Rebecca Luker News

Norm Lewis - the Tony Award nominated leading man who will soon make history as the first African-American Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway- will play the title role in a special industry reading of Mandela: A New Musical with book, music and lyrics by Steven M. Fisher on Monday, March 31 at 3:00 PM. It will be directed by David Glenn Armstrong with Music Direction by Micah Young.

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, has launched The Arts Project with Maddie Orton, a new monthly series

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were established hit makers when they teamed up to make a musical about cowboys and farmers. What follows was a miracle—Oklahoma!, then Carousel and South Pacific; the list of extraordinary hits goes on. On April 5, 6 and 7 get to know these legends even better at Getting to Know You: Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lyrics & Lyricists first look at the two songwriters as a team. Guest artistic director, writer and host Ted Chapin, head of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, shares an insider's perspective on the pair, gleaned from his years with the Rodgers and Hammerstein families; joined by vocalists Brandon Victor Dixon, Mandy Gonzalez, Jonathan Groff, Rebecca Luker, and Phillipa Soo.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will present its 2014 Annual Gala, MUSICAL MASTERWORKS, Monday evening, May 12 at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel (145 West 44th Street). Tony Award-winner and CSC Associate Director John Doyle will helm an evening of memorable numbers from iconic American musicals-a rich and vital heritage that CSC has begun to explore with last season's critically-acclaimed production of Passion and the upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro.

Gingold Theatrical Group, under the leadership of David Staller, honored philanthropist Anita Jaffe and playwright/actor Charles Busch at its Annual Golden Shamrock Gala, earlier this week at Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Ave at 14th Street). The GTG Golden Shamrock Award is given annually for artistic contribution to society. Past honorees include Terrence McNally, Judith Ivey, Brian Murray, and Robert Osborne. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night abd you can check out photo coverage below!

On Saturday, April 26, TUTS is inviting Houstonians to enter a Prohibition-era speakeasy for their annual fundraising gala. This year's theme is "Broadway Empire.' Headlining the evening's entertainment is Broadway phenomenon and Tony Award winning musical theatre actress Laura Benanti. Recently, I chatted with Laura Benanti about her impressive career and the much-anticipated gala.

Everything old is new again--and vice versa-at PAST IS PRESENT, up-and-coming lyricist SARAH REBELL's Metropolitan Room debut March 24 at 9:30pm. By turns hilarious and touching, sexy and historical, this concert features Rebell's lyrics paired with the music of promising young composers including DANNY ABOSCH (Fancy Nancy), WILL BUCK (Only Anne), JOSH FREILICH, (The Star Child), ELIZABETH HAGSTEDT (Rose Petals), TERESA LOTZ (The Birds and the Bees) , MADELINE MYERS (Legends and Lore) and WILLEM OOSTHEUYSEN (Prodigy).

Fourteen exceptionally talented young singer-actors have been selected as finalists in the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition. They will compete for top prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 on Saturday, April 12, 2014, in Rochester, New York. Broadway conductor and Encores! music director Rob Berman, 2-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Artistic Director James Robinson will judge.

Phil Geoffrey Bond will direct FUNNY GIRL, as part of 54 Sings' series, and will feature Carole J. Bufford, Donna Lynne Champlin, Tovah Feldshuh, Debbie Gravitte, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Karen Mason, Julia Murney, Molly Pope, Emily Skinner, John Tartaglia, Donna Vivino and special guest star Mimi Hines.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced its 2014- 2015 theater season today, including the pre-Broadway engagement of Gigi featuring a re-envisioned book by Heidi Thomas with direction by Eric Schaeffer. The Kennedy Center will also produce the world premiere musical Little Dancer with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman; touring productions of Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Once; and back by popular demand following its record-breaking six week engagement in 2013, the multi-Tony Award®-winning musical from the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon, will return for a limited engagement. The season also brings the eighth season of Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, individually showcasing five Broadway performers in a cabaret setting. From March 2 - 24, Iberian Suite: arts remix across continents will bring a multitude of theatrical offerings to the Kennedy Center. As part of the Center's efforts to support the creation of new works, the Kennedy Center will host the 13th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival and the 47th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Now in its 16th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook continues to expand its scope celebrating the best in American singing and songwriting. Featured this week was contemporary theater composer Henry Krieger is best known for the landmark multi-award-winning musical Dreamgirls. The celebrated musician focuses on both his iconic and lesser-known works, including new songs written for the revival of his Tony-nominated cult-classic musical Side Show. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the concert below!

For one night only, Tony-Nominated composer (Urban Cowboy, 'I Won't Mind') and actor (Murder for Two) Jeff Blumenkrantz presents the world premiere performance of his song cycle Month Upon a Time tonight, February 12, at 9:30PM at 54 Below.

Gingold Theatrical Group, under the leadership of David Staller, will honor philanthropist Anita Jaffe and playwright/actor Charles Busch at its Annual Golden Shamrock Gala, St. Patrick's Day, March 17, at Manhattan Penthouse(80 Fifth Ave at 14th Street).

For one night only, Tony-Nominated composer (Urban Cowboy, 'I Won't Mind') and actor (Murder for Two) Jeff Blumenkrantz presents the world premiere performance of his song cycle Month Upon a Time next Wednesday, February 12, at 9:30PM at 54 Below.

Lincoln Center has announced its February 2014 lineup, including the American Songbook series with Michael John LaChiusa, Jessica Molaskey, and more, as well as Great Performers' 'Art Song on Film', Target Free Thursdays and Meet the Artist Todays. Details below!

Lincoln Center has announced its February 2014 lineup, including the American Songbook series with Michael John LaChiusa, Jessica Molaskey, and more, as well as Great Performers' 'Art Song on Film', Target Free Thursdays and Meet the Artist Saturdays. Details below!

The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music has announced the online release of Singing the Story: The Lotte Lenya Competition, a new documentary film about the prestigious international contest for singer-actors.

The producers of the hit musical CINDERELLA on Broadway announce new cast members who will join the company in the coming weeks: starting January 28, Joe Carroll begins performances as Prince Topher, taking over the role from original cast member and Tony Award nominee Santino Fontana, who concludes his year-long run in the musical. Also beginningJanuary 28, Todd Buonopane will replace original cast member Greg Hildreth as the rebel Jean-Michel; and CINDERELLA ensemble member Stephanie Gibson will replace Marla Mindelle as stepsister Gabrielle. On January 21, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark will return as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother Marie, which she originated and for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Tony nominee Rebecca Luker has performed the role of Marie since September.

American Songbook at NJPAC, a new music performance series from NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), will be broadcast throughout the tri-state area on NJTV and WNET affiliates beginning this January.

Producers have tapped 'Call Me Maybe' singer Carly Rae Jepsen to replace Tony nominee Laura Osnes in Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, currently playing on Broadway. Jepsen will step into the role on Feb. 4 for a limited 12-week run.