Richard Rodgers News

In case this is your first time reading one of my reviews of a Broadway revival of a classic musical, allow me introduce you to my personal prejudice. I completely abhor the now very common practice of revising the book and messing with the score of any musical theatre piece after the authors are deceased. If a composer, bookwriter or lyricist is around to approve of changes, that's swell, but all too often their estates will allow anything from the sparse, but significant, tweaks to South Pacific to the wholesale revisions of The Pajama Game and The Music Man. Even more deplorable is the practice of letting these changes go uncredited, as was done in the three examples just cited, giving audiences no clue that what they are watching is not wholly the musical the original authors wrote.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning a West End revival of the the classic Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!, starring his I'd Do Anything prot?g? Connie Fisher in the title role reports the UK theatre website WhatsOnStage.com.

The off-Broadway premiere engagement of the ZINA GOLDRICH and MARCY HEISLER musical, DEAR EDWINA is off to a splendid start. A fully staged musical comedy for all ages, DEAR EDWINA will run through Sunday, January 25 at the DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15th Street, NYC.

Back in Pictures celebrates the songs that were originally written for the masterpieces of the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring music from Casablanca, Easter Parade, A Star Is Born, Pennies From Heaven, Disney, Meet Me In St. Louis, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, The Wizard of Oz and many more. Back in Pictures is showing at the Reprise Room, 245 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, from April 7, 2008 through January 5, 2009.

The critically acclaimed production of Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand's 1897 romantic classic with a translation and adaptation by Anthony Burgess, was recorded live on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 for PBS 'Great Performances.' It's now going to be made available on DVD on January 6, 2009. It will also be seen on PBS stations beginning January 7th, 2009 from 8-10:30pm.

Night Life Award Winner Julie Reyburn makes her Feinstein's debut on January 6th in a special One Night Only performance of her show 'It's A New World' created specifically to celebrate the occasion! Directed by Peter Napolitano, Julie is joined by her longtime Musical Director, Mark Janas and Bassist Ritt Henn performing a unique collection of celebrated standards, Broadway classics, and new works soon to become part of the American Songbook. Composers / Lyricists include, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Maltby & Shire, Janas & Napolitano, Alec Wilder, Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke, Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer and Irving Berlin.

Jeffrey Finn Productions is presenting a special return holiday engagement of THE Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center.

Philadelphia Music Theater Works welcomes 2008 Richard Rodgers Award winning composer and lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver in an original evening of songs from one of America's most promising new voices in the musical theater. A stellar and acclaimed ensemble of Philadelphia actors including Barrymore Award winner Michael O'Brien, Mat Burrow, Jeremiah Downes, Sarah Gliko, Colleen Hazlett-O'Brien and Alex Keiper unravel the complicated world of contemporary urban life in your 20's with all of the obsessions, compulsions, rejection, revelations and tantric sex in The Ryan Scott Oliver Project.

Jeffrey Finn Productions presents a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater. The production runs through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

IN THE HEIGHTS is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda won the 2008 Tony for Best Music and Lyrics, Andy Blankenbuehler won the 2008 Tony for Best Choreography, and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations. The production recently welcomed new cast members Marcy Harriell and Rick Negron.

George Street Playhouse begins 2009 with its production of Donald Marguiles' Sight Unseen. When first presented in 1992, the play won the OBIE Award for Best New American Play, was nominated for a Drama Desk, and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. George Street Playhouse Artistic Director will helm the production, slated to run at the New Brunswick theatre January2020 - February 15, 2009. Matthew Arkin, last seen at GSP in their production of Theresa Rebeck's The Scene, leads an ensemble including Heidi Armbruster, Christopher Curry and Kathleen McNenny.

Now in it's sixth incarnation, the New Voices series is a concert showcasing the best of today's most promising young musical theatre composers. An exciting blend of Sondheim and pop/rock, this next generation of composers is turning Broadway on its ear with musicals about grunge bands, electroshock therapy, road trips, and Anna Nicole Smith. Performed by some of Seattle's hottest talent, join us for a break from the holidays for an evening of brand new musical theatre songs. The latest installment will perform December 29 at 8:30pm at the Leo K. Theatre at Seattle Rep.

The Jewish Ensemble Theater 20th season of 'Off Broadway' professional plays presents their production of 'Two by Two'.Greg Trzaskoma stars as Noah.

tick, tick...BOOM! by Pulitzer Prize Winner Jonathan Larson returns to the Provincetown Theatre on December 26th for 8 performances only until January 3rd. Perormances run every night at 7pm, except for Thursday, January 1st. Counter Productions is proud to present a reprisal of their critically acclaimed, smash hit production of tick, tick...BOOM! which played the Provincetown Theatre June 23-July 3rd, 2008.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been voted the most influential figure in theatre over the last decade by UK's The Stage newspaper.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, December 19, 2008.

The 92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists?, the Y's legendary American Songbook series. Polly Bergen, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Wopat and Marilyn Maye are among the storied cast members who will sing the songs of Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Mel Torm?, DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, David Zippel and others. This is the first season curated by new series artistic director DEBORAH GRACE WINER, and her inaugural line-up of guest artistic directors - MARTIN CHARNIN, DAVID ZIPPEL, ROBERT KIMBALL, REX REED, and BILLY STRITCH.

IN THE HEIGHTS welcomes Rick Negron on December 19th when takes on the role of Kevin Rosario at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. He replaces Carlos Gomez, Negr?n was a member of the early reading of the show.

The New York City Council will honor the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS with a special Proclamation. Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC Councilmember Miguel Martinez and Councilmember Robert Jackson will present the Proclamation to IN THE HEIGHTS' producer Jill Furman and composer/leading actor Lin-Manuel Miranda for the show's success in introducing millions of people to the vibrant neighborhood and its residents situated at the top of the island of Manhattan. The event will take place on Thursday December 18th in the City Hall Chambers.