medici.tv Presents Top Opera And More This December
by Gabrielle Sierra - Nov 30, 2011
This December, more of the world's top opera performances will be presented on medici.tv than ever before, enhancing the site's must-see schedule of live events and vintage programming.
R.E.M. Caps 31-Year Recording Career With Definitive Greatest Hits Album
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 15, 2011
After R.E.M. ignited the blogosphere on September 21st with the news that they had decided to 'call it a day as a band' via a statement on their website, the beloved band have announced that they will release their final album, R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 - 2011, on Warner Bros. Records on November 15th, 2011.
Philip Glass’s Satyagraha Returns to the Met 11/4
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 4, 2011
Philip Glass's inspirational opera Satyagraha (Sanskrit for 'truth force') will return to the Metropolitan Opera November 4 in the first revival of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch's innovative 2008 production.
Philip Glass’s Satyagraha Returns to the Met 11/4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Oct 20, 2011
Philip Glass's inspirational opera Satyagraha (Sanskrit for 'truth force') will return to the Metropolitan Opera November 4 in the first revival of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch's innovative 2008 production.
SOUND OFF SPECIAL: Revivals Galore! A Retrospective With FUNNY GIRL, SUPERSTAR, GODSPELL, EVITA, ON A CLEAR DAY & PORGY & BESS
by Pat Cerasaro - Oct 8, 2011
Today, in an extension of the FLASH FRIDAY column, we are sharpening our focus on the six upcoming revivals of musicals that are soon to hit the boards in the next few months (post-FOLLIES) and battle it out for the Best Revival as the Broadway season heats up just when the weather begins to cool: the classic Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical that originally starred that star-of-stars, Barbra Streisand - FUNNY GIRL; the groundbreaking rock opera that rewrote the theatrical rulebook thanks to young creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; the hippie, flower child take on the Christ story covering some similar Biblical ground to that of SUPERSTAR, with this one being the composing debut of WICKED songwriter Stephen Schwartz - GODSPELL; another Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration that won seven Tony Awards and acted as the vehicle for Patti LuPone's blazing Broadway debut in a starring role - EVITA; the significantly reworked, revised and rewritten new version of the beautifully scored time-travel musical by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner, this time starring a male movie star crooner - ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER; and, the landmark American opera composed by the Gershwins with DuBose Haywerd - PORGY & BESS. While each and every one of these entities has a huge hit song or two that nearly everyone on the planet knows by heart - "Don't Rain On My Parade", "I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Day By Day", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "On A Clear Day…" and 'Summertime' included - each of these revivals also comes after a film version (or two) that, in more than a few of these cases, will be relatively difficult to top as far as expectations of many audience members undoubtedly will go. So, by taking a listen to the smash hit crossover songs from these musicals as well as looking at their respective film version's trailers - as well as a couple of surprises, too - perhaps we can glean some insight into what makes these generally pretty terrific properties so well worth reviving on Broadway, here, now, today, in 2011. Furthermore, all of this crystal ball commentary is not even taking into account the starry assortment of performers that have already been announced for these productions so far - especially with FUNNY GIRL's Lauren Ambrose and Bobby Cannavale, GODSPELL's Hunter Parrish, SUPERSTAR's lauded Josh Young, EVITA's Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, PORGY's Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald, as well as the leading man in what was once a leading lady's role (that of Barbara Harris) in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, Harry Connick, Jr.! What a tight race it is turning out to be for these new productions, particularly come Tony time in June! With rock to rhumba and borscht belt comedy to messianic hosannas and even full-out opera, seemingly every conceivable customer base is more than covered by this packed, potentially, well, awesome, season of shows - and many Broadway babies around BroadwayWorld are undoubtedly looking most forward to these six forthcoming revivals - with particularly good reason given the relative dearth of new musicals announced so far. So, let these revivals revive your flagging spirits as we leap into the 2011-2012 season with this comprehensive prospective and retrospective all about what makes them work so well in the first place and so worthy of another look!
