FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents a first-time ever NYC concert event featuring the songs from Taking My Turn! The score from the Outer Critics Circle Award-winning musical will be celebrated in what's sure to be an extraordinary and memorable evening. The concert will feature Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe's Café, Chicago), Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), George Dvorsky (Scarlet Pimpernel, Passion), Nina Hennessey (Cats, Dreamgirls), Sally Mayes (She Loves Me, Closer Than Ever), Alan Wager (Beauty and the Beast), Andre Ward (Escape To Margaritaville, Rock of Ages), and Karen Ziemba (Bullets Over Broadway, Chicago).
On Monday night, Over Here! The Big Band Musical was back in New York at The Triad Theatre for the first time since its original 1974 Broadway production and the joint was jumpin'. Veteran's Day proved to be the perfect time to revive this beloved celebration of the American spirit and optimism that defined the 1940's. To make it even more worthwhile, a portion of the proceeds from the evening was donated to Vietnam Veterans of America. Over Here! is one of this journalist's favorite musicals, so I was thrilled to have it back on the boards. Under the razor-sharp direction of Will Nunziata, who is quickly becoming a go-to director, this feel-good show sparkled and shined like a freshly polished diamond. It featured a stellar cast of 19, plus an 11-piece swing band, under musical director extraordinaire Blake Allen. Choreographer Andrew Black used every inch of space to give us one eye-popping musical number after another.
Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.
BroadwayWord is saddened to report that Linda Hopkins, who won a Tony Award for her performance in Inner City, passed away on April 10. She was 92 years old.
The York Theatre Company and its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series will present staged readings of three new musicals: A Tale of Two Cities, with book, music and lyrics by Wendy Kesselman, Platinum, with lyrics and music by Will Holt and Gary William Friedman, and book by Stevie Holland with Gary William Friedman, and The Fitzgeralds of Saint Paul, with book, music and lyrics by Christie Baugher, at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).
The life and work of Will Holt, known for his immeasurable contributions to folk music and the musical theatre, will be celebrated by the York Theatre Company.
Producer Bellanca Smigel Rutter (The Bridges of Madison County, Macbeth) will present an additional industry reading of The Me Nobody Knows in New York City on September 16 and 17, 2014 following a two-week dance lab helmed by director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Altar Boyz), choreographer Taye Diggs (Rent, "Private Practice"), and musical director Bryan Perri (Wicked). The presentations mark the next step toward a commercial production after a successful exploratory reading this past May 2014.
Producer Bellanca Smigel Rutter announced today that a working, industry reading of The Me Nobody Knows will take place in New York City on May 14 and 15, 2014 in anticipation of a commercial production. Director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Altar Boyz) will helm the creative team, which will also include musical direction by Bryan Perri (Wicked), and choreography by Taye Diggs (Rent, "Private Practice").
Musicals Tonight! replaces COME SUMMER with LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE Performances March 4-16 at the Lion Theatre on Theatre Row (New York, NY) Musicals Tonight! the Obie-winning company dedicated to the revival of neglected musicals has announced a change in the 2013-14 Season. Will Holt's Come Summer will now be replaced by Rick Besoyan's Little Mary Sunshine with performances, March 4 -16, directed by Thomas Sabella-Mills, with music direction by James Stenborg. With book, music, and lyrics by Rick Besoyan, and billed as 'a musical about an old operetta'- Little Mary Sunshine gently spoofs such old-time favorites like Rose Marie and Naughty Marietta - but has a personality all its own. The plot is a little bit of everything: Colorado Rangers led by stalwart Captain Jim; the lovely Mary Sunshine, her 'naughty' maid Nancy; a chorus of giggling schoolgirls and the ominous but benevolent Indian chief.