STAGE TUBE: KING KONG's Esther Hannaford Performs 'A Simple Prayer'
by Stage Tube - Jul 30, 2013
Esther Hannaford, who plays Ann Darrow in Australia's musical spectacular KING KONG, performed one of the original songs from the show on Australian TV on Monday. 'A Simple Prayer' has not been seen outside the show before. Get a first listen below!
Christiane Noll and Paul Nakauchi to Star in THE KING AND I at Music Circus, 8/6-11
by BWW News Desk - Jul 24, 2013
The King and I, one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most treasured musicals, is the next show in the 2013 Music Circus season, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion from August 6 - 11. With book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rodgers, the show features the classic songs 'Shall We Dance?,' 'Getting to Know You' and 'Something Wonderful.'
Rebecca Luker, Doug LaBrecque & More Set for Grant Park Music Festival, 7/17
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 15, 2013
It'll be a grand night for singing on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. as Christopher Bell conducts the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in a salute to the legendary team of Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park. Joined by guest artists Rebecca Luker, Doug LaBrecque and William Michals, they will showcase the music of Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King and I, Carousel and The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, along with favorites from Kern and Hammerstein and Rodgers and Hart. The concert is free.
Michael Feinstein and Pasadena POPS Perform MGM Movie Classics at the Arboretum Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 13, 2013
Fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut with the Pasadena POPS, Michael Feinstein returns to lead the orchestra in a performance celebrating the legendary films of MGM. Michael Feinstein's MGM Movie Classics tonight, July 13 features rare and stunning arrangements from the golden age of the silver screen, and the orchestra will be joined by guest vocalists Ron Raines, Christine Ebersole, the cast of Hollywood Revisited, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Tap Ensemble.
Michael Feinstein and Pasadena POPS to Perform MGM Movie Classics at the Arboretum, 7/13
by BWW News Desk - Jun 26, 2013
Fresh off the heels with rave reviews for his conducting debut with the Pasadena POPS, Michael Feinstein returns to lead the orchestra in a performance celebrating the legendary films of MGM. Michael Feinstein's MGM Movie Classics on Saturday, July 13 features rare and stunning arrangements from the golden age of the silver screen, and the orchestra will be joined by guest vocalists Ron Raines, Christine Ebersole, the cast of Hollywood Revisited, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Tap Ensemble.
FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL Comes to the Majestic Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jun 18, 2013
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation, will perform at the Majestic Theatre for eight performances tonight, June 18-23. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, March 1.
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers & More Set for Wolf Trap this Week
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 10, 2013
Wolf Trap will present Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers Featuring Edie Brickell, Counting Crows with Special Guest The Wallflowers, and more this week. All Shows at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.
Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Eric Idle and Martin Short Headline The Public's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Benefit Tonight!
by BWW News Desk - Jun 10, 2013
The Public Theater announced today that Kevin Kline will reprise his Tony Award-winning role of The Pirate King with Glenn Close as Ruth, Eric Idle as the Sergeant, and Martin Short as Major-General Stanley in the one-night-only concert performance of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE for The Public's annual gala. Co-chaired by Sir Howard Stringer, Arielle Tepper Madover, and Renee Beaumont, this unforgettable summer evening will also honor the late Nora Ephron who was a long-time board member and consummate lover of The Public's Shakespeare in the Park.
Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Eric Idle and Martin Short Headline The Public's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Benefit!
by Kelsey Denette - May 8, 2013
The Public Theater announced today that Kevin Kline will reprise his Tony Award-winning role of The Pirate King with Glenn Close as Ruth, Eric Idle as the Sergeant, and Martin Short as Major-General Stanley in the one-night-only concert performance of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE for The Public's annual gala. Co-chaired by Sir Howard Stringer, Arielle Tepper Madover, and Renee Beaumont, this unforgettable summer evening will also honor the late Nora Ephron who was a long-time board member and consummate lover of The Public's Shakespeare in the Park.
HERE LIES LOVE Extends Again Through June 2 at the Public
by BWW News Desk - Apr 18, 2013
The Public Theater announced another two week extension today for the world premiere musical HERE LIES LOVE, with concept and lyrics by David Byrne, music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, and choreography by Annie-B Parson. Directed by Alex Timbers, HERE LIES LOVE began performances on Tuesday, April 2 and has been extended twice due to high demand. The new 360 degree musical will now run through Sunday, June 2 in The Public's LuEsther Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 23.
Robin Pearson Rose, Kandis Chappell and More Set for OTHER DESERT CITIES at The Old Globe
by Kelsey Denette - Apr 5, 2013
The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team of the San Diego premiere of Jon Robin Baitz's award-winning family drama Other Desert Cities. Directed by Richard Seer, Other Desert Cities will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, April 27 - June 2, 2013. Preview performances run April 27 - May 1. Opening night is Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. Other Desert Cities is a co-production with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.
BWW Interviews: The Newest 'Must-See' Show in Palm Springs! Steve Connolly is SPIRIT OF THE KING at Spa Resort Casino
by David Green - Apr 2, 2013
Veteran Las Vegas performer Steve Connolly stars as the legendary Elvis Presley in the stage production SPIRIT OF THE KING, which premiered March 6 for an open-ended engagement in the Cascade Lounge of the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs. Dubbed "The hardest working KING in show biz," Steve Connolly has performed as Elvis Presley more than 4,000 times in his career and was chosen by the Las Vegas Review Journal's staff as "Best Elvis in Las Vegas" in 2006 and 2007. I had the chance sit down recently with Mr. Connolly to talk about his career and "all things Elvis". He was charming, funny, charismatic -- and, holds "The King" and his legacy in great reverence. Here are a few highlights from our brief chat:
The Public's HERE LIES LOVE Extends Through May 19
by Kelsey Denette - Mar 19, 2013
The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced a two week extension today for the world premiere musical HERE LIES LOVE, with concept and lyrics by David Byrne, music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, and choreography by Annie-B Parson. Directed by Alex Timbers, HERE LIES LOVE begins performances on Tuesday, April 2 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, May 5. It will now run an additional two weeks through Sunday, May 19.
Taconic Stage's THE REAL (DESPERATE) HOUSEWIVES OF COLUMBIA COUNTY MUSICAL Plays the Laurie Beechman, Now thru 3/28
by BWW News Desk - Mar 7, 2013
'The Real (Desperate) Housewives of Columbia County Musical' by Carl Ritchie (book, lyrics, director) and Wayne Moore (music) is a Coward-esque evening from the Taconic Stage Company upstate, which it took by storm in the summer of 2011. Thinly guised as the confessions of four 40-something women on reality TV, this four-character musical spotlights the culture-clash between spoiled, egocentric 'weekender' women and their working class 'townie' counterparts in a rural upstate community. The show has no reason but to delight, which it does with savvy performances, high-heeled lyrics and the poison of its cocktail-party chit-chat dialogue. To share it with a wider audience, Taconic Stage Company will present the piece in its NYC debut tonight, March 7 through March 28 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street.
STAGE TUBE: On This Day 3/5- Elaine Paige
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 5, 2013
Happy Birthday, Elaine Paige! Paige was selected to play Eva Peron in the first production of Evita in 1978, which brought her to the attention of the broader public. She went on to originate the role of Grizabella in Cats and had a Top 10 hit with 'Memory', a song from the show. She then appeared in the original stage production of Chess, followed by a starring role in Anything Goes which she also co-produced. Paige made her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard in 1996, playing the lead role of Norma Desmond, to critical acclaim. She appeared in The King and I from 2000 to 2001, and six years later she returned to the West End stage in The Drowsy Chaperone. Most recently, she starred in Follies on Broadway.
Elaine Paige Brings a Little Broadway and West End to The McCallum Tonight
by David Green - Feb 27, 2013
Elaine Paige celebrates her love of jazz classics and contemporary songs in her own unique style in a one-night-only headline performance tonight, February 27, at 8:00pm at McCallum Theatre. Paige is famous for her countless successes on both sides of the Atlantic, from originating the role of Grizabella in Cats to her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard. She is an actress, recording artist, producer and broadcaster and has made a major contribution to the modern musical which ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre'.
Kneehigh Returns to St. Ann's Warehouse with THE WILD BRIDE, Now thru 3/17
by BWW News Desk - Feb 23, 2013
St. Ann's Warehouse welcomes back Kneehigh and director Emma Rice for the New York premiere of The Wild Bride. In this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'The Girl Without Hands,' narrated by Satan himself, a father accidentally sells his daughter to the Devil. When our heroine cleverly escapes, a lyrical love story laced with devilish humor unfolds. The production features a bluegrass score by longtime Kneehigh composer Stu Barker, performed by live musicians and the cast.
Elaine Page Brings a Little Broadway and West End to The McCallum, 2/27
by David Green - Feb 12, 2013
Elaine Paige celebrates her love of jazz classics and contemporary songs in her own unique style in a one-night-only headline performance on Wednesday, February 27, at 8:00pm at McCallum Theatre. Paige is famous for her countless successes on both sides of the Atlantic, from originating the role of Grizabella in Cats to her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard. She is an actress, recording artist, producer and broadcaster and has made a major contribution to the modern musical which ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title "The First Lady of Musical Theatre".
BWW Likes: Historic Winter Storm and LES MIZ
by Robert Diamond - Feb 7, 2013
BroadwayWorld.com noticed something today as we scoured Facebook and it's something that we really liked, so we wanted to share it with you because it's not so often that you find such generosity for actors. This weekend, all roads lead to St. Louis as actors are headed there from all over the country to audition for the Muny's summer production of LES MISERABLES directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and with music direction by Kevin Stites.
Riedel & Rivka Dance Companies Share the Stage at Ailey, 3/7-3/9
by Samantha Vega - Feb 4, 2013
Both the Riedel Dance Theater and Ariel Rivka Dance companies today announced the upcoming world premieres of their new, narrative works - In Violent Circles (Rite of Spring) and Vashti, respectively. These two emerging contemporary ensembles will share the stage for three consecutive nights March 7 - 9, 2013, at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre (NYC). Both choreographers, Jonathan Riedel and Ariel Grossman, are true storytellers who draw upon the emotional power of drama, movement and music to bring stories to life through dance. Both pieces feature live, on-stage musical performances of original scores/arrangements by two of today's top contemporary composer/performers.