Rebecca Luker News

2014 is upon us, which means that it's time to look back on all of the highs and lows that this past theatre season has brought. BroadwayWorld is wrapping up the year by tributing our favorite moments of 2013, and in this series, we're highlighting 13 of our favorite musical moments on stage in just 30 seconds. Below, check out a 30 second clip from one of our favorite musicals of the year- Cinderella.

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.

In this week's edition, we caught up with Mary Michael Patterson, who is starring as 'Christine' in The Phantom of the Opera- currently playing at the Majestic Theatre.

The 25th anniversary celebration of GYPSY OF THE YEAR, the culmination of six weeks of extraordinary fundraising by 56 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies, raised an amazing $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The producers of Cinderella announced today that television and film star Fran Drescher will make her Broadway debut as Cinderella's stepmother Madame, beginning performances on February 4th for a 10-week run through April 13 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). Ms. Drescher takes over the role created by Harriet Harris, who concludes her acclaimed year-long run in the musical to return to her home in California.

It was a full house of New York City school children at The Broadway Theatre on December 5 as 'Inside Broadway' presented another afternoon of 'Creating The Magic' at Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Below, check out a look back at the event, featuring Laura Osnes and the cast!

The 25th anniversary edition of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' Gypsy of the Year Competition will be presented Monday, December 9 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 10 (2 PM) at the Minskoff Theatre (1515 Broadway). The show will feature performances by New York's best actors, singers, dancers, and musicians with several guest appearances, including Tyne Daly, Cherry Jones, Ian McKellen, Mark Rylance, and Patrick Stewart.

CINDERELLA's Rebecca Luker and Laura Osnes performed 'It's Possible' on CBS' Thanksgiving Day Parade and we've got the video!

The 2013 theatre season brought some truly extraordinary productions, including Cinderella, which is still playing at the Broadway Theatre. The musical earned 9 Tony nominations, taking home an awardfor costume design.

Macy's Herald Square just kicked-off the season with an evening of holiday magic at the annual Christmas window unveiling on Broadway Boulevard.The special event began with a special performance by recording artist Judith Hill, and continued with an extra dose of holiday cheer are two of the stars of Cinderella, Laura Osnes and Rebecca Luker.For the grand finale, a very special Make-A-Wish Kid flipped the switch and unveil the 2013 Christmas Windows, this year titled'Dream...and Believe Magic.'

Today we are talking to a top-tier Tony Award-winning talent known for an incredibly accomplished resume ranging from noted performances in original musicals to reinvented revival roles and beyond - the dignified and dynamic Victoria Clark. Discussing many of her most celebrated dramatic, comedic and musical turns to date, Clark recalls an astounding life in the theatre - ranging from her Broadway debut in the unforgettable original production of Sondheim's iconic SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to the hit revivals of GUYS & DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING to originating memorable parts in the Broadway productions of TITANIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SISTER ACT and CINDERELLA, to name just a few of the highlights so far. On the latter note, Clark outlines her experiences in her most recent Broadway musical foray, that of the beloved Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic CINDERELLA, as well as illuminates her acclaimed run in the Los Angeles transfer of the most recent revival of FOLLIES and her Sondheim work in general (SWEENEY TODD, too). Most importantly, Clark sheds some light on her compelling character in the new drama THE SNOW GEESE and relates candid stories of sharing the stage with co-stars and fellow vets Danny Burstein and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. Plus, Clark looks ahead to the upcoming TITANIC reunion concert and imparts her excitement for the project as well as comments on some of her most memorable film roles while also sharing first news of future plans - which include directing herself - and muses on some potential roles she would enjoy bringing to the stage in the future, near and far; HELLO, DOLLY! or MAME, maybe? All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best grande dames!

92Y announces casting for the 2014 season of Lyrics & Lyricists. Faith Prince, Rob McClure, Christiane Noll and Rachel York are among the performers from the worlds of Broadway, jazz and cabaret presenting a panoramic journey through the American Songbook via Broadway, Hollywood and Second Avenue. L&L's shows this season explore MGM Musicals, tunes that swept away the Great Depression, an insider's look at Rodgers & Hammerstein, iconic funny girl Fanny Brice and the glorious songs salvaged from Flop Shows. The season is curated by series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer and a line-up of guest artistic directors that includes three Tony Award winners-director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall (in her L&L debut); music director Ted Sperling; and lyricist David Zippel- musical theater historian Robert Kimball, and Rodgers & Hammerstein oracle Ted Chapin.

Celebrity Series of Boston will present What Makes It Great? With Rob Kapilow today, November 3, 2013, at 3pm at NEC's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston. Sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger. Celebrity Series of Boston has presented What Makes It Great? with Rob Kapilow 33 times since its Boston debut in 1997.

Over 450 elementary and secondary school students who are either deaf or hard of hearing from 17 schools in the tri-State region, will attended one of the next three Wednesday matinee performances of the hit musical Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Three upcoming matinee performances (today, October 30, November 6 and 13) of the show will be simultaneously sign language interpreted and open captioned by TDF's Accessibility Programs (TAP), which is bringing the students with mild to severe hearing loss to the theatre through their 'Access for Young Audiences' program. Additionally, earlier this month, TAP brought 100 students who are blind or have low vision to the Wednesday matinee performance on October 9, which featured audio description.

The 2013 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 15 is available in theaters starting this weekend! Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2013 Broadway line-up. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is taking pre-orders now for Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 15, and will be mailing the CDs out beginning November 1st.

On Monday, October 28 (7:30pm), Kutztown University Presents will welcome back alumnus and founder of Arlington, Virginia's TONY-award winning Signature Theatre, Eric Schaeffer, as he directs Signature Broadway. The concert event is set to take place as a part of the Performing Artists Series in Schaeffer Auditorium.

Over 450 elementary and secondary school students who are either deaf or hard of hearing from 17 schools in the tri-State region, will attended one of the next three Wednesday matinee performances of the hit musical Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Three upcoming matinee performances (October 30, November 6 and 13) of the show will be simultaneously sign language interpreted and open captioned by TDF's Accessibility Programs (TAP), which is bringing the students with mild to severe hearing loss to the theatre through their 'Access for Young Audiences' program. Additionally, earlier this month, TAP brought 100 students who are blind or have low vision to the Wednesday matinee performance on October 9, which featured audio description.

The reading will feature Kate Baldwin, Carolee Carmello, Kathleen Chalfant, Mary Testa Donna Lynne Champlin, Jessica Grove?, Rebecca Luker, Charlotte Maltby, Luba Mason, Theresa McCarthy, Betsy Morgan, Isabel Santiago, and Carly Tamer. The reading is produced by Jacob S. Porter.

Mary J. Davis presents DISASTER!, written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre beginning today, October 14, and opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012. For more information, visit www.disastermusical.com.

'Songs Are Like Friends II' will feature musical selections from composers including Sheldon Harnick, Maltby & Shire, Craig Carnelia, and Bob Ost.