Santa Claus News

CABARET, the musical masterpiece, returns direct from Broadway!

Just confirmed today, Broadway is coming to the Blue Ridge! Broadway royalty Terrence Mann (star of Broadway's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LES MISERABLES, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CATS, and next season's TUCK EVERLASTING) and Charlotte d'Amboise (star of Broadway's PIPPIN, CHICAGO, SWEET CHARITY, A CHORUS LINE and CONTACT) are coming to Lynchburg, VA, February 1-2, 2016.

Last month the Cleveland area played host to what was a hoped for new Christmas musical that would go to Broadway and be holiday entertainment. Unfortunately, KRIS KRINGLE, with book by Maria Ciampi and music by Tim Janis, lacked clear structure, emotional-generating glee, and joyous songs. It's lead character was charming, but not endearing.

On Sunday, December 20, at 3:00 PM in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute presented A Charlie Brown Christmas. This was a special holiday family concert that was a collaboration between five New York City arts organizations: The New York Pops, The Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute, New York Theatre Ballet, Essential Voices USA and TADA!Youth Theater. These cultural organizations offer wonderful arts outreach to children in the New York City schools, community organizations, hospitals and senior centers. New York City is blessed to have these dedicated and talented groups.

There are undoubtedly other productions worthy of merit in 2015 which I did not cover. This list is based only on what I saw and reviewed. (alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories) No set, costume, or technical awards. I leave that to the bigger awards and to the expertise of those who really know those fields inside out.

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual one-hour Christmas Day Holiday Drama Special, highlighted by the radio dramatization, To All A Good Night ("The History of Santa Claus"), performed by the Arts in Review (AIR) Repertory Players, and the 12th annual concert presentation of Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, featuring actor Al Alu.

This Christmas, Disney Parks celebrates not only the joy of the holiday season but the unforgettable family moments it has helped guests create over the past sixty years.

On Sunday, December 13, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Broadway star and concert singer Daniel Reichard in his new holiday show, UNDER THE MISTLETOE!. Below, watch a clip of the performer singing Christmas classic, 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town.'

Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!

At the young age of 10, Piper Hawkins wrote her first book, VISIONS OF LIGHT: A CHRISTMAS STORY.

On Tuesday, December 22 exciting singer Laura Dickinson brought her BIG BAND HOLIDAY to the El Portal Mainstage in NoHo. The house was SRO, and Dickinson, needless to say, accompanied by a 17-piece band, knocked it out of the park. When I reviewed her CD release party a year ago at Vitello's I noted, 'She blew the roof off the joint with her dynamic delivery, oozing charm and warmth from every pore. Not only is she beautiful, but oh so terribly engaging as she grabs hold of you and won't let go. She's been called 'masterful'; I'll go a step further and add 'captivating and spellbinding'. She's a singer to be reckoned with!' A year later, she's even more appealing with a talent and drive that will not quit.

On Saturday December 19 at 3 pm and 8 pm and on Sunday December 20 at 3 pm, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) presented its annual Holiday Spectacular at the Alex Theatre, Glendale, this year entitled Brassy, Classy & Sassy! There's always diversity in the shows - it's what I like most - and this year, Acts One and Two of Brassy, Classy & Sassy!were as different as night and day. The chorus is under the executive direction of Chris Verdugo and artistic direction of conductor Dr. Joseph P, Nadeau. Chris wore a silly blue Christmas suit covered with snowflakes ,which almost blinded me and Nadeau a sweater, well, we'll talk about that one later on...

After releasing the highly anticipated SBCR & Adversaries Vol. 2 and embarking on a North American Tour this past fall, electro lord Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo aka The Bloody Beetroots unveils a massive free track just in time for the holidays.

San Francisco continues a – hopefully – new tradition this week with “A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live!” This delightful program had its West Coast premiere last season, with first-half vocals from Lisa Vroman and the Symphony Chorus. This week, the concert features “Little Mermaid” voice Jodi Benson, a perfect choice for the production's youthful target audience.

Playwright Josh Carson just wanted to settle a long-standing debate.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band performed 'The Ties That Bind,' 'Meet Me In The City,' and 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,' featuring a surprise appearance by Sir Paul McCartney.

Yesterday, December 20, in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute presented A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS in a special holiday Family Concert with  The New York Pops and Music Director Steven Reineke. This staged concert version of the iconic television special brought the whole Peanuts gang to life through original choreography by director/choreographer Liza Gennaro, as performed by dancers from New York Theatre Ballet. Returning to The New York Pops Family Concert this season, Broadway actor John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic) narrated the classic Christmas tale, with additional characters voiced by students from TADA! Youth Theater. Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA will join The New York Pops to perform Vince Guaraldi's memorable score.

The New York Pops and Carnegie Hall presented A Charlie Brown Christmas in their annual Family Concert on December 20th and BroadwayWorld was there for the morning rehearsal- check out photos below!

Just when you thought it was safe to fill the stockings by the chimney with care, Music City Theatre Company presents The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, a Christmas-themed theatrical diversion by playwright Jeff Goode, in which the eight reindeer - yep, those eight reindeer - dish about the real Santa Claus and all the accompanying scandals and hoopla that will have you talking about the big guy and his entourage until long past December 25.

Timothy Haskell and Psycho Clan are finding news ways to delight New Yorkers during the holidays. They have successfully scared the pants off many with the critically acclaimed Nightmare Haunted House. They have brought New Yorkers gleeful, springtime joy with Full Bunny Contact. Now, they're ready to give New Yorker's copious amounts of mirth and frivolity with Stantastical: A Very, Merry Twistmas. To get the inside scoop, I chatted with Timothy Haskell about the new project.