Just moments ago the trailer for the 2011 re-imagining of the 1984 Herbert Ross musical film FOOTLOOSE hit the internet, and while the emphasis was on the attractive, largely up-and-coming cast and the gritty, earthy take on the revamped and modernized material, there were enough glimpses of boot-kickin', booty shakin' and barn-stormin' to please the gleeks, DWTS addicts and Broadway musical fans out there in the dark, as well. After all, it isn't very often at all anymore that a film boasting a musical element as prevalent as that in the new 2011 FOOTLOOSE comes along, so - if only for that - it's a cause for anticipatory excitement. Directed by HUSTLE & FLOW helmer Craig Brewer, the new Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced big screen version of the classic story of a town that banishes dancing and the scrappy new kid on the bleak block who puts the spark back in their step clearly appears to be a fully-functioning new twist on the tale all its own, ready to reintroduce the story to a whole new generation hungry for a dance-heavy hit. After all, it's been quite awhile since there was a decent movie-musical or music/dance-centric film - HAIRSPRAY, actually (also a Zadan/Meron production), and CHICAGO before that. While this new FOOTLOOSE does not have any traditional burst-into-song moments - as the late-90s Broadway stage version did (though the original film did not) - the dance element is at the forefront of the proceedings, front and center. Yet, what music can we expect?

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is in over five hundred movie theaters starting on Wednesday and that simple fact is enough to make one want to celebrate with a thousand vodka stingers - and imbibe in the delectable Sondheim zingers. I was lucky enough to see COMPANY last week and I can tell you that not only is it the best live representation of the show that any audience could ask for - Broadway babies, Sondheim neophytes and everything in between and far, far beyond - but a considerable reexamination of the themes, elements, emotions and the steely, chrome machinations ringing within the heartbeat of the show's cynical core. Lonny Price's COMPANY is something unique in modern entertainment, on Broadway, on film or anywhere else - it is multi-dimensional in a revolutionary way that is, frankly, unprecedented. This is Broadway in the 21st century at its best with a cast led by the brightest stars in the Broadway and TV universe on full display for a film audience and if this enterprise is successful, the mind marvels at the endless possibilities this format could afford in the future, both near and far. Yes, this is what you have been waiting for - whoever you are. If you love music, if you love wit, if you love comedy, if you love to laugh and think simultaneously - COMPANY is for you. Yes, this is that kind of review - and, thank goodness it is. It's due all the praise of a birthday boy like Bobby - with a generous dose of icing black as death; or, night. Icing

THE THREEPENNY OPERA to WICKED to ROCKY HORROR to PASSION onstage - and, before that, believe it or not: THE REAL LIVE BRADY BUNCH TOUR - in addition to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to MEAN GIRLS on screens large and small: the multi-talented Ana Gasteyer continues to surprise us with every new venture - and aren't we lucky! Ms. Gasteyer's exceedingly elegant new cabaret show at Feinstein's, appropriately titled ELEGANT SONGS FROM A HANDSOME WOMAN - this coming Monday at 8:30 PM, and also on Monday, June 27 - will give her a chance to show off her considerable singing skills. In this all-encompassing interview we discuss the inspiration and ideas involved in her new cabaret piece and exactly what we can expect on Monday night, plus all about her upcoming multi-episode arc on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and co-starring in a brand new ABC series coming this Fall, SUBURGATORY. Additionally, we parse her stage work with everyone from Joe Mantello to Mary Zimmermann and her experiences working on live TV for six years on NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - plus, first news about her role in Tyler Perry's WE THE PEOPLES and her recollections on the fantastic REEFER MADNESS: THE MOVIE MUSICAL - as well as working with Raul Esparza, Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Larry David - and much, much more!

Coming quick on the heels of last month's extensive acting-based discussion in BroadwayWorld's SPOTLIGHT ON THE NY POPS series, today we are again highlighting one of the brightest stars on Broadway and talking about all aspects of her stupendous and multi-faceted new album, ALWAYS - online and in stores next week - and, also, all about her solo concert at The Town Hall this Friday night, what surprises may be in store, and, additionally, what we can possibly expect from her onstage in the near future. BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY? FINDING NEVERLAND? What about Encores!? GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES? MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG? All are possibilities - just not Bartlett Sher's FUNNY GIRL! One thing is for sure: whatever Kelli O'Hara is doing, Broadway babies will be watching intently! In addition to tomorrow's gig at The Town Hall, Ms. O'Hara will also be a part of a benefit at Le Poisson Rouge on June 7 and featured on the A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS special alongside GLEE star Matt Morrison on July 4.

Today we are listening to one of the most highly-anticipated cast albums of the season, featuring a bona fide Hollywood star at its center - none other than Harry Potter himself, no less - in one of the most celebrated of Golden Age musicals. I am speaking, of course, of the 2010 Broadway revival of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING starring Daniel Radcliffe alongside Emmy-winner Tammy Blanchard, Tony nominee John Larroquette, and Christopher J. Hanke in the role made famous in the original production by cutup comedian Charles Nelson Reilly. So, just how well does Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' Pulitzer Prize-winning musical hold up on record nearly fifty years after its inception and original cast album? How does this recording stack up next to the treasured Original Broadway Cast Recording - the flawless Sony Masterworks reissue reviewed in this very column last year included - as well as the film soundtrack and 1995 revival recording? Furthermore - and, the question on everyone's lips; or the ponderousness perched on the extremity of everyone's earlobes - is Mr. Radcliffe more or less than his stalwart predecessor in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch - MAD MEN's Robert Morse - and, how does he measure up to the Tony-winning lead of the Des McAnuff revival from the 90s, Matthew Broderick? Clearly, this HOW TO SUCCEED is its own thing. And how - and, how much! The revival recording of HOW TO SUCCEED is a more-than-filling meal with appetizers, desserts and some more-then-generous 1960s sized cocktails thrown in for good measure - more than measuring up to what has come before, in the process. But, how exactly do you like your food served up? And, your drinks prepared? Many should be more than satiated - this HOW TO SUCCEED certainly succeeds.

Today marks the last episode review of the second season of Fox's hit musical dramedy series GLEE and I'm sure that many will agree with me that last night's show was as good a Season Two send-off as could have possibly been expected from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and company given what has gone on this year so far. Besides the sights and sounds of the dramatic NYC wrap-up, the Broadway babies amongst the gleeks were treated to the extended returns of fan favorite Jonathan Groff and new cast member Cheyenne Jackson, in addition to a characteristically fabulous cameo by Broadway legend Patti LuPone - and the grand return of international singing sensation - as well as a participant in this column; in addition to Mr. Groff, yesterday (and, coming up: Mr. Jackson) - the big-voiced-diva known as Charice. While original songs dominated the episode, we were also treated to a mash-up of Madonna's 'I Love New York' and the Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolph Green ON THE TOWN anthem 'New York, New York' (and a sample of the Kander & Ebb version elsewhere in the episode, 'for good' measure), in addition to one of the musical highlights of not only this episode, but all of Season Two - a song which was incidentally premiered in this very column on BroadwayWorld last week: Lea Michele and Chris Colfer putting their own spin on the WICKED curtain song 'For Good' on the very stage of the Gershwin Theater where the Broadway smash plays eight times a week - and has since 2004 - right where fellow GLEE guest stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel first sang it. While the musical quotient on GLEE is always appreciably entertaining - with few exceptions - this season has been significantly more expansive and varied in its storytelling style, so the question of the season undoubtedly is: was it all wrapped up satisfactorily? Well, we'll just have to stack it all up side-by-side-by-side-by-side and see, now, won't we? But, one thing is crystal clear: GLEE in NYC was all it was cracked up - and built up - to be. The big pay-off. Finally. Or, make that more to the point: finale.

Today we are taking an up-close and personal critical look at last night's super-sized episode of Fox's hit musical comedy series GLEE, titled after Lady Gaga's newest #1 song up until this last Easter weekend - of course 'Judas' sits atop the iTunes charts now - and featuring an especially rousing rendition of that German techno/'Express Yourself'-esque anthem, in addition to a mellifluous mash-up of TLC's 'Unpretty' and WEST SIDE STORY's 'I Feel Pretty' by Lea Michele and Dianna Agron, and, even, an Andrew Lloyd Webber diva moment made famous by Patti LuPone and, in concert, by Barbra Streisand - 'As If We Never Said Goodbye' from SUNSET BLVD, ably attended to by Golden Globe-winner Chris Colfer. We also take a look at the dramatic side of McKinley High in this episode and trace the journey we all have taken over the season so far as GLEE ramps up the excitement, emotion and energy for the final five episodes coming in the next number of weeks - and, also, a look ahead to next Tuesday's Fleetwood Mac-themed show with all songs from 1975's RUMOURS featuring the grand return of Tony-winner and Broadway baby Kristin Chenoweth as once-boozy bowling-alley barmaid/now-born-again gospel singer April Rhodes. Plus, 'Prom Queen' on May 10! Also, is that really the last we'll ever see of Season Two all-stars Darren Criss and Gwyneth Paltrow? GLEE is getting on the right track - and getting better - just in time (and right to the beat).

Today we are talking to the internationally renowned recording superstar who is also known to theatre fans for her stint onstage in JEKYLL & HYDE - and for her brilliantly big Broadway belt - with a fantastic new album out now on Sony re-teaming with her frequent collaborator/composer/producer, Frank Wildhorn - the talented and alluring Ms. Linda Eder. In this all-encompassing conversation we discuss her many studio albums recorded over the last two decades, as well as her demo work on the countless Wildhorn musicals over the years and the future of those shows (HAVANA is coming!). We also look ahead to her own future and discuss what can be expected in her upcoming concert series promoting the new album NOW, which she will be performing songs from in her upcoming concert at Town Hall. A truly theatrical album featuring a spellbinding title song with lyrics by Tony-winner Maury Yeston, NOW is Eder at her best. Linda also shares the inspiration behind the new album and what the music of Wildhorn means to her - plus, of course, her favorite tracks and recollections of the studio sessions - plus, her equestrian endeavors and much, much more. NOW is available in stories, on Amazon and on iTunes, and further information about Linda's concert appearances - including her Town Hall concert - can be found at her official site here.

Today we are talking to the internationally renowned recording superstar who is also known to theatre fans for her stint onstage in JEKYLL & HYDE - and for her brilliantly big Broadway belt - with a fantastic new album out now on Sony re-teaming with her frequent collaborator/composer/producer, Frank Wildhorn - the talented and alluring Ms. Linda Eder. In this all-encompassing conversation we discuss her many studio albums recorded over the last two decades, as well as her demo work on the countless Wildhorn musicals over the years and the future of those shows (HAVANA is coming!). We also look ahead to her own future and discuss what can be expected in her upcoming concert series promoting the new album NOW, which she will be performing songs from in her upcoming concert at Town Hall. A truly theatrical album featuring a spellbinding title song with lyrics by Tony-winner Maury Yeston, NOW is Eder at her best. Linda also shares the inspiration behind the new album and what the music of Wildhorn means to her - plus, of course, her favorite tracks and recollections of the studio sessions - plus, her equestrian endeavors and much, much more. NOW is available in stories, on Amazon and on iTunes, and further information about Linda's concert appearances - including her Town Hall concert - can be found at her official site here.

One of the most highly acclaimed and most riveting films of 2010 is undoubtedly the Academy Award-winning BLACK SWAN by Darren Aronofsky. While the stunning lead performance of Natalie Portman was the only nomination of the five (for Picture, Directing, Editing and Cinematography being the other four) to score Oscar gold, director Darren Aronofsky has now solidified himself in recent years as one of the most notable and accomplished directors of his, or any, generation. Stanley Kubrick is somewhere smiling. The Blu-Ray, released this week, brings BLACK SWAN to home video in the most, well, perfect of manners.

In honor of Sunday's broadcast of the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on CBS and today's early-morning premiere of Lady Gaga's newest single off of her forthcoming sophomore album (sharing the same title as the song) BORN THIS WAY, in this week's Flash Friday and Saturday we are taking a look at some of the most memorable Grammy moments from the past - and casting a glance towards the future as we take a listen to the new Gaga track. What we can expect from her highly-anticipated first live performance of the electronica anthem - as well as from performances by Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson and more - in the nearly-four-hour broadcast celebrating all genres of music on Sunday? Also, what will win best cast album? We can be sure we are in for one hell of a show - after all, some of us were just born to set the stage ablaze, as today's goo-goo-for-Gaga FLASH FRIDAY and tomorrow's super-special-Babs-blow-out SATURDAY SPECIAL surely do attest. Queens all around, yet who will take the crown?

I recently spoke to screenwriter/director Richard Levine about his new feature film EVERY DAY starring Liev Schreiber, Helen Hunt, Carla Gugino, Eddie Izzard and Brian Dennehy, as well as took a look back at his work on Ryan Murphy's groundbreaking dark drama series NIP/TUCK with him - NIP/TUCK also having recently been released as a complete series boxset. From casting some of the most accomplished thespians onstage or on screen - all five can frequently be seen on Broadway and off, as well as in film and television - to his favorite NIP/TUCK episodes and thoughts on GLEE, Levine offers forth his insight and experience. Given that EVERY DAY focuses on a writer on a sudsy medical drama that wallows in the shocking and prurient, perhaps art isn't too far from life after all. EVERY DAY is in selected cities now.

Composer, conductor, arranger and all-around music man Lance Horne is a very busy musician these days: this week's GENIUS OF AUTISM benefit and the upcoming American Songbook Series of shows in New York; the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas spectacular playing twice-nightly to sold-out crowds called VEGAS: THE MUSICAL, about to re-open with a slew of new material; a series of London concerts followed by a European tour; conducting at the Sydney Opera House; and a brand new album - FIRST THINGS LAST - released this week. All of this without even mentioning the hotly anticipated new productions he has coming up! Keep your eyes peeled for ARTS & CRAFTS, his new musical created with Jake Shears and starring Sandra Bernhard and Justin Bond, as well as the new Diane Paulus production of the fresh Steven Sater translation of PROMETHEUS BOUND starring Gavin Creel. The future looks bright for a talent like Lance's and in this revealing conversation we touch on all of this and much, much more.

Today we are taking a look and a listen to the biggest and brightest Broadway beacons of the year that was, all amidst the dismal landscape of the Street as we now know it, though I won't name names or titles (hyphenated or otherwise). Between the ultimate diva triptych of Barbra, Liza and Cher each releasing not only new albums in 2010, but also DVDs of their work - and, in Cher's case, a smash-hit big-screen original movie musical, BURLESQUE, to the stars-on-the-rise of two leading men of far off shores - Stuart Matthew Price and David Campbell. In a year with far too few new cast albums, these solo albums certainly shine with lots of luster. On Broadway it might have been the year of epic disaster, but on record we may be able to find the Broadway we knew and loved once in any number of these highly-recommended releases. Oh, yeah - and Sondheim, too!

Since today is only a week away from Christmas Day, we are taking a special look at the absolute must-own Christmas- themed releases for the Broadway baby on your list. From Barbra Streisand to Sondheim, Raul Esparza to Liza Minnelli, Barbara Cook to Straight No Chaser - there's certainly a little bit of holiday cheer to cast some winter starlight upon even the saddest of Charlie Brown Christmas trees. Here are seven ways to make your holiday a little more sparkling and bright - and some cool Yule selections for how to change-up your Christmas tune listening for the last seven days until Santa Claus & Co. arrive late next Friday night!

Today we are taking a look and a listen to the winter finale of Fox's hit musical comedy series GLEE and its accompanying soundtrack, GLEE: THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM, both of which premiered this week. 'Tis the season for all good GLEE gifts and if a special Christmas episode - 'A Very Glee Christmas' - just wasn't enough, then the two recently released soundtrack albums can surely fuel your fire until the post-Superbowl special episode in the new year!

With over twelve million hits on YouTube for their 'Twelve Days of Christmas' alone, the all-male a capella group Straight No Chaser has become something of a global phenomenon following their humble collegiate debut in 1996. As one of the founding members of the group, Walter Chase recently spoke with me about his passion for music, the trials and tribulations - and joys - of a capella singing, touring the world as part of a group, fame, as well as all about the dazzling brand new Straight No Chaser DVD/2-CD box set ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, which will be released this week, featuring over thirty holiday tracks - and a few surprises, too! Also, you can catch Straight No Chaser live in concert on December 1 as part of the Live From T5 concert series.

Today we are taking a look at one of the most exciting DVD/Blu-Ray releases of the year - perhaps ever, at least as far as Broadway connoisseurs are concerned. Taped back in mid-March of this year, a week before the actual central celebratory event itself occurred, comes SONDHEIM! The Birthday Concert, which will also be shown next Wednesday on PBS as part of this season's sensational series of GREAT PERFORMANCES at 9 PM on WNET in New York and across the country. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that has been ever-so-lovingly rendered on disc in high definition preserving a heavenly host of the very best Broadway talent one could ever possibly ask to be assembled. SONDHEIM! has it all.

In this SOUND OFF SPECIAL EDITION we are taking a comprehensive look at Tuesday's premiere of THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW on Fox and the accompanying soundtrack that was released last week, GLEE: THE MUSIC: THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW, as well as analyzing how the show and soundtrack stacks up to previous GLEE-ful tributes - Madonna, Gaga/Journey, Britney, etc. - and in comparison to the second season, and entire series, thus far! So, what did you think of THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW by the time the credits rolled? Was it a tart and terrific time warp romp or a warped and twisted time-consuming stink bomb? A jump to the right or a step to the left? Is it always all or nothing? With ROCKY HORROR, going over-the-top is just the very start of beginning to see what's weird and wild on the other side.

On Monday July 24th, the Obamas hosted a starry event at the White House that was streamed live on the White House Official Website and right here on Broadway World that featured the top talents of the Great White Way singing the very best songs by (mostly) American composers. Among the participants were Elaine Stritch, Nathan Lane, Tonya Pinkins,Brian D'Arcy James, Audra McDonald, Chad Kimball, Karen Olivo and Idina Menzel. Additionally, the concert featured Marvin Hamlisch, who accompanied Idina Menzel on his iconic performing arts anthem from A CHORUS LINE, 'What I Did For Love', who I also had the distinct pleasure of interviewing for InDepth InterView in the intervening months in which we discuss this concert. Here is a review of the spectacular event as it was presented on PBS stations nationwide last night!

This week we are taking a listen to the soundtrack for the forthcoming ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW homage ala GLEE with a rundown of the second season of the hit Golden Globe-winning musical dramedy series and how it stacks up to last season. Additionally, we take a peek at one of the most famous musicals numbers from the cult classic score - 'Time Warp' featuring all of the central Glee club cast-members of the show, among them Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron and Chris Colfer. The soundtrack also contains a special appearance by John Stamos - late of Broadway's recent BYE BYE BIRDIE, and the other Roundabout revivals of NINE and CABARET - who sings the song made famous by a then unknown Meat Loaf in 1975 who will be making an appearance himself on the episode when it airs October 26th on Fox. So, come up to the lab and see what's on the slab a whole week early as we take a peak at the soundtrack and some special video clips from THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW.

This week we are taking a listen to a stunning new release of a brand new Broadway score coming from one of the most celebrated and cherished American songwriting teams in Broadway and Hollywood history - if only for 'Cabaret' and 'New York, New York' if not everything else as well - the incandescent Kander & Ebb. Today we take an indepth look at one of their final scores together as captured on a cast recording in anticipation of the Broadway bow of this show in its off-Broadway to Broadway transfer later this month. Shout 'Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey' - it's the Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording of THE SCOTSBORRO BOYS and that alone gives us reason to sing hymns to the many hims - as well as the single her, the director/choreographer at the helm, multi-Tony-winning Susan Stroman - overflowing with appreciation and praise to these fine craftsmen and the cast conveying the controversial and candid topic at the center of the show. Broadway rarely has this much sardonic bite - and biting bang - for your buck than this show and subsequent cast recording do. Kander & Ebb once again show us how it's done, and done best - and rewrite all of the rules while doing it.

This week, in conjunction with BroadwayWorld's new songwriter discussion series Modern Music Masters that premiered on Monday, we are taking a listen to two new releases from the astonishingly accomplished first two artists selected to participate in the songwriting celebration series: the winsome, witty wordplay and guileless wacky charm of Nellie McKay, and the wordy gravitas and overall commitment to excellence of Jason Mraz. With Nellie McKay's new studio album of original material - HOME, SWEET, MOBILE HOME - she reveals many new sides and angles to her versatile and varied sound that has previously been firmly established by her notable prior releases. On Jason Mraz's LIFE IS GOOD EP the fans around the world are treated to a handful of newly-written material performed in the hypnotic and energetic style Mraz is so famous for in his live concert events - one of the few artists who are even better live than in the studio and whose voice sounds even more impressive (high praise indeed). Both of these performers have what it takes to perform a song with the utmost conviction, and their songwriting ability alone would warrant much praise, but it is the fact that they can hold an audience's rapt attention so seemingly effortlessly only magnifies their appeal to connoisseurs of the crème de la crème of singer-songwriters who write to the best of their abilities. These are two of the very, very best songwriters around. Two true masters. With them in the world writing music and performing it, life is much, much more than merely good! It's great... or it very well could be genius.

Today we talk to the world's foremost authority on twentieth-century music, the incomparable cabaret artist and Broadway performer known for his countless albums and appearances on film, television and stages worldwide, the affable and well-spoken - and encyclopedic - Michael Feinstein! In this SOUND OFF Special Interview he does BroadwayWorld the special honor of diagramming a lesser known gem - in this case, one of Cole Porter's final compositions - in his inimitable and illuminating style, as well as opening up about his new PBS reality series. We simultaneously speak to acclaimed directed Amber Edwards (WORDS & MUSIC: JERRY HERMAN) who also provides her insights on how to approach documentation of a life as rich, varied and hectic as Feinstein's. Lest we forget, he also owns and operates the premier cabaret club in Manhattan, Feinstein's At The Regency! Talking everything from Ira and George to iPods and Glee, Feinstein and Edwards share their insights and experiences in championing the twenty-first century Great American Songbook on television and on the internet in 2010 and bringing Feinstein's formidable talents to a whole new generation. All of that, and more show tunes than you can shake a stick at! Be sure to tune into your local PBS station next Wednesday at 8 PM for the premiere episode of MICHAEL FEINSTEIN'S AMERICAN SONGBOOK!

Today we are taking a listen to one of the most hotly anticipated albums of the year from one of the biggest stars in entertainment history - Hollywood, Broadway and beyond - the incomparably divine Liza Minnelli and her new studio album CONFESSIONS. Having appeared in countless films, concerts, television specials and seemingly every other form of media over the years - not to mention her many appearances on Broadway, among them a 2009 Tony Winner for LIZA'S AT THE PALACE - this lady of the stage and screen needs no introduction. But, if pressed: CABARET, CHICAGO, NEW YORK NEW YORK, ALFIE, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - and so many more. Surely, we thought she had done it all - and with very good reason - but then comes this moment, this album, this Liza. It's everything you would not expect - plus a few glorious things you would - which makes it the ultimate meta-Minnelli album. Music fans surely won't want to miss this truly Holy CONFESSIONS. Liza-lujah!