'Vegas' Turn', LuPone Plays Orleans Casino & Hotel 6/20-21
by Eddie Varley - Jan 27, 2009
Now that her already legendary run in Gypsy is over, Patti LuPone is set for a number of concert dates throughout the year, in addition to the previously announced dates with Mandy Patinkin for 'An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin' she will make a concert stop in Las Vegas at the Orleans Casino & Hotel on June 20th and 21st. She can also be seen (and heard) at the Cincinnati May Festival in Kurt Weil's 'The Seven Deadly Sins', Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. James Conlon will be the Musical Director for the series of concerts. For her complete schedule visit her official website at, www.pattilupone.net. Patti LuPone swept the 2008 theatre awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance for her performance as Rose in the critically-acclaimed new Broadway production of the classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical Gypsy, directed by the show's author, Mr. Laurents, currently at the St. James Theatre.
THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE Begins 3/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 26, 2009
On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees.
Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.'
Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.
Patti LuPone to Appear on NBC's 30 Rock
by Robert Diamond - Jan 21, 2009
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Patti LuPone has been cast on 30 Rock to play the mother 'of Judah Friedlander's... well, um, unique Frank'. There's no word on how many episodes LuPone will appear on of the hit show.
Pittsburgh CLO Announces Cast And Creative Team For MY WAY
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 12, 2009
Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the premiere of My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, which runs February 12 through May 10 at the CLO Cabaret. Relive the magic of an American legend with 56 of his greatest songs, including 'Fly Me to the Moon,' 'Young at Heart,' 'All the Way,' and, of course, 'My Way.' Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, or by calling 412-456-6666.
Casting Complete for BAM's THE BRIDGE PROJECT, Performances Begin 1/2
by Eddie Varley - Dec 22, 2008
Sam Mendes directs a transatlantic company of actors in a double-bill of classic works for The Bridge Project's inaugural 2009 season, which pairs a new version of The Cherry Orchard by Tom Stoppard with The Winter's Tale. A formidable transatlantic company and creative team will mount these two new productions for seven internationally renowned theaters. Simon Russell Beale leads the British/American cast, playing Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard and Leontes in The Winter's Tale. He is joined by Sin?ad Cusack as Madame Ranevskaya and Paulina, Richard Easton as Firs and Old Shepherd, Rebecca Hall as Varya and Hermione, Josh Hamilton as Yasha and Polixenes, Ethan Hawke as Trofimov and Autolycus, and Paul Jesson as Gaev and Camilo.
Interview: Cast Of Walnut Street Theater's HAIRSPRAY
by Pati Buehler - Dec 5, 2008
There is an excitement in the air on the opening night of HAIRSPRAY, as both Amy Toporek (Tracy Turnblad) and Michael Walker (Edna Turnblad) take a seat on the comfy couch in the green room at the Walnut Street Theater. It is ninety minutes before curtain and this talented pair is all smiles, each overflowing with wonderful things to say about one another.
'Patti LuPone at Les Mouches' Released 11/11
by BWW News Desk - Nov 11, 2008
The year was 1980, and Patti LuPone was starring as 'Evita' on Broadway. She was en route to winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and cementing her status as a Broadway star. But there was another Patti LuPone performance taking place -- one that only a comparative handful of people were aware of: Every Saturday night at midnight, for 27 weeks, after performing one of the most demanding roles ever, she made her way to Les Mouches - a legendary nightclub in New York City, to perform a solo concert...This was a one-woman tour de force that -- until now -- only the lucky few who were on hand knew about.
Signature Theatre to Honor Sondheim in April 2009 Creating Annual Award in His Name
by Faetra Petillo - Oct 6, 2008
Eric Schaeffer, the Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, tonight announced that Signature will honor Stephen Sondheim at a Gala Benefit in April and establish an annual award as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theater composer. Signature will salute Mr. Sondheim at a black-tie Gala Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Washington, DC highlighted by a musical tribute, festive dinner, and dancing and inaugurate an annual honor to be known in future years as The Sondheim Award.
San Diego Rep to Present 'Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea'
by Faetra Petillo - Sep 18, 2008
SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATRE is proud to present, by special arrangement with producer CHRIS BENSINGER, the world premiere of THE PRINCESS AND THE BLACK-EYED PEA, a soulful musical comedy inspired by Hans Christians Andersen's cherished fairy tale.
Rare LuPone Cabaret Recordings From 1980 To Be Released 11/11
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 14, 2008
The year was 1980, and Patti LuPone was starring as 'Evita' on Broadway. She was en route to winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and cementing her status as a Broadway star. But there was another Patti LuPone performance taking place -- one that only a comparative handful of people were aware of: Every Saturday night at midnight, for 27 weeks, after performing one of the most demanding roles ever, she made her way to Les Mouches - a legendary nightclub in New York City, to perform a solo concert...This was a one-woman tour de force that -- until now -- only the lucky few who were on hand knew about.
O'Hara, Grammer to Star in NY Philharmonic's My Fair Lady
by BWW News Desk - Jan 10, 2007
The New York Philharmonic presents Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady in four semi-staged performances, March 7-10, 2007. The musical - a New York Philharmonic premiere - will star Kelli O'Hara, Kelsey Grammer, Charles Kimbrough, Brian Dennehy, Marni Nixon and Tim Jerome.
An Interview with Brent Barrett
by Maya Cantu - Jun 28, 2006
Brent Barrett, known for his romantic presence and ravishing tenor has played many roles--but never before has he brought down the world's most famous chandelier
John Cullum to Join Klugman in Values of Names in NJ
by BWW News Desk - Jun 20, 2006
George Street Playhouse announced today that two-time Tony Award winner John Cullum will join the cast of Jeffrey Sweet's The Value of Names, to be presented at the Playhouse as part of their 2006-07 season
Leads Announced for 'Pirate Queen'; Plays Chicago in Oct.
by BWW News Desk - May 12, 2006
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schoenberg's THE PIRATE QUEEN, the spectacular new musical from the authors of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, will play a pre-Broadway, World Premiere engagement in Chicago from October 3rd through November 26th, 2006.
PS Classics to Release Gordon & Landau's Dream True, 5/23
by BWW News Desk - Apr 17, 2006
PS Classics, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of American musical theatre, will release the world premiere recording of Ricky Ian Gordon and Tina Landau's Dream True on May 23