Yip Harburg News

When James Rado, Gerome Ragney and Galt MacDermot''s musical Hair debuted in 1967 and transferred to Broadway a year later, they made history.

BJ RYAN'S MAGNOLIA ROOM a?" Fairfield County's newest intimate cabaret venue a?" will present, direct from a successful NYC run, JOSEPHINE SANGES (2019 MAC Award winner, 2018 La Mott Friedman Award winner, and recipient of the 2017 Mabel Mercer Foundation's Margaret Whiting Award) in her critically acclaimed Harold Arlen tribute show, COME RAIN OR COME SHINE for one night only Friday, January 31 at 8:00 pm. John Cook will serve as Music Director with Jeff Harnar as Director.

'The Maria Callas of American musical theater,' as Opera News has called her, referencing both her crystalline voice and dramatic, expressive intensity, Melissa Errico is an actress, singer and author. First known for her starring roles on Broadway, her latest album, Sondheim Sublime, was called by The Wall Street Journal 'The best all-Sondheim album ever recorded.' Nothing in her work has been more constant than her association with Michel Legrand. Having starred in his sole Broadway show, 'Amour', she went on to collaborate with him on the iconic album 'Legrand Affair'. After his death in 2019, she was asked to write his eulogy by The New York Times - where she is a frequent contributor- and was then invited to become the sole American performer to participate in the extraordinary two-day memorial to Legrand held in April at Paris' Le Grand Rex Theatre, work that led one critic to announce that, 'Errico is, and will continue to be, the premier interpreter of the musical legacy of Michel Legrand.' This fall 2019, Ghostlight Records reissues her symphonic album, which Legrand arranged & conducted, as 'Legrand Affair Deluxe Edition.'

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, has been extended through June 20, 2020 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended seven times.

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater and Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, has been extended through June 20, 2020 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended seven times.

Lyrics & Lyricists opens its new season with a salute to Yip Harburg, who appeared on the 92nd Street Y stage for L&L's first show in December 1970. Harburg was a master lyricist, poet, and book writer who worked with more than 40 composers in writing over 600 songs, including such classics as 'April in Paris,' 'Old Devil Moon,' 'Lydia, the Tattooed Lady,' 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,' 'Paper Moon,' and, of course, 'Over the Rainbow.' Mikaela Bennett, Clifton Duncan, Desi Oakley, Megan Sikora and Nick Spangler bring Harburg's story to life-from his Lower East Side childhood to being blacklisted by HUAC. Matt Kunkel's direction, with musical direction by Paul Masse and a script by Jon Marans, weaves together Harburg's comedic and political sides.

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced that an innovative new work celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and a cabaret-style favorite that returns by popular demand comprise the 2020 Explorations series. The series leads audiences on a delightful journey of musical discovery through eclectic works performed in Lyric Opera's Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building in the Crossroads District.

92Y announces Lyrics & Lyricists 2020, the new season of the country's preeminent American Songbook series. L&L features artists from theater and beyonda?"including Andy Einhorn, Matt Kunkel, David Loud, Paul Masse, and Stephen Schwartza?"presenting original revues with award-winning Broadway and cabaret performers.

Tony and Drama Desk nominees Kate Baldwin (Hello Dolly, Big Fish, Giant, Finnian's Rainbow) and Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens, Dirty Blonde, Saturn Returns, Hello Again) team up on November 20 for a special recital in the Fabbri Chamber Concerts series, in the magnificent library of the historic Fabbri Mansion (now the House of the Redeemer) on the Upper East Side (7 East 95th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues).

Mirage Theatre Company has commissioned New Dramatists playwright Melisa Tien to create 'Broken Dolls,' an original theater work about the trafficking of women. As part of its New Blood readings series, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present a staged reading of the play, adapted and directed by June Prager, Mirage Theatre Company's Artistic Director, on October 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

To stage the beloved cultural icon that is THE WIZARD OF OZ offers any theatre company a herculean challenge: one which requires stretching the imagination to the limits to create a universe where reality is redefined and fantasy is fulfilled. In short, it demands stunning stagecraft and brilliant artistic vision. And it is just that kind of theatrical magic which Maine State Music Theatre's new production co- directed by Marc Robin and Curt Dale Clark boldly and beautifully realizes.

This Christmas prepare to relive all the angelic joy of 'Heaven Sent' as it comes back to New York stages. Written by Bambi Everson ('Neither Here Nor There', and others), this charming play follows the trials and tribulations of an innocent young angel-in-training assigned the task of improving the life of a surly malcontent. Raucous and irreverent, whilst at its center

Harlem Repertory Theatre's The Wizard f Oz, a 'Jazz Musical for All Ages' is FREE for patrons attending the noon show on Monday, July 8.

This Christmas prepare to relive all the angelic joy of 'Heaven Sent' as it comes back to New York stages. Written by Bambi Everson ('Neither Here Nor There', and others), this charming play follows the trials and tribulations of an innocent young angel-in-training assigned the task of improving the life of a surly malcontent. Raucous and irreverent, whilst at its center sweet and even uplifting, the show was first performed at the Broadway Comedy Club under the original title 'OMG!'. As it transitions to The Producer's Club it will take on its new title, just in time for an early December run.

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, has been extended through January 11, 2020 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended seven times.

To celebrate the official kick-off of Summer, Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, EXECUTIVE Artistic Director) will host the 24th Annual LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, a FREE Summer Arts Festivals HOSTED BY Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.). The festival will take place over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 - 26, 2019 from 6pm - MIDNIGHT and will feature theater, music, art, dance, video, film, aerial arts, poetry, magic and comedy with over 270 performances, OVER 70 GROUPS, over the course of the weekend.  For the full list of performers and schedule please, visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net or call 212-254-1109.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. After Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Highlights this week include Laura Osnes, 54 Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Broadway Sings Unplugged: Beyonce.

Jyoti Singh was a welcome addition to La Boheme's Fringe programme.

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.

Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT) will present a one-night staged reading of Bambi Everson's new play, Sincerely Held Beliefs. The reading is part of EAT's biannual New Work Series and will take place on March 10 at 7 pm at TADA Theater in the Flatiron District. The reading will be followed by a brief talkback.