Richard Rodgers News

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 8/29/2014.

Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser announce the launch of a musical theatre development program focusing on the importance of lyrics in the creation of new musicals: The Oscar Hammerstein Festival - named in honor of the master writer whose countless accomplishments during his illustrious career include having mentored a young Stephen Sondheim at Hammerstein's Bucks County farm -- is a year-long program that offers expert mentorship to early career composers and lyricists. The Oscar Hammerstein Festival will culminate in a weekend with musical theatre experts, artists, and enthusiasts and various events open to the general public. The Festival will launch September 26 - 28, 2014.

Today in 1977, Chicago closed at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre), where it ran for 936 performances. Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago, with music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago's 1996 Broadway revival holds the record for the longest-running musical revival on Broadway and is its fourth longest-running show.

Samuel Goldwyn Films has entered an agreement with Shout! Factory to release the classic Lesley Ann Warren version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella on home video. Cinderella comes to life in this 50th Anniversary Edition of the most beloved fairy tale of all time, available on DVD from Shout! Factory on September 9, 2014. In anticipation of the release, click below to watch the Prince duet with Cinderella in '10 Minutes Ago', plus 'Impossible' and more!

Iconic crooner Tony Bennett teams up with chart-topping pop superstar Lady Gaga for a new duets album titled CHEEK TO CHEEK containing multiple American Songbook standards and a new behind the scenes special spotlighting the collaborative effort is set for HSN next month according to a new announcement.

A 50th anniversary edition of the celebrated 1965 telecast of Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved musical CINDERELLA starring Lesley Ann Warren is set for DVD release this September according to a new listing, now available for pre-order.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, August 24, 2014 - Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Torrance Theatre Company celebrates its 15th anniversary by saddling up at the James Armstrong Theatre and presenting OKLAHOMA! with music and lyrics by one of Broadway's most influential duos, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Based on Lynn Riggs' stage play, Green Grow the Lilacs, OKLAHOMA! marked the duo's first collaboration and set the standard for modern musical theatre. Although not the first musical to tell a story of emotional depth and psychological complexity, OKLAHOMA! introduced a number of new storytelling elements and techniques including the use of song and dance to convey plot and character rather than act as a diversion from the story, and the firm integration of every song into the plot-line. And most important, they introduced a new element to musical theatre: social commentary.

World renowned crooner Tony Bennett teams up with chart-topping pop superstar Lady Gaga for a new duets album titled CHEEK TO CHEEK containing multiple American Songbook standards and this week Bennett revealed that he intends to record a follow-up showcasing Cole Porter's classic score for the stage musical RED, HOT & BLUE.

Tony winner Idina Menzel took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge last night outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre, following the performance of IF/THEN. Prior to taking the plunge, Menzel nominated producer David Stone, injured co-star Anthony Rapp, and all of the stage door fans - check it out below!

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 8/22/2014.

It's been over a week since the world lost entertainment legend Robin Williams, who passed away last Monday. The beloved actor and comedian was 63 years old. Below, BroadwayWorld remembers Robin.

An enduring all-American musical brings many fresh faces to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre this August as it presents Oklahoma!, the very first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys in Western Indian territory at the turn of the century is now on stage through Oct. 5. Below, BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action!

LUCKY STIFF, the zany off-Broadway musical from Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, comes to the big screen!

Today in 1980, the second Broadway revival of Oklahoma! closed at the Palace Theatre, where it ran for 293 performances. Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams. The original Broadway production opened on March 31, 1943.

Musical theater writing team Sam Carner and Derek Gregor's 6th Annual 'Barely Legal Show-Tune Extravaganza' is set for tonight! The annual contest rewards college student performers with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend week-long intensive workshops led by Broadway stars, casting directors, agents, actors and more, culminating in concerts tonight, August 21 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm at New York's premier cabaret venue 54 Below, 254 W 54th St.

Singer, actor, author, and playwright Storm Large is a unique talent whose charms and remarkable voice are quickly creating a buzz within the performing arts world. As the singer in the band Pink Martini, a finalist in the reality show Rock Star Supernova, and as a critically acclaimed performer, Storm Large has taken her voice from rock clubs along the west coast to the Carnegie Hall stage, performing with The Detroit Symphony.