David Caldwell News

There's no doubt that Jeanine Tesori's music in the musical "Violet", currently playing at ArtsWest, is stirring and powerful but it's the lyrics and book by Brian Crawley that truly pack the punch in the show. But of course they would as the show is rife with hot button topics of that era as well as our own. And while the ensemble manages some of the tightest and most technically proficient performances I've seen I didn't always get from them the importance or danger associated with the stakes of those issues and so didn't always feel the emotional connection to the story.

Defying Subtlety: The Songs of Ed Bell is headed to The Battersea Barge, London on Sunday 20th December, 8pm. Tickets £12-18.

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is about to get under way and, as always, the John W. Engeman Theatre excellently delivers a fabulous holiday production. This years' offering, running through January 4th, is the musical Miracle On 34th Street by Meredith Willson based on the classic movie.

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances run now through January 3, 2016, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances began on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 8:00pm and run through January 3, 2016. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the show's opening night, below!

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances begin tonight, November 19, 2015 at 8:00pm and run through January 3, 2016.

O'Connell & Company, the professional theatre in residence at The Park School of Buffalo, presents Uh Oh! Here Comes Christmas - a variety performance by Robert Fulghum, Ernest Zulia and David Caldwell, opening on November 27 and running through December 20, 2015.

The John W. Engeman Theater announces the cast and creative team for MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances begin on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 8:00pm and run through January 3, 2016.

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Song Salon will offer a special presentation with three rising Broadway talents -- Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton), Doreen Montalvo (On Your Feet) and Timothy Ware (Kinky Boots) -- who will present musical highlights from their respective shows. The evening will be held on Monday, November 30 in a spectacular, sky-high location on West 57th Street.

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab will present additional staged readings next month of two musicals in development for upcoming full productions. First up will be Gotta Getta Girl, a 1930's musical romp with book and lyrics by Peter Charles Morris and music by David Caldwell, directed by Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway) with musical direction by Mr. Caldwell. The readings will be held on Monday, November 2 @ 6pm and Tuesday November 3 @ 3pm & 7pm, at The Playroom Theatre (151 West 46thStreet, 8th Floor - between Broadway & 6th Avenue).

Let me start out by saying I do not like "Jesus Christ Superstar". I think it is a completely overrated show. Repeating the same lyric 50 times does not make a song! So it's more than an annoyance that every few years someone feels the need to resurrect it (pun intended). I mean in the past eight years I've seen it four times. In fact the current production at Seattle Musical Theatre is the third production in four years where they've chosen to set it in a post-apocalyptic world. I can only attribute its constant remounting to religious fervor and a mass familiarity with the source story. So I'm going to try and keep my disdain for the piece in check and focus on the performances. Unfortunately, as good as the performers were vocally, there was a severe lack of depth in these iconic characters plus a bad sound system which didn't aid the performers in getting me through the afternoon.

Seattle Musical Theatre's 2015/2016 season roars to life with the high-voltage rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Seattle superstar Billie Wildrick makes her SMT directorial debut as director and will be joined by SMT Associate Music Consultant Brandon Peck as music director and BroadwayWorld Award-winning Troy Wageman as choreographer.

 Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) and The Amas Song Salon will offer a special benefit presentation of Gotta Getta Girl, a 1930's musical romp with book and lyrics by Peter Charles Morris and music by David Caldwell. Directed by Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway) with musical direction by Mr. Caldwell and a cast of three - Michael LaMasa, Brieghanna Minnema and Sam Underwood ("Dexter, "Homeland," "The Following"), the presentation will be held on Monday, June 22 in a beautiful terraced apartment in Harlem. The evening will begin at 6pm with cocktails and light dinner, followed by the performance and post-performance discussion at 7:30pm. Tickets are $90 (tax deductible as allowed law) and may be purchased online at www.amasmusical.org or by calling212-563-2565. This is a one time event and the seating is limited.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the Orange County premiere of the Smash-Hit, Off-Broadway musical, MURDER FOR TWO, book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, choreography by Wendy Seyb, musical direction by David Caldwell and direction by Scott Schwartz.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the Orange County premiere of the Smash-Hit, Off-Broadway musical, MURDER FOR TWO, book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, choreography by Wendy Seyb, musical direction by David Caldwell and direction by Scott Schwartz.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the Orange County premiere of the Smash-Hit, Off-Broadway musical, MURDER FOR TWO, book and music by Joe Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, choreography by Wendy Seyb, musical direction by David Caldwell and direction by Scott Schwartz.

Tonight, March 14th, Sam Underwood, currently starring in FOX's 'The Following' will make his solo show debut at 54 Below with A Second Impression. He will be joined by guest stars Julia Murney (Wicked, Lennon) Valorie Curry ('House of Lies,' 'The Following'), Tessa Fairey (Rockabye Hamlet, Supersoldier), and Breighanna Minnema (The Bully, Gotta Getta Girl).

Coming up this week, 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, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

This March, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. Below, find the schedule for upcoming events over the next month.