Judy Blazer News

Generations around the world have grown up with Fiddler on the Roof and such unforgettable, iconic songs as "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Sunrise, Sunset." But getting to the "final Fiddler" was a fascinating process, and on May 30, 31 and June 1-closing the 2015 Lyrics & Lyricists season-lyricist Sheldon Harnick takes us inside the creation and history of this cultural landmark.

Fourteen exceptionally talented singer-actors from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany have been selected as finalists in the 2015 Lotte Lenya Competition, held annually by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. They will compete for top prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 on Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Rochester, New York.

Ma-Yi Theater - one of the nation's leading companies dedicated to the development and performance of new works by Asian-American playwrights - will present a reading of the new play with songs, PAPER DOLLS by Philip Himberg on Monday, March 9 at 3:30 pm at The Acorn Theatre on Theatre Row (410 W. 42 St.)

On Friday, March 20, 2015, 8 pm, BARGEMUSIC presents celebrated Ukrainian-born pianist Inna Faliks in a recital featuring the world premiere of Clarice Assad's Godai, five movements for speaking pianist with poetry by Steven Schroeder, paired with two monumental works by Johannes Brahms, rarely heard together on one program: Piano Sonata No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5. Also featured on the program is Clara Schumann's Romance, Op. 21/#1, “To my friend Brahms.”

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's IN TROUSERS - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, HAVE FAITH, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life; ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional concert appearances alongside Starobin in support of the album, as well, kicking off with a concert at Barnes & Noble next week along with a series of shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Reflecting on the various ways in which she has seen the theatre transform over the course of her career thus far, Testa also sheds some light on many of her most celebrated roles to date, including IN TROUSERS, THE RINK, XANADU, 42nd STREET, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, GUYS & DOLLS, A NEW BRAIN, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LUCKY STIFF, CHICAGO, WICKED and more. All of that, playing Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE and much, much more with one of Broadway's most reliably entertaining and endlessly inventive regulars.

Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as a 'serious triple threat,' and 'an arranger and orchestrator of great imagination' (SF Classical Voice), Grammy Award nominee Clarice Assad is making her mark in the music world as a pianist, arranger, vocalist and a composer. Ms. Assad will make her Harris Center debut on the heels of her critically acclaimed performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Bobby's coming over for dinner, but you've never seen him like this before.

At the center of Pittsburgh Public Theater's MASTERPIECE SEASON is a brand-new staging of the musical comedy Company, directed and choreographed by Ted Pappas. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, Company runs tonight, January 23 - February 23, 2014 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

At the center of Pittsburgh Public Theater's MASTERPIECE SEASON is a brand-new staging of the musical comedy Company, directed and choreographed by Ted Pappas. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, Company runs January 23 - February 23, 2014 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Today we are talking to a top-tier Tony Award-winning talent known for an incredibly accomplished resume ranging from noted performances in original musicals to reinvented revival roles and beyond - the dignified and dynamic Victoria Clark. Discussing many of her most celebrated dramatic, comedic and musical turns to date, Clark recalls an astounding life in the theatre - ranging from her Broadway debut in the unforgettable original production of Sondheim's iconic SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to the hit revivals of GUYS & DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING to originating memorable parts in the Broadway productions of TITANIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SISTER ACT and CINDERELLA, to name just a few of the highlights so far. On the latter note, Clark outlines her experiences in her most recent Broadway musical foray, that of the beloved Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic CINDERELLA, as well as illuminates her acclaimed run in the Los Angeles transfer of the most recent revival of FOLLIES and her Sondheim work in general (SWEENEY TODD, too). Most importantly, Clark sheds some light on her compelling character in the new drama THE SNOW GEESE and relates candid stories of sharing the stage with co-stars and fellow vets Danny Burstein and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. Plus, Clark looks ahead to the upcoming TITANIC reunion concert and imparts her excitement for the project as well as comments on some of her most memorable film roles while also sharing first news of future plans - which include directing herself - and muses on some potential roles she would enjoy bringing to the stage in the future, near and far; HELLO, DOLLY! or MAME, maybe? All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best grande dames!

A theatrical phenomenon, a unique and gasp-inducing night of live entertainment, LA SOIREE opened last night at the Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street) for a limited engagement. Bringing the glamour and glitz of the velvet-draped vaudeville salons straight into the 21st century, LA SOIREE's seductive setting is complete with ringside seats, bar service and posh tables from where audiences will be treated to a heady cocktail of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night festivities below!

It would be impossible to pick a favorite performance from this memorable evening, so BroadwayWorld.com brings you highlights from the concert below! But, evenings such as this one are ALWAYS welcome.

Symphony Space opens its 2013-14 Music season with 'Kurt Weill on Broadway,' tonight, October 7 (8 pm) at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Weill's One Touch of Venus. Ted Chapin hosts a stellar cast featuring Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett, Judy Blazer, and Ron Raines, plus winners of the international Lotte Lenya Competition.

Some of Broadway's best will take the stage at New York's Symphony Space on 7 October 2013 to celebrate the American music of Kurt Weill. Hosted by Ted Chapin, the evening will highlight songs from Venus as well as favorites from other Weill shows, including Street Scene, Lady in the Dark, Love Life, Lost in the Stars, Knickerbocker Holiday, The Threepenny Opera, and Happy End. The starry cast features Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett, Judy Blazer, and Ron Raines alongside Lotte Lenya Competition winners Richard Todd Adams, Douglas Carpenter, Cooper Grodin, Justin Hopkins, Zachary James, Analisa Leaming, Jacob Keith Watson, and Maren Weinberger. Weill specialist James Holmes, who conducted a fully staged production of Venus at England's Opera North in 2004, music directs, and Richard Jay-Alexander directs.

Krzysztof Penderecki, acclaimed as Poland's greatest living composers, headlines what promises to be an exciting season at Symphony Space.

Some of Broadway's best will take the stage at New York's Symphony Space on 7 October 2013 to celebrate the American music of Kurt Weill. Hosted by Ted Chapin, the evening will highlight songs from Venus as well as favorites from other Weill shows, including Street Scene, Lady in the Dark, Love Life, Lost in the Stars,Knickerbocker Holiday, The Threepenny Opera, and Happy End. The starry cast features Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett, Judy Blazer, and Ron Raines alongside Lotte Lenya Competition winners Richard Todd Adams, Douglas Carpenter, Cooper Grodin, Justin Hopkins, Zachary James, Analisa Leaming, Jacob Keith Watson, and Maren Weinberger. Weill specialist James Holmes, who conducted a fully staged production of Venus at England's Opera North in 2004, music directs, and Richard Jay-Alexander directs.

The long-awaited, decade-delayed complete studio recording of Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash's celebrated cult musical ONE TOUCH OF VENUS is now available to preview byway of the overture in a just-released SoundCloud track generously made available by Jay Records.

Symphony Space will open its 2013-14 Music season with 'Kurt Weill on Broadway,' Monday, October 7 (8 pm) at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. The show takes place on the 70th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Weill's One Touch of Venus. Ted Chapin hosts a stellar cast featuring Melissa Errico, Brent Barrett, Judy Blazer, and Ron Raines, plus winners of the international Lotte Lenya Competition.

Last month, the Broadway community gathered together to celebrate the life and show business legacy of beloved Broadway performer Kevin Gray at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The Majestic Theatre held a special place for Mr. Gray, having starred there in The Phantom of the Opera, first as Raoul and later as The Phantom. Titled A Celebration of the Life of Kevin Gray, the memorial tribute, you can the full event below.

Bay Street Theatre's 2013 Mainstage Season has begun with Lend Me a Tenor now showing through June 23. This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, under the direction of Don Stephenson, includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek as its hilarious cast. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!