BLOG: SONY launches new site for Broadway showtunes!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SONY MASTERWORKS LAUNCHES MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM

A COMPREHENSIVE BROADWAY SITE “WHERE SHOW TUNES TAKE CENTER STAGE”

SITE LIVE ON APRIL 1ST – KICKS OFF WITH 30-DAY SWEEPSTAKES

SONY MASTERWORKS announces the launch of MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM – a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed Grammy® and Tony® Award-winning revival of West Side Story. The site goes live on April 1. To celebrate the launch, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM will give away highly coveted prizes throughout the month in the “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” sweepstakes.

MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM preserves the history of music from the “Great White Way” providing a comprehensive experience for the Broadway community and its fans. The site will include a catalog of more than 400 Broadway cast recordings – together receiving over 265 Tony® Awards, 450 Tony® nominations and 27 Grammy® Awards. Elements of the site will include hundreds of never-before-seen recording session photos, a weekly blog by noted theater journalist/author Peter Filichia (Newark Star Ledger, Theatremania.com), an enormous streaming library of cast recordings, as well as podcasts with Broadway notables including Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and others.

On the launch date of April 1st, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM will begin the “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” sweepstakes during which time the site will give away a daily prize. Some of the extraordinary prizes include: A trip for two to NYC to see a Broadway show, the entire Masterworks Broadway catalog (over 275 CDs!), signed copies of Kristin Chenoweth’s book “A Little Bit Wicked” and her latest CD “A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas,” and a rare framed pigment print of Gwen Verdon from the Sony Music archives/ICON Collectibles. Every Tuesday.

Visit Music at:
http://www.theatreface.com/groups/group/show?id=2529492%3AGroup%3A1418&xg_source=msg_mes_group

AUDITION: Producers of GLEE on the prowl

GLEE fans now have the chance of a lifetime to join the cast! GLEE was the surprise hit show of last season, bringing Musical Theatre back to the small screen in a big way.

Now, the producers are scouring the internet for the newest cast member(s) that must be between the ages of 16-26.  All you have to do is upload a video that has a 1 minute intro and 4 minutes of stellar showsopping singing, and upload it at http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions.

In other news, GLEE cast members also made the cover of the latest Rolling Stone Magazine.

Break a leg!  And if you get it, tell 'em you heard it here on Musical Theatre Talk.

BWAY: Hedwig Inching Toward Broadway?

John Cameron Mitchell, famous for his autobiographical musical revue, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, just might see the lights of the Great White Way in the Fall of 2010.  The original film has become a cult classic, as did the previous stage incarnations, including a couple Off-Broadway stints.

The first Broadway production of HEDWIG will feature JCM and his band, The Angry inch, as well as the original director, Peter Askin. Stephen Trask, the composer-lyricist, says he will write some new tunes for the Broadway version.

For those new to HEDWIG, it is shocking, outrageous, and wonderfully different. With the changes in store for its Broadway debut, it might turn out to be a 21st century sing-along a` la ROCKY HORROR.

BLOG: Bway's HAIR turns 1 year old!

The Broadway revival of HAIR celebrated its 1st birthday yesterday. Featuring famous songs like, "The Age of Aquarius," HAIR is considered by some as the show that changed Musical Theatre from the classical singer & Vaudevillian gag book-musical to an experimental genre for theatrical works with music.

In keeping with that hippies-love-everybody theme, you can choose to donate 5% of your ticket price to charity!

Buy tickets:  http://www.hairbroadway.com/

BLOG: 101 Dalmatians to close early

With dates set all over the U.S. through early summer, the 101 DALMATIANS national tour is closing at the end of its run in New York, April 18, 2010.  This is a great shame considering the costumes are amazing, the show energetic, and the rescue dogs brilliant.

A unique concept, the show features not only kids playing the dalmatian puppies, but live dalmatians who have been rescued and trained to perform tricks during the show.

As another family show hits hard times, one can only hope that the recession will stop affectng large musicals that have great energy and heart (and employ lots of musical theatre performers, technicians, and craftpersons).

Get your tickets immediately! http://www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com/index.html

BLOG: MTT now on CAFE PRESS!

You can support the show and Musical Theatre in one fell swoop by getting your very own Musical Theatre Talk gear.  Choose from t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, mousepags, water bottles, man-bag, even t-shirts for Fido!

Cafe Press also ships internationally -- perfect for Musical Theatre Talk's international listeners.

Stay tuned for upcoming jackets, caps, and more designs!

Musical Theatre Talk on Cafe Press!

GUEST: Kim Steinhauer, 04/08 @ 11 am EDT

KIMBERLY STEINHAUER, Ph.D., is a founding partner of Vocal Innovations and has devoted her career to the voice. She has been employed in a variety of venues ranging from pop to opera. As a voice educator, she has taught in the public school system and at the university level. As Research Health Scientist for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Kim was awarded a federal grant to study the relationship among teaching techniques and vocal training and rehabilitation. She collaborated with medical teams to tailor exercises and repertoire specifically for singers of all ages with vocal injury and is published in the Journal of Voice and in Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care.


Listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call in to 347-237-5224.


To hear the REPLAY after the show, go to http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/.

GUEST: Lauren Kennedy, 04/01 @ 11 a EDT

LAUREN KENNEDY has starred in numerous Broadway and National Tour musicals: Monty Python's SPAMALOT, SUNSET BOULEVARD with Glenn Close, SIDE SHOW, and LES MISERABLES, CINDERELLA at The New York City Opera, and Trevor Nunn's revival of SOUTH PACIFIC as Nellie Forbush at The Royal National Theatre. Lauren starred opposite Val Kilmer in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. She starred in pre-Broadway productions of VANITIES and LONE STAR LOVE, as well as new works including Zelda Fitzgerald in Frank Wildhorn's WAITING FOR THE MOON, THE RHYTHM CLUB, WHITE CHRISTMAS, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, HOT SHOE SHUFFLE at TUTS, THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN at The Kennedy Center, and THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Northlight.


To listen live, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call in to 347-237-5224.
 
To hear the REPLAY after the show, go to http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/.

GUEST: Alexandra Silber

ALEXANDRA SILBER made her West End debut as Laura Fairlie in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White. She played Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and revived her role in its subsequent West End transfer to tremendous critical acclaim. In summer 2009, she performed Jullie in Carousel at The Savoy Theatre in London’s West End for which she won the TMA Award for Best Performance in a Musical, 2009. She is currently rehearsing with Tony Award-winner Tyne Daly in Terrence McNally’s Master Class at The Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, directed by celebrated director Stephen Wadsworth.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Belter Extraordinaire Klea Blackhurst

KLEA BLACKHURST's appearances include the London Palladium's Broadway. She made her Carnegie Hall debut with Michael Feinstein singing the works of Jule Styne and debuted her revue, “Everything The Traffic Will Allow” at Royal Albert Hall. Klea's theatre and Off-Broadway feature roles include Mama Morton in Chicago and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Klea has appeared on "The Caroline Rhea Show," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "Sesame Street," and "A Prairie Home Companion."

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUESTS: Cast from YANK! A WORLD WAR II LOVE STORY

Nancy Anderson, Jeffry Denman, and Ivan Hernandaz stopped by to discuss the unique love story of a gay World War II soldier. 

Showing at the York Theatre, this intimate show has taken the Off-Broadway crowds by storm.  With various tryouts since 2007, this Off-Broadway smash has found its stride.

Discussing the show and its unique angle on a World War II romance, the cast also sheds light on their individual vocal training and upcoming projects.

For tickets to the show, go to http://www.yorktheatre.org/.

To hear the replay of this interview: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Judith Carman discusses "Yoga for Singers"

JUDITH CARMAN, DMA., has degrees in vocal performance and pedagogy and taught voice at university and in private studios for 40 years. She has practiced yoga regularly for 18 years, completed over 750 hours of teacher training, and holds teacher certification from the Yoga Institute of Houston (200 hour level) and the American Viniyoga Institute (500 hour level). Dr. Carman designed the course, Yoga for Singers in 1999. Her book, Yoga for Singing: A Developmental Tool for Technique and Performance will be published by Oxford University Press in 2011.

REPLAY:  http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Clare Burt

CLARE BURT, starred in David Leveaux's London production of NINE, that inspired the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival. As "The Witch" in INTO THE WOODS, she was called "splendidly malicious" by The Times of London, and "intelligent, powerful & fascinatingly equivocal" by What's On. Other West End credits include "Susan" in COMPANY, "Maggie" in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, "Rose" in ASPECTS OF LOVE, "Grizabella" in CATS, and "Fosca" in PASSION. Clare appeared at the Royal National Theatre as "Mrs. Milcote" in CORAM BOY and "Jean Shehan" in THE MIRACLE.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

BLOG: Broadway Invades Opera (again)

by Trish Causey

New York City Opera will be invaded by vagabond gypsies from the Great White Way when Tony Award darlings Kristin Chenoweth and Raúl Esparza headline "Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz" on April 21, 2011. (Get the smelling salts for the blue-hair opera patrons!)

No strangers to making beautiful music together, Kristin and Raúl appeared in BROADWAY'S GREATEST SHOWSTOPPERS in May 2008, an event under the baton of A CHORUS LINE composer, Marvin Hamlisch. They also appeared together in the abstract, yet oh-so-fabulous-albeit-short-lived television comedy, PUSHING DAISIES.

Stephen Schwartz is the composer of such legendary shows as WICKED, GODSPELL, and PIPPIN. NYCO will be home to the Broadway composer again when it presents the New York premiere of his first opera, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, April 19-May 1, 2011

Season subscriptions and single tickets will be available Sept. 7. Go to http://www.nycopera.com/, or call (212) 496-0600. NYCO productions are held at Lincoln Center.

Source: Playbill.com

R.I.P. Kathryn Grayson

by Trish Causey

Kathryn Grayson, operatically trained singer and star of many movie musicals, passed away on February 17, 2010. When I heard the news over Everyday Opera's email list, I immediately posted an RIP on Facebook. No other sources had posted it, and so it was called into question if it were true or a hoax. I wish it had been. Three days later, a friend of the family released the official statement that Kathryn had indeed passed away.

For me, as a singer and performer, I can honestly say that it was Kathryn Grayson who introduced me to my love of musical theatre and coloratura music. My first love was dance, having begun dance and gymnastics at age 2. When I was 14, I discovered movie musicals on the new station, American Movie Classics, and I was in heaven. Previously, only PBS showed artistic fare, and AMC offered two musicals, alternating each, for 12 hours per day. 

I was able to watch Gene Kelley musicals endlessly, and one day, one of the musicals featured was ANCHORS AWEIGH. This one film seemed to be the best of all worlds, the amazing talents and ingenuity of Gene Kelley, the young, undamaged voice of Frank Sinatra, and a lead female who was a legit singer. While I loved the inventive musicals numbers, the predictable storyline, even the history-making animated dream sequence between Gene and Tom the Mouse, I sat though the entire movie, every time, for the last three minutes.

In the last few minutes of the film, Kathryn sings the "Waltz Serenade," a Tchaikovsky piece with words added, that she sings in absolute perfection. That was the song that showed me my voice was normal. My extended high range had previously been a cause for worry that I was just weird and had a lot of extra notes I would never use. I would hold my jambox close to the speaker on the television and tape the songs of the musicals on AMC so I could sing along to them later.  Singing along with Kathryn, I was able to develop technique and speed, and hold the High F/F# (with vibrato) with ease. A few years later, at age 17, I learned that style of singing was called "coloratura," and so began my fascination with that repertoire.

You'll hear me talk about my idol, Barbra Streisand, and occasionally Ella Fitzgerald and Kay Starr, as these women were huge influences on me, along with Rosemary Clooney and Doris Day. But Kathryn was there first. My tapes of those early days recording musical numbers off AMC are long gone. I've bought CD's of Barbra, Ella, and Kay. But never got to have anything of Kathryn's singing, only the happy happenstance of catching one of her musicals on television and reliving those early years all over again. Now, it seems, she can be found on YouTube, and I think that is wonderful.

The Golden Age of Hollywood is passing, and the stars who built the movie industry are slipping away. It's sad we can't have good, ol'-fashioned movie musicals anymore -- they are deemed so...old-fashioned. The musicals that do make it to the screen require a "name" to carry the project, even if the star is not up to the task. Modern recording artists have trouble lip synching to their pre-recorded, over-produced, homogenized so-called "music," yet they are the "singers" in demand nowadays.

Kathryn Grayson was a star of the highest order, an exemplary vocal technician, and a good-hearted person who never took her fame too seriously and helped young singers along the way.  She was a Hollywood star worthy of the moniker and adoration. 

Thank you, Kathryn, for everything.




Anchors Aweigh - 1945
Kathryn Grayson with Gene Kelley & Frank Sinatra


Kathryn Grayson (with Peter Lawford) singing one of the jewels of coloratura repertoire, "The Bell Song" ("Ou va la jeune Indoue") from LAKME.


Ziegfeld Folloies - 1946


The Toast of New Orleans - 1950
Kathryn Grayson with Mario Lanza


Show Boat - 1951
Kathryn Grayson with Tony Martin


Kathryn Grayson with Howard Keel

BLOG: Oscars Highlight Musical Theatre & Women

by Trish Causey

Stars descended upon the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood last night, and another Academy Awards is in the books, or more correctly, the history books. 

Viewers got a healthy dose of deja vu with a Broadway-esque Musical Theatre opening number, featuring a hoofin', beltin' Neil Patrick Harris.  A tradition begun by Billy Crystal, the opening song and dance number alludes to the nominated films in most categories.  Consensus has it that the smokin' hot opener performed by Hugh Jackman was better overall, but it was very gratifying (once again) to see rhinestone-bedazzled and feather-clad dancers gliding about and kicking out the Broadway-style choreography so prominently featured at an award show for movies. 

The Broadway musical turned Musical Theatre film, NINE, did not win any gold statuettes, but Oscars were handed out to other award-worthy music endeavors.  Best Animated Film and Best Score went to the amazingly touching, funny, and well-written film, UP.  While I was personally rooting for the Musical Theatre animated film, PRINCESS AND THE FROG to win Best Song, the award went to CRAZY HEART's country ballad, "The Weary Kind." 

Producers continued the ridiculous tradition of just talking about the song nominees rather than allowing the composers and singers to actually perform them.  However, even more perplexing than not hearing the nominated songs being sung was having to sit through an interpretive dance sequence forced upon the show by producer, Adam Schankman. Note to Academy: PLEASE bring back the composer and singers who EARNED their place at the Academy Awards and leave the abstract dance numbers to reality TV shows.

Months of pre-show talk had surrounded James Cameron and his film AVATAR, Oscar newcomers Mo'Nique and Gaborey Sidibe from PRECIOUS, and perennial nominee, Meryl Streep. Secretly, most people were rooting for Sandra Bullock for Best Actress, and she ultimately won the award---reminiscent of the moment another popular, romantic-comedy actress, Julia Roberts, won Best Actress, suddenly becoming legitimized as a serious actress. 

Kathryn Bigelow made history when she became the first woman to win Best Director.  While the winners are supposedly secret, it can be no accident that Kathryn Bigelow was handed her award by the one-and-only Barbra Streisand, the woman who pioneered women's place in show business on the production side of a project, not just the pretty face-for-hire in front of the camera.  Many a Babs fan still thinks Streisand was cheated out of a Best Director Oscar for YENTL all those years ago, thanks to the good-ol'-boy network in Hollywood. It is no understatement to say that women can do what we do as directors, creative talents, and designers because Barbra Streisand blazed that trail for us in the last four decades.

The 82nd Academy Awards served up several memorable moments for women, African-Americans, and other minorities, not soon to be forgotten, or under appreciated for their importance for equality in show business.

GUEST: "Ragtime" star CHRISTIANE NOLL

CHRISTIANE NOLL starred on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of RAGTIME, for which she received a Helen Hayes Nomination. She made her Broadway debut creating the role of "Emma" in JEKYLL & HYDE, & received an Ovation Award as "Hope Cladwell" in the National Tour of URINETOWN. She was critically acclaimed for her operetta performances in City Center ENCORES! THE NEW MOON, THE STUDENT PRINCE, and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Other favorite roles include "Audrey" in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, "The Baker's Wife" in INTO THE WOODS, "Mabel" in MACK & MABEL, working with Jerry Herman and winning a Connecticut Critics Circle Award.

She starred in the premieres of FRANKENSTEIN, ACE, KEPT, TAKE FLIGHT, CALL THE CHILDREN HOME, A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE, and LITTLE BY LITTLE. She has played the lead female role in the national tours of GREASE!, MISS SAIGON, and CITY OF ANGELS as well as a tour of Australia and Thailand as "Nellie" in SOUTH PACIFIC. Christiane made her Carnegie Hall debut as one of the 3 Broadway Divas with The New York Pops, and her Hollywood Bowl debut singing with the legendary Julie Andrews.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/