Mark Waldrop News

Eloquence without the elegance is how I'd describe Michael Stuhlbarg's scruffy, hyperactive and somewhat nerdy take on the title role in director Oskar Eustis' amusing hodgepodge of a production of Hamlet. Though perfectly placid for the first several minutes of his performance, silently contemplating his father's death and his uncle's marriage to his newly widowed mother at a downstage eternal flame that perpetually flickers its symbolism throughout the evening, he's soon wildly wringing his hands with nervous excitement, flailing his arms about in range and stomping his feet to the floor like the kind of actor he'll later be warning his players not to be. In fact, it's not until the prince starts feigning madness that he begins resembling a grown-up. It's not an interpretation that will tug at your soul, but it'll damn well get your attention without taxing your brain.

The 92nd Street Y continues the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists with DAVID ZIPPEL as host and artistic director of It Started with a Dream, February 21-23. Subtitled David Zippel - Lyrics He Wrote, Lyrics He Wishes He Wrote, the Tony award-winning, Oscar-nominated lyricist of City of Angels and Disney's animated Hercules and Mulan, presents highlights from his own scores and shares his inspirations and personal favorites from the American Songbook. The show features an all-Broadway cast, including vocalists KATE BALDWIN (Wonderful Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Full Monty), KEVIN EARLEY (A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Mis?rables), Tony Award-winner DEBBIE GRAVITTE (Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Chicago, Les Mis?rables), DANNY GURWIN (Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty), and Tony Award-winner LILLIAS WHITE (The Life, Dreamgirls, and. the voice of 'Calliope' in Hercules). One of the most acclaimed and sought-after lyricists working today, David Zippel's other credits include the Broadway musical The Goodbye Girl (written with Marvin Hamlisch and Neil Simon), The Woman in White (with Andrew Lloyd Webber, for which Zippel won another Tony nomination) and the musical stage version of Wendy Wasserstein's bestselling children's book, Pamela's First Musical, written with Wasserstein and City of Angels collaborator Cy Coleman. Series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer, in her first season at the helm, notes that this is the first time in over 25 years that L&L will devote an entire show to a contemporary Broadway songwriter at the height of his career--a return to the spirit in which L&L was founded, with the living lyricist as an active participant.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in it's third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by Pace. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in its third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and-coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by the Pace Performing Arts Department. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

After successful engagements in the Philippines, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Thailand, the international tour of RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, starring Lea Salonga will wrap up the first leg of its accomplished international tour on Thursday, January 22, 2009 in Singapore.

Pace University's Pace New Musicals Program, now in it's third year, is a workshop initiative that offers students the invaluable opportunity take part in the developmental process of new material with up-and coming writers. In the past few months, the program received 42 submissions for consideration, out of which one new work was selected to be developed by Pace. This year, Pace New Musicals proudly presents the world premiere reading of Darling, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver and a book by B.T. Ryback.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party will present Broadway singing actor Bill Nolte in concert on Monday, November 10 at 7pm, as part of the Broadway at Birdland series.

In an exclusive arrangement with iTunes©, Broadway Asia Entertainment (producers Steven Baruch / Richard Frankel / Simone Genatt / Marc Routh / Tom Viertel) proudly announces the upcoming international release of the 2008 Original International Tour Cast Recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Tony Award winner Lea Salonga available exclusively online beginning Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

In an exclusive arrangement with iTunes©, Broadway Asia Entertainment (producers Steven Baruch / Richard Frankel / Simone Genatt / Marc Routh / Tom Viertel) proudly announces the upcoming international release of the 2008 Original International Tour Cast Recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Tony Award winner Lea Salonga available exclusively online beginning Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

The New York Musical Theater Festival concluded its fifth season on October 5th having presented 241 performances over the course of 21 days. A record-breaking 25,000 people, selling the festival to 87.5% of capacity, attended the festival. Over 75% of productions had sold-out performances, and 11 productions extended their runs to accommodate demand.

Before heading to Broadway Mark Nadler's Russian on the Side will play at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco starting October 16th, 2008- November 16th, 2008. For tickets please call 415-771-6900.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party will present singer BILL NOLTE in 'All of Me,' as part of the Nightlife Award-winning series Broadway at Birdland. The event will take place on Monday, November 10 at 7pm.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) concludes its fifth year which featured 24 full productions, a dance series, a developmental series, concerts and special events tonight 10/5th.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of BONNIE & CLYDE: A FOLKTALE. With book and lyrics by Tony and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors) and music by Drama Desk Award nominee Rick Crom, the production is directed by Mark Waldrop. Performances begin September 16 at The American Theatre of Actors.

Before heading to Broadway, the incomparable Mark Nadler will bring his one-man comedy-in-music adventure, 'Russian on the Side,' to the Marines Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor) for a limited engagement beginning October 16, 2008. Tickets are on sale now at the Marines Memorial Theatre box office, by phone at 415-771-6900 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) celebrates its fifth year with 24 full productions, a dance series, a developmental series, concerts and special events.

New York Musical Theater Festival will present the World Premiere of BONNIE & CLYDE: A FOLKTALE. With book and lyrics by Tony and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors) and music by Drama Desk Award nominee Rick Crom, the production is directed by Mark Waldrop. Performances begin September 16 at The American Theatre of Actors.

The multi-MAC Award-winning singer Lina Koutrakos is bringing back 'Torch,' her darkly modern re-interpretation of the classic torch song, for a two-week engagement at The Metropolitan Room.

The multi-MAC Award-winning singer Lina Koutrakos is bringing back 'Torch,' her darkly modern re-interpretation of the classic torch song, for a two-week engagement at The Metropolitan Room.

De-Lovely words and music of one of America's greatest composers are celebrated in an entertaining if somewhat meandering musical revue at the Westport Country Playhouse