Ricky Ian Gordon News

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host.' John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, the couple The New York Times called 'a musical match made in heaven,' will perform with the orchestra in a program featuring festive holiday tunes such as 'We Need a Little Christmas', 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Go Tell It On the Mountain', 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm' and 'Little Bolero Boy'. Essential Voices USA, conducted by Judith Cluman, will also join The New York Pops in the festive concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

The 'warm-toned and wonderfully unified' (The New York Times) Brooklyn Youth Chorus-under the direction of founder Dianne Berkun-infuses this holiday season's music calendar with fresh perspective, offering a special free holiday performance with Metropolitan Opera soprano Harolyn Blackwell on Thursday, December 15 at 7:30pm at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

The New York Pops orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke, celebrates the holidays with swinging seasonal favorites on December 16 and 17, 2011 at 8:00pm.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

With four Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, the Juilliard-trained Audra McDonald returns to performing live full-time this month following four seasons playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's hit television series Private Practice. Currently starring alongside Norm Lewis in A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS, the Broadway-bound singer will make a stop at Carnegie Hall as a part of her 20-city concert tour across North America. McDonald will present her trademark mix of show tunes, classic songs from movies, and pieces written expressly for her by leading contemporary composers.

American Lyric Theater presents the opening event in the FRESHLY BREWED series at OPERA America for the 2011-12 season.

BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS begins its TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Composer Lisa Bielawa's Breakfast in New York will have its world premiere tonight at 8pm at Galapagos Art Space (16 Main Street, Brooklyn).

In a special limited engagement, Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical A Second Chance, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen. Directed by Jonathan Butterell (Signature's Giant), A Second Chance fuses jazz and musical theater stylings, with musical direction by Zak Sandler.

BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS announces its TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

FARAH ALVIN & DANIEL MATÉ'S BEECHMAN BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT will take place Tuesday September 27th, 9:30 at Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 W. 42nd Street). Admission by donation ($10 suggested donation) + $15 food/drink minimum. All door proceeds will go to September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows (www.peacefultomorrows.org). Reservations recommended: call 212.695.6909.

With four Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, the Juilliard-trained Audra McDonald returns to performing live full-time this month following four seasons playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's hit television series Private Practice. Currently starring alongside Norm Lewis in A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS, the Broadway-bound singer will make a stop at Carnegie Hall as a part of her 20-city concert tour across North America. McDonald will present her trademark mix of show tunes, classic songs from movies, and pieces written expressly for her by leading contemporary composers.

American Lyric Theater (ALT), home to the nationally acclaimed Composer Librettist Development Program, has announced the 2011-2012 public performance season, featuring workshop performances of seven new operas by Resident Artists; as well as lectures and master classes with some of the country's leading operatic writers. While the majority of ALT's programs are dedicated to mentorship of gifted emerging composers and librettists, six public events will take place over the course of the season to introduce these writers, their work, and other exciting trends in American opera to New York City audiences.

John Hoomes, Nashville Opera's artistic director, will helm the 2011-12 season opening production of Verdi's La Traviata, featuring the Nashville Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Christopher Larkin. Sung in Italian, the production will feature projected English translations.

Just before GLEE returns to airwaves this September 21, Darren Criss can be seen at the Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles. The actor, who's set to take over for Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING for three weeks this January, will perform at the September 10th closing party.