Richard Rodgers News

David Bell's brand new adaptation of the classic Richard Rodgers (The King & I, South Pacific, The Sound of Music) and Laurence Hart hit The Boys from Syracuse, will make its Chicago Premiere August 7, open August 14 and run through September 28 at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Legendary stage veteran Julie Andrews will host 'The Gift of Music' with conductor Ian Fraser and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as part of the inaugural season of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, the Orchestra's the new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art facility located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta) on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. The night offers the gifts of music old and new - a selection of classic Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II compositions, several of which were performed, recorded, and made popular by Andrews during her illustrious career. The second half of the evening consists of the musical adaptation of Simeon's Gift, a best-selling children's book authored by Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and exquisitely illustrated by Gennady Spirin. The show is performed by a cast including tenors Stephen R. Buntrock and Kevin Odekirk; sopranos Christiane Noll and Anne Runolfsson; and baritone Jubilant Sykes. Andrews' talent has enthralled audiences for many years through stage, screen, recordings, and books, in part because of her partnership with composers Rodgers and Hammerstein. Andrews and the ensemble perform some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most recognized repertoire including 'Getting to Know You' and 'There is Nothing Like a Dame,' as well as beloved classics from The Sound of Music and Cinderella. The evening will include nostalgic clips, vintage montages and beautiful illustrations by Spirin. In recent years Andrews has combined her passion of music with her advocacy of children's literacy and this pursuit resulted in the creation of The Julie Andrews Collection with her daughter. Simeon's Gift is one of the best-selling treasures in the collection, and this performance marks the East Coast debut of the adaptation consisting of Ian Fraser's brilliant compositions and John Bucchino's inspiring lyrics about a minstrel who finds his gift of life through music and kindness of others. With regard to Simeon's Gift, Ms. Andrews has said, 'Many of the books that my daughter Emma and I write together for our 'Julie Andrews Collection' publishing imprint pay tribute to the gifts of nature and the arts - and one in particular, 'Simeon's Gift,' is about music itself... so we were thrilled when we were invited to consider adapting the piece for the stage…. Truly, 'Simeon's Gift' has had a life all its own… and continues to bestow its 'gifts' on us.' Live On-Site Broadcast On May 10, 2008, Robert Spano and the Orchestra opened Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre with a Grand Opening and Inaugural Concert that introduced the public to America's newest outdoor venue. With this concert, the Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15'x20' screens, which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a pre-concert show, as well as live intermission interviews with musicians from the Orchestra, and others involved behind-the-scenes to make ASO concerts happen at the new venue. The evening will be hosted by Scott Slade, host of Atlanta's Morning News on News/Talk 750 WSB. Top of the Lawn Pre-concert 'Top of the Lawn' events during this inaugural season will include ASO Insider Ken Meltzer taking his pre-concert conversations to the trees-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Mr. Meltzer's conversations will take place on the Southeast corner of the lawn at 7:00 p.m. - the August 2 'Top of the Lawn' conversation will feature musicians from the Orchestra, and include a Q&A with the audience. Themed Cuisine Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer English cuisine in celebration of Julie Andrew's appearance for this concert. Concertgoers may pre-order a picnic basket (which serves two people) of a curry chicken, traditional English turnovers, and crisp apple strudel in advance of the concert, and enjoy 'favorite things' from the concessions, such as sugar cookies and cake, the night of the concert. Those with box seating and/or admission to the VIP Cadillac Club may choose to enjoy schnitzel and noodles for this performance. To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the General Info/Food and Beverage section online at vzwamp.com. Future ASO Concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Remaining ASO concerts at the new venue include a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with Garrick Ohlsson and Mr. Spano on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 8:00 p.m., and a musical evening featuring Turner Classic movies, hosted by Robert Osborne and led by Richard Kauffman on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, August 14, 2008, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor and League of American Orchestras Conducting Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Orchestra in a FREE ASO Connects performance at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park as part of the Starbucks Free Parks Concerts summer series. For more information, visit atlantasymphony.org.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival will present a Guitar Hero benefit tournament featuring Broadway celebrities on Monday, July 14th, from 7pm to 10pm at Stitch Bar and Lounge.

Broadway actors Terri Klausner, Theresa McCarthy, Bobby Steggert and Henry Stram join award-winning author/composer Polly Pen on the stage of Vermont's Weston Playhouse in 'Polly's Night Out,' a special event described by Pen as 'a gathering of songs and opinions that are silly, sinister and wildly out of context' on Monday, July 14 at 8pm.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival will present a Guitar Hero benefit tournament featuring Broadway celebrities on Monday, July 14th, from 7pm to 10pm at Stitch Bar and Lounge.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party are proud to announce celebrated and honored songwriting and performing team of Marcy Heisler (bookwriter/lyricist) and Zina Goldrich (composer), in The Marcy & Zina Show, Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

IN THE HEIGHTS' Tony Award-winning choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, will be guest choreographer on Fox TV's #1 hit reality show 'So You Think You Can Dance' Wednesday, July 2.

With [title of show] completing the journey from Off-Broadway to Broadway this week, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is proud to announce that it has acquired the stock and amateur rights to this hit musical written by Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics), and Hunter Bell (book). In addition to licensing the musical through R&H Theatricals, the Organization will represent Bowen's score through its music publishing division, Williamson Music.

IN THE HEIGHTS' Tony Award-winning choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, will be guest choreographer on Fox TV's #1 hit reality show 'So You Think You Can Dance' Wednesday, July 2.

Broadway actors Terri Klausner, Theresa McCarthy, Bobby Steggert and Henry Stram join award-winning author/composer Polly Pen on the stage of Vermont's Weston Playhouse in 'Polly's Night Out,' a special event described by Pen as 'a gathering of songs and opinions that are silly, sinister and wildly out of context' on Monday, July 14 at 8pm.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents some of its top up-and-coming talent in NEW FACE SHOWCASE, an evening of comedy and song on Wednesday, June 25th at 7pm at The Duplex.

Roundabout Theatre Company has cast Tony and Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominated Stockard Channing (Vera Simpson), Tony Award winner Christian Hoff and Tony & Emmy nominated Martha Plimpton starring in a new Broadway production of PAL JOEY, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents some of its top up-and-coming talent in NEW FACE SHOWCASE, an evening of comedy and song on Wednesday, June 25th at 7pm at The Duplex.

Ethan Paulini will star in Counter Productions' 'tick, tick...BOOM!' and 'The Full Monty.'

In The Heights won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations. Musical Director Alex Lacamoire and Arranger, Bill Sherman sat down to celebrate with BroadwayWorld.com's Eddie Varley.

Tuesday, June 17, at 3pm (EST) Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo will be the special live in-studio guests on MTV's Mi TRL on MTV TR3s.

In The Heights won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Original Musical! The show creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda sat down to celebrate his win with BroadwayWorld.com's Eddie Varley and special Tony Night 2008 correspondent Laura Bell Bundy, star of the hit musical, Legally Blonde.

In The Heights has won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Original Musical.