All the Girls Came Out to Play - 1972 - Broadway Articles Page 4

During what was called 'Andrew Lloyd Webber week' of the seventh season of the hit TV talent competition American Idol, Webber predicted to an audience of millions that Syesha Mercado will 'bring the house down' with a sexy, splashy take on one of his many musical hits. And that, she did. Then 21, she eventually lasted on the show to become the second runner-up. Fast forward two years later, and she is now in the midst of a multi-city national tour of the rebooted DREAMGIRLS stage musical, where she nightly plays Deena Jones, the beautiful and eventual front-woman of the semi-fictional musical group The Dreams. Before she takes the stage of The Orange County Performing Arts Center (April 21-May 2), Mercado spoke with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about life on the road, her American Idol roots, and what it takes to become Deena Jones night after night.

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

Our series on 'women who run the show' concludes with MTC's artistic director, Lynne Meadow, and associate AD, Mandy Greenfield.

Arvada Center Calendar of Events--April 2009 (All events, unless otherwise stated, take place at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003) THEATER Evita Andrew Lloyd Webber's music swoons in heartfelt fashion in Evita--a larger-than-life modern musical that audiences worldwide adore.

We talk to, and hear from, the wonderful Stephanie Block! Most recently seen as Grace O' Malley in The Pirate Queen, you might also remember her as Liza Minnelli from The Boy from Oz, with Hugh Jackman. Add to that a 2006 Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Actress for her performance as Elphaba in the First National Touring Company of Wicked, Stephanie is it -- what we love about our leading ladies: ever graceful, humble, and sharp as a tack. Oh yes, and she can sing pretty well, too We also play songs from two of her shows: 'She Loves to Hear the Music' from The Boy from Oz, and 'Woman' from Pirate Queen

From a chorus boy in the original cast of 'Oklahoma!' to a one-man show off-Broadway and a Tony Award in between, George S. Irving has been one of Broadway's most endearing and enduring character men