Zorba! is Joseph Stein, John Kander and Fred Ebb's galvanic re-imagining of Nikos Kazantzakis's best-selling tale of Zorba (John Turturro), a larger than life Greek jack-of-all-trades who "lives every day as if it will be his last" and his friendship with Nikos (Santino Fontana), a young American student. Life becomes complicated when the men become involved with two women: Zorba with the aging innkeeper Madame Hortense (Zoe Wanamaker) and Nikos with a beautiful widow (Elizabeth A. Davis). Commenting on the story is a Greek chorus-like group, led by The Leader (Marin Mazzie), who begins the play by explaining exactly what "Life Is."
There's something oddly life-affirming about the character of Zobra. He's a cheerleader for living life to its fullest. ZORBA the musical (lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, and book by Joseph Stein) impresses an audience with the realization that time never stands still, and therefore, life goes on despite the nasty curves it may lob our way. New Line Theatre's production is a real revelation, because even though this show received its fair share of award nominations, it's really not revived that often. Perhaps it's the darker elements that pervade the show that turn some people off, but then life isn't always sunshine and roses, so I like that they are present. This kind of presentation is something that New Line does better than anyone else, and that's to revive a neglected or forgotten show for a new audience to appreciate, and their track record is impeccable in this regard. This show is a genuine must see, and taking it in I've come to realize that we all need our own personal 'Zorba' to prod us into taking risks and fully investing ourselves in whatever we do, even if things might go awry on occasion.
It's 1924, on the Greek island of Crete, and you're about to go on a wild, whirlwind tour of the lusty passions of the human heart.
The OSM Classical Spree Festival, the summertime rendezvous for music-lovers and discovery enthusiasts will run from August 10 to 13, 2017. The OSM unveils today a preview of the concerts presented at Maison symphonique, bringing together top names in classical music and make it possible for a broad audience to plunge into the musical world of the greatest composers.
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the complete cast for the New2NY presentation of the new musical Mark Felt, Superstar with book, music and lyrics by Joshua Rosenblum (Bush Is Bad, Fermat's Last Tango).
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the complete cast for the New2NY presentation of the new musical Mark Felt, Superstar with book, music and lyrics by Joshua Rosenblum (Bush Is Bad, Fermat's Last Tango).
As America celebrates its 240th Birthday today, let's talk about what is probably one of the greatest musicals ever written, and it only came about 46 years before Hamilton. 1776 dramatizes the story of how John Adams was able to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence as well as signing the Declaration of Independence. While the musical does dramatize the most important event in American history, the story behind the musical is probably just as interesting.
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' announces its 26th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, including the world premiere of a new revised version of the wild, 1969 adult jazz-rock musical CELEBRATION, by the creators of The Fantasticks, running Sept. 29-Oct. 22, 2016; followed by Kander & Ebb's rarely produced gem ZORBA, running March 2-25, 2017; then the regional premiere of the pitch-black 2002 jazz-rock musical THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, based on the famous novel and film, running June 1-24, 2017; and the world premiere of the third installment of New Line's own creation, the new revue OUT ON BROADWAY: THE THIRD COMING, running August 3-19, 2017. All New Line's mainstage shows will be in the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district.
On Thursday, June 16 at 7PM, Cherry Lane Theatre will host Soiree Fantastique!, a special benefit evening that will include a performance of the world premiere of Israel Horovitz's Out of the Mouths of Babes, starring Oscar winner and five-time Tony nominee Estelle Parsons and two-time Tony winner Judith Ivey, along with Angelina Fiordellisi (Zorba on Broadway opposite Anthony Quinn) and Francesca Choy-Kee (Disgraced). The performance at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) will be followed by a post-show discussion with the cast moderated by best-selling novelist Adriana Trigiani; a fete with French cuisine, wines, and music and an exclusive photo opportunity with the cast. The tickets range from $150-300 and can be purchased by visiting www.cherrylanetheatre.org or calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES -- a new comedy by Israel Horovitz (MY OLD LADY), with a cast starring Oscar winner and 5-time Tony nominee ESTELLE PARSONS, two-time Tony winner JUDITH IVEY, along with ANGELINA FIORDELLISI (ZORBA on Broadway opposite Anthony Quinn) and FRANCESCA CHOY-KEE (DISGRACED) - begins rehearsals May 12 prior to the start of previews June 7 and opening June 19, in a world-premiere production by Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Greenwich Village. The play is directed by Barnet Kellman. The company just met the press, and BroadwayWorld was on hand - check out photo coverage below!
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES -- a new comedy by Israel Horovitz (MY OLD LADY), with a cast starring Oscar winner and 5-time Tony nominee ESTELLE PARSONS, two-time Tony winner JUDITH IVEY, along with ANGELINA FIORDELLISI (ZORBA on Broadway opposite Anthony Quinn) and FRANCESCA CHOY-KEE (DISGRACED) - begins rehearsals May 12 prior to the start of previews June 7 and opening June 19, in a world-premiere production by Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in Greenwich Village. The play is directed by Barnet Kellman.
The 2016 Clay & Wattles Theater Company opens with the Tony-award winning play 'Act One,' by James Lapine, presented for the first time in Connecticut. The inspirational story is based on the autobiography of the same name by the American theater icon, Moss Hart.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: BC/EFA hosts BROADWAY BACKWARDS, and puppets celebrate across the globe!
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
The day just got a little brighter for the Broadway community this afternoon.
'I believe in grabbing at life.' 'Every minute is a new minute.' Thus states Zorba, the lead character in ZORBA!, a musical that 'captures of the spirit of Greece and celebrates a people who embrace love, life and death with equal passion.'
The Musical Theater Project presents "Perfectly Marvelous: The Songs of John Kander," on Saturday, December 5 (2pm) at Kent State University's E. Turner Stump Theatre and Wednesday, December 9 (7:30pm) at the Beck Center's Mackey Mainstage.
After playing to full houses in Toronto and Montreal, critically-acclaimed Canadian performer Ryan G. Hinds (Hedwig & the Angry Inch; MacArthur Park Suite, A Disco Ballet; Starry Notions) makes his New York City cabaret debut at Don't Tell Mama's with #KanderAndEbb, a uniquely personal musical exploration of the John Kander/Fred Ebb canon.
In his September 27th entry of his blog, The Danieley Digest, titled 'I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!', Broadway veteran Jason Danieley revealed the news that his wife, three-time Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie, has been battling ovarian cancer.
Broadway's new musical Amazing Grace officially opens tonight, July 16, at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). The show stars Tony Award nominee Josh Young, Erin Mackey, Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper, Tom Hewitt, Chris Hoch, Stanley Bahorek, Harriett D. Foy, Laiona Michelle, Rachael Ferrera and Elizabeth Ward Land. Scroll down to learn more about the cast, plus check out interviews with the company!
BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our May 9 #SIP round-up! Check out Part 1 HERE.
It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' roundup!
John Turturro and Zoe Wanamaker are terrific in a concert mounting that incorporates some past revisions and, thankfully, dismisses others.
Today we are talking to a spectacularly accomplished Broadway leading man with a considerable TV and film resume who plays a prominent role in the new Encores! production of John Kander & Fred Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical ZORBA coming up next month, the thoughtful Santino Fontana. Explaining his part in the production as well as the unique demands of a special limited run concert presentation such as ZORBA! is, Fontana also opens up about the rehearsal process for the show and the developing rapport and camaraderie between himself and the starry assortment of fellow cast members involved in the production - including John Turturro, Zoe Wanamaker, Marin Mazzie and more, all directed by Walter Bobbie. Besides the full 411 on ZOBRA, Fontana also sheds considerable light on his many current and upcoming projects, including the recently released FROZEN follow-up short musical film FROZEN FEVER and whether or not he would like to be involved in subsequent FROZEN-related entities. Furthermore, Fontana gives us a first look at his new TV series SHADES OF BLUE, starring Jennifer Lopez, as well as his new feature film comedy SISTERS, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Additionally, Fontana previews his upcoming PBS twofer with the hotly anticipated premiere of his recent Broadway play ACT ONE, as well as a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert co-starring members of SESAME STREET. All of that, SUBMISSIONS ONLY reflections, comments on MOZART IN THE JUNGLE and much, much more!
With the 87th annual Academy Awards just two days away, Hollywood stars seem to be on everyone's mind. Who will win? Who will beat Meryl Streep? Will host Neil Patrick Harris take a star-studded selfie? And most importantly, which Broadway stars will take home a statue? Many stars through the years have earned both a Tony and an Oscar, and as we know from Robert Lopez's win last year, there are some industry professionals with the coveted EGOT- Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. But did you know nine stars in history have won two awards for the same role? That is, they won a Tony for their Broadway portrayal and an Oscar for the film version. Below, take a look back at the actors who have earned this rare honor!
In the musical theatre today, it seems the world goes 'round the shows of composer John Kander & lyricist, the late Fred Ebb. On Broadway, one of their final musicals 'The Visit,' starring Chita Rivera with a book by Terrence McNally, begins previews next Month and opens in April.
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