Why Am I So Single? - Articles Page 24

Yesterday, international singing sensation and fresh-faced new GLEE cast member Charice - proclaimed by Oprah herself to be 'the most talented girl in the world' - was kind enough to take some time out while rehearsing her new song for an upcoming Season Two episode of GLEE as Sunshine Corazon to talk to me about all things GLEE - Showrunner/Creator Ryan Murphy, her audition, singing with Lea Michele, what duets she wants to do, 'All By Myself', 'Telephone', 'Listen', etc. - as well as working with writer/producer Bruno Mars on her new single 'Before It Explodes', continuing a theme begun with Mars's own 'Grenade' - as well as singing Mars songs for a number of tracks on her forthcoming album. Additionally, we discuss her musical influences, her favorite songs to sing in concert, what inspires her, her favorite films of the year and her deep desire to star in a horror film someday soon - plus, comments on everyone from Barbra Streisand, Lea Michele and Idina Menzel to Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z and Justin Bieber. Also: news on her feature film debut, HERE COMES THE BOOM, co-starring Kevin James, Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler - and much, much more!

Today we are talking to the composer of the new Broadway musical WONDERLAND, who is the only American composer to have had three of his shows running concurrently on Broadway - JEKYLL & HYDE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and THE CIVIL WAR - and has since solidified himself as one of the most successful international musical theatre composers of the 21st century, with his globe-spanning productions of everything from THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in Switzerland to CYRANO in Tokyo to TEARS OF HEAVEN in Korea to the forthcoming Broadway production of BONNIE & CLYDE - the warm and gracious Frank Wildhorn. Over the span of our considerable discussion last week we touched on everything from his pop music roots writing hits for Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers, to his tenure at Atlantic Records and his series of recordings, shows and concerts with muse Linda Eder, as well as a thorough discussion of his compositional process, what inspires him in a story, his own favorite musicals, what the future holds - EXCALIBUR with Jim Steinman, perhaps? The world premiere of the long-awaited HAVANA? JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MOVIE MUSICAL? - and much, much more!

In recognition of the centennial of Williams' birth, I conducted a very unscientific survey among Nashville theater folk to determine which of his plays are the most popular and the best loved. Perhaps surprisingly, the top vote-getters in our informal survey were A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Summer and Smoke, shows that have been given memorable (so memorable, in fact, that people continue to talk about them) productions in Music City in the last century. Members of the Nashville theaterati have definite ideas where Williams' plays are concerned.

Last night I had the honor of interviewing two-time Emmy-winning comedy queen and Broadway's newest leading lady Kathy Griffin about her new show KATHY GRIFFIN WANTS A TONY, which opens at the Belasco Theater this Friday, as well as all her other exciting endeavors coming up soon. Next week, Kathy will be all over the entertainment landscape, with her Sarah Palin-esque turn as a red state Regionals judge in red on Tuesday's GLEE and later that week marks the premiere of her new Bravo comedy special KATHY GRIFFIN: 50 AND NOT PREGNANT - the first of four she will presenting on the network in the coming months. All of this in addition to her Broadway debut. Commenting on everyone from Julie Andrews to Charlie Sheen to Sarah Palin and Scarlett Johansson, Griffin's quick wit and razor-sharp astuteness makes her a convivially caustic and endearing subject - and perhaps the funniest, as well. See why she is soon to be the toast of Broadway - plus, find out her favorite cast album of all time; a selection she shares with Stephen Sondheim, no less - and a whole lot more in this exciting, exclusive conversation only on BroadwayWorld!

Today we are talking to one of the biggest and youngest sensations of the season, Al Pacino's highly-lauded Portia to his Shylock in the sold-out MERCHANT OF VENICE, as well as a recurring star on THE GOOD WIFE and MEDIUM - following an unforgettable appearance on NIP/TUCK last year - this year's recipient of USA's CHARACTER APPROVED Award for Theatre, Lily Rabe. In this enlivened discussion, Rabe and I dissect her work on stages and screens large and small as well as what the future holds for her on Broadway, in Hollywood and beyond - including starring in a new independent film, LETTERS TO THE BIG MAN, and a revival of A DOLL'S HOUSE co-starring Hamish Linklater at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Josh Strickland, currently starring in PEEPSHOW and 'Holly's World' on E!, debuted his first ever solo artist single on iTunes last Wednesday. The song, titled 'Report to the Floor' was co-produced by Grammy Award winning producer Damon Elliott and by Norwegian pop/dance producer Axident. The single has now taken the world by storm and reached the top ten on the iTunes Dance Charts.

Today, we are featuring an exclusive conversation with one of the most accomplished and respected stage and television actors of his generation, showing solid proof that a child actor can go on to have a wildly successful career as an adult onstage and onscreen if he has the talent to go with it - the star of the Public Theater's new production of William Shakespeare's TIMON OF ATHENS, Richard Thomas. From the seventies TV smash THE WALTONS to Stephen King's IT and NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES in the 90s and 00s, to Edward Albee's TINY ALICE and David Mamet‘s RACE onstage, we touch upon many of the memorable roles that have made Richard Thomas a household name over the course of his forty years in show business and what the work of William Shakespeare means not only to him and those involved with this avant garde production of the problematic play, but also the pertinent message the show carries with it in these tumultuous times we live in today and what we can learn from it.

Josh Strickland, currently starring in PEEPSHOW and "Holly's World" on E!, debuted his first ever solo artist single on iTunes on Wednesday. The song, titled "Report to the Floor" was co-produced by Grammy Award winning producer Damon Elliott and by Norwegian pop/dance producer Axident. Since the song's release on iTunes yesterday the song has already climbed into the top 50 on the iTunes Dance Chart.

Growing up as the daughter of one of the most iconic comediennes of all time could not have been easy, yet Melissa Rivers has managed to carve her own place in the Hollywood landscape as a producer and television personality herself, coming after nearly a decade of co-hosting the red carpet fashion rundowns on E! and the TV GUIDE channel with her mother Joan. Her (mostly) behind-the-scenes work as a producer on E!'s weekly FASHION POLICE show starring Joan is just half of her duties, as she also stars in and produces the new WE reality series JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST? Also, she manages to find the time to be a single mom and confidant to her legendary mother - and clean up after camera crews. I was lucky enough to speak to Melissa over the weekend in anticipation of tonight's special edition FASHION POLICE: SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS on E! and Tuesday's JOAN KNOWS BEST? on WE. Also, be sure to check out my weekend feature interview with Joan Rivers, as well.

Having essayed the roles of Belle in BEAUTY & THE BEAST and the title role in MARY POPPINS on Broadway, as well as having created a role in the jukebox revue ON THE RECORD, Ashley Brown has carved a place for herself as the premiere Disney leading lady of the 21st century and her participation in the recent symphonic presentation of SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARVES only furthers that point. I spoke to Ashley yesterday as she was on her way to rehearsals for SIR TIM RICE & FRIENDS, a special concert taking place in NYC on Friday at 6 PM and we discussed her career so far and her plans for the future, both near and far. Also, here you will find the first news of Ashley's upcoming PBS special airing in March and a forthcoming original Charlie Chaplin musical as well as a Cole Porter revue based on the film ROMAN HOLIDAY.

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!

Celebrating twenty years of THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW on the air, the controversial talk show host and stage personality was kind enough to set aside some time this week to talk to me about his stints as Billy Flynn in CHICAGO - on Broadway and in the West End - as well as joining recent InDepth InterView participants Raul Esparza and Alice Ripley onstage as the Narrator in the 2000 revival of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on Broadway. Coming up, Jerry will be playing the role of Captain Hook in the UK special holiday event panto production of PETER PAN next month. In this revealing discussion, we also touch upon the rise of reality TV, DANCING WITH THE STARS, Howard Stern, Rosie O'Donnell, why theatre is the best art form on the planet, and much, much more. And, no theatre-centric Springer discussion would be complete without a thorough analysis of the shockingly brilliant JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA, winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical and now available on Region 2 DVD.

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.

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all, and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and what she has taken as her inspirations to play Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In this portion of her most comprehensive interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present Part I of InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

What is Hanukkah... or Chanukkah? How do you really spell it, anyway? What's it ever done for me and why should I care? Hash it out (a nice lean kosher hash) with our hosts Marc and Doug for a unique evening of fun and music and story telling. We'll share, we'll kibitz, we'll have a little something to eat! Sure, go see A CHRISTMAS CAROL, (we're going to be on their set... how ironic if that?) but do yourself a favor and spend a little time this year spinning the dreidel with Marc and Doug. Who knows, maybe we'll even learn something about all this holiday mishagas. Maybe, maybe not... you put 3 Jews in a room together you get 5 different opinions. So...what can I tell you, we'll see what happens, but even if we don't solve any baffling Jewish mysteries...we'll have a lot of fun not getting anywhere together. Oy! Did we mention that we'll have a little nosh?

What is Hanukkah... or Chanukkah? How do you really spell it, anyway? What's it ever done for me and why should I care? Hash it out (a nice lean kosher hash) with our hosts Marc and Doug for a unique evening of fun and music and story telling. We'll share, we'll kibitz, we'll have a little something to eat! Sure, go see A CHRISTMAS CAROL, (we're going to be on their set... how ironic if that?) but do yourself a favor and spend a little time this year spinning the dreidel with Marc and Doug. Who knows, maybe we'll even learn something about all this holiday mishagas. Maybe, maybe not... you put 3 Jews in a room together you get 5 different opinions. So...what can I tell you, we'll see what happens, but even if we don't solve any baffling Jewish mysteries...we'll have a lot of fun not getting anywhere together. Oy! Did we mention that we'll have a little nosh?

Actress Salome Jens is an actor's actor. She considers acting a pure art form and is ever respectful of every single role she plays. From films like Angel Baby to Mae Olinski in TV's Mary Hartman Mary Hartman to her one-woman play About Anne, her work is passionate, thoughtful and evocative. She will be performing About Anne @ Group rep in NoHo November 19 and 20 as a benefit for the theatre. In our chat recently conducted on the stage of Group rep, she talks about the roots of About Anne (poet Anne Sexton, who struggled her entire short life with mental illness and committed suicide) and other theatrical passions.

Today we are talking to the legendary Broadway and Hollywood composer best known for his work with estimable lyricist Fred Ebb on legendary shows such as CABARET, CHICAGO, THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN and THE VISIT - as well as the classic, Oscar-winning film adaptations of those first two shows - who also composed the unofficial New York anthem 'New York, New York' and yesterday premiered his newest original musical on Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - none other than thoughtful and gentle genius John Kander. We discuss his fifty-year career writing with Fred Ebb, writing for Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenoweth, working with directors like Bob Fosse, Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, plus his thoughts on GLEE, the future of his shows written before Ebb's passing - as well as some SCOTTSBORO BOYS talk - in this comprehensive conversation on all things razzle-dazzlingly resplendent as only Kander & Ebb can claim be. Plus, Kander dissects and discusses the writing process of five of his finest compositions! Start spreadin' the news...

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.

Today, we are talking to the international TV icon herself - most recently having conquered Sirius satellite radio - the incomparable comedienne, actress, activist, filmmaker, producer, writer and stage performer Rosie O'Donnell. In this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming comedy show at Town Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival coming up this Friday, November 4th, as well as the first news about her new daytime hour-long television discussion show on Oprah's OWN Network beginning in September of next year, plus plans for a New York art gallery showing of her art in 2011 and hopes to return to Broadway in James Lapine's thirtieth anniversary revival of the beloved musical ANNIE - making a girlhood dream come true. All this, and a top-to-bottom discussion of all things Broadway - from Rosie's Theater Kids and their self-written musical MY LIFE that just premiered at NYMF, to her own favorite shows, songs, scores, divas and Broadway performance highlights from her own talk show, to TABOO and her theories on what makes Broadway an American institution. Plus, the first news of her role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Season Eight! Over the course of our engaging and enlivening conversation Rosie proved she is the Queen of Nice in addition to being that unparalleled queen of Broadway patronage. See why - and much, much more - here.

Today, we are talking to the international TV icon herself - most recently having conquered Sirius satellite radio - the incomparable comedienne, actress, activist, filmmaker, producer, writer and stage performer Rosie O'Donnell. In this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming comedy show at Town Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival coming up this Friday, November 4th, as well as the first news about her new daytime hour-long television discussion show on Oprah's OWN Network beginning in September of next year, plus plans for a New York art gallery showing of her art in 2011 and hopes to return to Broadway in James Lapine's thirtieth anniversary revival of the beloved musical ANNIE - making a girlhood dream come true. All this, and a top-to-bottom discussion of all things Broadway - from Rosie's Theater Kids and their self-written musical MY LIFE that just premiered at NYMF, to her own favorite shows, songs, scores, divas and Broadway performance highlights from her own talk show, to TABOO and her theories on what makes Broadway an American institution. Plus, the first news of her role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Season Eight! Over the course of our engaging and enlivening conversation Rosie proved she is the Queen of Nice in addition to being that unparalleled queen of Broadway patronage. See why - and much, much more - here.

Who has more style? More flair? More imagination? More sheer visual power in each and every frame of every single one of his films than the master of the modern movie musical - and director of the greatest Shakespeare film adaptation ever created, bar none - the fabulously talented and extremely entertaining film genius otherwise known as Baz Luhrmann. In this BWW World Premiere Exclusive InDepth InterView we talk everything from Broadway to Hollywood to Oz - with chairing this year's NYMF, Blu-Rays of his previous films, WICKED onstage and onscreen, GLEE, (the other) Oz, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Beyonce, Andrew Lloyd Webber and much, much more in-between - so follow the digital yellow brick road to the cyber emerald kingdom in the wonderful world of Baz.

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.

Today we continue the brand new BroadwayWorld in-depth songwriting discussion series Modern Music Masters with one of the most successful solo artists of the last ten years - holding the record for the longest-lasting single on the Billboard charts ever thanks to his hit song 'I'm Yours', which soon may very well be heard on GLEE - the lyrically smart, mentally acute and musically savvy Jason Mraz. In this comprehensive conversation we discuss the songwriting process in extreme detail, focusing on some of his more theatrical songs and influences, as well as shedding some light on his beginnings in the school choir/glee club and what musical theatre training has meant to him in preparation for a long career in performance and music. Additionally, we discuss both the physical and psychological sides of his process in performing around the world and creating new work constantly while doing so. His brand new EP - LIFE IS GOOD - hits stores today and this is the first interview he has given in which he discusses the new songs on the album and what recording the various live shows the tracks were taken from was like to experience firsthand on this spellbinding series of sold-out arena shows. This is his most thorough conversation in print to date so it is a special honor and privilege to present his masterful talent to those that already know and love his work, and perhaps a few who are new to his musical and lyrical abilities. Thus: BroadwayWorld presents the self-proclaimed Mr.AZ from A to Z.

Today we begin a new comprehensive academic music discussion series on BroadwayWorld in which I speak to the most cutting-edge artists in the recording industry, on Broadway and in Hollywood about their influences and experiences in the industry with an emphatic emphasis on the songwriting process itself and what drives and inspires it. While these discussions may be on occasion only tangentially theatre-related, the insights provided by the various participants is a demonstrative way in which to illuminate perhaps the most mysterious of all the arts: music. Peering into the psyche of the composer and lyricist, we may begin to understand what the craft of composition and lyric-writing is all about and why musical theatre tends to attract the most talented and innovative songwriters, both in the twentieth-century and today (as this column proves).