Ellen Foley News

A total eclipse on Broadway!

Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld uncovered a vintage video featuring Broadway legend Patti LuPone in 'Love Cycle: A Soap Operetta', a 'mini-musical' made for PBS in 1984 which was never broadcast. The mini-musical also featured a full cast of up-and-coming stars of the 1980's, including: Walter Bobbie, Lonny Price, Martin Vidnovic, Priscilla Lopez and Ellen Foley. If you missed it the first time, catch the full operetta below!

Below, watch Broadway star Patti LuPone like you've never seen her before as we present: 'Love Cycle: A Soap Operetta', a 'mini'musical' made for PBS in 1984 which was never broadcast.

Bergen Performance Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey presents KIX, plus Bergen County's Own DOOMSDAY DIARIES tonight, September 6th, 2013 at 8PM.

Today we are talking to one of the most notably theatrical and animated performers in music history known for his operatic onstage antics as well as his acting in a number of notable stage and screen properties over his forty-year career besides his legendary recording work - the one and only Meat Loaf. Analyzing the magical musical ingredients that have made BAT OUT OF HELL one of the bestselling albums of all time, as well as the worldwide success of its sequel and its lead single 'I'd Do Anything For Love' and his ongoing relationship with the peerless rock visionary of a creator behind them both, Jim Steinman, Loaf nee Aday sheds some new light on his rich recording legacy, then and now. Additionally, Loaf shares first news of his upcoming re-teaming with Steinman on tracks for his new BRAVE & CRAZY album as well as shares some candid and vivid touring stories old and new involving the idiosyncratic and iconic rock pair. Most importantly, Loaf gives us the 411 on his new Las Vegas residency at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, ROCKTELLZ & COCKTAILS PRESENTS MEAT LOAF for six weeks beginning September 26 and also outlines what fans can expect catching him on tour, too. Plus, Loaf recounts his various experiences on the Broadway and Hollywood adaptations of the ever-enduring ultimate cult classic as it marks its fortieth anniversary, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and also imparts memories from his early days in New York, recounting stage roles in musicals like HAIR and Steinman's own MORE THAN YOU DESERVE, as well as roles in Shakespearean drama and comedy byway of OTHELLO and AS YOU LIKE - not to mention the infamous ROCKABYE HAMLET '70s rock musical - among others. All of that, thoughts on the upcoming FIGHT CLUB sequel, choosing newcomer Michael Bay and casting Angelina Jolie for BAT 2 music videos, memories of appearing on GLEE as well as information on multiple upcoming film appearances and insights into show business in general - and much, much more!

KIX was founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, Maryland as The Shooze, then changed its name to The Generators before eventually settling on Kix. They were considered one of Maryland's top cover bands prior to their signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. Though considered by many glam metal, the bands pop-metal stylings drew inspiration from bubblegum pop and new wave as well as hard rock.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood New Jersey is pleased to announce three amazing shows that you will not want to miss out on! Get ready for KIX, Bergen County's own DOOMSDAY DIARIES and ARENA on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 8PM. Don't miss ERIC BURDON of The ANIMALS, Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 8PM, and ROSANNE CASH, Friday, December 20, 2014 at 8PM. Be sure to reserve your tickets now at Ticketmaster.com or at the box office at 201 227 1030 or visit the box office at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.

On Sunday July 29th, for the first time in NYC, Lincoln Center Out of Doors will present a day long, multifaceted festival of Irish culture. "Our Land" will celebrate the artistic, literary and musical heritage of Ireland, the mark it made on America and the continuing cross-cultural ties that bind the two countries.

On the edge of glory, GLEE momentarily brought back the ecstatic excitement and indescribably infectious joy which made the musical dramedy series a huge hit in its first and second seasons, then commanding upwards of twelve million viewers a week. Now sixty-plus episodes into the series, in a two-hour episode helmed by co-creator Ian Brennan, last night's two-episode gorge-worthy and gorgeous feast - 'Props' and 'Nationals', by the hour - was a reminder of everything that cynics have cited as lacking from episodes in Season Three, as flagging ratings and a general media lull plagues the once seemingly indomitable mega-show despite its continued inventiveness and dramatic daringness. It was fresh and sassy and outrageous, but touching and heartfelt - attributes ascribed to the best episodes of the show. Yet, it was so much more, too - and then there's the music! Both hours were a totally over-the-top tribute to all things big and wow-worthy, coming at just the right moment to pump some energizing lifeblood into the audience base - passing references to Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marvin Hamlisch and Elton John as well as multiple winks at DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES songwriter and BAT OUT OF HELL mastermind Jim Steinman collectively pushing the theatre insider reference quotient into the stratosphere; and appreciably so. Yes, indeed, last night's double-dose of GLEE was an OD-worthy escapade worthy of returning to time and time again - Lea Michele's solo spots of Jason Mraz's 'I Won't Give Up' and Celine Dion's Grammy-winning 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now' alone were standouts of not only this or any season, but the series itself. With more than fifteen songs performed - everything from Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and The Who to STARLIGHT EXPRESS, TOMMY, FLASHDANCE and KISS ME, KATE - there was something for everyone in the two-hour GLEE extravaganza overflowing with the witty one-liners, out-of-this-world twists, outlandish characterizations, as well as the idiosyncratic theatrical reality that only GLEE can create. It was a true return to form to prove any and all naysayers wrong, and, this, coming after last week's Ryan Murphy-penned 'Prom-asaurus' season highlight, no less.

This year, on March 17th at 11:00 p.m., Hurley presents 'My Wild Irish Roses: An intimate evening of Irish Ballads, Singalongs, Rabble Rousers, and Rebel Songs' featuring Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris, Laura Cantrell, Annie Golden, Colum McCann, Sam Bisbee, Ed Rogers, Don Fleming, Ellen Foley, Mary Lee Kortes, and many more.

Joe's Pub has announced the following upcoming events.

Bridging the gap between theatre, television and film in a thrilling and revolutionary new way with this week's premiere of STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S COMPANY, in select movie theaters nationwide Wednesday through Saturday (with a return engagement already scheduled for early July), director Lonny Price has introduced Sondheim's seminal concept musical comedy to a whole new generation of gleeks, as well as reverently keep the flame of the fire in the heart, soul and mind of this complex, rich and rewarding show for Broadway babies who already know its genius. Additionally, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Hendricks, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Katie Finneran, Aaron Lazar, Martha Plimpton, Patti Lupone and the rest of the cast are absolutely perfect for their roles and bring a live spontaneity and verve to their material - the kind which you usually only see in the very best shows on Broadway - and that sense of timing, precise editing and overall polished presentation style is a sure credit to Price's positively sublime direction of the live stage production with the NY Philharmonic, as well as - and maybe even more so - the movie version of the live show in theaters now. It bursts with energy and, well, aliveness, just like a real Broadway show. Make that: Just like a real Broadway smash hit. Talking all aspects of COMPANY: THE MOVIE while still editing it last month, Price was kind enough to open up about what the rehearsal process was like, filming it live and working with the all-star cast, as well as much, much more - all coming on the heels of last year‘s rapturously received Ellen Krass production of SONDHEIM! THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT, undoubtedly the finest Broadway concert capture of our age. Price discusses his affection for the material and the man behind the music, plus his smashing leading ladies. Plus: what's next? Be sure to stay tuned for the complete InDepth InterView featuring Price's recollections on Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (and his forthcoming documentary about it), A CLASS ACT, directing DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and news about the feature film version of Athol Fugard's MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS coming later this year - a play which he starred in on Broadway twenty-five years ago. Actor, producer, director and, now, filmmaker - Price can clearly do it all!

Legends in their own time, ascending to the top ranks of the Hollywood and Broadway songwriting landscape, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have accomplished and climbed to heights most of what many film fans, Broadway babies and general entertainment junkies only dream of witnessing and ascending to. Marc Shaiman's work with Trey Parker and Matt Stone on SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT prompted Stephen Sondheim - as he told me himself - to cite it as one of the best musicals of the era. And, it is - as is their Tony-winning Best Musical HAIRSPRAY, based on the film by Pope of Trash John Waters. Featuring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah and an all-around-amazing cast of triple-threats, the stunning Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced film version of HAIRSPRAY may be the greatest cinematic Shaiman and/or Wittman accomplishment so far. Then, there is CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - one of the snappiest new scores on Broadway in a strangely strong season of original scores - boasting boss Sinatra blues and sizzling Shirelles riffs and everything else that's swingin' in between. Up next for the team - onstage and off - is a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, in addition to what is perhaps the most exciting prospect on their impossibly cluttered horizon: the new Steven Speilberg/Craig Zadan/Neil Meron musical/comedy/drama series SMASH which has just been picked up for the Fall season on NBC! In this exclusive, extensive and exhaustive conversation we cover it all from HAIRSPRAY to CATCH ME to CHARLIE to all about SMASH and far, far beyond!

Today we are talking to an Emmy-winning stage star best known for his unforgettable turns as the Wizard of Oz himself in the original Broadway cast of THE WIZ, as well as his Emmy-winning performance in both the Broadway and filmed version of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'. In recent years, he has found much success with his choices of eccentric, oft-controversial roles, particularly those roles in the hot-button play PRYMATE and the David Yazbeck/Terrance McNally musical THE FULL MONTY. In this portion of our conversation, De Shields impresses with his effortless grace, studied theories on his craft and the art of theatre, all with taking a look forward to his newest stage venture - KNOCK ME A KISS by Charles Smith - which opens this weekend. We also discuss his role in the career of legendary songwriter Jim Steinman - from RHINEGOLD and BLOODSHOT WINE with Joe Papp in the 70s all the way to the workshop for the forthcoming BAT OUT OF HELL: THE MUSICAL.

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!

Today we are taking a listen to Stephen Sondheim's musicals of the 1980s, each a striking artistic achievement attempting to do something never done before in Broadway history and improving the very genre of musical theatre itself with his work on these three very different shows. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and INTO THE WOODS...

The Cleveland Play House is excited to announce that Mimi Kennedy, best known for playing Dharma's hippie mom Abby on ABC's 'Dharma & Greg,' will star as Ann Landers in The Lady With All the Answers by David Rambo (God's Man In Texas, The Ice-Breaker). Seth Gordon, Associate Artistic Director for The Play House, will direct this hilarious and touching sneak-peek into the inner-life of famed columnist Ann Landers.

The Cleveland Play House is excited to announce that Mimi Kennedy, best known for playing Dharma's hippie mom Abby on ABC's 'Dharma & Greg,' will star as Ann Landers in The Lady With All the Answers by David Rambo (God's Man In Texas, The Ice-Breaker). Seth Gordon, Associate Artistic Director for The Play House, will direct this hilarious and touching sneak-peek into the inner-life of famed columnist Ann Landers.

Coming up at Joe's Pub BE IN: A Night of Music and Love with members of the Public Theater's cast of HAIR, JAMES SNYDER, and Broadway Loves the 80's Volume 3 Hosted by Mo Rocca.