Bill Finn News

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 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 her inspirations as Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In her most comprehensive print interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

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.

The Kaufman Center has announced performers for its 'Broadway Close Up' series at Merkin Concert Hall.

On Monday, October 25th, New York Theatre Barn will present its monthly showcase for emerging writers and performers at the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theater, which will feature the music of Timothy Huang and duo Eli Bolin and Sam Forman as well as performances from Broadway's Carly Jibson (Cry Baby, Hairspray) and Jared Gertner (Spelling Bee).

In a career that has consisted of everything from voicing Howard the Duck to originating the roles of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS and Marvin (and Dr. Mendel) in the FALSETTOS trilogy by William Finn, as well as some DePalma and numerous stage roles in between, Chip Zien is a character actor extraordinaire who now is trying out a new role - that of book writer - in the New York Musical Theater Festival's new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR. Last week we spoke to one of the stars of the show, Max Von Essen, and today we shine some light on the process of bringing the show to the stage as well as a look back at many of the notable film and theatre appearances that Zien has made over his nearly four decades in show business. Working with Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Dustin Hoffman and Nicolas Cage is just the tip of the iceberg, as Zien also opens up about his unusual career and the many friendships he has built along the way. All that, and what it was like to be at the birth of a brand new Sondheim song written just for him in the form of 'No More' from INTO THE WOODS. Marvin to Mendel, Baker to book writer, Chip Zien is an authority of all the glitters and the gold of having a true collaborative breakthrough as he has had on FALSETTOS, INTO THE WOODS and, now, THE HISTORY OF WAR. Tickets are on sale at the link below! Only three performances left, tonight and tomorrow only!

The Kaufman Center has announced performers for its 'Broadway Close Up' series at Merkin Concert Hall.

The Kaufman Center has announced performers for its 'Broadway Close Up' series at Merkin Concert Hall.

The Kaufman Center has announced performers for its 'Broadway Close Up' series at Merkin Concert Hall.

The work of songwriters Julia Meinwald and Eric March will be presented at the Parkside Lounge on Tuesday, July 6th.

The work of songwriters Julia Meinwald and Eric March will be presented at the Parkside Lounge on Tuesday, July 6th.

It's that time of the year again for the recognition of some amazing up and coming talent on the theatre scene, specifically, the 20th Annual Kleban Awards. The Kleban Foundation is pleased to announce that the 20th Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theater lyricist has gone to Peter Mills and the award for the most promising musical theater librettist has gone to Barry Wyner. The 2010 awards will be presented on June 21, 2010, in a private ceremony (by invitation only) at ASCAP.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts presents a concert featuring the music of Tommy Newman May 24. Performing in the concert will be Alison Briner, Melissa Wolfkain, Chris Critelli and James Moye. The concert is apart of the NYPL's Songbook series and is directed by John Znidarsic.

From the soaring melodies of classic revivals to the hottest dramas playing today - there is no experience like 'Broadway.' And part of what makes Broadway so exciting is that it's located right smack dab in the middle of New York City! With 'THE BROADWAY LOCAL', World MasterCard celebrates the creative theatre professionals who bring their talents to the city's Broadway stages and call the Big Apple home.

BroadwayWorld.com presents its newest column, Twitter Watch, which will bring you only the best and most interesting reports straight from the mouths of Broadway stars, shows and more on the hot social networking service - Twitter!

Leslie Kritzer and Catherine Cox will star in a staged reading of MEMORY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL WISDOM (MITMOAW) at Barrington Stage Company. The reading is presented as part of Barrington's Musical Theatre Lab, and will perform Saturday, September 5 at 4pm, and Sunday, September 6 at 7pm.

Leslie Kritzer and Catherine Cox will star in a staged reading of MEMORY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL WISDOM (MITMOAW) at Barrington Stage Company. The reading is presented as part of Barrington's Musical Theatre Lab, and will perform Saturday, September 5 at 4pm, and Sunday, September 6 at 7pm.

Leslie Kritzer and Catherine Cox will star in a staged reading of MEMORY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL WISDOM (MITMOAW) at Barrington Stage Company. The reading is presented as part of Barrington's Musical Theatre Lab, and will perform Saturday, September 5 at 4pm, and Sunday, September 6 at 7pm.

Broadway By the Bay, the largest theatre organization on the Peninsula, completes its 43rd season with DEFYING GRAVITY: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND FRIENDS featuring Stephen Schwartz live, composer and lyricist of Broadway hits including Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin.

Broadway By the Bay, the largest theatre organization on the Peninsula, completes its 43rd season with DEFYING GRAVITY: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND FRIENDS featuring Stephen Schwartz live, composer and lyricist of Broadway hits including Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin.

ONE OF THE GREATEST musical theatre teams fo the modern theatre, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, have amassed a hug canon of songs and shows knownt he world over. They drop by to talk to us about their new show, The Glorious Ones, now playing at Lincoln Center at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The team informs us of where they get their ideas, how they write, and the hardest hitting question: who comes first... Ahrens or Flaherty?