Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of SOUTH PACIFIC at Westchester Broadway TheatreOctober 3, 2014Rodgers and Hammerstein's award-winning South Pacific is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener. The musical is set on an island paradise during World War II and tells two parallel love stories against the dangers of prejudice and war and the importance of valuing diversity. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949. Playing at Westchester Broadway Theatre through January 25, 2015, you can check out photos from opening night below!
Photo Coverage: Sheldon Harnick Visits BACKSTAGE WITH PETER LEDONNEOctober 2, 2014Sheldon HarnickSheldon Harnick was in the studio with Peter LeDonne sharing many interesting stories about Fiddler On The Roof in this 50th anniversary year of the musical. Nightlife correspondent Jamie deRoy was also on had to give the listeners a heads up on all things Cabaret & Theater coming up in the next few weeks in New York City. Backstage with Peter LeDonne can be heard every Sunday on 970 AM from 12 - 1 PM. and is available on podcast.
Photo Coverage: Tony DeSare Brings NIGHT LIFE to 54 BelowOctober 1, 2014'He is two parts Sinatra to one part Billy Joel, meshed seamlessly.' - The New York Times. Acclaimed vocalist Tony DeSare returns to 54 Below with a brand new show: Night Life. The postmodern version of the classic, elegant New York night club of the 1950's show will be brought to life in the only New York City night club left that still truly captures that ambiance.
Photo Coverage: Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana & More Sing AMERICAN SONGBOOK at NJPACSeptember 22, 2014Hosted by Ted Chapin and airing on New Jersey's public television NJTV, the American Songbook at NJPAC features live performances of America's finest interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Perfermors include Marilyn Maye, Tommy Tune, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, John Pizzarelli, Nellie McKay and Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana, with John Pizzarelli performing an entire show of songs by the great master himself, Johnny Mercer.
Photo Coverage: Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, and More Featured in PBS Taping of AMERICAN SONGBOOK at NJPACSeptember 21, 2014NJTV, New Jersey's Public Television Network and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have collaborated on a second season of American Songbook at NJPAC. The six part series, is being taped in NJPAC's Victoria Theater and broadwayworld was there for last nights concert, which was hosted by Ted Chapin and written and produced by Will Friedwald. Performing last night were Maureen McGovern, Marilyn Maye, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the evening below!
Photo Coverage: Inside Friars Club's SUNSHINE COMMITTEE ALL STAR COMEDY SHOW at The Jerry Lewis MonesterySeptember 18, 2014I don't think that there has ever been a person that has been in the Friars club who has not shared a laugh or left the Monastery not smiling. That in itself is a huge accomplishment, but the Friars do so much more than entertain themselves and enjoy their camaraderie. The Friars Club's Sunshine Committee (Tom DeBow chairman) is to the Friars Club what Ronald McDonald House is to McDonald's-they bring a ray of sunshine to those who need it most!
Photo Coverage: Irish Repertory Theatre Visits Backstage with Peter LeDonneSeptember 18, 2014Ciaran O'Reilly (Port Authority) and Charlotte Moore (A Christmas Story) two directors from the Irish Repertory Theatre were interviewed by Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy on Backstage with Peter LeDonne. The AM970 The Answer radio program broadcasts from Lillie's Victorian Establishment at 249 West 49th Street every Wednesday from 12-1 PM. Jamie deRoy night life correspondent once again filled in the lunch time crowd on upcoming cabaret and theatre events. Her own variety show, now in it's 23rd season will take place at Birdland on Monday September 22nd at 7 PM. This years show is an Actors Fund Benefit and features Joy Behar, Stephanie J. Block, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Chad Kimball, Byrce Pinkham and Haley Swindal.
Photo Coverage: Cole Rumbough Performs at Le Cirque's MUSICAL MONDAYSSeptember 16, 2014Le Cirque Cafe started it's Musical Mondays series with an elegant, sophisticated cabaret & jazz singer who seems to be made for the legendary restaurant. Cole Rumbough has an excellent trio backing him up, and his swinging romantic American Songbook interpretations make the Le Cirque Cafe experience a special night when he's appearing. The cafe was filled and 'A Table at Le Cirque' had to be reserved in advance as Cole's many fans turned out for the excellent food and music.
Photo Coverage: JOE PISCOPO Plays The Ciccone TheatreSeptember 14, 2014Joe Piscopo took the stage at The Ciccone Theatre recently, and BroadwayWorld was on hand to snap some photos! As Joe Piscopo tells it, NBC in a moment of insanity replaced the original cast of Saturday Night Live (Dan Aykroyn, John Belushi, Gilda Radner etc) with Joe Piscopo and a new cast which included Eddie Murphy. After seeing Joe's act at a great venue in Paramus New Jersey named The Ciccone Theatre, I witnessed first hand the brilliance of the network's decision to put Joe in SNL in 1980.
Photo Coverage: Tony Winner Christine Ebersole Plays 54 Below!September 11, 201454 Below presented two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole in an exciting new show last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Currently starring on the hit TBS comedy series Sullivan & Son, Christine Ebersole returns to the New York nightclub scene with her first new show in two years. From pop to Broadway, and a few standards and jazz in between, the new show features Musical Director Bette Sussman(Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Darlene Love, Whitney Houston) and a full band.
Photo Coverage: Marilyn Maye Returns to BirdlandSeptember 10, 2014Referred by Ella Fitzgerald as 'the greatest white female singer in the world', by Johnny Carson as the 'Super Singer' and said to have a voice that is '...robust and steady, her stamina seemingly inexhaustible...' by the NY Times, Marilyn is a jazz legend known and loved by all. Check out photos from her Birdland return below!
Photo Coverage: The Shapiro Sisters Stop by BACKSTAGE WITH PETER LEDONNESeptember 10, 2014The Shapiro Sisters joined host Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy for Backstage with Peter Ledonne, which broadcasts live from Lillie's restaurant every Wednesday during lunch hour. Also joining Peter & Jamie on this weeks show was freelance writer Kathleen Squires. Check out a look back below!
Photo Coverage: Inside the Opening Night of 'FABULOUS!' Off-BroadwaySeptember 9, 2014After receiving popular acclaim from a limited sold-out off-off Broadway run last season, Fabulous! The Queen of NewMusical Comedies a high seas musical romp taps into the newly built Write Act Repertory Theatre at the Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street). The production opened last night, Monday, September 8th (7:30PM). Check out a look back at opening night below!