Whitney Houston News

COLLISION OF ROCK AND CLASSIC starring Mujahid, Shameega, Saajidah and Mor TUESDAYS to SATURDAYS from 19th APRIL to 14th MAY 2011

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, April 17, 2011 - Sunday, April 17, 2011.

Don't Tell Mama was host last Sunday to the premiere of Mixtape Confessions: Diary of a Teenage Optimist. A new autobiographical show starring Nicole Johndrow, Mixtape Confessions features surprising new arrangements of classic pop hits from 1988 to 1991, structured around Johndrow's audiotape diary from her junior high school days. At the piano was musical director and arranger Warren Freeman, who dueted with Johndrow on several showstoppers, including songs made famous by Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan, Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Also on hand were Anna Ty Bergman and Dani Marcus for some tight girl-group harmonies and the emotionally charged finale, Wilson Phillips' 'Hold On.' Throughout the fast-paced show, Johndrow shares candid moments as the recorded voice of 13-year-old Nicole from the tape diary recounts the joys and embarrassments of the Eighth Grade: the first kiss, the first crush and the first heartbreak.

Today we are talking to the composer of the new Broadway musical WONDERLAND, who is the only American composer to have had three of his shows running concurrently on Broadway - JEKYLL & HYDE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and THE CIVIL WAR - and has since solidified himself as one of the most successful international musical theatre composers of the 21st century, with his globe-spanning productions of everything from THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in Switzerland to CYRANO in Tokyo to TEARS OF HEAVEN in Korea to the forthcoming Broadway production of BONNIE & CLYDE - the warm and gracious Frank Wildhorn. Over the span of our considerable discussion last week we touched on everything from his pop music roots writing hits for Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers, to his tenure at Atlantic Records and his series of recordings, shows and concerts with muse Linda Eder, as well as a thorough discussion of his compositional process, what inspires him in a story, his own favorite musicals, what the future holds - EXCALIBUR with Jim Steinman, perhaps? The world premiere of the long-awaited HAVANA? JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MOVIE MUSICAL? - and much, much more!

COLLISION OF ROCK AND CLASSIC starring Mujahid, Shameega, Saajidah and Mor TUESDAYS to SATURDAYS from 19th APRIL to 14th MAY 2011

On May 2 at 8:00 PM, The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), led by Marvin Leffler (President) and Lawrence Zucker (Executive Director), will celebrate its 90th Anniversary with 'Town Hall at 90,' a benefit concert paying tribute to the rich cultural history of the institution from 1921 to the present day. The concert will star Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway, Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk, Theatre world and Emmy Award winner Tovah Feldshuh, legendary Jazz guitarist and banjoist Bucky Pizzarelli and Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner. Dancers/choreographers Jeffry Denman ('White Christmas,' 'Yank!') and Noah Racey ('Curtains') will dance together. The performance list is still in formation as of this writing and more will be announced. Scott Siegel, creator/writer and host of The Town Hall's acclaimed Broadway By The Year series, has written and will host the evening. All proceeds will benefit The Town Hall's Educational Outreach program.

Grammy nominated recording artist and Broadway performer, Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Diva at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed (the great news) that lead actress, T.V. Carpio, who plays the role of Arachne has returned to the production and to the show's rehearsals for the in-the-works revamping. Audience members last night told us that both Carpio and the show received a rousing ovation.

Grammy nominated recording artist and Broadway performer, Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Diva at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

Grammy nominated recording artist and Broadway performer, Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Diva at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

Grammy nominated recording artist and Broadway performer, Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Diva at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

Now, BroadwayWorld.com has learned that lead actress, T.V. Carpio, who plays the role of Arachne has been sidelined from the production with what we're told is 'whiplash' and is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks under doctor's orders. We've now been told that the injury occured on stage during one of the show's many battle scenes.

Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and record producer Raphael Saadiq has announced the release of his fifth solo album, Stone Rollin', on March 22, 2011 on Columbia Records.

Grammy nominated and Broadway phenom Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Divas at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen. With Industry-Bar dominating every happy hour crowd of the week in the heart of the Theatre District, it only seemed fitting that the neighborhood destination finally brings the cabaret-style spotlight back center stage

Grammy nominated and Broadway phenom Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Divas at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen. With Industry-Bar dominating every happy hour crowd of the week in the heart of the Theatre District, it only seemed fitting that the neighborhood destination finally brings the cabaret-style spotlight back center stage

In tonight's episode of American Idol, the top 12 got to take a stab at one of the most popular themes in the history of the show- song's from the year they were born. And this episode marked the very first live performance episode (no fake outs this time).

Grammy nominated and Broadway phenom Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Divas at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

The 'Iolani School Performing Arts Department and the 'Iolani Dramatic Players continue their yearly tradition of presenting a musical production complete with a live orchestra. This year, the timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. CINDERELLA runs March 3-5 at the Hawaii Theatre Center.

Grammy nominated and Broadway phenom Marty Thomas (Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) prepares to redefine the nightclub scene with his new act Marty Thomas Presents: Divas at the hottest spot in Hell's Kitchen.

According to What'sonstage.com, producer David Ian has acquired the rights to a musical adaptation of the 1992 film, 'THe Bodyguard.' ian, who recaently produced West End's FLASHDANCE, is aiming for a West End run in 2012. The musical will most likely featurethe iconic 'I Will Aways Love You' along with other songs from Whitney Houston's repitoire.