About the Album: 'King Kong' was a pioneering South African musical inspired by the life and death of the heavyweight boxing champion Ezekiel Dlamini. Billed as a 'Jazz-Opera', 'King Kong' featured music by Todd Matshikiza and lyrics by Pat Williams. The production was first staged at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University Great Hall, opening on February 2nd 1959 and went on to take South Africa by storm. Nelson Mandela attended the opening night and is on record as highlighting the show as his favourite musical. The original South African production starred Nathan Mdledle, Ruth Nkonyane, Dan Poho and Miriam Makeba, helping launch Makeba's international career. West End theatre impresario Jack Hylton was determined to bring the groud breaking South African musical to London, insisting that as many of the original cast members as possible transfer with the production. 'King Kong' subsequently opened at London's Princes Theatre on February 23rd 1961 and ran for 201 performances. Critics praised 'King Kong' for it's inventive staging, stand out performances and vibrant score and despite initial plans for a Broadway transfer, these failed to materialise. In more recent times, 'King Kong' has been recognised for the pioneering role the production played in breaking down racial barriers, defying the colour bar and uniting black and white South Africans at the height of the apartheid era. In 2017 the musical was profiled by BBC Radio 3 and later revived in South Africa by the Fugard Theatre Company. Stage Door are pleased to debut the Original London Cast recording of 'King Kong' on CD. The recording is complemented with selections from the Original South African Cast Recording, including many songs that were subsequently cut from the London production. The CD concludes with a handful of bonus tracks including pop covers of 'Back Of The Moon' and 'The Earth Turns Over' by Elaine Delmar and a jazz instrumental of the show's title song by Terry Lightfoot's New Orleans Jazzmen.
Label: Stage Door Import
Florence + The Machine Royal Albert Hall Concert to Receive Live Album
by Josh Sharpe
- October 18, 2024
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.
Olivia Newton-John Duets With Jane Lynch on Reimagined Holiday Album
by Josh Sharpe
- October 18, 2024
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!
Jazz Artist Bob Holz Signs With SoVibe Entertainment
by Blair Ingenthron
- October 13, 2024
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.
Composer Rick Sowash To Debut A PIRATE'S CHRISTMAS For Flute, Cello, and Piano on Digital EP Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron
- October 13, 2024
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.
Exclusive: Read an Excerpt from Eric Idle's THE SPAMALOT DIARIES
by Nicole Rosky
- October 11, 2024
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!
Video: Take a Look Inside Allyson Briggs' New Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 11, 2024
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.
New Collectible Vinyl of EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 04, 2024
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.
Photos: SUFFS Cast Album CD Release Event
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 02, 2024
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!
Listen: IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, TYLER PRICE! Concept Album Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 01, 2024
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!
Interview: Grover Dale Reflects on a Life in the Theater
by Team BWW
- October 03, 2024
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 Reveals October Service95 Book Club Monthly Read
by Josh Sharpe
- October 01, 2024
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 to Join Next Stage Press
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 01, 2024
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!
Gitte Tamar Releases New Psychological Horror Novel SINEW AND BONE
by Blair Ingenthron
- September 28, 2024
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.
Listen: CelloVoci Releases First Single 'The Prayer'
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- September 27, 2024
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.
Linedy Genao & More to be Featured in CAFE CON LECHE Concept EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- September 27, 2024
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month and as part of Theatre Barn Records, New York Theatre Barn will release a concept EP of the original musical Café Con Leche. The album features Linedy Genao. Learn more about the album and get a first listen.
Adrienne Warren to Make Cafe Carlyle Debut in December
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- September 27, 2024
Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren, known for her performances in Tina - The Tina Turner Musical and much more, is set to make her debut at Cafe Carlyle in December. Learn more about what to expect from the performances and see how to purchase tickets.
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