Michael Starobin News

As the 21st Century chugs along toward completing its first decade, perhaps Broadway's new role in American theatre with emerge as the place where talented composers and lyricists with interesting projects will premiere their less-inspired shows while their exciting, adventurous and better-written work continues to hide in the under-publicized shadows of Off- and Off-Off Broadway, festivals and the occasional cabaret appearance.  Just as Legally Blonde, the Broadway debut of composer/lyricists Lawrence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Sarah, Plain and Tall) and Nell Benjamin (Pirates!, Sarah, Plain and Tall) doesn't match the quality of their Off-Broadway and regional work, last season composer Tom Kitt made his first main stem appearance with the catchy-tuned and enjoyable, but not especially notable, High Fidelity while musical theatre lovers in the know were anxiously awaiting a production of Feeling Electric, his substantially superior collaboration with bookwriter/lyricist Brian Yorkey, first seen at the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Golden-voiced Kerry Butler - star of Broadway's XANADU has finished recording her debut solo album entitled 'Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust' which will be released on PS Classics on May 13th. On May 15th, Kerry will be giving a special performance and signing CDs at Barnes & Noble at 66th & Broadway. In the meantime, BroadwayWorld presents this promotional video.

The Official Drama Desk Cocktail Reception honoring this year's Drama Desk Award Nominees will be held Thursday, May 1, 4 to 7 PM at Arte′ Cafe, 106 W. 73rd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, where nominees will receive their Nomination Certificates.

Nominations for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club. 'A Catered Affair' led the way with 12 nominations.

Under the mentorship of Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist William Finn, Barrington Stage Company is proud to announce the third exciting season of its acclaimed Musical Theater Lab. Developed by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd in conjunction with Finn in 2006, the Lab is designed to nurture and assist musical theater writers, composers, and lyricists as they create new works. These musicals, when fully developed, will result in workshops and/or full presentations. Since its founding, the Musical Theatre Lab has already presented six original/new musicals/revues, in addition to numerous readings and workshops.

Kerry Butler, star of Broadway's Xanadu, recorded the first several tracks of her upcoming solo debut CD entitled, 'Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust' due out on PS Classics on May 13th. Here are some bonus pictures from that session!

Kerry Butler, star of Broadway's Xanadu, recorded the first several tracks of her upcoming solo debut CD entitled, 'Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust' due out on PS Classics on May 13th. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the excitement for our readers!

Golden-voiced Kerry Butler - currently doing double-duty as the star of Broadway's smash hit XANADU and as Lindsay Price's backstabbing assistant Reese on the NBC series 'Lipstick Jungle' - has signed with record label PS Classics for her debut solo album entitled 'Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust.' Under the supervision of music director and album producer Michael Kosarin, with new orchestrations by Broadway's best, including Tony Award-winners Michael Starobin (Assassins, Spelling Bee) and Larry Hochman (Monty Python's Spamalot), recording commences Friday, February 29th, in a Manhattan studio. The label has set a release date of May 13th, 2008.

Second Stage Theatre has announced the complete cast for its upcoming musical, Next to Normal. Adam Chandler-Berat, Jennifer Damiano, Asa Somers and Aaron Tveit will join the previously announced Alice Ripley and Brian d'Arcy James.

BroadwayWorld brings you backstage as the other wicked green legendary character, The Grinch (Patrick Page) puts on his face and talks candidly about the strike, the audiences, his career and more! Don't miss this special video feature!

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! - The Musical officially opened on Broadway November 9 after making its return to Broadway on November 1, with performances originally scheduled through January 6, 2008 at the St. James Theatre. Plus, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the classic book.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of The Glorious Ones, a new musical with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and choreography and direction by Graciela Daniele opened Monday, November 5 at 6:45 PM at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The Opening Night Party was held at O'Neals.

The new off-Broadway musical from writing team Lynn Ahrens and Steve Flaherty, 'The Glorious Ones,' opens Monday November 5 at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre.

ONE OF THE GREATEST musical theatre teams fo the modern theatre, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, have amassed a hug canon of songs and shows knownt he world over. They drop by to talk to us about their new show, The Glorious Ones, now playing at Lincoln Center at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The team informs us of where they get their ideas, how they write, and the hardest hitting question: who comes first... Ahrens or Flaherty?

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! - The Musical will be making its return to Broadway in time for the holidays from November 1 through January 6, 2008 at the St. James Theatre. Plus, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the classic book.

The Glorious Ones, a new musical with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and choreography and direction by Graciela Daniele begins previews on today, Thursday, October 11 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn is coming off Broadway and will open at the New World Stages on Monday, November 12 with previews commencing on Tuesday, October 30.

The Glorious Ones, a new musical with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and choreography and direction by Graciela Daniele begins previews on Thursday (October 11) at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

blurbDr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! - The Musical will be making its return to Broadway in time for the holidays from November 1 through January 6, 2008 at the St. James Theatre. Plus, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the classic book.

Lincoln Center Theater will present the New York premiere of The Glorious Ones, a new musical with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty and choreography and direction by Graciela Daniele