Wish You Were Here - 2000 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 8

After 6 seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Julius returns to B'way in a Stratford production, with his brother in the cast as well.

Two-time Tony Award nominated costume designer Carrie Robbins, and scenic, lighting, costume designer and educator Lloyd Burlingame are among the 2012 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 4, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Ms. Robbins was selected to receive the 2012 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Mr. Burlingame will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Kravis Center is Offering an Entertainment-Packed March with an Amazing Line-Up of Stars + Comedy with The Capitol Steps, Martin Short & Seth's Big Fat 70's Show + Pop Stars Diana Krall, Johnny Mathis & Neil Sedaka + Jazz Greats Chris Botti & Wynton Marsalis +Classical Headliners Itzhak Perlman, The Minnesota Orchestra, Richard Stoltzman, Ariel Quartet & Menahem Pressler + Solo Showstoppers Dudu Fisher & Debbie Reynolds + Musical Shows Come Fly Away, Taylor's Irish Cabaret & The Pink Floyd Experience + Family Fun with HOP & the New Shanghai Circus Plus African-American Film Festival, Lunch & Learn about Elizabeth Taylor, The Joffrey Ballet, Peppino D'Agostino & The Kravis Center's 20th Anniversary Gala

The entire entertainment world is reeling. We have lost one of our most iconic pop, R&B and soundtrack performers this evening - as well as a formidable movie star in her own right - Whitney Houston was just reported dead at the age of 48. Having had one of the most successful and most multimedia of careers of any multi-hyphenate star in recent memory, Houston scored multiple Grammys and racked up countless nominations over the course of her multi-decade recording career, yet her most notable contributions to the world of music reside in her outstanding soundtrack work - most of all, the songs for the film in which she made the transition into feature film leading lady, 1992's THE BODYGUARD. The biggest hit from THE BODYGUARD's blockbuster soundtrack was undoubtedly Houston's rendition of a Dolly Parton song originally recorded in 1974 and later made famous by Parton in the feature film version of the Broadway hit THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, "I Will Always Love You". In addition to Houston's sensational work on that mega-selling soundtrack - one of the Top 5 best-selling soundtracks of all time - she also provided her dramatic and vocal skills to the multi-platinum soundtracks to THE PREACHER'S WIFE and WAITING TO EXHALE, both films which she also starred in to much box office success. An Oscar-winning duet with Mariah Carey, "When You Believe" by WICKED's Stephen Schwartz from THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is yet another diadem in Houston's triple crown of accomplishments in the realms of music, film and television - having dominated all. Theatre fans may know Houston best for her incomparable portrayal of the Fairy Godmother in the incredibly successful 1997 ABC TV adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Brandy and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. In addition to Houston's contributions to THE BODYGUARD, THE PREACHER'S WIFE, WAITING TO EXHALE, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and CINDERELLA, Houston also rose to fame early in her career for her rendition of "Home" from THE WIZ on THE Merv Griffin SHOW, as well as made a mark with a Cissy Houston duet on the CHESS international smash, "I Know Him So Well" on her second hit album. The last project Houston was working on prior to her death on Saturday night was the feature film musical SPARKLE, co-starring AMERICAN IDOL winner and Broadway standout Jordin Sparks. SPARKLE reportedly completed production of principal photography and soundtrack sessions, though it is not clear when the musical remake will now be released in light of Houston's unexpected death. No matter the circumstances of her life and death, Whitney Houston most surely left a legacy that will never be forgotten by those that adored her for her vast multitude of talents and many notable accomplishments in all areas of entertainment.

Discussing all aspects of her sensitive, charming and emotional new collection of songs, MY LIFELONG LOVE, today we are talking to composer Georgia Stitt, a uniquely gifted artist whose moving new album is an ideal representation of the many facets of her songwriting abilities as well as a portal into her own genre-spanning inspirations and projects from which a number of these songs are culled - many musicals included! In addition to all about MY LIFELONG LOVE and the fabulous Broadway personalities appearing on it - such as Jessie Tyler Ferguson, Susan Egan, Shoshana Bean and Brian D'Arcy James - Stitt also illustrates how her personal life and role as a mother to two daughters has influenced her craft and career, as well as what we can expect from her in the future - like the new jukebox musical, HELLO! MY BABY, and the original musical, BIG RED SUN. Plus, working on the recording of the new ballet, THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN, with her husband, Tony-winner Jason Robert Brown; music directing and acting as vocal coach on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and GREASE: YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT, an overview of the musicals she is working on currently - and much, much more!

The latest non-Equity tour of one of the crown jewels of the American musical theater, "Fiddler On The Roof," pulled its bus and truck into the equally landmark Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University this week for a one-week Chicago stay, giving its mostly young and talented cast a chance to do some holiday shopping and, perhaps, sleep late.

Having racked up multiple top ten hits while still a mere teenager since he burst upon the music scene in 1999, songwriter and performer Shad Moss was once known as Lil Bow Wow and now goes by just Bow Wow, though he is building up a considerable enough film resume to consider now using only his Christian name to differentiate his various talents. Between LIKE MIKE, ROLL BOUNCE, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, Tyler Perry's MADEA'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY most recently, and, now, his villainous new role in THE FAMILY TREE, Moss has transitioned from rapper to leading man in much the same way that he seamlessly moved from boy wonder to the man behind his own music at Cash Money Records. With news on his forthcoming album UNDERRATED featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj, among others, as well as a look back at his past albums and appearances - such as his movie musical debut in MTV's CARMEN: A HIP-HOPERA co-starring Beyonce Knowles, Mekhi Pfeiffer and Mos Def; as well as his memorable stint on ENTOURAGE - Moss also shares his individual observations on how the music industry has changed and morphed in the last fifteen years since he started out as Jermaine Dupri's protégé, as well as all about his upcoming film thriller RECALLED and working with the cast, crew and creatives of THE FAMILY TREE - Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney and Chi McBride included - and much, much more! THE FAMILY TREE opens in select cities today.

Tickets are now on sale for the World Premiere production of DARK SISTERS, composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by Stephen Karam, conducted by Neal Goren, directed by Rebecca Taichman, and co-commissioned and co-produced by Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. DARK SISTERS will premiere from November 9-19,2011 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue, NYC. Tickets are $30-125 and are available at www.ticketcentral.com or by phone at 212-279-4200.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its 37th season of shows - its first ever with six productions instead of five. The production is the West Coast Premiere of YEAR ZERO, written by Michael Golamco and directed by David Rose.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its 37th season of shows - its first ever with six productions instead of five.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Get your tickets now to see this entertaining musical based on the singing group 'The Four Seasons' which Ends Feb. 27, 2011.

Upcoming MTI Shows - 1/30 for Toronto

Upcoming MTI Shows - 1/09 for Toronto

Upcoming MTI Shows - 12/26 for Toronto

2010 was a year filled with all sorts of exciting BroadwayWorld interviews - here's some of this year's highlights!

In a conversation encapsulating everything from Albee and WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF to Aristophanes and Virginia Woolf herself - and even a little Stephen King - this concluding portion of this exclusive interview with this remarkably gifted actor ends with a look ahead to LEAP OF FAITH. Plus, what's on his iPod, what books he's reading, and a whole lot more!

Upcoming MTI Shows - 12/19 for Toronto

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

In this exclusive interview with BroadwayWorld, Raul Esparza takes a comprehensive look back at his spectacular rise to fame from this time ten years ago in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on Broadway, his first New York stage role, to now, with career-defining reviews for the out-of-town tryout of the new Alan Menken musical LEAP OF FAITH - as well as his sold-out American Songbook concerts early next year in New York. What does the future hold for Raul Esparza onscreen and onstage? Will it be Shakespeare or Sondheim or something completely new? Mamet or MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG? You may very well find your answer here.

Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group and the Opera Company of Philadelphia announce the commission of a new American opera, DARK SISTERS, composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by Stephen Karam, conducted by Neal Goren, and directed by Rebecca Taichman.

Actor James Denton from Desperate Housewives is immensely popular and every woman's dream man. When I met him at a charity event for SeaGlass Theatre recently, he struck me as a really nice guy, warm, friendly and very easy going. We talked about SeaGlass, their fall project,opening at the Victory Theatre on September 18, his music - and of course, Desperate Housewives.

Best known for creating the role of Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast, Burke Moses has played some amazing leading roles during his theatrical career. In the upcoming Theater of the Stars production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, he has the opportunity once again to pick up the whistle of Captain Georg Von Trapp (he most recently played to role in the acclaimed Toronto production) and command a new brigade of Von Trapp children on stage at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre. Broadwayworld.com had the chance to talk to Burke about this turn as the Captain, working with children, and the timelessness of this amazing Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.