Today, perhaps the greatest gift a Broadway baby could receive was benevolently bestowed upon me in the form of an indepth and revealing discussion with the foremost composer and lyricist of his generation, one of the greatest writers in American history in any medium - the unmatched musical and lyrical genius himself, Stephen Sondheim. In this portion of our complete discussion we discuss his new book, FINISHING THE HAT, as well as take a look back at his legendary career both in Hollywood and on Broadway. Merman to Madonna, Brecht to Barbra Streisand, COMPANY to GROUNDHOG DAY (or not) - we cover it all. See here just a glimpse of the reason why the name Stephen Sondheim means more to musical theatre than any other name in the last fifty years. Plus, his promise to - in his own immortal words from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - 'give us more to see' in the very near future. That moment cannot come soon enough, as any fan of theatre - or art in America, for that matter - can assuredly attest.
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, will honor the Emmy Award-winning hit ABC show, 'Modern Family,' at tomorrow night's Respect Awards - Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Emmy winner Rob Reiner will present the show with the Inspiration Award, and America's favorite mom, Florence Henderson, currently appearing on 'Dancing with the Stars,' will be welcoming everyone to the gala. Also being honored are Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and the GLSEN Educator of the Year, presented by Sodexo.
Today we begin a new comprehensive academic music discussion series on BroadwayWorld in which I speak to the most cutting-edge artists in the recording industry, on Broadway and in Hollywood about their influences and experiences in the industry with an emphatic emphasis on the songwriting process itself and what drives and inspires it. While these discussions may be on occasion only tangentially theatre-related, the insights provided by the various participants is a demonstrative way in which to illuminate perhaps the most mysterious of all the arts: music. Peering into the psyche of the composer and lyricist, we may begin to understand what the craft of composition and lyric-writing is all about and why musical theatre tends to attract the most talented and innovative songwriters, both in the twentieth-century and today (as this column proves).
Bringing together the subject of this week's InDepth InterView, Liza Minnelli, and this week's Sound Off, Stephen Sondheim, is today's Flashback Friday taking a look at some fantastically spectacular performances of Ms. Minnelli singing and words and music of Stephen Sondheim throughout the years. A song from FOLLIES given a Pet Shop Boys face-lift, a trip down MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG lane, a jazzy Mel Torme gem from DICK TRACY and a lot more than you could have ever wished for given the blazing talent and astonishing accomplishments of both legends. When Sondheim's intellectual artistry meets Liza's extroverted actorly introspection it is a combustible combination with the results more mind-blowing than you would ever even think possible even loving both! Indeed, both individuals are the very, very best of Broadway. So, see why when they meet it is pure Broadway magic.
On Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers will host the Annual Golden Score Awards, hosted by actor/producer Rob Reiner, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.
FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its star-studded Spring 2010 season with the debut of critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress NELLIE McKAY from June 1 - 12.
FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its star-studded Spring 2010 season with the debut of critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress NELLIE McKAY from June 1 - 12.
Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.
Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.
Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.
Against all odds, Los Angeles' El Portal Theatre celebrates 10 years of live theatre, following the rebuild of the historic movie venue, severely damaged by the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. To mark the anniversary, producers Jay Irwin and Pegge Forrest have programmed a line up of audience favorites and special events specifically catering to the historic theatre's loyal audience, including the return of the one and only Debbie Reynolds, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, Rip Taylor, Fritz Coleman, Adam Corolla, and brand new large-scale holiday musical extravaganza produced by the Lythgoe Family (So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars), plus a breath taking Parisian follies/cirque special for the summer.
FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its star-studded Spring 2010 season with the debut of critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and actress NELLIE McKAY from June 1 - 12.
Today, we are continuing where we left off last week in our complete overview of Stephen Sondheim's career in honor of his 80th birthday, as well as the opening of his new musical SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, by taking a listen to all the Sondheim-related soundtracks available on CD and MP3...
Kevin Bacon will join Steve Carell in an untitled Dan Fogelman-Steve Carell project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. John Requa and Glenn Ficarra will direct the movie for Warner Bros. Filming will begin in late April.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, On Monday, April 12, The Actor's Fund will host their annul gala at the Marriott Marquis. The gala will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.
The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.
The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.
Ben Affleck presented his longtime friend and co-star, Matt Damon, with the 24th American Cinematheque Award at the Cinematheque's annual benefit gala on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel's International Ballroom in Beverly Hills. The award presentation concluded an evening of in-person tributes from Damon's colleagues Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Clint Eastwood; Jimmy Kimmel, Greg Kinnear, Charlize Theron and Robin Williams. In addition, George Clooney and Ben Stiller paid tribute by partaking in individual pre-taped comedy sketches while President William Jefferson Clinton appeared in and narrates a piece surrounding Damon's humanitarian efforts that was be played during the show.
Ben Affleck will present his longtime friend and co-star, Matt Damon, with the 24th American Cinematheque Award at the Cinematheque's annual benefit gala on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel's International Ballroom in Beverly Hills. The award presentation concludes an evening of in-person tributes from Damon's colleagues, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Kimmel, Greg Kinnear, Charlize Theron and Robin Williams. In addition, George Clooney and Ben Stiller will pay tribute by partaking in individual pre-taped comedy sketches, while President William Jefferson Clinton appears in and narrates a piece surrounding Damon's humanitarian efforts that will be played during the show. Added guests will be announced as they are confirmed.
