Phyllis Newman News

The dictionary gives others words for BEST. EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, PERFECT, UNSURPASSED, PREEMINENT, HIGHEST QUALITY etc. None of those are sufficient enough to describe the Songs, the Arrangements, the Performers, the Musicians, David Zippel and of course the great CY COLEMAN in a production at 59E59. From the moment a smiling Billy Stritch (performer, musical director and arranger of the show) entered the stage and went to the piano, it was obvious that a musical tour de force was about to begin and The Best Was Yet To Come!

Their partnership was one of Broadway and Hollywood's longest runs. Together, Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote words that gave life to On the Town, Wonderful Town, Bells are Ringing and Singin' in the Rain. Phyllis Newman, Tony Award-winner and Green's wife of more than four decades, summons the essence of their genius - irreverence, humanity, sophisticated wit and joy - in the Lyrics & Lyricists™ season closer Carried Away: Being Comden and Green on May 21, 22 and 23. Joining her are vocalists Sarah Uriarte Berry, Josh Grisetti, Marcus Lovett, Mary Testa and Zakiya Young, with special guest vocalist Leslie Uggams.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

Their partnership was one of Broadway and Hollywood's longest runs. Together, Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote words that gave life to On the Town, Wonderful Town, Bells are Ringing and Singin' in the Rain. Phyllis Newman, Tony Award-winner and Green's wife of more than four decades, summons the essence of their genius - irreverence, humanity, sophisticated wit and joy - in the Lyrics & Lyricists™ season closer Carried Away: Being Comden and Green on May 21, 22 and 23. Joining her are vocalists Sarah Uriarte Berry, Josh Grisetti, Marcus Lovett, Mary Testa and Zakiya Young, with special guest vocalist Leslie Uggams.

Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, has announced the first group of Presenters for the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, In addition to Len Cariou and Brian Stokes Mitchell who will co-present the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary, dancer, choreographer, teacher and star of stage, film and television Jacques D'Amboise, additional presenters include Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Charlotte D'amboise, Christopher D'amboise and Karen Ziemba.

The 25th Annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION raised $3,706,085, the result of six weeks of intensive fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by 52 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. Broadway Beat was there to capture all of the fun, excitement, joy and humor of this very special event!

The 25th Annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION raised $3,706,085, the result of six weeks of intensive fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by 52 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced at this year's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION, which ended in two shows featuring original presentations, songs and elaborate, custom-made bonnets from 17 of the participating shows. BroadwayWorld was of course on hand for the big event and brings you photo coverage below!

The 25th Annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION raised $3,706,085, the result of six weeks of intensive fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by 52 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced at this year's EASTER BONNET COMPETITION, which ended in two shows featuring original presentations, songs and elaborate, custom-made bonnets from 17 of the participating shows. BroadwayWorld was of course on hand for the big event and brings you photo coverage below!

The Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 25th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition has just wrapped at the Minskoff Theatre! The first acts were presented yesterday, April 25, with the show continuing today, Tuesday, April 26. The proceeds from the event will benefit BC/EFA.

The Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 25th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition is now underway at the Minskoff Theatre! The first acts presented yesterday, April 25 and the show continues Tuesday, April 26. The proceeds from the event will benefit BC/EFA. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek at the big event. Check back later for full, official coverage!

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will present the 25TH ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION on Monday, April 25 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, April 26 (2 PM) at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). The event celebrates and concludes six intensive weeks of fundraising by the theatre community benefiting BC/EFA.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will present the 25TH ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION on Monday, April 25 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, April 26 (2 PM) at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). The event celebrates and concludes six intensive weeks of fundraising by the theatre community benefiting BC/EFA.

The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will once again recognize excellence in dance on both stage and film. This year's Awards gala will take place May 15,2011 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University, 566 LaGuardia Place) New York City 10019.

BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will be held on Sunday, June 19 with two performances only - at 9:30 pm & Midnight - at Roseland Ballroom, 239 West 52nd Street in New York. A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will offer up a modern-day burlesque show packed with museum-quality human canvases that would make an art critic blush. We brough you a sneak peek at some of the 2011 artwork for the event and now we bring you a look at the complete promo set! The art was designed by SpotCo and shot by photographer Andrew Eccles.

The New York Philharmonic is presenting Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking Company, with an all-star cast led by Neil Patrick Harris (Robert). The concert production played its first show last night and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the starry arrivals! The award-winning musical is being produced and directed by Lonny Price, who directed and co-produced last season's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert!, and is being conducted by Sondheim specialist Paul Gemignani, with the original orchestrations for a 35-piece orchestra by Jonathan Tunick. The concert runs through April 9, 2011.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Jerry Mitchell have announced the return of BROADWAY BARES: SOLO STRIPS, a benefit striptease event featuring some of the hottest men on and off Broadway. BROADWAY BARES: SOLO STRIPS will be held Sunday, April 3 at Splash (50 West 17th Street). There will be performances at 8 PM and 10 PM. Tickets are available in advance or a $10 donation will be accepted at the door.

The Bridge Theatre Company kicks off its 7th season with a workshop production of Matthew MacKenzie's SIA, winner of the 2010 Alberta Playwriting Competition.

Ava Astaire and Patricia Watt have announced the nominating committee for the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, the only awards that recognize excellence in dance on Broadway and in film.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Jerry Mitchell have announced the return of BROADWAY BARES: SOLO STRIPS, a benefit striptease event featuring some of the hottest men on and off Broadway. BROADWAY BARES: SOLO STRIPS will be held Sunday, April 3 at Splash (50 West 17th Street). There will be performances at 8 PM and 10 PM. Tickets are available in advance or a $10 donation will be accepted at the door.

BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will be held on Sunday, June 19 with two performances only - at 9:30 pm & Midnight - at Roseland Ballroom, 239 West 52nd Street in New York. A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE will offer up a modern-day burlesque show packed with museum-quality human canvases that would make an art critic blush. Here's a first look at the poster art, designed by SpotCo and shot by photographer Andrew Eccles.