Show Boat Revival

Although operetta wasn't completely on its way out when Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II brought Music In The Air to Broadway in 1932, the popularity of the genre was indeed waning a bit as jazzy and witty scores by the likes of George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart and Cole Porter dominated the decade's theatre music. But the creators of Show Boat, just five years earlier, weren't done quite yet.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, February 6, 2009.

The New York Times is reporting that famed Costume Designer Florence Klotz's Tony Award is for sale on eBay, the starting bid for the trophy at $10,000 (with an option to buy it outright for $20,000). But the Times has a huge inaccuracy in the piece, as they describe Ms. Klotz herself as posting the auction, which is fairly impossible as she sadly passed away in 2006.

The Duplex is proud to present Learn It, Live It, Love It- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann. The evening will feature Broadway regulars and newcomers including: Adam Fleming (WICKED), Colin Hanlon and Tracy McDowell (RENT), Liz Griffith (SHOW BOAT AT CARNEGIE HALL), Anne Fraser Thomas (LES MISERABLES-Regional), and Marty Thomas (XANADU). The evening will be directed by Connor Gallagher (PEREZ HILTON SAVES THE UNIVERSE! THE MUSICAL), with musical direction by Aaron Jodoin.

Keen Company announced today that Tony Award-winner Ron Holgate (1776, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Grand Hotel, recent revivals of Kiss Me, Kate and Guys and Dolls) will join John Cullum and Jonathan Hogan for its upcoming production of Heroes, replacing previously announced Tony Roberts. Mr. Roberts has withdrawn from the production to attend to family matters. The New York premiere of this 2006 Olivier Award-winning play by Gerald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard, will be helmed by Keen Artistic Director Carl Forsman and run from February 24 - April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row ( 410 West 42nd Street ). The official opening is set for March 8.

LCT's production of HAPPINESS has announced partial casting. HAPPINESS, is a new musical about a disparate group of New Yorkers caught on a subway train under unusual circumstances. It was commissioned and developed by Lincoln Center Theater. The production will reunite director-choreographer Susan Stroman and book writer John Weidman, whose last LCT collaboration was the Tony Award winning Best Musical Contact and will mark the LCT debuts of composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie.

Due to the overwhelming audience and critical response Sardi's management has scheduled additional Saturday evening concerts with Broadway star and vocal power house, James Barbour. The new concert series, entitled 'Love Songs' will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street ? between Broadway & Eighth Avenue). Musical Direction is by Jeremy Roberts. Broadway's J. Mark McVey will join Jemmy Powers as a Special Guest Artist on Saturday, February 7.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Fred Applegate. Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun will be featured in its upcoming production of the new musical HAPPINESS.

Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) is thrilled to present John Cullum, Jonathan Hogan and Tony Roberts in the New York premiere of Heroes, by G?rald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carl Forsman. Heroes received the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Performances begin on Tuesday, February 24 and run through April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 8. An evocative comedy about three World War I veterans living in a veterans' home who plot a new assault - a trip to a stand of poplar trees in the distance. But should they bring the stone dog with them? Author G?rald Sibleyras calls Heroes a play 'about the universal desire to escape the confines of life.' Winner of London's Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2006 and Paris' Moliere Award for Outstanding Comedy in 2003, Keen presents its New York debut.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Fred Applegate. Sebastian Arcelus, Miguel Cervantes, Hunter Foster, Joanna Gleason, Ken Page, Robert Petkoff, Jenny Powers, Phyllis Somerville and Pearl Sun will be featured in its upcoming production of the new musical HAPPINESS.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue their 10th Anniversary season with the return of Hollywood legend TONY MARTIN from January 13 to 17. After sold-out engagements in 2007 and 2008, the singer and actor will celebrate his 96th Birthday at Feinstein's. Once again, he will perform songs from his career like 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' 'You Stepped Out of A Dream' and 'A Foggy Day.' He also tells stories of his days in Hollywood performing alongside such iconic names such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Lana Turner and his late wife Cyd Charisse.

Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) is thrilled to present John Cullum, Jonathan Hogan and Tony Roberts in the New York premiere of Heroes, by G?rald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carl Forsman. Heroes received the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Performances begin on Tuesday, February 24 and run through April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 8.

Arizona Broadway Theatre continues its fourth season with the Irving Berlin classic Annie Get Your Gun, which opens on January 9 and continues through February 15, 2009. ABT's Executive Producer and co-founder, Kiel Klaphake, makes his ABT stage debut playing the role of Frank Butler, Annie Oakley's main competition and love interest. Klaphake will be joined on stage by Jillian Nyhan Zygo in the title role of Annie Oakley.

Arizona Broadway Theatre continues its fourth season with the Irving Berlin classic Annie Get Your Gun, which opens on January 9 and continues through February 15, 2009. ABT's Executive Producer and co-founder, Kiel Klaphake, makes his ABT stage debut playing the role of Frank Butler, Annie Oakley's main competition and love interest. Klaphake will be joined on stage by Jillian Nyhan Zygo in the title role of Annie Oakley.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue their 10th Anniversary season with the return of Hollywood legend TONY MARTIN from January 13 to 17. After sold-out engagements in 2007 and 2008, the singer and actor will celebrate his 96th Birthday at Feinstein's. Once again, he will perform songs from his career like 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' 'You Stepped Out of A Dream' and 'A Foggy Day.' He also tells stories of his days in Hollywood performing alongside such iconic names such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Lana Turner and his late wife Cyd Charisse.

LCT's production of HAPPINESS has announced partial casting. HAPPINESS, is a new musical about a disparate group of New Yorkers caught on a subway train under unusual circumstances. It was commissioned and developed by Lincoln Center Theater. The production will reunite director-choreographer Susan Stroman and book writer John Weidman, whose last LCT collaboration was the Tony Award winning Best Musical Contact and will mark the LCT debuts of composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie.

Julie Wilson, the legendary theatre and cabaret star, will make a guest appearance at Steven Brinberg's A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular.She joins the previously announced Tituss Burgess and The Broadway Boys. The event will benefit The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular will play at Symphony Space (2357 Broadway at 95th Street) on Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm.

Village Theatre Pied Piper presents the enchanting holiday production, The Velveteen Rabbit, produced by Enchantment Theatre Company. The classic book, The Velveteen Rabbit, comes to life through this new musical version of the tale using puppets, masked actors, and magic. With a backdrop of beautiful scenery, there is an original score by Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer Don Sebesky and award-winning lyricist Gloria Nissenson that makes this imaginative production a delightfully new experience in family entertainment.

Julie Wilson, the legendary theatre and cabaret star, will make a guest appearance at Steven Brinberg's A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular.She joins the previously announced Tituss Burgess and The Broadway Boys. The event will benefit The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular will play at Symphony Space (2357 Broadway at 95th Street) on Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm.

Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU), is pleased to announce the return of Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah to Chicago's National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. For two performances only, Friday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m., the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, will be filled with the sounds of this soulful reinvention of Handel's Messiah. This joyful musical experience is quickly becoming one of Chicago's favorite annual events. Tickets are now on sale.

Cambodia's first-ever modern music theater work, Where Elephants Weep, will have its official world premiere in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this November, it was announced by John Burt, the show's Executive Producer.

Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant was filled to the brim with two sold-out star-studded audiences as Valarie Pettiford took to the stage with her new show inspired by the things she is thankful for in her life; including her well deserved Tony Nomination in 'Fosse', her family whom she said 'filled her life with music' and of course, her fans who have supported her on her journey from her first job in the legendary film 'The Wiz' to her work in UPN's 'Half and Half.'

Village Theatre Pied Piper presents the enchanting holiday production, The Velveteen Rabbit, produced by Enchantment Theatre Company. The classic book, The Velveteen Rabbit, comes to life through this new musical version of the tale using puppets, masked actors, and magic. With a backdrop of beautiful scenery, there is an original score by Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer Don Sebesky and award-winning lyricist Gloria Nissenson that makes this imaginative production a delightfully new experience in family entertainment.

The New York Times reports that John Cullum and Tony Roberts will star in the Keen Company's production of HEROES. The play will be directed by Carl Forsman and will run from February 24, 2009 - April 11, 2009.

You couldn't throw at rock at the Wednesday night opening performance of 'Meet Me In St. Louis' at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place without striking the cream of Chicago's hometown musical theater talent. And THAT was if you threw a rock at the audience!

Upright Cabaret presents Tony-nominated actress Valarie Pettiford in her new show, 'Thankful,' directed by Ron Abel and written and directed by David Galligan at Mark's Restaurant in Hollywood. Accompanied by a stellar band, Pettiford blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theater.

Tony Nominated VALARIE PETTIFORD will be joined by Brazilian percussionist CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA as her special guest for VALARIE PETTIFORD's THANKFUL at Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant this Friday and Saturday, Nov 14-15, 2008 at 9pm.

Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU), is pleased to announce the return of Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah to Chicago's National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. For two performances only, Friday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m., the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, will be filled with the sounds of this soulful reinvention of Handel's Messiah. This joyful musical experience is quickly becoming one of Chicago's favorite annual events. Tickets are now on sale.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play - is proud to welcome Two time Tony Award-winner John Cullum (Urinetown, Shenandoah, On the Twentieth Century) as family patriarch Beverly Weston, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award nominee Amy Warren (Adding Machine) as youngest daughter Karen Weston, and Broadway newcomer Samantha Ross as housekeeper Johnna Monevata.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents three-time Tony nominee Rebecca Luker in 'Songs for the Theater: The Next Generation' on November 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Terrace Theater. The evening is part of Barbara Cook's Spotlight, which features theater cabaret performances throughout the 2008-2009 season by Broadway artists chosen by Barbara Cook.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play - is proud to welcome Two time Tony Award-winner John Cullum (Urinetown, Shenandoah, On the Twentieth Century) as family patriarch Beverly Weston, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award nominee Amy Warren (Adding Machine) as youngest daughter Karen Weston, and Broadway newcomer Samantha Ross as housekeeper Johnna Monevata.

Cambodia's first-ever modern music theater work, Where Elephants Weep, will have its official world premiere in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this November, it was announced by John Burt, the show's Executive Producer.

Esteemed lighting designer, theatre consultant, and author Richard Pilbrow is the winner of the 2008 Wally Russell Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented on Saturday evening, October 25, at the LDI Awards ceremony during LDI2008 in Las Vegas.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

Village Theatre has announced the cast for the leading roles in its 2008-2009 Mainstage production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, on stage November 12, 2008-January 4, 2009 in Issaquah, WA, and January 9-February 1, 2009 in Everett, WA.

The Duplex presents The Sum of Our Hearts- An Evening of Songs by 2008 Jonathan Larson Award Winners Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann on Monday, October 20th, 2008, at the Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, New York.

North Shore Music Theatre pays homage to the endurance of a classic and the human spirit in its presentation of the 1994 Hal Prince Broadway revival

Direct from New York, VALARIE PETTIFORD - THANKFUL, the smash hit solo show starring Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford makes its west coast debut at Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents three-time Tony nominee Rebecca Luker in 'Songs for the Theater: The Next Generation' on November 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Terrace Theater. The evening is part of Barbara Cook's Spotlight, which features theater cabaret performances throughout the 2008-2009 season by Broadway artists chosen by Barbara Cook.

The Covina Center for the Performing Arts' Artistic General Director Patrick Copeland and Artistic Producing Director Phil Miller are proud to announce that Broadway star Greg Zerkle will direct CCPA's upcoming production of Neil Simon's Barefoot In The Park.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops open its 30th anniversary season with the sensational annual hit series known as Broadway Showstoppers! Once again, Peter Nero combines Broadway's most exceptional talent with the magic of The POPS by inviting three of New York's top talents to share the stage for these performances. Broadway star Anne Runolfsson (James Joyce's The Dead, Victor/Victoria), Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party) and POPS veteran Gary Mauer (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables), perform Broadway's biggest hits together with 'the best orchestra of its kind in the entire cosmos' in one absolutely unforgettable performance!

North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) has announced that one of the most critically acclaimed musicals of all time, SHOW BOAT, will perform from September 23 to October 12, 2008. Press Night is scheduled for September 25th at 7:30 pm. This project has been made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius.

Bryant Park Corporation announces the inaugural season of a series of early fall classical music concerts featuring musicians from the New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, and The New York Pops. Entitled Bank of America presents New York Now in Bryant Park, the series runs for three weeks, from September 23 through October 8, kicking off with musicians from the New York Philharmonic, featuring Principal Clarinet Stanley Drucker.