FLASH FRIDAY: John Kander Takes Over New York, New York - THE VISIT, ZORBA!, CHICAGO, CABARET, New Musicals & More

By: Pat Cerasaro May. 08, 2015

Today we are celebrating the many recent, current and upcoming productions on Broadway and beyond featuring the music of John Kander.

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Out Of The Darkness
"New York, New York". "All That Jazz". "Cabaret". "Maybe This Time". "My Coloring Book". "How Lucky Can You Get?". "And The World Goes Round". "Yes". The hits from iconic Broadway and Hollywood composer John Kander's song catalog come fast and furious when looking back at his astonishing 60-plus year career, and, now, at 88, Kander appears to be having one of the most harried and productive periods ever - very likely more than any other composer anywhere, as a matter of fact. The facts of his ubiquity in New York and beyond speak for themselves when looking back at the last several months and taking a purview of the current scene.
First, there was the recent hit revival of his canonical musical theatre classic CABARET starring Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams (with subsequent replacement Sally Bowleses including Emma Stone and Sienna Miller), which returned to the Roundabout Theatre Company's Studio 54 last year in a revival of the acclaimed Sam Mendes- and Rob Marshall-directed iteration of the show which ended its limited run near earlier in 2015. Then, there is the longest running musical by an American composer in history still packing them in nearly 20 years into its run - CHICAGO, now featuring pop superstar Brandy as the alluring recently unveiled billboards all over Times Square showcase. And, of course, there is the recent Washington, D.C. world premiere of Kander's latest musical, penned with his frequent 21st century collaborator Gregory Pierce, titled KID VICTORY. To add to all of those, there is the brand new Encores! ZORBA! at City Center starring John Turturro, Santino Fontana, Zoe Wanamaker and Marin Mazzie which opened earlier this week and plays through this weekend. But, more than any of these, perhaps the most buzz-worthy and exciting of all of Kander's recent endeavors is the Broadway bow of the final musical penned with his iconic associate, friend and indelibly matched lyricist Fred Ebb, THE VISIT. Highlighted by a lead performance tailor-made to legendary Kander & Ebb interpreter and Broadway legend Chita Rivera, THE VISIT is a striking, provocative and refreshingly singular theatre experience - and the shocking and breathtaking theatrical coups throughout, accented by several musical moments that are impossible to dislodge from memory, align it with the finest of their canon; which, given their incomparable resume, is saying something significant. Yes, indeed, it's all about those yellow shoes - and the spectacularly powerful and moving songs that go with them.

With THE VISIT nominated for several major 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Actress In A Musical and KID VICTORY poised to make its NYC bow and introduce yet another new Kander score to the major metropolis that Kander so unforgettably tributed with his incomparable paean "New York, New York" in the coming year - with several other irons in the fire, as well, believe it or not; not to mention the hit West End production of his rapturously received recent musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - Kander shows no signs of slowing down, 88 years on, proving the indomitable spirit and unmistakable propulsive energy that powers so many of his most famous and cherished musical masterpieces - the "Kander vamp" as it is known by Broadway babies - the John Kander musical train is full-steam ahead to a future as blindingly bright as his past. Wunderkind WEST SIDE STORY rehearsal pianist to Broadway legend in his own right thanks to CHICAGO, CABARET, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN and far beyond to Hollywood songwriter extraordinaire to currently continuing to break new ground with phenomenally talented and in demand up-and-coming talent, Kander is among Broadway's very best and undoubtedly in the esteemed hierarchy of icons we will treasure, tribute and thrill to for centuries to come.

Life Is
So, now, let's look back at some of Kander's classic moments and current projects.
First up, Kander & Ebb's first Broadway show, FLORA, THE RED MENACE.
Next, CABARET takes Broadway and Hollywood by storm.
Of course, CABARET just returned featuring Alan Cumming once again.
The CHICAGO revival is the longest-running American musical.
Now, take a peek at Best Picture winner CHICAGO onscreen.
Also, original movie musical NEW YORK, NEW YORK introduced new classics.
Check out FUNNY LADY starring Barbra Streisand.
Here is Liza Minnelli in the Kander-accented LIZA WITH A Z.
Take a look at KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN starring Chita Rivera.
Revisit Kander & Ebb's CURTAINS, introduced by Kander himself.
Get a glimpse of KID VICTORY, Kander's newest musical.
THE LANDING is yet another Gregory Pierce collaboration.
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is currently taking London by storm.

ZORBA! currently runs at Encores! in a starry limited run.
Finally, THE VISIT is the last Kander & Ebb musical on Broadway.
What is your absolute favorite Kander melody to date? Furthermore, which of his current projects do you find most compelling and intriguing? Also, what would you ideally like to see him do next? With a career this unpredictable, anything is possible. Like the chilling opening song of THE VISIT, "Out Of The Darkness", from within the unknown ether shall arise a brand new Kander score to delight in, analyze and appreciate along with all the others... how lucky can you get?!

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