I'll Go On - 1989 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 5

Today we are talking to a versatile performer first known to the world at large through her iconic early-career movie theme recordings - singing the Oscar-winning 'The Morning After' from THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, as well as the classic themes from THE TOWERING INFERNO, SUPERMAN and musical material and a memorable musical moment in AIRPLANE!; in addition to her many full-length studio albums later in life - who then emerged as a compelling theatrical performer with a string of roles on Broadway, Off Broadway and in regional theater - a replacement star of NINE, as well as THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, as well as original cast member of 1989's THE 3 PENNY OPERA, 1984's premire production of BROWNSTONE, and, most recently, a Broadway featured cast member in LITTLE WOMEN - the radiant and vocally resplendent Maureen McGovern. Looking back on her remarkable career and taking us on the journey from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond, McGovern reflects on some famous co-stars and her side of the riveting productions she participated in both onstage and onscreen, as well as opens up about some of her favorite recordings and composers to date insofar as her recording career is concerned, to say nothing of her proud position as the so-deemed self-confessed 'Disaster Theme Queen'. We also outline her cabaret work over the years, in anticipation of McGovern's week of shows at 54 Below, titled HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, beginning December 18 and running through December 23, where she will be sharing some of her favorite seasonal songs, new and old, as well as reviving some of her show-stopping standards and iconic movie themes and perhaps a surprise or two, too. Additionally, we touch upon her bio-musical, CARRY IT ON, her new women writer retrospective concert show and much, much more!

In this week's MEET THE PRESS, PRESS Pass conversation, David Gregory sat down with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns to talk about the state of our political discourse, view of government, and his new documentary "The Dust Bowl."

In light of this week's news of the passing of noted author, playwright, producer and director Nora Ephron, today we are highlighting some of the most memorable moments from her accomplished and versatile career onscreen and onstage. Ephron's artistic output consisted of collections of essays, memoirs, novels, screenplays, feature films, plays and producing duties on projects close to her heart, as well as a considerable amount of awareness raising for women's causes and general charitable work for the arts. While perhaps best known for her much-loved trio of romantic comedies WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE and YOU'VE GOT MAIL, Ephron also penned the screenplay for the Mike Nichols biopic SILKWOOD about whistleblower Karen Silkwood, as well as wrote and directed the recent hit comedy JULIE & JULIA, re-teaming with her friend and consistent collaborator, three-time Oscar-winner Meryl Streep. Incidentally, Streep actually played Ephron - or at least a thinly-veiled version of her - in the 1986 Mike Nichols film HEARTBURN, based on her novel of the same name. While BEWITCHED, LUCKY NUMBERS and HANGING UP may have failed to ignite, Ephron created fine films with the angelically-themed John Travolta starrer MICHAEL and the Julie Kavner vehicle THIS IS YOUR LIFE, as well as crafted indelible characters in screenplays such as COOKIE, MIXED NUTS and MY BLUE HEAVEN. Closing out her career, Ephron showcased Streep once again and rising star Amy Adams shone brightly in the fun and frothy JULIE & JULIA, ending Ephron's film output with a hit to go along with her successful early beginnings as an essayist, humorist and cultural commentator - having penned essay collections in the 1970s such as WALLFLOWER AT THE ORGY, CRAZY SALAD: SOME THINGS ABOUT WOMEN, SCRIBBLE, SCRIBBLE: NOTES ON THE MEDIA, and, more recently, I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK: AND OTHER THOUGHTS ON BEING A WOMAN and I REMEMBER NOTHING: AND OTHER REFLECTIONS - who famously parlayed those skills into TV writing, and, then, her Oscar-nominated work on SILKWOOD - arguably her finest dramatic work of all in film. As far as Ephron's stage ventures are concerned, besides the forthcoming musical adaptation of SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE currently being developed under director Lonny Price and her writing of next season's purportedly Tom Hanks-headlining Broadway bow in LUCKY GUY, Ephron penned the 2002 Jack O'Brien play with music (by no less than Marvin Hamlisch and Craig Carnelia) IMAGINARY FRIENDS, starring Cherry Jones and Swoozie Kurtz, as well as the recently-closed Off Broadway smash, LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, co-written with her sister, Delia Ephron. JFK White House intern to New York Post columnist to celebrated essayist to Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director and producer, Ephron left a significant mark on society and also crafted some heartwarming - or, should that be: heartburning - stories along the way.

Columbia/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is commemorating forty years of Billy Joel's career as a solo recording artist with a pair of historic releases - a limited edition Billy Joel - The Complete Albums Collection boxed set and a two-disc Legacy Edition of 1973's Piano Man album (exclusively featuring a long-lost fabled radio concert from 1972) - each appealing to aficionados of the iconic American singer-songwriter-performer.

Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joe Dowling today announced that longtime Guthrie actor J. C. Cutler will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Theater's 2011 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Producing Director James Haire announced today that he would be retiring after a 40-year career with the company.

In tonight's episode of American Idol, the top 12 got to take a stab at one of the most popular themes in the history of the show- song's from the year they were born. And this episode marked the very first live performance episode (no fake outs this time).

Phil Collins will retire from music, according to FHM Magazine. He has said that health issues are among the reasons for ending his career in the business. These include hearing problems, nerve damage to his hands, and a dislocated vertebra. He would like to spend more time with his two sons, Nicholas and Matthew, by his third wife Orianne Cevey.

Musical titans John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly and Allen Toussaint will become the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization's 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner.

Given the odds, for one to have been involved with a singular Broadway success would be impressive. To have been involved with two would solidify one's status as a true Broadway 'player.' How about 4, running at the same time? Only two artists have been able to boast such an accomplishment, the first being Susan Stroman, whose productions of Contact, The Producers, The Music Man, and Thou Shalt Not all ran simultaneously for a short time in 2001. Last season, Broadway's go-to choreographer, Sergio Trujillo, joined her company with his superfecta of Next to Normal, Jersey Boys, The Addams Family and Memphis. It appears that like Jersey Boys, Memphis, and The Addams Family, Trujillo is showing no signs of breaking his streak, or going anywhere, with new projects in the pipeline incoming.

Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 South 6th Avenue, announces its schedule of radio shows from December 2010 though March, 2011. All performances are held at the theatre.

Former JERSEY BOYS star Erich Bergen is certainly one busy guy. In support of his first soon-to-be released solo CD The Vegas Sessions, Bergen will be debuting his new club act at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, September 15. On top of that, he is currently in rehearsals for the new musical VENICE, which is set to open October 7 at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Recently, Bergen chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about the new album, his days on JERSEY BOYS, New York vs. L.A. theater, and the whereabouts of his Gossip Girl ascot.

The Metropolitan Room hosts Manhattan's most exciting 'American Idol' style competition. The third annual 'Metrostar Talent Challenge' Trials begin July 12, 2010 with a grand finale on August 30th, 2010.

Juilliard's Drama Division presents a series of fully-staged productions during the 2010-2011 season featuring students in their fourth and final year of acting training at Juilliard.

NBC Sports broadcasts exclusive coverage of the 136th Kentucky Derby this Saturday starting at 4 p.m. ET.

The Laguna Playhouse launches its 2010-2011 season beginning July 6 with the award-winning hit musical LIFE COULD BE A DREAM. Other shows on the season schedule include the World Premiere of the poignant dramatic comedy I LOVED LUCY, the World Premiere co-production of the romantic musical DADDY LONG LEGS, HERSHEY FELDER IN MAESTRO: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, and the classic Noel Coward comedy PRIVATE LIVES.

On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions

On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions

August is Joan Rivers month! On August 5th, TV Land premieres 'How'd You Get So Rich?' hosted by the legendary comedian. On August 9th, the Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers will air. And on August 4th, the legendary comedian returns to Times Square for 6 performances. Rivers will present an evening of her newest and most outrageous riffs on Hollywood, pop culture, celebrities, and award show fashions at The Laurie Beechman Theatre inside the West Bank Cafe (407 West 42nd Street at Ninth Avenue).

The director of the long-running thriller talks to Carrie Dunn about 20 years in the West End...

BWW salutes 'Beauty' in its final month on Broadway with a profile of the man inside one of the Enchanted Objects.

After making her Broadway debut in 'City of Angels' over 15 years ago, the talented Rachel York has starred in an impressive collection of shows, including 'Victor/Victoria,' 'Kiss Me, Kate,' and 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.' Now as Guenevere in 'Camelot' (a role originated by her mentor, Julie Andrews), Rachel looks back on some of the successes and pivotal moments in her life and career on-stage and screen.

The 10 biggest theatre-news stories in Baltimore in 2006.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed Tuesday the 79th Academy Awards poster design, which features dozens of the most memorable and quotable lines from motion pictures, including a handful of films adapted from Broadway hits...