, singer Maria Noe, and standup comic and singer Danielle Trzcinski. Comedian / actor Robert Brehm will be the special guest host. Producer Michael Martinez has previously presented showcases at Don't Tell Mama and several other New York City clubs. These showcases highlight emerging stars in comedy, music, and musical theater. Showtime is 7:00 pm, door opens at 6:30pm. Admission is $15.00, plus a two drink minimum. For reservations call Don't Tell Mama at 212-757-0788. Based just outside of NYC on Long Island, Matt Hurd writes and performs his catchy acoustic pop tunes about everything from love to loss. With strong influences from classic icons like Van Morrison and Paul Simon all the way to contemporary artists ranging from the likes of John Mayer to Kanye West, Matt's sound and style has been compared to the music of Jack Johnson and Matt Nathanson. He has a charming stage presence rooted in a strong performance and a subtle wit, which helps fans of all kinds of music enjoy listening to him. Although young, Matt has the charisma and appeal of a seasoned performer. Recently, Matt has played at a variety of NYC venues and also appeared as a guest on the Joey Reynolds Show. www.myspace.com/matthurdmusic Maria Noe (marianoe.com) is a junior at Bowling Green State University studying music and business. Maria has most recently performed a cabaret featuring Maury Yeston's songcycle December Songs. Past shows include Crazy For You, Me & My Girl, How To Succeed..., Carousel, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, as well as productions affiliated with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and American Entertainment Productions.

Laura Benanti will guest star tonight on 'Life on Mars', ABC 10 pm EST as rock sensation Sebastian Grace. The episode is titled, 'Home Is Where You Hang Your Holster'.

Sutton Foster's debut CD 'Wish' has been confirmed for February 17th release on Ghostlight Records. The album features 15 songs culled from the worlds of jazz, pop, Broadway and cabaret, and highlights Foster's eclectic choices, ranging from Patty Griffin's 'Nobody's Cryin' to Duke Ellington's 'I Like the Sunrise'...from Frank Loesser's 'Warm All Over' to John Denver's 'Sunshine on My Shoulders

After three sold out SRO engagements at Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles, Eden Espinosa brings her hit solo debut to Joe's Pub in NYC

Media titan Harvey Weinstein is eyeing Oscar success for his latest project, the big screen version of the muiscal NINE.

Celebrity news website Showbizspy.com has a brief chat with Oscar nominated screen siren Penelope Cruz on her role in the upcoming film adaptation of NINE. Cruz remarked that singing for the first time for the big screen was something she found to be a creative challenge.

After three sold out standing room only engagements at Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles, Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel proudly present Broadway star and Los Angeles native Eden Espinosa (Broadway: Wicked, Brooklyn, Rent) in her hit solo debut entitled Eden Espinosa - Me.

Shelly Burch has returned to New York with a vengeance. Last month she costarred at the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics and Lyricists: Rodgers & and this month she is starring in a weeklong cabaret engagement at the Metropolitan Room, February 25 thru March 2. The evening is produced and directed by her husband, Martin Charnin. This new act takes a musical look at the many aspects of love-from those exciting first moments made in a new relationship, to the choices a woman makes as she confronts a career and children, to the wonderful calm that comes when love is allowed to enter one's life, with no holds barred and no questions asked...when love and love alone becomes the answer. Shelly Burch received critical acclaim as the original Claudia in the musical Nine directed by Tommy Tune. Now some 20 years later, Shelly returns to New York and the cabaret scene, in her brand new entertainment, aptly titled Second Coming.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that The Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a reading of the new Broadway-bound musical BONNIE & CLYDE on February 8 and 10, 2009. The show features a book by Ivan Menchell, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, direction by Jeff Calhoun and music direction by John McDaniel. Starring in the reading will be Laura Osnes as Bonnie and Stark Sands as Clyde.

Liz Callaway has been cast in the upcoming iSondheim: A Musical Revue, a world premiere in honor of America's greatest living composer of musical theatre that will run at the Alliance Theatre from April 15 to May 10, 2009.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre will open its production of Nine (The Musical) on Friday, February 6, 2009. Directed and choreographed by Amy Nielson, with musical direction by Joe Simiele, Nine was the winner of numerous Tony awards, including Best Musical and Score in 1982 and Best Revival in 2003, and will soon be made into a movie.. It features a book by Arthur Kopit and music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The musical was inspired by Federico Fellini's movie 8 1/2 and was adapted from the Italian by Marrio Fratti. CCCT's production features Derrick Silva as Guido Contini, a famous Italian film director. His last three films have been flops. A creative block sends him into the fearful throws of a mid-life crisis, questioning his life's direction and his own mortality. What does an artist do if he cannot create?

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that The Roundabout Theatre Company will be presenting a reading of the new Broadway-bound musical BONNIE & CLYDE on February 8 and 10, 2009. The show features a book by Ivan Menchell, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, direction by Jeff Calhoun and music direction by John McDaniel. Starring in the reading will be Laura Osnes as Bonnie and Stark Sands as Clyde.

Celebrity news website Putu.Us is featuring some new images of Nicole Kidman from the set of the film Nine, Kidman plays 'Claudia Graham' in the upcoming motion picture musical.

Celebrity news website Putu.Us is featuring some new images from the set of the film Nine, the pictures show a new glimpse of sultry star Penelope Cruz as 'Carla' and new images of Daniel Day-Lewis as 'Guido Contini', the film is currently in production in Rome. To see the Nine images click here.