Before "Fred and Ginger," there was "Fred and Adele," a show-business partnership and cultural sensation like no other. In our celebrity-saturated era, it's hard to comprehend what a genuine phenomenon these two siblings from Omaha were. At the height of their success in the mid-1920s, the Astaires seemed to define the Jazz Age. They were Gershwin's music in motion, a fascinating pair who wove spellbinding rhythms in song and dance.
In this book, the first comprehensive study of their theatrical career together, Kathleen Riley traces the Astaires' rise to fame from humble midwestern origins and early days as child performers on small-time vaudeville stages (where Fred, fatefully, first donned top hat and tails) to their 1917 debut on Broadway to star billings on both sides of the Atlantic. They became ambassadors of an art form they helped to revolutionize, adored by audiences, feted by royalty, and courted socially by elites everywhere they went. From the start, Adele was the more natural performer, spontaneous, funny, and self-possessed, while Fred had to hone his trademark timing and elegance through endless hours of rehearsal, a disciplined regimen that Adele loathed. Ultimately, Fred's dancing expertise surpassed his sister's, and their paths diverged: Adele married into British aristocracy, and Fred headed for Hollywood.
The Astaires examines in depth the extraordinary story of this great brother-sister team, with full attention to its historical and theatrical context. It is not merely an account of the first part of Fred's long and illustrious career but one with its own significance. Born at the close of the 1800s, Fred and Adele grew up together with the new century, and when they reached superstardom during the interwar years, they shone as an affirmation of life and hope amid a prevailing crisis of faith and identity.
Ryan Scott Oliver’s new musical folk horror, Tomorrow, the Island Dies has just been released as a complete studio cast recording album on all streaming services.
Explore the newly announced legacy website dedicated to George S. Kaufman, offering insights into the life and works of the legendary comic playwright.
T.3 – the dazzling vocal trio featuring Liam Fennecken, Jim Hogan and Brendan Jacob Smith – will release their new holiday EP 'FaLaLaLonely' on Friday, November 15, alongside a national tour.
Florence Welch made her debut at the BBC Proms at the iconic Royal Albert Hall alongside Jules Buckley and his Orchestra in London on September 11th, 2024. Now, Florence & Jules Buckley announce that the Symphony of Lungs (BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall) live album will be available digitally on Friday, October 25th and on vinyl and CD on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Discover the story behind Edna Ferber's novel 'Giant' and its transformation into a classic film in GIANT LOVE, authored by Julie Gilbert. Learn more about the book and see how to purchase.
This holiday season is sure to be filled with joy, love, and light with the release of “Angels in the Snow,” a new album featuring reimagined Christmas recordings by the four-time GRAMMY®-winner. Listen to a new single featuring Jane Lynch, out now!
Jane Monheit's new track 'Young and Foolish' debuts exclusively on BroadwayWorld, showcasing her latest musical exploration. Discover the nuances of her performance and what makes this release noteworthy.
Jazz artist Bob Holz signed with SoVibe Entertainment and will release a new album in 2025 honoring guitar legend Larry Coryell. His work is featured in the September 2024 issue of Downbeat Magazine.
For holiday listening, Cincinnati's Rick Sowash, a prolific, self-described 'outsider composer' with some 500 published scores to his credit, will release the world-premiere recording of the whimsical 'A Pirate's Christmas,' his newest trio for flute, cello, and piano, as part of a digital-only seasonal EP available November 8, 2024.
In celebration of the Ives 150th anniversary year, Sony Classical will present two of the most authoritative collections ever released of works by this eccentric, prophetic American genius.
Crown released The Spamalot Diaries, the inside story of what it took to bring Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Broadway as the unlikely theatrical hit Spamalot, as told through actual diaries from the legendary comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and New York Times bestselling author Eric Idle. Check out an excerpt here!
Explore the behind-the-scenes documentary of Allyson Briggs as she celebrates the release of her new Burt Bacharach album, PROMISES, PRAYERS, AND RAINDROPS, offering an intimate look at her creative process.
Following a run at Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, the award-winning musical TL;DR: THELMA LOUISE; DYKE REMIX will release an Original Cast Recording. Learn more about the show and see how to stream!
South Korean pianist and composer YOUNEE has announced her third album, IMPROVISATIONS LIVE IN GERMANY, showcasing her gift for free improvisation and blending classical music with jazz in a unique style.
Curtis Studio has announced the release of its fifth recording: A Century of Sounds, a collection of nine works chosen in honor of Curtis' historic 100th anniversary season, and celebrating the artistry and innovation of the school's alumni, faculty, and students.
A delightfully disturbing homage to the iconic “Evil Dead” film franchise, theater fans, die-hard Deadites, and collectors can purchase “Evil Dead The Musical Original Cast Recording” on vinyl or stream the album. Learn how to purchase.
On October 22, 2024, Crown will publish THE WALL OF LIFE: Pictures and Stories from This Marvelous Life by Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author Shirley MacLaine.
On Monday, September 30 Suffs hosted a special cast album CD release event at the Public Theater, featuring Tony Award winner Shaina Taub and members of the Broadway company of Suffs. See photos from the event here!
An original musical concept album, inspired by Ben Decter and Kristin Hanggi's production It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, and other music streaming platforms. Listen now!
Grover Dale’s life story reads like the ultimate show bio. After all, there are few performers who can count the original Broadway production of West Side Story among their credits. Or say that Sir Noel Coward hand picked them to appear in one of his musicals.
Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club reveals details about October’s Monthly Read: Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders. The Service95 Book Club will offer exclusive content from Dua and George throughout the month.
Playwright Erika Kathryn has signed a deal with Next Stage Press to publish her stage play THE CHEATER EATER. Kathryn, an award-winning screenwriter and author, has five novels and multiple screenplays to her name. Learn more!
On October 1, 2024, Penguin Young Readers will publish DOLLY PARTON’S BILLY THE KID COMES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, a new, standalone sequel to Parton’s New York Times bestselling picture book, Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big.
Author Ali Riley has announced the release of her middle grade historical fantasy novel, The Jewel of Saxon Wood. This magical story is set to enchant young readers with its rich blend of history, fantasy, and adventure.
BTW LLC has announced the release of Sinew and Bone, the newest psychological horror novel by author Gitte Tamar. Available in paperback, hardback, and ebook formats, this haunting tale is set to captivate fans of horror, psychological thrillers, historical fiction, and more.
The WILD ABOUT YOU Deluxe Edition, featuring music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy, is out today. The album includes two new tracks with performances by Eric McCormack, Ashley Loren, and Troy Iwata.
CelloVoci – the newly formed classical-crossover group starring internationally renowned cello and vocal duo BRANDEN & JAMES, along with powerhouse singer/songwriter EFFIE PASSERO from “American Idol” and Postmodern Jukebox – has released their first single, an epic version of the chart-topper 'The Prayer'. Listen now.