Swing! - 1999 - Broadway Articles Page 20

After BroadwayWorld launched its New York Cabaret Awards in 2012, the cabaret section's editors realized that the selected categories and the popular vote nature of the election didn't adequately recognize some great performances and shows for that particular year. So in 2013, BWW added "Editor's Choice Awards" to the mix to not only reward special performances but also to acknowledge people who have helped grow cabaret and foster the spirit of the art form. This year, BWW New York Cabaret Editor Stephen Hanks and his reviewing staff-including Alix Cohen, David Clarke, Billie Roe, Rembert Block, and John Hoglund-selected seven stars of cabaret for this special honor. Now that the Awards for 2015 performances and shows are official, we wanted to tell you a bit about this year's "Editor's Choice Award" winners and offer them a chance to thank the New York cabaret community. Congratulations to all these worthy Award recipients.

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is tonight, January 11th.

CABARET, the musical masterpiece, returns direct from Broadway!

In celebration of Black History Month, actor/vocalist Richard Johnson will perform the premiere of his one man play, 'Pappy on Da Underground Railroad,' directed by Keith Allen, accompanied by musical director Terry Wallstein. Johnson is best known for his cabaret shows on the music of Nat King Cole and as a stylist of antique gospel music and Negro Spirituals. In the play-which ascends into soaring spiritual music-a 'conductor' the Underground Railroad educates and prepares a group of runaway slaves for their journey northward with him. He is met with the daunting challenge of selling freedom to men and women who don't believe freedom exists for them. Performances will be February 11 to 27 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, Manhattan.

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre (CAMT) has created 'The New World Symphony: Dvorak in America,' a play chronicling the American years (1892-1895) of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, during which he produced a flurry of 'American' works. This puppet theater work is rich in classical and original music (played live!) and dramatizes one of the most significant cultural exchanges in American history. GOH Productions and Dvorak-American Heritage Association (DAHA) will present the piece as a work in progress January 30 and 31, 2016 at Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street (Upper East Side). This production is preparatory to the play's upcoming world premiere run, which will be presented by La Mama Experimental Theatre, 66 East 4th Street (East Village), six weeks later: from March 10 to 27, 2016 (see more info below). The play is conceived and directed by Vit Horejs. Composer and Musical Director is saxophonist James Brandon Lewis.

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre (CAMT) has created 'The New World Symphony: Dvorak in America,' a play chronicling the American years (1892-1895) of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, during which he produced a flurry of 'American' works. GOH Productions and Dvorak-American Heritage Association (DAHA) will present the piece as a work in progress January 30 and 31, 2016 at Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street (Upper East Side). This production is preparatory to the play's upcoming world premiere run, which will be presented by La Mama Experimental Theatre, 66 East 4th Street (East Village), six weeks later: from March 10 to 27, 2016 (see more info below). The play is conceived and directed by Vit Horejs. Composer and Musical Director is saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. Scroll down for a sneak peek at some of the puppets!

Eddy Tovar, former principal dancer of Texas Ballet Theatre, will appear as a guest artist in the Midstate Ballet's production of THE NUTCRACKER today and tomorrow, December 12 and 13, 2015 at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York, Pennsylvania.

On Jan 10th, Los Angeles audiences are about to receive a rare experience and opportunity to see and hear the legendary Bill Pursell and successful daughter, Laura Pursell, sharing their family legacy on stage for the first time in years - With special appearance by family friend Don Most (Happy Days).

On Jan 10th, Los Angeles audiences are about to receive a rare experience and opportunity to see and hear the legendary Bill Pursell and successful daughter, Laura Pursell, sharing their family legacy on stage for the first time in years - With special appearance by family friend Don Most (Happy Days).

Just in time for the holidays, as they say . . . the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (galeca.org) today announced its membership's picks for their second “GALECA Ten Best” list: The 10 Best LBGTQA Films GALECA Every Non-LGBTQA Person Should See!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Stage greats Stephen Sondheim and Barbra Streisand are honored at the White House and more!

Happiness and cheer come calling at First Stage with the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The company's Artistic Director Jeff Frank had been writing this produciton on his own Christmas to-be-produced list in a continual effort to bring the1965 award-winning television special to the theater since he arrived in 1999. Only recently have the copyrights been released through Eric Schaeffer's stage adaptation, and Frank immediately seized the opportunity to warm Milwaukee's hearts and introduce a new generation to the world created by Charles Schulz. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang take over the Todd Wehr Theater beginning on Friday, November 27 for a superb holiday celebration.

OUR SINATRA: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION, the critically acclaimed musical saluting and honoring the music of Frank Sinatra, will mark its 15th Anniversary (2000-2015) and celebrate the Centennial (1915-2015) of one of our greatest American vocalists in a return engagement of the award-winning production.

The Old Globe's 18th annual production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, starring J. Bernard Calloway in the title role, opens tonight, November 12, 2015 and will run through December 26th.

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

Eddy Tovar, former principal dancer of Texas Ballet Theatre, will appear as a guest artist in the Midstate Ballet's production of THE NUTCRACKER on December 12 and 13, 2015 at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York, Pennsylvania.

This week FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

OUR SINATRA: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION, the critically acclaimed musical saluting and honoring the music of Frank Sinatra, will mark its 15th Anniversary (2000-2015) and celebrate the Centennial (1915-2015) of one of our greatest American vocalists in a return engagement of the award-winning production.

This weekend, October 15 - 17, the Schimmel Center at Pace University presents a revival and newly choreographed version of SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience.

Today through Saturday, October 15th-17th, the Schimmel Center at Pace University presents a revival of SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience. Originally premiering off-Broadway in 2005, SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience features a book by Tony Award winning playwright, Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), based on a concept by choreographers Mariela Franganillo (Forever Tango) and Robert Royston (Swing!) Following in the tradition of West Side Story, this contemporary, Romeo and Juliet story depicts a unique fusion of dance, romance, revelry and rivalry within and between two different worlds. In one evening we see the tale of two lovers; the girl from the sultry world of Argentine Tango, the boy from the lively arena of West Coast Swing. When the lovers conquer their differences, they create the harmonic fusion of Swing and Tango.

BroadwayWorld can officially report the complete cast and creative team for The Old Globe's 18th annual production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, starring J. Bernard Calloway in the title role!

Woody Allen is passionately devoted to music - in particular the jazz, swing, and popular music of the 1920's, 30's, 40's and 50's. His movies are a love letter to a glorious period in American music, featuring some of cinema's most memorable musical moments. Celebrate the collaboration between a great filmmaker and his passion for music with an evening of live performances by three of music's finest song interpreters tonight, October 8 at Town Hall in New York City.

Thursday through Saturday, October 15 - 17, the Schimmel Center at Pace University presents a revival and newly choreographed version of SWANGO: The Theatrical Dance Experience.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly performances, September 24 - October 4, 2015. Scroll down for details!