Jesus Christ Superstar - US Tour Articles Page 12

'On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...' the opportunity to share some real joy with you, from my heart. I'd be crazy not to include this video in my choices of 12, on the penultimate day of this fun feature from BroadwayWorld. Yes... it's ME! Last year, my first ever Christmas album was released and this was truly a dream I had fantasized for quite a while, coming to fruition. Richard Jay-Alexander and I produced it (during August), like most holiday albums, and Richard played me this song written by Jay Landers and Walter Afanasieff. He insisted we had to do it and I certainly loved it, but wasn't sure I had the right voice for it. Walter, of course, wrote and produced 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' with Mariah Carey and, now, here was a song written by the same guy, this time with Jay Landers.

Producer Mark Cortale and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts have announced that The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series, hosted and music directed by Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky, will return to Scottsdale for the 2020 season. Kicking off the series this season will be Laura Osnes, Tony Award® nominee for her leading roles in Cinderella and Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway, and star on TV of Hallmark Channel's A Homecoming for the Holidays, on Friday, January 24 at 8:00 PM. She will be followed by Tony Award® nominated actor Norm Lewis, best known for his performances in Porgy and Bess and The Phantom of the Opera and on Television in Scandal and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!, on Friday, March 6 at 8:00 PM.

On Day 9, I am thinking of all the holiday movies that were on television and in our homes every single year. WHITE CHRISTMAS was always one of my favorites. I was in awe of the costumes, the dancing, the singing, the story of love and romance and also seeing everyone pull together to put on a grand show. And the reveal of the soldiers and snow actually falling at the end never failed to fill my heart... no matter how many times I saw it!

Broadway stars Norm Lewis and Faith Prince will headline Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of Harry Warren and Al Dubin's song-and-dance spectacular 42nd Street, presented from May 29 a?" June 21, 2020 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago (press opening May 30, 2020).

I had a blast curating BroadwayWorld's 12 Days of Christmas. It went by so fast... and now, Christmas is here! This song is 25 years old and I wanna GIVE IT UP for our girl, Mariah Carey, because this year, her song FINALLY made it to #1 on the Billboard Charts. I say , a?oeIt was worth the wait, Mariah.a?? It already was a classic but, now, the deal is sealed... in history!

OK...this just makes me HAPPY! In junior high school I found a new Christmas Song I love to play every year. I'm even smiling as I write this :)

This song always reminds me of my father. He Loved B.B. King and this was always on rotation with our many Christmas albums. I found this rare live performance of the legend doing his version that is so embedded in my heart.

On this sixth day of the 12 days of Christmas, I need to thank BroadwayWorld, Robert Diamond and Nicole Rosky for asking me to curate this year's edition. I never dreamed it would be so much fun and bring back so many memories of holiday seasons past. Here's an iconic group, The Temptations, singing 'Silent Night.' We had many albums in our home by the legendary Motown group, but this one was definitely played over and over during the holidays. I immediately flash to my high school and college years when I hear it. Magic.

On Tuesday, December 17th Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater reveals the company premiere of Camille A. Brown's City of Rain. This quietly lyrical piece honors the struggles and grace of a deceased friend, showing a different facet of the choreographer than Ailey audiences have seen in her previous works for the Company. Dedicated to Greg 'Blyes' Boomer, the work for 10 dancers is set to an original composition by Jonathan Melville Pratt entitled Two Way Dream. A recipient of numerous honors, including a 2014 Bessie Award for Outstanding Production for the work Mr. TOL. E. RAncE (Camille A. Brown & Dancers), Ms. Brown choreographed Broadway's Choir Boy (TONY nominee for Best Choreography), the TONY Award-winning revival of Once On This Island, and the Emmy Award-winning television special, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. [There are five more chances to see City of Rain this season: Dec. 20 eve, 21 eve, 27 eve, Jan. 1 eve, 5 mat.]

I loved cartoons on Saturday mornings growing up, but I looked forward to watching them in primetime during the holidays. Some of my favorites were Frosty, Rudolph, The Little Drummer Boy, and A Charlie Brown Christmas (especially the dance and Linus' speech). Even though they were the same stories told over and over again, I was riveted every year. I guess because in my mind both the fictional stories and the religious stories were all real to me. I loved the music and would sing along with so much joy.

I love Vanessa Williamsa?? but who doesn't? She's a singular woman with an equally singular career and we have worked together on the stage and in film and always have a great time. She's incredibly beautiful, wildly intelligent, supremely talented, and... she's a great mom. She has recorded many albums and topped the charts with some unforgettable singles but many people aren't aware of a beautiful Christmas album she recorded, titled 'Star Bright'. I love the album and love this particular cut and video. 

Anyone who knows me knows that my love for Johnny Mathis is infinite. He was a singer I recognized, very early on, who looked like me and made all that beautiful sound- making contact with the most glorious music and lyrics. I'd be lying if I didn't say he was a huge influence on me. He also became synonymous with Christmas and the holiday season. I could never have dreamed that one day I would get to sing with him, but blessed as I've been, it happened. I love him, I love this song... and I love that fireplace!

Andy Williams was a staple in our house growing up. He had those great Christmas specials every year on NBC and they always made you feel cozy and special and spirited. Great sets, costumes, sketches and terrific music. It was traditional, and he always wore great sweaters. Needless to say, all of this made me want to have a traditional-looking cover for my first Christmas album. All the stars used to sing the same handful of songs, but it was the arrangements that made them stick in your brain. No matter what he sang, I was always happy to see and hear Andy Williams. This song is a particular favorite- 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.'

The Supremes' 'Merry Christmas' album was the first one off the shelf every year, which in my house, growing up, marked the official beginning of the holiday season. We would trim the tree to this record and others to come. This is my absolute favorite and why I have sung that song now for years. In this video, they perform the song on The Ed Sullivan Show, with the ORIGINAL Supremes: Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. It aired on CBS on Dec. 4, 1966, and was unforgettable ... and indicative of the kind of preparation that was paid attention to by Motown, in presenting all of their acts.

On Tuesday, December 10th, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues its holiday season with a celebration of The Ailey School's 50th anniversary, honoring its standard of excellence for providing exceptional training to more than 3,500 students annually. This special evening features students performing alongside the Company in Alvin Ailey's Memoria and Revelations.

Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis: In Concert will close out Kean Stage's season with a performance at the intimate Enlow Recital Hall on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

11th Hour Theatre Company Presents CHESS THE MUSICAL. Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Lion King, Aida), and book by Richard Nelson. The concert is directed by 11th Hour co-founder and producing Artistic Director, Michael Philip O'Brien, with music direction by Madison Auch. This riveting rock musical event will perform January 11th-19th at Christ Church Neighborhood House, and will feature seven professional actors alongside an ensemble of eight Temple University students. Tickets are $19-$37 and can be purchased online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.

Lambert Jackson Productions has announced that they will present concert performances of the Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden starring Lucie Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Jac Yarrow, directed by Nick Winston. The performances will take place at The London Palladium, on Saturday 4 April, 3pm and 7.30pm.

The Old Globe's 2020 Summer Season brings to Balboa Park an extraordinarily talented group of artists who will delight audiences with their unique takes on four great works of theatre. The season incudes a classic American musical, a new adaptation of a 20th century thriller, and two of Shakespeare's masterworks on our outdoor stage.

As the decade comes to a close on Broadway, we're doling out some good, old-fashioned superlatives to acknowledge some of the best and brightest theatre people, show elements, and productions that have made this decade one of the best in Broadway history.

The New York Pops performs the timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein on Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. in Find Your Dream: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein joined by guest artists Laura Michelle Kelly and Max von Essen, as well as Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA. The concert spans all eleven of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic collaborations, including 'People Will Say We're in Love' from Oklahoma!, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from Carousel, 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific, 'I Have Dreamed' from The King and I, and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' from The Sound of Music.

Carolyn Maitland, Dave Willetts and Sam Attwater will star as Rebecca, Avram and Bronfman respectively in RAGS The Musical at Park Theatre, London. The show will run for a limited season from 9 January to 8 February 2020, with a press night on 14 January. RAGS The Musical has a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), revised book by David Thompson, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and music by Charles Strouse (Annie).

Ellen McDougall directs her vivid adaptation of Valeria Luiselli's dazzlingly original debut novel Faces in the Crowd, a bold and playful multi-layered story about identity, poetry, and nationality. 

Take Me Out has found its full Broadway cast! Second Stage Theater has announced full casting for the Broadway production of Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning play, Take Me Out. Julian Cihi, Hiram Delgado, Brandon J. Dirden, Will Harrison, Carl Lundstedt, Ken Marks, Michael Oberholtzer, and Joél Pérez will join previously announced stars Patrick J. Adams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams. Directed by Scott Ellis, Take Me Out will begin previews April 2, 2020 and officially open on April 23, 2020 at Second Stage's Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street).

Pittsburgh CLO is announced casting for the 28th annual production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL, December 6-22 at the Byham Theater. This year's production will feature lavish costumes, thrilling effects and a talented ensemble of both new and returning performers. Broadway star Mark Jacoby returns to Pittsburgh CLO to lead the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.