Mike Stoller News

A 'crazy talented cast' brings the Leiber and Stoller songbook to life once again when Arena Stage presents SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE April 25 through June 8 in the Fichlander Stage. Director Randy Johnson and choreographer Parker Esse talked with BroadwayWorld's Jeffrey Walker about their vision for the show.

Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller comes to Arena Stage April 25 to June 8, 2014. Part 1 of our interview with director Randy Johnson and choreographer Parker Esse looks at the legacy of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's collaboration and impact on the rock and roll era.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today the planning and honorary gala committee members leading the best party in Pasadena annual fundraiser entitled PREMIERE GALA -TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE. The Pasadena Playhouse's gala will be held on the stage of The Pasadena Playhouse on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 5:30p.m.

Harlem Records announces its first full-length album release.

Smokey Joe's Cafe-The Songs of Leiber and Stoller transports audiences to the golden age of rock, rhythm and blues this spring at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The show runs April 25-June 8, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

The Fulfillment Fund has announced the 7th Annual 'The Songs of Our Lives' concert, which will pay special tribute to the songs of internationally acclaimed Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, songwriter Lamont Dozier and the legendary Songwriter's Hall of Famer, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, singer-songwriter, David Crosby.

Smokey Joe's Cafe-The Songs of Leiber and Stoller transports audiences to the golden age of rock, rhythm and blues this spring at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Director Randy Johnson returns to Arena Stage following the success of A Night with Janis Joplin (which enjoyed two runs at Arena Stage followed by a subsequent run on Broadway) to helm this Grammy Award-winning tribute to legendary songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which originally opened on Broadway in 1995 and became the longest running musical revue, topping 2,000 performances. Bursting with hit tunes including 'Hound Dog,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Stand by Me,' 'Love Potion #9' and 'On Broadway,' Smokey Joe's Cafe showcases choreography by Parker Esse (Arena Stage's The Music Man, Oklahoma!) and music direction by Victor Simonson (Center Stage's A Civil War Christmas, Arena Stage's 3 Mo' Divas) and runs April 25-June 8, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Smokey Joe's Cafe-The Songs of Leiber and Stoller transports audiences to the golden age of rock, rhythm and blues this spring at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Director Randy Johnson returns to Arena Stage following the success of A Night with Janis Joplin (which enjoyed two runs at Arena Stage followed by a subsequent run on Broadway) to helm this Grammy Award-winning tribute to legendary songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which originally opened on Broadway in 1995 and became the longest running musical revue, topping 2,000 performances. Bursting with hit tunes including 'Hound Dog,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Stand by Me,' 'Love Potion #9' and 'On Broadway,' Smokey Joe's Cafe showcases choreography by Parker Esse (Arena Stage's The Music Man, Oklahoma!) and music direction by Victor Simonson (Center Stage's A Civil War Christmas, Arena Stage's 3 Mo' Divas) and runs April 25-June 8, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage.

Today in 1995, Smokey Joe's Cafe opened at the Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson Theatre) where it ran for 2036 performances. Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll, rhythm and blues songs written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Original Broadway cast recording, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller won a Grammy award in 1996. In revue format with no unifying theme the 39 songs are presented by various members of the cast in various combinations, with no dialogue. There are novelty songs ('Charlie Brown'), romantic ballads ('Spanish Harlem') and infectious melodies ('There Goes My Baby').

The Broadway production of A Night With Janis Joplin plays its final performance tonight, Sunday, February 9 at 7PM at the Lyceum Theatre. The show has played 22 preview performances and 141 regular performances since beginning previews on Friday, September 20 and opening on Thursday, October 10. A Night With Janis Joplin will move to a new home in New York City this March.

The Broadway production of A Night With Janis Joplin will play its final performance on Sunday, February 9 at 7PM at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). On that date, the show will have played 22 preview performances and 141 regular performances. A Night With Janis Joplin will move to a new home in New York City this March.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will play its final performance at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) this February (exact date will be announced shortly), prior to moving to a new home in New York City this March.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, is celebrating Joplin's birthday with special activities at the theatre and online on Sunday, January 19.At the theatre for both the matinee and evening performances, there will be a special photo booth, supplied by Top Hat Photo Booths, where audience members can write special messages in honor of Joplin's birthday and take photos with the messages. Following the performance the cast will give a special birthday salute to Joplin. For the evening performance only, there will be custom Joplin birthday cupcakes for audience members as they leave the theatre supplied by Sugarush in Red Bank.

Broadway Records just announced the release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the critically acclaimed, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN on the occasion of the iconic musician's birthday celebration. The album will be available digitally on January 17, and the CD is currently available at the Lyceum Theatre. The album is also available for pre-orders at Amazon.com and the official show website.

Tomorrow evening, January 4, A Night With Janis Joplin, the new Broadway musical, will celebrate its 100th regular performance at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street).

A backstage interview with Mary Bridget Davies, star of the new Broadway musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, will appear on ABC's "World News Now" late tonight, December 18 (early Thursday morning, December 19), between 2:30-4:00am. "World News Now" airs from 2:30-4:00am EST on channel 7 (WABC). Check local listings.

Last night, 92Y celebrated songwriting legend Mike Stoller on the occasion of his 80th year with An 80th Birthday Celebration, a one-night-only Lyrics & Lyricists Special Event hosted by Paul Shaffer and directed and written by Randy Johnson (director/writer of A Night withJanis Joplin). Performers included: legendary vocal group The Coasters, along with artists Karen Akers,Mary Bridget Davies, Corky Hale, Maria Elena Infantino,Sally Kellerman, Bettye Lavette, Melissa Manchester, Billy Stritch, Tommy Tune and Steve Tyrell. Backed by Tyrell's band, the artists performed some of the greatest songs written by Stoller with his longtime lyricist partner Jerry Leiber and others. Check out photos from the special event below!

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, will perform live on 'THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' tomorrow morning, December 10 between 10-11am. Mary Bridget Davies, critically acclaimed for her portrayal of Janis, is joined by Taprena Michelle Augustine, De'Adre Aziza, Nikki Kimbrough, and NaTasha Yvette Williams to perform the show-stopping Act One finale 'Spirit in the Dark.'

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical will perform live on FOX5's 'Good Day New York' tomorrow morning,November 14 between 9-10am. 'Good Day New York' airs from 9:00-10:00am EST on channel 5. A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is now playing at the Lyceum Theatre (149 W. 45th Street).