Michael Holland News

'Mama's Next BIG Act!' a 12-week talent competition that mixes styles and genres, is announcing its celebrity judges panel today. Featuring a mother lode of entertainers, critics and notable personalities, the jury pool is also reflective of the contest's diversity, pitting -- in direct competition -- solo, duo and group acts in music, magic, drag, burlesque and variety.

Omaha Performing Arts presents Cherish the Ladies in the Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $25, and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas Street.

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

This September and October 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Don't let that ingenue face fool you - this girl's got steel pipes and the mouth of a sailor. One of Broadway's most appealing leading ladies, Patti Murin has starred in Wicked, Lysistrata Jones, Xanadu, Love's Labour's Lost, Emma, and, most recently, Fly By Night. Now she is bringing her signature vocal sound and sharp comedic timing to 54 Below. For her solo show debut, Patti will forgo the safety of standards to perform songs (almost) exclusively from the new musicals in which she has originated a role. It will literally be one of the best nights of your (her) life.

Over the past few weeks, we here at BroadwayWorld have been very lucky to welcome Broadway leading lady Patti Murin into our extended family. From recapping the Season Finale of 'The Bachelorette' to interviewing it's happy couple and not so happy runner-up. But now it's time for Patti to get back to what she does best, sing her face off! This Monday, August 11th at 7:00pm at 54 Below, Patti will be performing her first-ever solo show, 'Literally Patti Murin.' She's a little anxious about people actually being in the audience, so help her self-esteem and get your tickets now. The interview will still be here when you get back.

Don't let that ingenue face fool you - this girl's got steel pipes and the mouth of a sailor. One of Broadway's most appealing leading ladies, Patti Murin has starred in Wicked, Lysistrata Jones, Xanadu, Love's Labour's Lost, Emma, and, most recently, Fly By Night. Now she is bringing her signature vocal sound and sharp comedic timing to 54 Below. For her solo show debut, Patti will forgo the safety of standards to perform songs (almost) exclusively from the new musicals in which she has originated a role. It will literally be one of the best nights of your (her) life.

Stageworks Media will present an industry reading of GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, a New High School Musical written by Eric Price and directed by Daniel Goldstein (Godspell). Set in a prep school, GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN is a modern retelling of the Jane Austin classic Emma, and features a score comprised of contemporary pop songs made famous by female singers, songwriters, and female-led bands. GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN will be presented on Friday, June 20th at 11:00 am at 54Below (254 West 54th Street, NYC).

After being developed at the 2013 Eugene O'Neill Cabaret Conference, Backstage Bistro award winner Justin Daniel returns to the NYC cabaret scene with his show officially alive. Performances are April 21 and 28, 7pm at the Duplex in NYC's Greenwich Village. $15 cover/2 drink minimum.

INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ took place on September 22, 2013. The concert invited the audience into the hearts and minds of some of today's exciting musical theatre writers in a casual and intimate setting as they sit behind the piano and, unlike traditional concerts of their material, perform songs by other writers that have inspired their work. Scroll down for photos from the show!

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, tonight, September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, on Sunday September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad. Check out the trailer for the event below!

Brad Alexander, David Are, Carner & Gregor, Bobby Cronin, Drew Fornarola, Michael Holland, Rob Rokicki, Georgia Stitt, Katie Thompson, & Michael Patrick Walker star in INSPIRED: A Benefit Concert for the ASPCA of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, on Sunday September 22nd, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 21, 2013 - Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its cabaret, Broadway and comedy acts today, April 21-July 28, 2013, including: Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland, Leslie Kritzer, Megan Hilty, Bridget Everett, Song of a Convalescent Ayn Rand, Paul Oakley Stovall and Brad Simmons, NYU Tisch Presents, Blake Pfeil, Storm Large, Nicole Henry, Erin Markey, Joey Arias, Taylor Mac, William Blake, Moments with Ravi, Natalie Joy Johnson, Champagne Jerry, Wau Wau Sisters, The Georges, Pam Ann: Cockpit, Missi Pyle, John Kelly, Tori Scott, Murray Hill and Vagabond Opera.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its cabaret, Broadway and comedy acts April 21-July 28, 2013, including: Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland, Leslie Kritzer, Megan Hilty, Bridget Everett, Song of a Convalescent Ayn Rand, Paul Oakley Stovall and Brad Simmons, NYU Tisch Presents, Blake Pfeil, Storm Large, Nicole Henry, Erin Markey, Joey Arias, Taylor Mac, William Blake, Moments with Ravi, Natalie Joy Johnson, Champagne Jerry, Wau Wau Sisters, The Georges, Pam Ann: Cockpit, Missi Pyle, John Kelly, Tori Scott, Murray Hill and Vagabond Opera.

On April 21st, 9:30pm at Joe's Pub, Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland will premiere their new musical revue entitled 'You're Gonna Hate This.' The 2-person show was conceived by and stars Mendez & Holland, with all music & lyrics by Holland.

Singer Ann Hampton Callaway called it 'Musical Church,' and deemed host Jim Caruso the 'Irreverent Reverend!' Monday night's Cast Party was the be-all and end-all of extreme open-mic madness, with impromptu performances by some of the best and brightest on the Broadway, jazz, cabaret and concert scenes. Callaway led a blues vocal quintet, along with headliner Lorna Luft, Broadway leading lady Carrie Manolakos, Birdland's William Blake and Manilow-co-star Muffy Hendrix. Scroll below for photos from the concert!