Rebecca Luker News

New York's newest theater company Breaking Bread Theatre, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Joe Calarco and Jen Waldman, with Third Coast Creative, present a developmental lab of the new musical Ella Minnow Pea by Larson Award-winning writers Scott Burkell and Paul Loesel. The invitation-only presentations will be held October 25 - 26.

The Flea Theater in association with Four Arts Media will present a groundbreaking new dramatic series comprised of original plays for radio and mobile media. Each of the 13 one-hour-long episodes will explore American life decade by decade from the early 20th century to the present. Says series creator, Arthur Yorinks, 'Each stand-alone play will be modern, edgy, raw and compelling.'

Tasti D-Lite has named a new flavor, "MISS BYRD'S RED VELVET D-LITE," to honor one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Current cast members of The York Theatre Company production, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Anika Larsen, James Moye, and Sal Viviano, will be on hand on Thursday, October 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Times Square Tasti D-Lite (1588 Broadway between 47th & 48th St) to introduce the world to the deliciously decadent new treat. There will also be an in-store raffle to win two tickets to Closer Than Ever and a $25 Tasti Treat Card.

The spirit and generosity of the theatre community once again shined as brightly as the autumn sun as the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction blew past all previous record totals to raise a spectacular $681,892 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will welcome James Moye (Dogfight, Million Dollar Quartet) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for George Dvorsky from September 25 - October 7, due to a prior commitment.

BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture all of the excitement of the day! Here are photos from the celebrity autograph tables!

Seanachaí Theatre Company has announced its 2012-13 Season 'Rag-Tags and Wayward Souls', feautring the World Premiere of IN PIGEON HOUSE by Honor Molloy, October 17 - November 18, 2012, and the U.S. Premiere of LAY ME DOWN SOFTLY by Billy Roche, March 27 - April 28, 2013.

BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the show's star-filled red carpet - photos below!

Juxtaposed against the contemporary drug-fueled club scene in Dublin, In Pigeon House weaves together vaudeville, music hall, and cinema in this love letter to traveling shows. Moving between time and genres, the itinerant players Basher, Masher, Rasher and Dolly rip up the stage with a furious tornado of language and moving pictures. A startlingly theatrical and darkly comic oeuvre, In Pigeon House at once explodes and upholds the romantic myth of the traveling show.

The Litchfield hills are alive as TriArts Sharon Playhouse continues its 2012 season with the heartwarming family classic, The Sound of Music. Directed and choreographed by Gary John La Rosa, with music direction by Artistic Director Michael Berkeley, The Sound of Music opens tonight, August 9 and runs through August 26, 2012. Tickets ($16-$47) are available by calling 860.364.SHOW (7469) or at www.triarts.net.

The Litchfield hills are alive as TriArts Sharon Playhouse continues its 2012 season with the heartwarming family classic, The Sound of Music. Directed and choreographed by Gary John La Rosa, with music direction by Artistic Director Michael Berkeley, The Sound of Music opens August 9 and runs through August 26, 2012. Tickets ($16-$47) are available by calling 860.364.SHOW (7469) or at www.triarts.net.

Pace University has announced the 2012 / 2013 season of Pace Presents, hosted at The Michael Schimmel Center for The Arts located at 3 Spruce Street between Park Row and Gold Street in downtown Manhattan. Pace Presents is a world-class performing arts and culture series with an emphasis on music superstars from around the globe, charismatic and crowd-pleasing dance performances, spectacular theatre and contemporary cabaret. The Pace Presents season begins on September 22 with Gypsy brass superstars Fanfare Ciocarlia and culminates on April 20 with Jazz's living treasure, Hugh Masekela.

The hills are alive as Surflight Theatre continues its 2012 season with The Sound of Music. Directed and choreographed by Charles Abbott, with music direction by Ben Krauss, The Sound of Music opens tonight, July 24 and runs through August 25, 2012. Tickets ($36-$54) are available by calling 609-492-9477 or at www.surflight.org.

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW presents GENEVA, by George Bernard Shaw - his 1938 satirical comedy about the world on the brink of WWII-tonight, July 16 at 7pm at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan. David Staller produces and directs.

When Phil Geoffrey Bond was named Programming Director at 54 Below, it became a given that the theatre district's spanking new nightlife venue would include on its schedule Broadway-centric evenings geared for the knowledgeable musical theatre fan who appreciates both past glories and upcoming works in progress.  The producer/host of the Laurie Beechman Theatre's popular Sondheim Unplugged series now makes a significant debut in the same capacities with New Mondays, dedicated to giving audiences a sampling of fresh material from accomplished theatre composers and lyricists.

Grant Park Music Festival concert in Chicago's Millennium Park will host a a concert on July 13 and 14, 2012, entitled “Perfectly Frank: From Broadway to Hollywood.' The show is a tribute to Frank Loesser, featuring Broadway's Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Howard McGillin. Check out the cast in rehearsal below!

Among all the summer-time concerts taking place in the Chicago area this month, one concert stands out--free, accessible, chock-full of hit songs and performed by an unmatched quartet of Broadway stars. And it's only in Chicago. "Perfectly Frank: From Broadway to Hollywood" isn't happening anywhere else except the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, courtesy of the Grant Park Music Festival. It's this weekend, and early arrival is recommended.

When fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill comes marching into town, you know there's going to be trouble right here in River City. His goal is to con the good townspeople out of their money, but Marian the Librarian has other plans. This wonderful slice of Americana will leave your entire family humming such familiar tunes as "Seventy-Six Trombones, "Gary, Indiana," and "'Till There Was You."

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Divas on parade: Menzel, Cook, Hudson, Luker and Mazzie, plus the new year's offerings from Broadway In Chicago and local productions of 'Fame,' 'Little Shop' and more!....

During her recent show at 54 Below, Rebecca Luker's renditions of 16 Jerome Kern songs-some of which were more obscure pre-1920 ditties-were lovely and engaging. But as a complete nightclub performance, Luker's show was neither a compelling one-woman concert nor captivating cabaret.