David Clarke - Page 17

Exciting. Electric. Exhilarating. Rocking. Phenomenal. All of these words have been used to describe HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway. And, one of Broadway's hottest talents is helping to ensure that these adjectives are justified. The incomparably charming and charismatic Tony Award Winner Lena Hall, co-starring as Yitzhak, recently talked to me about her Tony win, HEDWIG, and her band, The Deafening.

ON THE TOWN is poised to have the best year ever. A big budget Broadway revival is set to begin previews on September 20, and Masterworks Broadway has just released the remastered ON THE TOWN (Original London Cast Recording). With zesty spunk, lively pizzazz, and indefatigable energy, this recording is sure to have you hoofing for days on end.

"The Queen of Disco" is back, honey! And, he is serving up something fierce and mighty real at the Theatre At St. Clement's. Anthony Wayne is channeling the disco legend and fabulously entertaining a wide range of audiences in MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL. MIGHTY REAL is what the biographical jukebox musical should be.

NY Philharmonic is kicking off their 2014-15 season with LA DOLCE VITA: THE MUSIC OF ITALIAN CINEMA. Celebrating the music of Italian cinema, the concert will feature famous music pulled from Filippo Sugar's library of soundtracks. With so many exciting elements coming together to make LA DOLCE VITA one of NYC's hottest tickets in September, I spoke with Filippo Sugar and Rene Fleming about the concerts and what audiences can expect.

BEDBUGS!!! tells the story of Carly, an exterminator, determined to avenge the bedbug related death of her mother. In the process of concocting a bedbug pesticide, Carly accidentally morphs New York City's bedbugs into blood-sucking, heavy metal rock gods. Recently, BEDBUGS!!! creators, Paul Leschen and Fred Sauter, sat down with me to give me all the juicy details about the new Off-Broadway production.

On August 28, 2014, the Shapiro Sisters took the 54 BELOW stage for the fourth time and sang many tunes from the album and a few surprises as well, entertaining the audience with their brand of cuteness, charisma, and poised talent. Their debut release from Broadway Records was recorded across their first three appearances at the intimate venue and expertly captures their vibrant charm.

Following a successful January run at Hunter Theatre Company David M. deLeon and Esther Ko's CLICKBAIT is currently running Off-Off-Broadway. The topical dramedy tells the story of a college-aged girl who is mistakenly identified as a suicide victim. Her collegiate peers set their social media feeds ablaze with their feelings about her death, reconstructing her story to fit their own latent emotional needs.

Noel Coward left an inedible mark on the world of theatre with his hit plays, musicals, operettas, and revues. His expansive work is studied and revered by scholars, many of whom can trace elements of modern theatrical experiences back to his brand of "wit, satire, and sentiment." Sharing this brand, Original Cast Records' release of Steve Ross' NOËL COWARD OFF THE RECORD takes listeners on a journey through Coward's lesser-known repertoire.

In October of 1980, Nick Munns sent a tape of five songs to London theatre agent David Land. With Nick Munns music, David Land dreamed of replicating the success of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. SWAN ESTHER, not the hit that JOSEPH was, has enjoyed varying success. Now, Stage Door Records has re-released SWAN ESTHER's original concept album with studio rehearsal demos written for the reworked UK tour of the production entitled SWAN ESTHER AND THE KING.

THE LAST SESSION first opened in 1997 at the 47th Street Theatre. Sitting in one of those audiences was Rob Harris, who was so moved by the show that he made a vow to produce it himself one day. His dream become a reality in 2012, when he produced THE LAST SESSION in London. Now, fans of the musical and those who have never heard of it before can revel in the magic that moved Rob Harris in 1997.

Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jule Styne are all theater artists that still grab our attention. With Styne, Comden and Green created PETER PAN, BELLS ARE RINGING, DO RE MI, and others. Original Cast Records released LOST BROADWAY AND MORE: VOLUME 5, which is dedicated to the work of Comden, Green, and Styne, giving long time fans and newcomers a collection of the trio's best songs.

Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you have heard of the New York based cabaret act The Skivvies. Made up of Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, this energetic duo has a loyal fan following and a reputation for being absurdly fun. I got to check out one of their concerts, and I'm afraid that my words will never actually fully communicate the sheer amount of fun and joy I experienced at their show.

Leslie Odom Jr. took a risk to progress his career with a solo album. He turned to Kickstarter and received copious donations from his loyal fans. Funded with almost $11,000 more than his original goal, Leslie Odom Jr., who had caught our attention on SMASH, entered the studio. Now, fans and newcomers alike can revel in the glory of his decadently jazzy debut solo album, and after just one listen, I'm sure that you'll be hooked.

As an art form, it seems that opera is having a hard time finding its footing with the current generation of young professionals. Increasingly, opera companies are scaling back as their current subscribers have no one to pass their torches on to. Despite this, dell'Arte Opera Ensemble is continuing their ambitious and altogether intimate 2014 summer season with a beautifully performed production of Giuseppe Verdi's MACBETH.

Imagine yourself in a 1960's egg chair. It's a lazy evening in 1969, and the airy pop styling of Roslyn Kind's vocals gently caress your ear drums. Now, with Masterworks Broadway's release of ROSLYN KIND: GIVE ME YOU/THIS IS ROSLYN KIND, a remastered re-release of two albums, you can find yourself transported back to this bygone era again.

While the Broadway production of ROCKY is going down for the final count on Sunday, August 17, the show and its bombastic score are continuing to delight audiences on a nightly basis in New York City. Whether you've seen the show or not, UMe's release of ROCKY BROADWAY (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is sure to pump you up and entertain you.

When it comes to the annual Fringe Festival in New York City, everyone gets excited. Why? It's simple. New works! Erik Ransom's COMING: A ROCK MUSICAL OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS enjoyed a 2011 premiere and is now having its own second coming at Fringe. With humor that ranges from tongue-in-cheek camp to witty panache, this irreverent rock musical is sure to make your Rock of Gibraltar roll.

Nestled snugly in the St. Luke's Theatre on West 46th Street is the funny and entertaining MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING, which has recently welcomed new cast member Gabe Bowling. Last week, I met with Gabe Bowling at Betti Bar at Hourglass Tavern to chat about the show and his career.

In New York City, summer and Shakespeare go hand in hand. For their 2014 Season the dell'Arte Opera Ensemble is producing 'A Summer of Shakespeare,' and they kicked off this season with a fully staged production of Henry Purcell's THE FAIRY QUEEN. While giving the show a modern twist, dell'Arte Opera Ensemble followed traditional convention and has set the piece into an abridged version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The end product is a light-hearted yet ambitious production that enchants.

I've come to embrace the idea that a life well lived is filled with its fair share of second chances and new beginnings. For Ted Shen's A SECOND CHANCE audiences were introduced to Dan and Jenna, both are living in crisis. A SECOND CHANCE opened to mixed reviews at the Public Theater, and now Ghostlight Records has released the schmaltzy jazz musical's original cast recording, which is worth listening to.