Ogden Nash News

 Celebrated mezzo-soprano Julia Migenes (Diva on the Verge) returns to the Odyssey Theatre with her newest show, once again directed by Academy Award-nominated director Peter Medak. Julia Migenes Sings Kurt Weill opens at the Odyssey on October 9.

Back in January, BroadwayWorld's lead cabaret reviewer Stephen Hanks announced he was giving up critiquing shows to start his own company, Cabaret Life Productions, through which he would publicize, promote, and help book cabaret performers, and also produce cabaret shows. Hanks' first major production out of the box is a monthly series at the Metropolitan Room called New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, that features talented artists recreating award-winning or highly-praised shows we wish we'd seen--a really good idea. Hanks' series launched Wednesday night with Mark Nadler's award-winning 2003 show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians). The Metropolitan Room was filled to the gills and abuzz with anticipation, as most of the audience was only familiar with the show's second-hand praise and/or the CD version of Nadler's performance.

Masterworks Broadway continues to make good on its promise to make available its extensive catalog of cast recordings with the release of three classic albums from the archives previously unavailable on CD

Miller Theatre constantly seeks ways to enrich the concertgoing experience. This new season sees developments on two fronts: concert-as-theater, and artist residencies.

Masterworks Broadway continues to make good on its promise to make available its extensive catalog of cast recordings with the release of three classic albums from the archives previously unavailable on CD - Dames at Sea - The Original London Cast Recording (April 14), Two's Company (May 4), andAges of Man (June 16). Upon release, each title will be accompanied by new album pages and photos on MasterworksBroadway.com.

Wednesday night, Michael Feinstein's estimable series Standard Time once again held forth in Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, this time celebrating lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg. Feinstein was joined by guest vocalists Catherine Russell, Nancy Anderson and Malcom Gets. The evening was beautifully put together with anecdotes, history, film clips, and Harburg's amusing poetry. Michael Feinstein's erudition weighs in with his meticulous treatment of The American Songbook and his suave and savory role as host.

From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill made its journey to the Kansas City theater scene with the opening Saturday night February 14 at the White Theatre located at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. The White Theatre celebrates two first on their stage with Paul Hough directing the debut of From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill and the first time the musical appeared at the theater. Hough directed the play in Los Angeles in 1985, winning the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Production and Direction. Hough was Director of Production for the American Heartland Theatre from 1996 until it closed its doors in 2013.

This weekend, December 12-14, Pontine Theatre presents its original production, A New England Christmas, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable.

Pontine Theatre presents it's original production, A New England Christmas, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable. Pontine's Artistic Directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, perform a selection of Christmas stories and poems by New England authors, including Mary Wilkins Freeman, William Dean Howells, Sarah Orne Jewett, Ogden Nash and more. The show combines lively storytelling and charming Victorian-style Toy Theatre Figures along with seasonal music. These charming holiday tales - in addition to holiday punch and cookies - are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit! Performances are offered Friday @7:30, Saturday @4 & Sunday @2. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door (check & cash only) a half-hour prior to each performance, based on availability. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is located at 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth NH. Contact Pontine: info@pontine.org / 603-436-6660.

This December 12-14, Pontine Theatre presents its original production, A New England Christmas, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable.

Jay Records, with the support of The Kurt Weill Foundation, digitally released the first complete recording of composer Kurt Weill and lyricist Ogden Nash's score to the 1943 musical ONE TOUCH OF VENUS on October 7, 2013, and the sterling recording had its physical CD release on May 13, 2014. Originally announced over ten years ago, fans eagerly anticipated the album for years. Luckily for us listeners, the recording was well worth the wait.

Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett and Ron Raines from ONE TOUCH OF VENUS will appear at Barnes & Noble (Upper East Side, 86th/Lexington) with host Ted Chapin on for a performance and CD signing tonight, May 28, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Artistic Director/co-Founder Fred Anzevino has announced the company's 2014-15 season. The season will include two musicals - both to be directed by Anzevino - and two cabarets saluting two great - and very different - musical theater songwriters. The company's much-acclaimed music directors - Jeremy Ramey and Aaron Benham - will be back, providing musical direction for two shows each.

Geva Theatre Center's 2014 Fielding Studio Series concludes with the world premiere of Tinker to Evers to Chance by Mat Smart and directed by Sean Daniels. The production begins performances tonight, May 15 and runs in the Fielding Nextstage through June 1.

Geva Theatre Center's 2014 Fielding Studio Series concludes with the world premiere of Tinker to Evers to Chance by Mat Smart and directed by Sean Daniels. The production begins performances on May 15 and runs in the Fielding Nextstage through June 1.

The long-awaited, decade-delayed complete Jay studio recording of Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash's celebrated cult musical ONE TOUCH OF VENUS is now available to purchase digitally via iTunes,

Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett and Ron Raines from ONE TOUCH OF VENUS will appear at Barnes & Noble (Upper East Side, 86th/Lexington) with host Ted Chapin on for a performance and CD signing on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 7 p.m.

The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present the premiere of two new musicals: Monet, with Book by Joan Ross Sorkin and Music & Lyrics by Carmel Owen, and Goodbye Barcelona, written by Judith Johnson and K.S. Lewkowicz at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). The readings are open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00.

The York Theatre Company continues the 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of the new musical revue, Inventing Mary Martin, conceived, written and directed by Stephen Cole, with music supervision and arrangements byDavid Krane. Inventing Mary Martin is co-directed and choreographed by Bob Richard and has music direction byLawrence Goldberg. Performances began April 15, 2014 for a limited engagement that has been extended through Sunday, May 25, 2014 at The York Theatre Company's home at Saint Peter's. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

Following the Saturday matinee on April 19, there was Special Talk-Back at the new Off-Broadway musical revue, "Inventing Mary Martin" with family members Heller Halliday, daughter of Mary Martin (who appeared with her in Peter Pan), and Preston Hagman, Ms. Martin's grandson and son of Larry Hagman, at the York Theatre Company's home at Saint Peter's. Check out a look back below!