Rebecca Luker News

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW Presents A Rarely Seen Comedic Frolic 'BUOYANT BILLIONS' by George Bernard Shaw. Presented Monday, February 16th at 7pm At the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South PROJECT SHAW, now in its third of four years, continues tackling every play George Bernard Shaw ever wrote. This will be its 35th presentation. This rarely performed comedy by George Bernard Shaw will be performed on Monday, FEBRUARY 16th, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. David Staller is producer and director.

As the season of romance is upon us, Ray of Light Theatre continues its astronomical 2008/2009 season with I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. A laugh-inducing, award-winning musical comedy about love in the suburbs, this stage sensation has been described as 'Seinfeld set to music'. It's a hilarious look at love and relationships that is touching, insightful and humorous. With six actors playing over forty roles scaling the dizzying spectrum of male/female relationships, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change reveals the difficulties and joys of connecting with another person. Featuring amazing local talent (with many familiar faces) and live musicians, Ray of Light Theatre is bringing I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change to the San Francisco stage at Off-Market Theatres - 965 Mission St (between 5th/6th). Running February 5 - 28, 2009, this 4-week limited engagement makes for the perfect Valentine's treat. The show plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. For tickets ($18-$30) and information, please visit www.roltheatre.com. Tickets may also be purchased at TIX Bay Area (Booth in Union Square) or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Student/senior discounts available. The Cast Sarah Kathleen Farrell Holly Nugent Amy Penney Alex Kirschner Justin Taylor Nixon Justin Torres Director/Choreographer: Ellyn Marie Marsh Ellyn Marie Marsh is very happy to be back in the Bay Area, where she was raised. She was last seen in the bay in Steve Silvers Beach Blanket Babylon, where she received rave reviews for her spot-on impressions of Barbara Streisand, Britney Spears, Hillary Clinton and the legendary Pineapple Princess. Other performing credits include Lincoln Center's My Fair Lady (Mrs. Hopkins) where she shared the stage with Kelsey Grammar, Brian Denehey and Kelli O'Hara, European and National Tours and Regional Credits of Broadway Dancin', West Side Story (Anita), Grease (Rizzo), Chorus Line (Diana), Sweet Charity (Nickie), Xmas Carol-Madison Square Garden Version (Xmas past), blah blah blah. Her directing and choreographing credits include, Once on this Island, Grease, Annie and High School Musical. She directed Ray of Light Theatre's 2006 production of Seussical. www.ellynmarsh.com. Love and thanks to Shane and the ROLT family, and to her husband, Travas, who supports all she does.

Week three of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to The Allen Room a soulful tribute to black music, a bluegrass legend, a genre-busting singer and the concert debut of a gifted actor, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. On February 4th Soul Deep, an ensemble of some of the top black singers from Broadway and beyond will perform music - black music - that is the basis for most of the popular music heard today. The next night, bluegrass reigns with The Del McCoury Band (top right), who started out in the 1960s and remain so on top of their game that their latest CD is nominated for a 2009 Grammy. A new voice on the scene, and one that is electrifying all within range, is Lizz Wright (bottom left), who performs two shows on February 6th. She will perform songs from The Orchard, her third CD, as well as other pieces that shine with her expressive treatment. Next up on February 7th is the concert debut of the always surprising actor Alan Cumming (bottom right). Equally at ease in film and on the stage, this classically-trained star has never sung a concert before, and he has selected Dolly Parton and Cindi Lauper tunes, among others, to celebrate this new dimension in his career. American Songbook is presented in the spectacular Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall. The Allen Room possesses one of New York's greatest settings - a stunning vista of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline provides an evocative backdrop for the performers.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the Millennium Stage on January 31, 2009 with 'Broadway Today'-a star-studded, free concert, produced by Michael A. Kerker and presented in cooperation with ASCAP, in the Opera House as a part of the Center's season-long artistic initiative Broadway: The Third Generation. With the composers at the piano, original cast members and Broadway stars perform signature songs that made these artists household names. Free tickets are required. Tickets will be given away one (1) per person in line in front of the Opera House beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns in January for its eleventh season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. For 17 nights of pop, folk, cabaret, R&B, country, rock, show tunes, bluegrass and multimedia, the series will explore the best of the golden age of musical standards through to today's most dynamic contemporary songwriting. The 2009 season - January 14 through March 6 - will bring to the stage some of today's most gifted interpreters of song, including top vocalist Kurt Elling and country's winning Patty Loveless. It will feature the rare opportunity to hear Paulo Szot, star of Broadway's South Pacific, and film and stage star Alan Cumming, in intimate concert settings.

The second week of Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook brings to the Allen Room stage a jazz great, a new singer/songwriter, a country music classic and Broadway's newest heartthrob, all celebrating the diversity of American popular song. Singer Kurt Elling will re-create the standout recording that singer Johnny Hartman made in 1963 of the music of John Coltrane. Saxophonist Ernie Watts, The Laurence Hobgood Trio and the string quartet ETHEL will join Elling for this show, entitled Dedicated to You.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner as Cervantes/Quixote. Julia Migenes, the renowned opera and theatre performer, will play Aldonza/Dulcinea; Valerie Perri will play the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea at matinee performances; and Tony nominee Lee Wilkof will play Sancho Panza.

An informal read-through of the first act of a new musical, Tangled Webs, took place on Friday December 12th, in Manhattan. The reading starred Mary Poppins star Rebecca Luker. The musical is about an elegant Park Avenue woman (played in the read-through by Rebecca Luker) who's lost her husband and starts her life over by going to work at a producer's office. She discovers a young writer's work that she feels passionate about, and she will stop at nothing to get the show to the Broadway stage.

The New York Pops has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The grant, awarded in the category 'Access to Artistic Excellence,' will support Once Upon a Time and Tomorrow: The Best of Charles Strouse, a concert celebrating the 80th birthday of the Tony Award-winning Broadway composer. The performance will provide the opportunity to explore the works of this time-honored American composer whose talent has advanced the art of musical theater and touched the hearts of music-lovers for generations. The New York Pops holds the unique distinction of being the only symphonic pops orchestra in the country to receive an award from the NEA in the category of 'Access to Artistic Excellence.'

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander. 'I Love My Wife' will be directed by Larry Moss with choreography by Lee Martino and music direction by Michael Skloff.

Just in time for the Holidays, PS Classics boasts over 60 CD'S marked down to just $9.95. PS Classics celebrates Broadway hits and Americas most popular songs.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

NYS ARTS presented four awards for outstanding leadership and advocacy of the arts in New York State at its annual gala Monday, November 17th. at the Manhattan Penthouse, 80 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. The production will be directed by Michael Michetti, co-artistic director of The Theatre at Boston Cout.

NYS Arts presents its awards to outstanding contributors to the arts, education and community at annual fall Gala, Monday November 17th Tony Award Winner, Barbara Cook; Executive VP of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Phoebe Jacobs; Elysabeth Kleinhans' 59E59 Theaters; and President of Corning Incorporated Foundation, Kristin Swain, to be honored.

On November 17, 2008 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm NYS Arts will present their fall gala at Manhattan Penthouse, honoring some of the greatest legends of our time.

NYS Arts presents its awards to outstanding contributors to the arts, education and community at annual fall Gala, Monday November 17th Tony Award Winner, Barbara Cook; Executive VP of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Phoebe Jacobs; Elysabeth Kleinhans' 59E59 Theaters; and President of Corning Incorporated Foundation, Kristin Swain, to be honored.

The award-winning Broadway musical MARY POPPINS celebrates its two-year anniversary at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) on Sunday, November 16. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions, the Broadway production has grossed over $100 million to date and will have played 837 performances by Sunday.

At its yearly coast-to-coast gala honoring excellence in casting, the Casting Society of America announced the New York award-winners at the 24th Artios Awards® held at Caroline's on Broadway on November 10, 2008.