The Book of Merman - Articles Page 4

Just in time for our 50th Anniversary of The Stonewall Riots that started the Gay Liberation Movement leading to the LGBTQIAA Community and countless numbers of PRIDE festivities happening all over the world, my podcast would like to take a moment and throw some love to some of the out and open performers working in theater today that have stopped by for a chat with me.

Jessie Mueller, Gavin Creel. Seth Rudetsky and more will head to Provincetown this summer!

This Month, FEINSTEIN'S54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.comFeinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

At first glance, she's an evil villain, kidnapping young women and selling them into human trafficking.  It might be seen as a politically incorrect role, perpetuating a racist stereotype.  And in the wrong hands, it could be.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) and Flying Elephant Productions present TILL, the emotional and moving true story of Emmett and Mamie Till, with music and lyrics by Leo Schwartz and book by Leo Schwartz and DC Cathro. NJ Agwuna directs a cast of six, including Taylor A. Blackman (Regional: Fun Home, Mamma Mia, Hello Dolly, Ragtime), Tyla Collier (Off-Broadway: Sistas the Musical), Dwelvan David (1st national tours: Finding Neverland; The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), Judith Franklin (Broadway: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Denielle Marie Gray (NationalIntl. Touring: background singer for Patti Labelle & others) and Devin L. Roberts (Broadway: The Lion King, Cabin In The Sky). Five performances will be staged at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City from July 23-28, 2019.

Getting over the seedy scenery and the pre-recorded orchestra, I found Theatre Charlotte's THE PRODUCERS more politically incorrect - and nearly as enjoyable - as the previous three times I've seen this Mel Brooks romp.

As I'm going through all my Gypsy CDs (yes, to ensure I have them all either on my hard drive or accessible in the cloud, before throwing them out), I'm finding myself weirdly most drawn to Tyne Daly's recording, from her Tony-winning performance in the 1989 revival. The thing is I know Tyne Daly, I mean I know her work. She's been a familiar and distinctive presence on stage and screen for as long as I can remember and I even have a few musical theater recordings featuring her singing, but hers is not a singing voice I live with on a LITERALLY daily basis like, say, Ethel Merman's, Angela Lansbury's, Bette Midler's, Bernadette Peters's or Patti LuPone's. So to me, Tyne Daly's Rose is a unique sound that I can only identify with Tyne Daly's Rose and, therefore, a character. For today, that's the Gypsy I most feel like listening to.

Well, the next step in my decluttering/digitizing journey is throwing out my Chess CDs, not that they take up much space. I only have the Original Concept Recording and the Broadway cast. I'm going to download the freaking 2008 Royal Albert Hall concert version (with Idina Menzel, Josh Groban and Adam Pascal) to try to keep this column hip. But let's all just remember two things: 1.) I am not hip; and, 2.) I'm just downloading the concert for this column, so it doesn't really count as part of my digitizing.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. After Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Highlights this week include Laura Osnes, 54 Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Broadway Sings Unplugged: Beyonce.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Oklahoma! will transfer to Broadway, and more!

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

THE BOOK OF MERMAN, a new musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Leo Schwartz and book by Schwartz and DC Cathro, starts previews this Friday, October 5 at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street). Joe Langworth directs this new Off-Broadway musical, with an opening set for Sunday, October 21.  

THE BOOK OF MERMAN, a new musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Leo Schwartz and book by Schwartz and DC Cathro, starts previews this Friday, October 5 at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street). Joe Langworth directs this new Off-Broadway musical, with an opening set for Sunday, October 21.  

It's 1966. Summer in New York City. America is a country in transition. Racial tensions are coming to a head. Black Power is a new catch-phrase in all the daily papers. The country is divided. Protests and violence are everywhere. The classes are ready to clash!

What do the Beatles, Dylan, Sting, Stones, Beyonc , Gaga, Madonna, the Taylors (Swift and James), Queen, Elvis, Bowie, Pink, Adele, the Monkees and Snoop Dog all have in common?

The new musical, Hit Her with the Skates, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin, directed by Michael Schiralli with musical direction by Brandon Ethridge and choreography by Gina Ventura, opened last weekend at Hamilton Stage (UCPAC, Rahway, NJ) from May 12 - 27, 2017. BroadwayWorld's Leigh Scheps talks with star, Amy Toporek, about her involvement with the show since inception plus what it's like performing on stage with Broadway's John Treacy Egan.

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) has announced the return of the highly acclaimed and widely popular holiday show, "Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin." The newly announced show, a holiday offering during the downtown theatre's 42nd season, features songs by Irving Berlin and a book by Hershey Felder, with direction from longtime Felder collaborator Trevor Hay. The show's run begins on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 and plays through Sunday, January 7, 2018 with a press opening on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 8 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.

Singer/Actress, Liz Rubino, will return to the NY cabaret stage with her debut at the well known establishment, Don't Tell Mama, in 'Make Yourself Comfortable' opening Today, February 11th @ 7:30 p.m. Additional shows are 3/11 and 4/08. Music Charge is $15.00, Two Drink Min. $5.00 MAC member discount.

???????Liz Rubino, will return to the NY cabaret stage with her debut at the well known establishment, Don't Tell Mama, in "Make Yourself Comfortable" opening Saturday, March 11th @ 7:00 pm. Additional show is 4/08. Music Charge is $15.00, Two Drink Min. $5.00 MAC member discount. Music Director: Matthew Martin Ward.

Co-Artistic Directors Michael Dailey, Heath Hays and Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the addition of eight new company members to Strawdog Theatre's ensemble including Chelsea Wilson, board president; Leah Barish, managing director; Virginia Head, director of individual giving; Cara Beth Heath, literary manager and Kamille Dawkins, Ashley Ann Woods, Raquel Adorno and Elly Green, ensemble members.

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is excited to continue its record breaking season with Irving Berlin's classic musical comedy, Annie Get Your Gun.   Prepare to be dazzled as Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show returns to the Fulton Theatre after 100 years and the theatre is transformed into a big top, surrounding the audience with all the action. 

Singer/Actress, Liz Rubino, will return to the NY cabaret stage with her debut at the well known establishment, Don't Tell Mama, in 'Make Yourself Comfortable' opening Saturday, February 11th @ 7:30 p.m. Additional shows are 3/11 and 4/08. Music Charge is $15.00, Two Drink Min. $5.00 MAC member discount.

Red Hot Mama - The Sophie Tucker Songbook - is the story of the first lady of show business, the 'Last of the Red Hot Mamas', whose remarkable career spanned sixty years.  It contains the music and history of burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway and Las Vegas, in a critically acclaimed One-Woman Off-Broadway musical biography of the entertainment legend, written by and starring Tony Award Nominee Sharon McNight.   The LA Times reported, 'McNight gives the performance of a lifetime as 'The Last of the Red Hot Mamas'.

Red Hot Mama - The Sophie Tucker Songbook - is the story of the first lady of show business, the 'Last of the Red Hot Mamas', whose remarkable career spanned sixty years.  It contains the music and history of burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway and Las Vegas, in a critically acclaimed One-Woman Off-Broadway musical biography of the entertainment legend, written by and starring Tony Award Nominee Sharon McNight.   The LA Times reported, 'McNight gives the performance of a lifetime as 'The Last of the Red Hot Mamas'.

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is proud to announce that the U.S. National Tour of ANNIE, now in its third smash year, will play five performances March 17 - 19, 2017 at the Fox Theatre as a special addition to the 2016/2017 season. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE is a brand new incarnation of the iconic Tony Award®-winning original.