Richard Rodgers News

A promotional teaser for American Idol Jordan Sparks' run in Broadway's IN THE HEIGHTS has been released! In it, Sparks is heard singing 'When You're Home' on the streets of New York. BroadwayWorld brings you a special look at the video below!

Award-winning jazz keyboardist and composer Dan Karlsberg has recently released his second CD, 'Mission to Mars & Other Short Stories.' Karlsberg and his group of musicians will perform at Cincinnati's world-famous Blue Wisp Jazz Club on Saturday, July 24.

Following their sold out run of Richard II, Sonnet Repertory Theatre presents Twelfth Night at The Theatre at St. Clement's this July. Director Michael Lluberes brings a new vision of Twelfth Night to the Sonnet Rep stage. By turns sad and hilarious, this Twelfth Night is an exploration of love in all its forms: obsessive, beautiful, sexy, manic and mad.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 7/23/2010.

Following their sold out run of Richard II, Sonnet Repertory Theatre presents Twelfth Night at The Theatre at St. Clement's this July. Director Michael Lluberes brings a new vision of Twelfth Night to the Sonnet Rep stage. By turns sad and hilarious, this Twelfth Night is an exploration of love in all its forms: obsessive, beautiful, sexy, manic and mad.

Today, we are taking a look at some classic clips featuring the music and arrangements and conducting of legendary Maestro Marvin Hamlisch. Mr. Hamlisch is also the subject of today's InDepth InterView and perhaps now is no better time to showcase some of his lesser known - and endlessly entertaining - appearances on television in the 70s with appearances on Johnny Carson's TONIGHT SHOW alongside Bing Crosby and Ray Bolger on "The Entertaininer" from THE STING, as well as Barbra Streisand's legendary television concert FROM FUNNY GIRL TO FUNNY LADY in which she performers perhaps the best ever rendition of Hamlisch's legendary Oscar-winning title song from THE WAY WE WERE. Plus, an extra-special treat from the Tony Awards performance of SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS!

Karen Akers will perform her new show 'Dancing on the Ceiling' at the Oak Room Supper Club at New York's Algonquin Hotel from September 14 through October 23, the Algonquin has announced on its official website.

So, what's it like to be a theater critic? Is it really fun to attend the theater night after night after night after night? Ask Peter Filichia, who has been attending theater consistently for the last half-century and has been a reviewer for more than half that time.

Tony Nominated Choreographer & Director DAN KNECHTGES to direct The Directors Company Staged Reading of Cheer Wars. The play has a book & lyrics by Gordon Leary, music by Karlan Judd

Yesterday, I had the exceptional privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with legendary Oscar-winning Hollywood and Broadway legend Julie Andrews, star of films like MARY POPPINS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC; original TV musicals like Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA; and stage shows like the original productions of MY FAIR LADY, CAMELOT and VICTOR/VICTORIA. In our exclusive conversation we discussed everything from her favorite cast albums and theatre scores to working with Robert Wise on THE SOUND OF MUSIC and STAR! to ENCHANTED, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, SHREK and this summer's smash-hit Pharrell Williams/Neptunes-composed animated musical DESPICABLE ME. We also discuss plans for a US tour and the resounding success of her children's book series - even after all these years she still was at the top of the book charts and featured in the top movie of the week last week! Additionally, We also discuss her opinions on co-stars Russell Brand and Steve Carell, rock music in the theatre, GLEE, the Obamas, Sondheim, the Tony Awards and much more. Here is much more than a mere spoonful of the endless vat of sweetness - as well as generosity, beauty, elegance and class - that defines Ms. Julie Andrews.

On Tuesday night I had the privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with legendary composer, conductor and musical director Marvin Hamlisch. The three-time Oscar-winner has also won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony, Emmys and Golden Globes making him the only individual besides Richard Rodgers to accomplish as much in his forty-year-plus career. His scores for A CHORUS LINE, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG and SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, along with his work on classic films like THE WAY WE WERE and THE STING surely cement his place in the pantheon of great American artists, a legend in his own time. On Monday night he also participated - accompanying Idina Menzel on a song from A CHORUS LINE - in the White House celebration of Broadway also starring Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald and the First Family themselves which will be airing on PBS in October. He also hosts the 70s music special THE WAY WE WERE, MUSIC OF THE SEVENTIES airing in August on PBS, as well.

J.L. 'Lynn' Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center, is pleased to announce that Smithfield-based Navigant Credit Union is the new sponsor of The Lincoln Center Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, which makes its Providence debut at PPAC, playing December 7 - 12, 2010, as part of the Broadway Series.

A pumpkin turns into a carriage, mice become horses, and a young girl becomes a beautiful princess when Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of CINDERELLA weaves a spell on audiences at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, to open the company's 2010-2011 season. Single tickets are available for 'They're Playing Our Song' at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.

Lincoln Center Theater, in association with Bob Boyett and NETworks Presentations, presents a new production of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein's prize-winning musical SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher.

Sacramento Music Circus has announced the casting for its sixtieth summer season. The seven-show season will include the Music Circus premieres of 'Spamalot,' 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' and 'The Marvelous Wonderettes' and new stagings of 'Oklahoma!,' 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' '42nd Street' and 'Funny Girl,' the latter returning to Music Circus after an 18-year absence.

America's Favorite Mom, Florence Henderson premiered her concert 'All The Lives of Me' two years ago and has been touring throughout the country. Part theatrical, part concert, Florence takes the audience on a journey through all her lives: daughter, mother, musical theater star, TV star and product spokesperson.

Following their sold out run of Richard II, Sonnet Repertory Theatre presents Twelfth Night at The Theatre at St. Clement's this July. Director Michael Lluberes brings a new vision of Twelfth Night to the Sonnet Rep stage. By turns sad and hilarious, this Twelfth Night is an exploration of love in all its forms: obsessive, beautiful, sexy, manic and mad.

The 2008 Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical In The Heights welcomes platinum recording artists and 2007 'American Idol' winner Jordin Sparks making her Broadway debut as Nina Rosario beginning Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

After six months, 181 performances, Off-Broadway and over two years and just under 1000 performances on Broadway, Latin Assistant Choreographer and ensemble member Luis Salgado will play his final performance of In the Heights at 7pm on July 25th.