The Book of Merman - Articles Page 9

Annie Get Your Gun closes October 16.

Theare legend Stephen Sondheim took soe time out of his busy musical-writing schedule back in 1968 to write a series of crossword puzzles for New York Magazine. The collection was published in 1980, but has been out of print since, making it difficult for theatre lovers to track them down. Now, according to the New York Times, a website has just shared 19 scans of real Sondheim puzzles!

Lakewood Theatre Company's 59th season is right on target as it continues with the classic American musical, Annie Get Your Gun. The production, directed by Ron Daum, presents the story of rough and tumble Annie Oakley and her rise to fame and romance with headliner Frank Butler. Irving Berlin's memorable songs make this a bull's-eye hit for everyone.

Stephen Sondheim's second book, a follow up to his 'Finishing The Hat', is now available for pre-order. Entitled, 'Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes,' Amazon is taking pre-orders here. The book was scheduled for release on October 25, 2011, but has now been moved to November 22, 2011.

Theatrica Ltd, in association with The Landor Theatre, is delighted to announce that Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's classic musical, Gypsy, will play for four weeks as part of the theatre's Autumn season, with iconic musical theatre actress Rosemary Ashe as the formidable Rose.

Lakewood Theatre Company's 59th season is right on target as it continues with the classic American musical, Annie Get Your Gun. The production, directed by Ron Daum, presents the story of rough and tumble Annie Oakley and her rise to fame and romance with headliner Frank Butler. Irving Berlin's memorable songs make this a bull's-eye hit for everyone.

When Varla Jean Merman (aka Jeffery Roberson) starred opposite Leslie Jordan this past May at the Little Shubert Theatre, the New York Times wrote 'If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in stature as well as comedic talent.'

Jeffery Roberson aka Varla Jean Merman, will debut his new film Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads at NewFest, New York's premier LGBT Film Festival.

When Varla Jean Merman (aka Jeffery Roberson) starred opposite Leslie Jordan this past May at the Little Shubert Theatre, the New York Times wrote 'If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in stature as well as comedic talent.'

Even with all the bases covered and loaded given this stupendous creative team, a cast of veritable Broadway all-stars and a surprise bottom of the ninth pop fly play courtesy of Norbert Leo Butz's fresh Tony win, CATCH IF YOU CAN can't seem to get the break it deserves on Broadway. Sure, it just passed the hundred performance mark and it is alive and well, but it deserves far more praise than it has been given. After all, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's score is every bit as ingratiating and endearing as their work on the Tony-winning Best Musical HAIRSPRAY and for that fact alone CATCH ME IF YOU CAN commands the utmost attention from any cast album collector or Broadway baby interested in keeping up with all the scores and stats of Broadway‘s best. And, yes, indeed, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN possesses a score among the very best of the 21st century and the best new score on Broadway this season. The songstack as represented on the brand new Original Broadway Cast Recording is even more entertaining and enlivening than the show's songs onstage - although they have all their own allure there - and that is a huge credit to the fiercely talented songwriting team who knocks each and every pitch clear out of the park; here, just as always. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a fully-decked game of far-flung, fun, and not-so-frivolous fantasy ably aided by some of the most inspiring leading male performances in musical theatre in many years thanks to the wonderful work by the aforementioned Butz, plus impossibly charismatic leading player Aaron Tveit and a sensitive and suave Tom Wopat.

West Coast Ensemble and director Richard Israel get ready to for a much-anticipated GYPSY that will run May 13 - July 3 at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage in Hollywood.

One of Broadway's biggest musical hits ever - Hello, Dolly! - winner of 10 Tony Awards, is next onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center as The Renaissance Players present the musical comedy by Jerry Herman, known to many as 'the king of showtunes,' running through June 26, starring Marilyn Fair, Linda Sue Simmon Runyeon, Bryan Wlas, and Nathan W. Brown.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tony Awards wrap-up, 'Sweeney Todd' cast at Drury Lane Oakbrook, extensions for 'Murder For Two' and 'Trogg!,' summer theater for kids, more....

The Renaissance Players proudly present HELLO, DOLLY!, June 10 - June 26, 2011 @ The Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN. This classic Broadway musical features 35 local actors, under the Direction of Bryan J. Wlas, Musical Direction by Nathan W. Brown. Visit rcenter.org for more information.

Theatrica Ltd, in association with The Landor Theatre, is delighted to announce that Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's classic musical, Gypsy, will play for four weeks as part of the theatre's Autumn season, with iconic musical theatre actress Rosemary Ashe as the formidable Rose.

One of Broadway's biggest musical hits ever - Hello, Dolly! - winner of 10 Tony Awards, is next onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center as The Renaissance Players present the musical comedy by Jerry Herman, known to many as 'the king of showtunes,' running June 10-26.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Revered as one of the greatest book musicals ever written Gypsy, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, and with collaborators Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim is rarely performed except on Broadway due to the demands of the role of Mama Rose, which has been played first by Ethel Merman, and also to acclaim by Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and most recently Patti Lupone. Films have starred Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler (TV), and there's another theatrical one still in the works for Barbra Streisand. The stage mother to end all stage mothers is a monster role to play. She's on stage 95% of the show and must act, sing and dance 150%; there's no faking this one. In a daring production for Equity Waiver, West Coast Ensemble (WCE) is now presenting Gypsy, half a century after it first opened in New York in 1959. Jan Sheldrick has the role of Rose and she runs with it, acting up a storm, giving it her best shot. Under Richard Israel's skilled direction, the production is somewhat flawed, but overall impressive with its very strong rendering on a smaller stage.

The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc., will present one of America's perennially favorite musicals, Hello Dolly!, for its final main stage subscription offering. All performances will be in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street in Fall River, Mass.

The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc., will present one of America's perennially favorite musicals, Hello Dolly!, for its final main stage subscription offering. All performances will be in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street in Fall River, Mass.

The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc., will present one of America's perennially favorite musicals, Hello Dolly!, for its final main stage subscription offering. All performances will be in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street in Fall River, Mass.

West Coast Ensemble and director Richard Israel get ready to for a much-anticipated GYPSY that will run May 13 - July 3 at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage in Hollywood.

A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE cast member Shannon Lewis received the Gypsy Robe and BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration.

Following sold-out performances at New York's famous Birdland Jazz Club, international star of stage and screen Caroline O'Connor brings her intoxicating blend of rich vocals and bewitching tales to the main stage.

The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc., will present one of America's perennially favorite musicals, Hello Dolly!, for its final main stage subscription offering. All performances will be in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street in Fall River, Mass.