Paul Williams News

From the songwriting genius behind Hamilton, Encanto, and Moana, Lin Manuel-Miranda, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will present his first acclaimed celebration of family and community, IN THE HEIGHTS.

The evolution of the American musical has morphed from operetta to Vaudevillian musical revue to the classic  integrated musical comedy. The advent of the jukebox musical began as MAMMA  MIA and ALL SHOOK UP shoehorned popular music into a script to showcase Abba or Elvis Presley’s music into paper-thin plots. Now, for better or worse, the bio-concert emerges, as the slick new touring production of AIN’T TOO PROUD : The Life and Times of THE TEMPTATIONS opened at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. The music of the Motown wonder group THE TEMPTATIONS is one of the  latest properties to take to the Broadway stage. And since it's debut, other biographical musicals are being given similar treatment, telling the stories of Cher, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson.

Today (Thu 5 May) Assembly Festival, adds a further 90+ shows to its biggest and most dazzling line-up to date which includes returning Fringe favourites, theatrical debuts, international circus, comedy newcomers and the return of The Flick - Assembly’s late-night den off George Square. During August, self-proclaimed Duchess Diane Chorley will be hosting live entertainment at The Flick until 5am.

For audience members of a certain age (like moi), jukebox musicals are much more than an evening’s entertainment. Sometimes they are a Soul Train dance down the days of our youth. Such is the case with Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of The Temptations. Now playing in Baltimore at the Hippodrome, it is nothing short of spectacular.

Skylight Music Theatre announced the full cast for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

When pianist – composer Randy Klein began Jazzheads, an independent record label based in NYC, in 1992, he had two label models he aspired to, A&M Records and GRP Records – “Premiere labels started by musicians, Herb Alpert; Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin. What I observed about each is that they released popular songs adored by the masses but also released inventive ground-breaking music as well. You know, they pushed the form forward!” says Klein.

The Belgrade Theatre has announced the first shows in its Autumn / Winter 2022 season, with highlights including West End musical smash hits SIX, The Rocky Horror Show and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, brand new musical Bombay Superstar, classic drama An Inspector Calls and The Mousetrap, as well as Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses.

Beck Center for the Arts has announced the fourth production of their 2021-2022 Youth Theater Season. The 73rd season continues with a funny classic, Bugsy Malone, written by Allen Parker, with music and lyrics by Paul Williams, running May 6 to May 15, 2022, in the Senney Theater.

The music needs no introduction: all the hits that made The Temptations a household name are represented in this energetic and enjoyable national tour of 'Ain't Too Proud.' But what this jukebox musical adds is the story behind the songs, told with deft, impressionistic touches that will resonate long after you leave the theater.

In addition to Brightman and Cerveris, the album includes songs from Paul Williams, Micky Dolenz, LaChanze, Christian Hoff, Alice Ripley, Constantine Maroulis, Emma Hunton, Donald Webber Jr., Morgan James, Michael Lanning, Donnie Kehr, and Isabelle Gottfried. Listen to the new single and check out the full album track list now!

Liz Callaway was recently joined by her son, Nick Callaway Foster, at 'To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim' to perform Sondheim's 'Move On' from Sunday in the Park with George.

The Muny announced today that Sarah Bowden, J. Harrison Ghee, Emily Skinner, James T. Lane, Adam Heller and Ali Ewoldt will return to star in the acclaimed 2021 production of Chicago, June 13 -19, 2022.

The Knights of Swing, LLC and E3 Music Productions have announced the March 25 Vimeo On Demand release of 'Knights of Swing,' a feature length film powered by an incredible cast and crew of dreamers and believers.

Skylight Music Theatre today announced the partial cast, creative team and a one-day sale for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

The ASCAP Foundation announces the recipients of its 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards.

Featuring incredible vocals from a variety of Tony and Grammy Award-winning artists performing 12 chart-topping hit songs, Rockers On Broadway: Live (Volume 1) is now available on all streaming and download channels worldwide. 

Rock legends Three Dog Night will perform at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA on Sunday, July 24, 2022 as part of the Mike's Hard Lemonade Summer Concert Series.

Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell brings the fun and elegance of Oscar Hammerstein 2nd's masterworks to the POPS in HAMMERSTEIN: The Song is You, April 1–3 at the Kimmel Cultural Campus.

Paul Williams, President of The ASCAP Foundation, has announced that Patrick Holcomb is named recipient of the 42nd ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize. The prize is awarded for Persephone, a seven and a half-minute work for orchestra. Selected by a panel of conductors, Holcomb is awarded a prize of $5,000.

Last night, Skeleton Crew opened on Broadway. Check out all of the reviews in our roundup! Plus, Sharon Sachs will take over the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked, beginning performances on February 14, 2022.