Irving Caesar News

American Lyric Theater (ALT) and Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, in partnership with MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale), presents The Halloween Tree on October 30, 2016 at 3pm in the Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W 67th Street, New York City.  Based on Ray Bradbury's classic novel that explores the origins of Halloween, composer Theo Popov and librettist Tony Asaro take us on an epic journey as a group of children search for their friend Pipkin, who has mysteriously disappeared on Halloween night.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) - founded by Lawrence Edelson in 2005 to build a new body of operatic repertoire by nurturing composers and librettists and providing an incubator for their collaborations - announces its 2016-2017 Season. The season begins with the InsightALT series, providing an insider's look at how new operas are made, featuring concert readings of operas in development at ALT, including The Halloween Tree, The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing, and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Fallen Giant. The season concludes with the return of the critically acclaimed ALT Alumni: Composers & Librettists in Concert, celebrating the success of prominent alumni of American Lyric Theater's innovative Composer Librettist Development Program. Tickets are available at www.altnyc.org.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the line-up of new musicals for their 28th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, 2016 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced eleven awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its eighth year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $43,000 to twelve organizations across the country.

Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW, under the leadership of Artistic Director David Staller, continues its 11th Season when it presents its 113th concert presentation with George Bernard Shaw's CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA on Monday, May 23 at 7pm, at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre (2537 Broadway at 95th Street).

Third Street Music School Settlement, the nation's longest running community school is pleased to announce this year's Spring Gala will honor Sting, Grammy Award winning musician and renowned philanthropist and Brenda Harris, Third Street Preschool teacher of 22 years.

American Lyric Theater is proud to launch a new series, ALT Alumni: Composers and Librettists in Concert, celebrating the successes of its Composer Librettist Development Program. The series includes two upcoming concerts at the brand new National Sawdust, November 15, 2015 and February 7, 2016, each featuring excerpts from five different operas with scores and/or librettos written by alumni of the CLDP.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the cast for the SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE and the SONGWRITERS CABARET at the 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16. Both events take place at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). In person registration for industry members will be available on Thursday at 9:30 AM at New World Stages (340 West 50 Street). (Please note the admission process for each event in the individual descriptions.)

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced additional directors and casting for their 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS. The Festival will take place on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to announce the lineup for the SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE and the SONGWRITERS CABARET at the 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16. Both events take place at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Registration for Industry members is free and now open at www.namt.org/festival. (Please note the admission process for each event in the individual descriptions.)

Prospect Theater Company has announced the world premiere of NEWS TO ME, an original teen musical revue inspired by current events.  Hero-rats, robot dogs, squatters and squirrels leap from page to stage at The Times Center, in this special one night performance, held tonight, July 24th at 7pm.

Prospect Theater Company has announced the world premiere of NEWS TO ME, an original teen musical revue inspired by current events.  Hero-rats, robot dogs, squatters and squirrels leap from page to stage at The Times Center, in this special one night performance, held on Friday July 24th at 7pm.

Danny Bacher has the performance ease of an artist who's spent twice his years on the circuit. His preternatural feel for swing delivers scrupulous control, hip, unfussy phrasing, nuanced inflection, and the kind of fluent, savory scat “wordless vocables” I haven't heard from a man in some time, certainly not one so young. His soprano saxophone and singing are so like one another in attitude and energy, Bacher epitomizes the musician whose instrument acts as solid manifestation of voice. His new CD release celebration show at the Metropolitan Room, Swing That Music (last performance of a four-show run today at 4 pm) is a jazz tribute to the three Louis: Louis Armstrong--Satchmo (1901-1971), Louis Prima--The King of Swing before Benny Goodman came along (1910-1978), and Louis Jordan--King of the Jukebox (1908-1975.) Musical numbers get along like the old friends they are, brushing shoulders, poking one another in the ribs, slapping backs. The show is well paced with next to no patter. Danny Bacher is the real deal; a musician to watch.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces nine awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its seventh year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $46,000 to ten organizations across the country.

Kathryn Allison has been chosen as the winner of NYMF's Next Broadway Sensation 2014 (NNBS). The competition took place at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) and gave nearly 200 singers the chance to be crowned this year's champion.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced finalists for the 2014 NYMF'S NEXT BROADWAY SENSATION competition. The first two rounds of competition were held Friday and Saturday at New World Stages.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced details for the 2014 NYMF'S NEXT BROADWAY SENSATION competition. A perennial fan-favorite, the competition will return in December with an impressive new list of celebrity mentors.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced details for the 2014 NYMF'S NEXT BROADWAY SENSATION competition. A perennial fan-favorite, the competition will return in December with an impressive new list of celebrity mentors.

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

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.