Richard Jay-Alexander News

2010 was a year filled with all sorts of exciting BroadwayWorld interviews - here's some of this year's highlights!

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all,and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and her inspirations as Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In her most comprehensive print interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

Upright Cabaret is thrilled to announce the performers for their second 'American Icons' concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. Grammy Award-nominee and American Idol finalist Frenchie Davis (American Idol Season 2, Broadway: RENT, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', DREAMGIRLS), Ty Taylor (CBS' Rockstar INXS, Broadway: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, CATS, GREASE; PIPPIN at the Mark Taper Forum, CHESS at Reprise Theatre Company, front man of raw soul band 'Vintage Trouble') and Von Smith (American Idol Season 8) as Upright Cabaret expands their unique, one-of-a-kind cabaret experience to Thousand Oaks!

This past Wednesday and Thursday, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch oversaw another Hollywood edition of Cast Party, the wildly successful open mic night, which tours the country celebrating local talent.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce American Idol star Frenchie Davis will appear in the second show of their second season, SWEET SOUL MUSIC! SWEET SOUL MUSIC will feature the music of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight, under the musical direction of Gerald Sternbach.

We are hearing HUGE rumblings that the Hollywood Bowl has chosen their summer musical... Drum roll please... HAIRSPRAY! The Hollywood Bowl has been knocking these musicals out of the ballpark these last three years with LES MISERABLES, GUYS & DOLLS and RENT.

On December 4, in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Last night in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Hollywood and Broadway legends Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi will star in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love' at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Broadway performance will benefit Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespread animal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years. Hilary Knight, internationally renowned illustrator, will design the art for the event.

In late November, BroadwayWorld TV asked Richard Jay-Alexander if he would sit down and talk to Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp about their upcoming Town Hall gig. BroadwayWorld TV brings you this unique and relaxed interview and the chance to win the prize of one of the greatest contests that BroadwayWorld has ever offered.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce a second season of shows at the theatre and the performers for its first show of the season!

Tony Award winning star of A CHORUS LINE is regarded internationally as one of Broadway's foremost dancing and singing leading ladies. She began this summer performing in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and has just completed her first tour of Australia with MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE, before taking it to NY and a sold out crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Donna McKechnie 'wowed' the capacity crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Wednesday night, Nov. 3rd when she returned for the second time with her show, MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE. She received multiple standing ovations throughout her expertly crafted act, which she and director Richard Jay-Alexander have been presenting across the country and around the globe.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned from her longtime friend and record producer Bruce Kimmel that Michelle Nicastro has passed away at the age of 50 from cancer.

Today we are talking to one of the brightest stars in all of Oz - Australia, that is - the dashing leading man and internationally renowned solo recording artist David Campbell! In this enthusiastic and ingratiating interview, Campbell talks about his life on the stage - having starred in SUNSET BOULEVARD, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, URINETOWN, SHOUT! and many hit musicals in his homeland - as well his extensive recording and concert tour career, with a special focus on this week's US release of his stellar show tune album ON BROADWAY which features the world premiere recording of one of the best Broadway eleven o'clock numbers of the last twenty years - maybe ever - coming from the forthcoming Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman score for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (which opens on Broadway near the end of this season). Plus, he addresses the rumors of taking on the role of The Phantom in the Australian premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVE NEVER DIES and gives us an update on his upcoming US concert appearances. Check out our chat, then be sure to pick up ON BROADWAY which is in stores and on iTunes now! He may sing 'Goodbye' like nobody‘s business, but we are just saying hello to the charismatic David Campbell.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, and Broadway Impact present Broadway's 'It Gets Better' video featuring 63 members of the New York theatrical community speaking to LGBTQ youth.

Tony Award-winner DONNA McKECHNIE will return to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with her critically-acclaimed solo show, My Musical Comedy Life, which will play the midtown venue on Wednesday, November 3rd at 8pm. There is a $35 cover charge, as well as a $15 food/beverage minimum (a full dinner menu is available). The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located within The West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd St. (@ 9th Ave)., in the heart of New York's theatre district. For tickets, please contact Smarttix at www.smarttix.com or 212 868 4444.

Chris Isaacson in association with UPRIGHT CABARET announced the world premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren starring in 'LITTLE WOMAN/BIG VOICE: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey,' which will make its Los Angeles debut in Spring 2011. Acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler 'Kiss My Brass' Tour, Bernadette Peters) is at the helm.

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their first concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.