Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called "The Dreams", who become music superstars. It was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006.
Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret present the West Coast club return of Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White in her new show, A Woman On Love, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 8:30pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret.
The Muny announced principal casting for the fifth show of its fantastic 95th season, Les Miserables. Broadway veterans Hugh Panaro and Norm Lewis make their Muny debuts starring as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively. Also starring is Michael McCormick as Thenardier. The production is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, who served as the associate director and executive producer of the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies of Les Miserables.
Stereo Vision Entertainment Inc. (OTC: SVSN) announced today that entertainment industry veteran Robert Myers has signed a three year deal as Chief Production Officer of their wholly owned subsidiary REZN8.
While many MIZ-heads may have assumed the film adaptation of their beloved musical would never actually come to fruition, here it really is, all too soon available for all to see - lo, more than twenty years after it was first announced byway of an official promo ad in a tour souvenir going as far back as the late-1980s. I was lucky enough to catch an advance screening during the dawning days of December and many small moments, full musical sequences and my first impressions themselves have filled me with a certain kind of inexpressible enrapturing ecstasy heretofore inexperienced, coming as a direct result, no doubt, of the sheer force of power the film exacts in its relentless, barreling, blazingly bravado-bedecked style - a style, I can firmly say, is completely unique in movie history. LES MISERABLES is a lot of things, but, first and foremost, it is that which it is unlike that makes it most remarkable of all; that is: it is unlike any movie musical ever made. And, it is a masterpiece.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'A Class Act' and 'Dreamgirls' open, two takes on 'Singin' In The Rain,' 'The Book Of Mormon' and 'Sexy Baby' extend, Bailiwick Chicago's 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' and more!
Five powerful productions have been scheduled for Center Theatre Group's 2013 season at the Mark Taper Forum, it was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Casting news for ChiShakes' 'Sunday,' TATC's '42nd Street' and Paramount's 'Grease,' plus ALW and the eye-popping Marriott season, Chicago's first 'Q,' Super September along Belmont Avenue and much more!
The World Premiere with Lillias White in Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues had its opening night last Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY. Plus, on August 10th, Barry Manilow and Lorna Luft came to see the preview performance. Check out photos from both nights below!
Bay Street Theatre presents the World Premiere of a musical as the third production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Tony Award winner Lillias White plays Maybelle Smith in BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES, written and directed by Paul Levine. The show runs tonight, August 7 through Sunday, September 2.
Bay Street Theatre, Martin Richards and The Gilead Company present the World Premiere musical BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES with Tony Award-winner Lillias White starring as legendary blues singer Maybelle Smith; written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour. The show runs tomorrow, August 7 through Sunday, September 2. Scroll down for photos of White performing onstage at Bay Street!
Bay Street Theatre will present the World Premiere of a musical as the third production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Tony award winner Lillias White will play Maybelle Smith in BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES, written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour. The show runs Tuesday, August 7 through Sunday, September 2. Showtimes are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm with Wednesday matinees on August 15, 22, and 29 at 2pm and a 4pm matinee on Saturdays August 18 and 25. Sunday showtime is at 7pm. Tickets to this spectacular event are $66-76. Previews August 7-10 are sponsored by PCH Builders and Property Management. The week of August 12-18 is sponsored by Peconic Landing.
Bay Street Theatre will present the World Premiere of a musical as the third production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Tony Award winner Lillias White will play Maybelle Smith in BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES, written and directed by Paul Levine. The show runs Tuesday, August 7 through Sunday, September 2.
Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables will go on sale Sunday, July 8 at 12 p.m. for the Thousand Oaks premiere engagement at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The all-new production of Les Miserables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. To purchase tickets, visit theaterleague.com or ticketmaster.com, call 800-745-3000 or visit the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office. Ticket prices start at $54. For more information on the production, engagement dates and locations, please visit www.LesMis.com. For a video sneak peek of the New 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables, please visit www.LesMis.com/watch.
Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables will go on sale Sunday, July 8 at 12 p.m. for the Thousand Oaks premiere engagement at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The all-new production of Les Miserables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. To purchase tickets, visit theaterleague.com or ticketmaster.com, call 800-745-3000 or visit the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office. Ticket prices start at $54. For more information on the production, engagement dates and locations, please visit www.LesMis.com. For a video sneak peek of the New 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables, please visit www.LesMis.com/watch.
Today in 1987, the FIRST Broadway revival of Dreamgirls opened at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 177 performances. Dreamgirls features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called 'The Dreams', who become music superstars. The musical opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, and was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006. The 1987 cast featured Lillias White as 'Effie.'
A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh tonight, June 15 through June 24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.
Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret proudly present Broadway diva Lillias White: The Night After The Tonys, as she belts out the best of Broadway and Jazz, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, for one performance only, tonight, June 11. Showtime is 8pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm.
A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh June 15-24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.
In case you missed it in the "Showtune Mosh Pit" column last week, here is my full listing of musical theater shows (plus three special concert events) happening in Chicago this summer. Click on the name of each show for a link to more information. And enjoy!
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....
Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret proudly present Broadway diva Lillias White: The Night After The Tonys, as she belts out the best of Broadway and Jazz, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, for one performance only, on Monday, June 11. Showtime is 8pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm.
Paper Mill Playhouse just announced full casting for the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, 2012.
Bay Street Theatre is celebrating its 21st season and has announced the 2012 Mainstage productions.
Paper Mill Playhouse has just announced that American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado has been cast as Ti Moune in the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird) and choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Complete casting will be announced at a later date. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America.
Victoria Theatre Association announced the 2012-2013 Premier Health Partners Broadway Series, Projects Unlimited Variety Series, Star Attractions, PNC Family Series, as well as the new National Geographic Live Series tonight at a special event for subscribers, donors and friends of Victoria Theatre Association.
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