Michael Murphy News

In celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s 91st birthday, I’m compiling a list of 18 Sondheim songs, one for each show he’s written!

I discuss NYU's audition process, learning on campus and becoming a business owner with Molly Noerenberg!

Philadelphia's largest new cultural attraction is back! Wonderspaces Philadelphia is celebrating its reopening and one year anniversary with the debut of new installations that include Akousmaflore by Scenocosme, Thank You Bags by Reed van Brunschot, and a new VR film: Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness by Peter Middleton, James Spinney, Arnaud Colinart, and Amaury La Burthe.

Since 1978, West Bank Cafe has been one of the epicenters of New York City’s theatre community, and due to the pandemic, it is on the verge of permanently closing. With Broadway dark, tourism down, indoor dining closed, and no relief plan in sight, 2020 has created a plethora of financial problems for the beloved theater district institution. 

Rocking a red ribbon not only completes any outfit; it shows everyone – especially people living with HIV and their families – your support. On Tuesday, December 1 at 8:30 a.m.

On September 1st, Irish-born singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Lenii will release her version of the song a?oeLive Your Life,a?? by Nick Cordero, the Broadway Star who died from Covid-19 on July 5th.  The single bookends a moving story that had an impact on theatre and music lovers worldwide.

A total of 216 music teachers from 199 cities have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy® and GRAMMY Museum®. In total, nearly 2,000 initial nominations were submitted. In addition to our quarterfinalists, 91 legacy applicants from 2020 will also be eligible to win the award this year.

It's too early to reopen, so stay put have the latest batch of ultra rare cinematic oddities delivered to your door! May's releases celebrate Charlie Sheen, Donald Pleasence, Elizabeth Taylor, William Shatner, Thora Birch, Shelley Winters, Neil Patrick Harris and Lynn Lowry!

Starting May 15, Eagle Rock Entertainment and Michael Murphy Productions will present a virtual cinema release of the celebrated New Orleans documentary Up From The Streets ®: New Orleans: The City of Music

If It Only Even Runs A Minute Celebrates The Underappreciated Musicals of Hal Prince is the 18th edition of the Bistro Award-winning series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from underappreciated Broadway and off-Broadway musicals-and its first with a theme!

Wonderspaces, an experiential, interactive arts venue, announces the grand opening of its largest location to date, right here in Philadelphia at the Fashion District. Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, AZ, Wonderspaces will open a 24,000 square foot new gallery space in late-January.

A New York City Twisted Holiday Tradition celebrated its Twelfth Year of putting the 'extra' in 'extravaganza!' Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks brought their insane celebration of all things red and green back to Feinstein's/54 Below.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Next up on The Players Club of Swarthmore's Main Stage is Annie, often called a?oeAmerica's Happiest Musicala??. With book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, Annie has won seven Tony Awards. Based on the Harold Gray comic strip' Little Orphan Annie,' Annie features all the hits you know and love including; a?oeTomorrow,a?? a?oeHard Knock Lifea?? and a?oeFully Dresseda??. Annie is directed by Brian Walsh with musical direction by Nora McDonnell and choreography by Danielle Marone. Tickets are available online at www.pcstheater.org. For group rates, contact groupsales@pcstheater.org.

 Funding Arts Broward (FAB!), a nonprofit volunteer-based arts organization committed to supporting, sustaining and enriching the arts in Broward County, presented its Fall Luncheon on October 15 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom. Attendees enjoyed a celebration of the arts featuring an engaging presentation, “Island City Stage: Our Lives, Our Stories,” by guest speaker Martin Childers, managing director of Island City Stage. Island City Stage is an organization creating quality theatrical experiences that focus on the LGBTQ community but have a heart and soul that is truly universal.

As one of his final engagements as Mayor, Cllr Richie Molloy attended the launch of Clonmel Junction Arts Festival's 2019 brochure at the Town Hall last Thursday. Also in attendance were Cllr Siobhan Ambrose and Cllr Michael Murphy, as well as incoming councillor Garret Ahearn, District Administrator Anthony Coleman, County Arts Officer Melanie Scott and many of the local artists, musicians and performers who will take part this year.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, Shea's Performing Arts Center and The Lipke Foundation will present a check for $10,000 to the theatre program of Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BAVPA) in recognition of their Kenny Award for Outstanding Musical Production for their production of Les Miserables, which ran at BAVPA from March 27 - March 30, 2019. Expected attendees include Mayor Byron W. Brown, Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Shea's Performing Arts Center President Michael G. Murphy, and Lipke Foundation representative/Kenny Awards Director Carlisle Lipke Mitchell.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce the recipients of the 2018-19 Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards.

For the final show of the 2018-2019 season, The Players Club of Swarthmore presents Sister Act, the feel- good musical comedy based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg . Sister Act earned five Tony Award nominations in 2011 including Best Musical Score with music by Alen Menkin (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid) and lyrics by Glen Slater (The Little Mermaid).Sister Act was also nominated for Best Book of a Musical written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers) and Douglas Carter Beane(Xanadu and The Little Dog Laughed). Sister Act is directed by Brian Walsh with musical direction by Ryan Goulden and choreography by Emma Bradley Dingle. Tickets are available online at www.pcstheater.org. For group rates, contact groupsales@pcstheater.org.

This morning at the Annual Meeting of the USITT membership, a major fund-raising initiative was announced that will culminate with the Institute's 60th anniversary in 2020. The campaign, Setting the Next Stage, was announced by Immediate Past President Mark Shanda.