Oh, I Say! 1913 - Articles Page 3

WICKED comes to town this week! And even though it’s running for nearly two weeks, don’t expect to get seats for much longer, because this show is (yes, I’m going to say it, so go ahead and sing it yourself) POPular. WICKED is in fact, pushing up against THE LION KING as the highest grossing musical of all time. This stands to reason, as it is based on what is arguably the most influential film of all time, The Wizard of Oz. WICKED actually has its roots in lesser known novels also called Wicked, by author Gregory McGuire. And now, after fourteen years of various delays, the film version will finally be released later this year.

Christine Andreas brought us to the City of Light, the Champs Elysees, a Parisian Cafe’ and the streets of Pigalle and Manhattan last night with her show Paris to Broadway at 54 Below.

Will Berger is a renaissance man on a mission.  When he's not lecturing on classical music and opera, or writing the commentaries for the Metropolitan Opera Radio on Sirius, or co-hosting the live Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts, or producing (and writing) the broadcasts' Met Opera Quiz, or writing books (Wagner Without Fear (1998), Verdi With a Vengeance (2000), Puccini Without Excuses (2005), all published by Random House) he's writing the libretto for a new Jazz Metal Opera!  

Since her film debut in Carrie, Betty Buckley has carved out a lengthy history with horror movies. BroadwayWorld caught up with Buckley to discuss working with Jason Blum on her new film, Imaginary, how she got her start in horror films with Carrie, and how she created her new short film, The Mayfly.

The band is sharing their third single, “CAR”. The new track sees the band embracing elements of hardcore and screamo, leaning into the heavier side of their work. Replete with the signature Carpool riffs, Stoph Colasanto's screams ring out through the bulk of the ripping new track before its major, dizzying climax.

When a friend called me and invited me to join her for a middle school production of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS:THE MUSICAL last week, I think it fair to say it wasn’t high on this reviewer’s list of things to do on a free Saturday night.

Chase Wolfe was born in Texas and raised in South Carolina. He performed often as a child, but heeded his parents’ wishes and double-majored in Chinese and Chemistry. After two years working in the home fragrance industry, he took a giant leap of faith to make the arts his career. He is currently playing Edward Lewis, the role made famous by Richard Gere, in PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, which lands in Montreal’s Salle Wilfred Pelletier on March 5 and runs through March 10.

UN BALLO IN MASCHERA—A MASKED BALL—certainly makes for a juicy opera, on paper at least. It has a plot filled with passion, jealousy and conspiracies, and a score by Giuseppe Verdi that has some of his most memorable music, including a great duet, plus unforgettable arias for soprano, tenor and baritone, and some first-rate music for secondary characters (Ulrica the fortune teller and Oscar the pants-role page) and chorus. The production at Barcelona’s gorgeous Grand Liceu Theatre didn’t stint on the resources for the cast and Verdi sounded as good as he should under conductor Riccardo Frizza with the company’s orchestra and chorus in fine form.

Acclaimed singer Ben Jones is back at 54 Below on March 10th with a show celebrating Frank Sinatra, including classic American Songbook hits by Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. We spoke about the inspiration behind this new show, Jones's comedic bents, and what audiences can expect from the show.

On the heels of their long-awaited, debut U.S. tour, UK-based alt-pop three-piece Autoheart have announced the Punch Demos - an 18 song collection of alternate takes from their acclaimed debut Punch, along with songs written around the same time, some of which have never been released before, including the new single, “Secret Diary.”

Produced by Grammy-winning Glenn Brown (Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass), the ascending Montana quartet continues to redefine the boundaries of bluegrass, folk, and rock. Inspired by Dante's epic voyage through the Nine Circles of Hell, the album guides the listener through a similar exploration.

Opening March 5 at the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City is the 25th Anniversary tour of “Mamma Mia.” This touring production is presented by Broadway Across America, Kansas City based largest presenter of Broadway tours across the nation.

The consistently busy musical director Michael Orland books gigs on both coasts juggling the multitude of vocalists all vying to have his piano expertise to accompany them. One of his next shows in Los Angeles will be his Open Mic Event at the Write-Off Room March 22, 2024. Michael managed to answer a few of my queries during his drive to Palm Springs.  

The Latitude Festival will return to the beautiful Henham Park in Suffolk from July 25th to 28th, 2024. Learn more about the festival and see how to purchase tickets.

Discover the upcoming BREAK MINE EP by Grammy Award-winning duo, Brothers Osborne. The EP features two new songs, 'Break Mine' and 'Get To Movin' Again'. Also, their 35-date Might As Well Be Us Tour kicks off in March with Stephen Wilson Jr., The Cadillac Three, Zach Top, Jackson Dean, Madeline Edwards, and Caylee Hammack.

Acclaimed American rock band Blackberry Smoke’s new album, Be Right Here, debuts at #1 this week on the Current Country Albums chart, Americana/Folk Albums chart and Current Rock Albums chart as well as #4 on the Best-Selling Current Albums chart. Plus, check out upcoming tour dates!

What did our critic think of MAMMA MIA! at Clowes Memorial Hall?

ELOINA's High Steaks is coming to New Diorama Theatre in March. Performances will run 12 - 23 March 2024.

Much was made of the fact that it’s been almost 20 years since Verdi’s LA FORZA DEL DESTINO was last seen at the Met. For its heralded return, they picked a choice cast (starting with Lise Davidsen), a fine conductor (Music Director Yannick Nezet Seguin) and a director (Mariusz Trelinski) who’s, well,… Two out of three ain’t bad, considering the cast. So we might as well start there.

And going after what I want and what I want to do, isn’t silly or ridiculous in the slightest. I also am allowed to change my mind at any point in time and that doesn’t make me any less of an artist. It does not mean I failed.

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 26, 2024.

Standing at the Sky’s Edge has arrived at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on the West End after runs at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and the National Thetare. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Baker Mukasa (George) and Elizabeth Ayodele (Joy) about their roles within the show.

The hills were alive with the sound of rusic last week as RuPaul's Drag Race contestants participated in the most anticipated challenge for all Broadway-lovers, the Rusical. How do you solve a problem like casting a Rusical? Well it isn't so much a problem with a true theatre queen like Plasma to lead the company.

The story of the ascendance of young Aladdin from “street rat” to sultan in Agrabah, this morality tale about the importance of pure-heartedness, self-determination and using your power to help others is a straightforward, fun show that expands slightly on the original film’s memorable musical numbers.

Australian surf/skate rockers Hockey Dad release the second single this year, 'Base Camp' – which premiered on tastemaker Australian radio triple j yesterday – along with a video that continues the saga of a lowkey art heist. The band are also in the middle of a US headline tour, bringing their sunny surf rock from coast to coast.