Jerry Christmas - 2006 - Articles Page 16

Some of the biggest names on Broadway have graced the Joe's Pub stage. The tradition continues this month and into the fall when some of Broadway's finest vocalists and performers, including Sasha Allen and Ute Lemper, head downtown from the Great White Way to dazzle at Joe's.

Dick Van Dyke, beloved actor, singer, dancer, writer and comedian, will receive SAG-AFTRA's highest honor - the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.

The award-winning musical "Mary Poppins", which opened Friday, August 10th at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles has once again been declared a spectacular hit with Los Angeles audiences. BWW TV's Los Angeles correspondent Michael Sterling and JLE Media Producer Jerry Evans spent the day and evening with the stars of the North American National touring company... Rachel Wallace (Mary Poppins) and Nicholas Dromard (Bert), an original Broadway company member. Check out the interview below!

Yee-haw! It's time to start two-steppin' and boot-scootin' in the aisles, as Signature Theatre kicks off its 2012/13 season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, beginning performances tonight, August 14.

Grease kicks off the second blockbuster Broadway musical series, Sept. 12 - Oct. 7, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.

Max von Essen is scheduled to again step into the role of 'Che' for six performances, August 6-11, in the new Broadway production of EVITA while Ricky Martin is on vacation.

Yee-haw! It's time to start two-steppin' and boot-scootin' in the aisles, as Signature Theatre kicks off its 2012/13 season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, beginning performances on Tuesday, August 14.

One of Broadway's most celebrated performers, Max von Essen, steps into the role of Che for six performances, starting tonight, July 2 - July 7, in the new Broadway production of EVITA while Ricky Martin is on vacation. Daniel Torres will play the role of Che for both the matinee and evening performance on July 8. Max von Essen originated the role of Magaldi in the current production of EVITA and will return to that role when Martin returns from vacation. The performance schedule for this week is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm.

On Thursday, three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Richard Adler passed away at the ripe old age of 90. Responsible for two of the biggest Broadway smash hits of the 1950s, THE PAJAMA GAME and GAMN YANKEES, Adler never quite managed to equal his career-high double-hitter of that era, yet his earlier work with Tony Bennett ('Rags To Riches'), Doris Day ('Everybody Loves A Lover') and Marilyn Monroe (the iconic 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President') surely shall solidify his place in the firmament of entertainment history along with his two classic musicals from the Golden Age. Winning both Best Score and Best Musical for both THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES, Adler's partnership with lyricist Jerry Ross - which began on Broadway in 1953 with JOHN MURRAY ANDERSON'S ALMANAC - was tragically cut short just months after the DAMN YANKEES premiere when Ross was diagnosed with lung disease and passed away soon thereafter. Yet, thanks to the beloved film versions of THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES and continued interest in the entities as expressed in the revivals and reappraisals of both onstage from Broadway to Biloxi to Bombay year after year, the snappy, snazzy tunes of Adler and Ross live on eight times a week all around the world - even now, more than fifty years after they premiered. Unfortunately, Adler's subsequent shows with other collaborators post-1955 failed to capture the early magic of his previous projects with Ross and his earlier musical and theatrical endeavors in the pop arena, with the racially charged KWAMINA flopping on Broadway in 1961 (though he took home a Best Composer Tony Award for his efforts anyway) and the awkwardly titled MUSIC IS failing to recreate the magic of its source material, Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, in 1976. A MOTER'S KISSES, starring Bea Arthur and a young Bernadette Peters, died on the road, as well. In the intervening years, Adler attempted musical adaptations taken from a number of intriguing sources - OF HUMAN BONDAGE and others among them - though only his ballet scores seemed to reach an audience; particularly his last, commissioned for a new production of Lorca's THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA in 1998. Of course, THE PAJAMA GAME has had two Broadway revivals - most recently the rapturously received Kathleen Marshall-directed production starring Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O'Hara; and DAMN YANKEES famously returned to the Great White Way with much ado in 1994 starring Victor Garber. Now seems particularly ripe for remounting YANKEES, as we approach twenty years in its absence - especially given the musical's seriously smashing showing at Encores! in 2007. Who knows, perhaps some risky producer will even take a chance on a new production of KWAMINA, MUSIC IS, A MOTHER'S KISSES or one of the bottom drawer shows someday soon to see if they possess any of the limitless potential shown by Adler's earlier work. Or maybe a stage treatment of his TV musical GIFT OF THE MAGI (originally composed for then-wife Sally Ann Howes)? Or, better yet, how about a revue? What a stupendous songstack Adler created over the course of his career - 'Whatever Lola Wants' to 'Hey There' to 'Hernando's Hideaway' to 'You Gotta Have Heart' to 'Steam Heat' to the aforementioned Bennett, Day and Monroe standards and so many more chestnuts.

One of Broadway's most celebrated performers, Max von Essen, steps into the role of Che for six performances, July 2 - July 7, in the new Broadway production of EVITA while Ricky Martin is on vacation. Daniel Torres will play the role of Che for both the matinee and evening performance on July 8. Max Von Essen originated the role of Magaldi in the current production of EVITA and will return to that role when Martin returns from vacation. The performance schedule for the week beginning July 2 is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm.

Easton's State Theatre has announced its 2012-13 season- on sale to State Theatre Members Wed, August 1 (Box Office window at 453 Northampton Street opens at 6 AM; Online Ticketing and Phone lines open at Noon). Tickets will go on sale to the Public August 15th at 10 AM. Limit 6 tickets per Member per performance during Members Only sales. Membership to the Non-Profit State Theatre starts at $75, lasts one year and is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Indhu Rubasingham has announced her inaugural season at The Tricycle, which will launch with the World Premiere of Red Velvet, written by Lolita Chakrabarti with Adrian Lester in the role of Ira Aldridge; followed by The Tricycle's first festive family show, The Arabian Nights, written by Mary Zimmerman and adapted from The Book Of The Thousand Nights and One Night. In 2013, The Tricycle present an Eclipse Theatre production of One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, by Don Evans, followed by another World Premiere: Paper Dolls, written by Philip Himberg and adapted from the award-winning documentary by Tomer Heymann, produced by Stanley Buchthal.

Ich treffe Michael Heller im wunderschönen Foyer des zweiten Ranges im Theater des Westens, vor seiner Vorstellung als Alfred in 'Tanz der Vampire'. Wir reden über seine bisherige Arbeit, das Rope Skipping, die Begegnung mit einem Fernseh Star, einer fast verpassten Vorstellung und Wunschprojekte. Michael Heller ist charmant und offen und liefert damit die perfekten Komponenten für ein angenehmes Gespräch.

Christian Borle, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER 'It's been an awfully nice morning! I'm happy and just so very proud of the show. It's been a few years leading up to now. This is just enormously gratifying. I woke up this morning and turned on NY1 and watched. I just got a new sound bar for my TV so I think I'm going to sit down and watch 'The Empire Strikes Back.' That will be my celebration for the day!'

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street tonight, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street on Thursday, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

Broadway In Chicago recently announced the complete 2012-2013 season, bringing old favorites, as well as new ones to Chicagoan theater-goers. The upcoming season will include I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE, KINKY BOOTS, SISTER ACT, DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, and WAR HORSE. In addition to the shows running during the official season, off-season specials include Stuffed And Unstrung, Rock Of Ages, Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles and Les Miserables. The complete season line-up, including performances dates and venues, is as follows:

Hershey Theatre today announced another season of Broadway shows.

The Nutty Professor, the Jerry Lewis-helmed musical based on his successful film comedy, takes up residence at the James K. Polk Theatre in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for a July 24-August 19 run, ahead of the production's anticipated November 15 opening on Broadway.

Broadway In Chicago has just announced the complete 2012-2013 subscription series. The upcoming season will include I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, KINKY BOOTS, SISTER ACT, DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, WAR HORSE and PETER PAN. Off-season specials include STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG, ROCK OF AGES, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES and LES MISÉRABLES. The 2012-2013 Season Series emphasizes Broadway In Chicago's long-standing commitment of bringing the best of Broadway to Chicago. The complete season line-up, including performances dates and venues, is as follows:

After reigning since 2006 as the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA.

On Sunday, April 1, the hometown of California cuisine hosts a day of "Delicious Fictions" featuring Golden Globe Award-winner Jill Eikenberry and Emmy Award-nominee Michael Tucker.

Signature Theatre will present the world premiere of Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo.

Linda Lavin (Broadway Bound), Sebastian Arcelus (Elf), LaChanze (The Color Purple), Emily Skinner (Side Show), Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!), Daniel Breaker (Passing Strange) and Sierra Boggess (Love Never Dies, The Little Mermaid) will be among the star players in the upcoming Broadway Hal Prince tribute, PRINCE OF BROADWAY, The New York Times reveals.

After reigning since 2006 as the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA on Sunday, March 18 following its final show headlined by Reba Buhr, co-star of Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. Miss Buhr is also a host for the Disney Channel's popular 365 television series. The announcement became official by producer Michael Sterling.