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PBS to Air SARAH BRIGHTMAN: DREAMCHASER: IN CONCERT Special, Aug 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:19 PST

After making history on both stage and screen, pioneering the classical crossover genre, selling over 30 million albums worldwide, and becoming the only artist to perform the theme song at two Olympics, it's hard to imagine Sarah Brightman has a dream left to realize. Yet with her new album 'Dreamchaser,' Sarah is embarking on what she calls "the greatest adventure I can imagine." Inspired by the wonderment and beauty of space, 'Dreamchaser' is a reflection of Brightman's lifelong dream to travel into space.

PBS will offer TV viewers the opportunity to join Sarah in her next step on this journey with 'Sarah Brightman: Dreamchaser: In Concert,' which will be filmed on June 6 and premiere on PBS stations in August 2013 (check local listings). This unique and newly created TV special, developed specifically for PBS, will take as its theme the futuristic space-vision of the Dreamchaser World Tour. The concert performance will be recorded in front of an invited studio audience, featuring both new songs and well-known favorites that her fans have grown to love. The studio environment, custom designed for the television taping, will be transformed for all to share in this out-of-this-world live experience. The evocative lighting, elaborate costumes and powerful video imagery will synchronize into a truly spectacular and highly original program. Fans can enter for the chance to win tickets to this intimate London taping here: http://sarahbrightman.com/pbs.

As announced last year in Moscow, Brightman is anticipated to be the first musician to travel to the International Space Station, turning her dream into reality. 'Dreamchaser' is a collaboration with veteran producer Mike Hedges, known for his iconic work with the likes of U2, The Cure, Dido. The first single "One Day Like This" is a unique depiction of British band Elbow's legendary song. The album also features "Closer," a breathtaking new arrangement of "Tubular Bells." Furthering the mystique of the album, Brightman delivers many other incredible songs including an astounding rendition of Sigur Ros' "Glosoli," featuring new English lyrics by Chris Difford (Squeeze).

Following the special, Brightman embarks on a 33-date US tour, including shows at NYC's Radio City Music Hall (9/21), LA's Dolby Theatre (11/1), and Chicago's Akoo Theatre (9/28). "I want to make the shows as beautiful as possible with the feelings, in the visual sense, behind me," Brightman told Billboard. "I'm using a huge, round screen that almost looks like a satellite behind me." Full dates below.

Sarah Brightman Tour Dates:

9/13 - Hamilton, ON @ Copps Coliseum

9/13 - Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place

9/15 - Toronto, ON @ ACC

9/17 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre

9/18 - Boston, MA @ Boston Opera House

9/20 - Baltimore, MD @ Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric

9/21 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall

9/22 - Bethlehem, PA @ Sands Bethlehem Event Center

9/24 - Hartford, CT @ The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

9/25 - Buffalo, NY @ University at Buffalo Center for the Arts

9/27 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre

9/28 - Rosemont, IL @ Akoo Theatre at Rosemont

9/29 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Riverside Theater

10/01 - Akron, OH @ E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall

10/02 - Cincinnati, OH @ Cincinnati Music Hall

10/05 - Sunrise, FL @ BankAtlantic Center

10/06 - Tampa, FL @ Tampa Bay Times Forum

10/08 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center

10/09 - Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre

10/11 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center

10/12 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

10/13 - Tulsa, OK @ Bank of Oklahoma Center

10/17 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center

10/19 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre

10/21 - Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome

10/22 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place

10/24 - Victoria, BC @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

10/25 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena

10/26 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

10/28 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion

10/30 - Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre

11/01 - Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre

11/02 - Anaheim, CA @ Theatre at the Honda Center

BWW Reviews: Yellow Sound Label's KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE is an Exceedingly Fun and Charming Album

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:34:21 PST

Magical things really can happen when Broadway talents converge, as is proven on Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk's sophomore album KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE. The album exists because the duo raised an impressive and record-breaking $35,000 in their debut album's Kickstarter campaign. With the extra $25,000 they funded a concert tour, 2011's "You Made This Tour," and a live album, KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE. As a singer-songwriter duo that also writes for theatre, there is a prominent and fascinating indie vibe that inhabits every track. As Kait Kerrigan states on one of the tracks, there is simply no denying that this album fabulously showcases talents are the "future of theater and music in general."

The sometimes eccentrically peculiar and always intriguing album features an amazing array of young theatre talent. In addition to fascinating and catchy songwriting from Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, listeners will hear fantastic performances by up-and-coming Broadway stars Jenni Barber (THE NANCE, THE PERFORMERS), Steven Booth (DOGFIGHT, GLORY DAYS), Sara Chase (THE TOXIC AVENGER MUSICAL, FIRST WIVES CLUB), Katrina Rose Dideriksen (JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA, BLOODSONG OF LOVE), Matt Doyle (THE BOOK OF MORMON, SPRING AWAKENING), Mandy Gonzalez (IN THE HEIGHTS), Rebecca Naomi Jones (MURDER BALLAD, AMERICAN IDIOT), Lindsay Mendez (DOGFIGHT, GODSPELL), Andy Mientus (NBC's SMASH, SPRING AWAKENING), Laura Osnes (CINDERELLA, BONNIE AND CLYDE), Nadia Quinn (BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON), Dee Roscioli (WICKED), Alysha Umphress (AMERICAN IDIOT), Morgan Karr (SPRING AWAKENING), and Carrie Manolakos (WICKED).

Each of the wondrously entertaining songs is vividly written and performed and speaks to the listener, whether you're bobbing your head to the poppy, up-tempo rhythm or swaying to the folksy ballads. Standout numbers include Rebecca Naomi Jones' stellar rendition of the lovely and deeply emotional "The Fathers Ran Away." Morgan Karr's approach to the absorbingly quirky "I Look Around for You" is incredibly spirited. The sweet and tender "Run Away with Me" is splendidly and stunningly sung by Carrie Manolakos.

Additionally, Jenni Barber is cleverly charming on the hilariously laugh out loud and adorable "My Party Dress," that is just idiosyncratic enough to be comfortably at home in a show like THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. "The Proposal" lets Sara Chase show off her decadent and awesome belt. Mandy Gonzalez performs the beautiful "How to Return Home" with striking beauty and grace. Steven Booth and Andy Mientus are full of energy and vibrant character on the explicitly bawdy, funny, and poppy "Vegas."

Yet, the best song on the album has to be Dee Roscioli's rendition of the evocative anthem "Holding On." The song brilliantly starts off plaintiff and soothing, but gradually builds into what has to be one of the greatest and most memorable anthems ever written. The varied tracks on the album are all worth their price; yet, "Holding On" is worth the album's price all on its own.

This collection provides a song or two for every mood. It is also a masterfully planned, compiled, and well-constructed collection of songs that audiences will absolutely love and deeply desire to experience over and over again. KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE is an exceedingly fun and charming album that features the crème de la crème of today's young talent. Without a doubt, KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE is a must have for fans of great songwriting and Broadway's rising stars.

For a preview of "I Look Around for You," please see video below.

For a preview of "Holding On," please see video below.

KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE was released on May 21, 2013. For more information about the album, please click here. It can be purchased from iTunes.

DOGFIGHT Cast Album Signing Set for Barnes & Noble Today

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul celebrated the new Ghostlight Records cast recording of Dogfight with a special concert at Joe's Pub at The Public on Wednesday, May 15 at 9:30 PM, which featuresd performances by the original cast of the Second Stage Theatre production and other special guests.

Pasek and Paul - along with Lindsay Mendez, Derek Klena and other original cast members - will also appear at an in-store performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side (150 East 86th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues) tonight, May 23 at 7:00 PM. Call (212) 369-2180 for details.

Dogfight was released to digital media outlets on April 30 and that day it hit the iTunes Top 50 and reached #3 in the Soundtracks category. Dogfight CDs are in stores May 21, but concert attendees will have the opportunity to purchase physical copies (including signed) at the concert on May 15 at Joe's Pub. Dogfight has been nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Musical," Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Best Off-Broadway Musical," "Best Score" and "Best Book" in addition to a Drama League Award for "Outstanding Production of a Musical." Their debut Broadway musical A Christmas Story just received three Tony Award nominations including "Best Musical" and "Best Original Score" and six Drama Desk Awards, including "Outstanding Musical" and "Outstanding Music," in addition to "Best Broadway Musical" from the Outer Critics Circle. After making their New York concert debut at Joe's Pub in 2005, Pasek and Paul will return to the venue to cap off an exciting theatrical season, which includes not only these two shows but also James & The Giant Peach, and songs on the NBC-TV program "Smash."

To order the album, please visit www.sh-k-boom.com/dogfight.html.

In addition to music and lyrics by Pasek and Paul , Dogfight features a book by Peter Duchan (IFC Films' Breaking Upwards) and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Glengarry Glen Ross). DOGFIGHT is based on the Warner Bros. film and screenplay by Bob Comfort. When the show opened in July 2012, it was praised for its "melodic grace" by The New York Times and called "tuneful and engaging" byThe Hollywood Reporter and an "intimate little heartbreaker of beguiling freshness" by Newsday. The album - which features a full color 28 page booklet, complete lyrics and a plot synopsis - was produced by Kurt Deutsch, Lawrence Manchester, Justin Paul and Benj Pasek.

The cast features Annaleigh Ashford, Becca Ayers, Nick Blaemire, Steven Booth, Dierdre Friel, Adam Halpin, F. Michael Haynie, Derek Klena, Lindsay Mendez, James Moye and Josh Segarra.

It's November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying, and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical A Christmas Story (dir. John Rando, chor. Warren Carlyle), which opened in November of 2012 and enjoyed a critically-acclaimed, record-breaking run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Their cast album for the show was recorded and produced by Sony Masterworks and is published through Warner/Chappell Music. Their original songs are featured on Season 2 of the hit NBC show "Smash."

The duo made their debut as songwriters with their widely-acclaimed song cycle Edges, which is licensed by Music Theatre International and has had hundreds of productions worldwide, including South Korea, Australia, China, South Africa, the Philippines, Denmark and more. Other theatrical works include James & the Giant Peach (Kennedy Center, Goodspeed Musicals, dir. Graciela Daniele, chor. Pilobolus), and Duck for President and If You Give a Pig a Pancake (Theatreworks USA). Their musical work for TV can also be seen on "Sesame Street" and "Johnny & the Sprites" (Disney TV series). Performances of their songs have been featured on "The View," "Good Morning America," "CBS Sunday Morning," "VH1 Morning Buzz," "The Rosie Show," "Fox & Friends," and more.

Benj and Justin are the recipients of the 2011 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a 2011 Sundance Institute Fellowship, the 2011 ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the 2011 ASCAP Songwriters Fellowship Award, and a 2007-2008 Dramatists Guild Fellowship. They are the youngest recipients of the Jonathan Larson Award (2007) in the foundation's history. They have participated in ASCAP's Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project and were named one of Dramatist Magazine's "50 to Watch" in Contemporary Theatre.

As performers, Benj and Justin have traveled throughout North America, Europe & Australia performing concerts of their own work. They also teach master classes in songwriting and performance at universities around the world. They are proud graduates of the University of Michigan BFA Musical Theatre program. They are currently at work on a new original musical with playwright Steven Levenson.

TRACK LISTING

1. Prelude: Take Me Back
2. Some Kinda Time
3. Hey, Good-Lookin'
4. Come to a Party
5. Nothing Short of Wonderful
6. Come to a Party (Reprise)
7. That Face
8. Dogfight
9. Pretty Funny
10. Hometown Hero's Ticker Tape Parade
11. First Date/Last Night
12. Before It's Over
13. Give Way
14. Some Kinda Time (Reprise)
15. Come Back
16. Finale: Take Me Back

TCG Books Releases I'LL EAT YOU LAST and PETER AND ALICE

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:38:15 PST

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the availability of two new plays by John Logan: I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers and Peter and Alice, both published by Oberon Books (London).

The three-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter of such films as Skyfall and Hugo returns with two new plays on Broadway and in London'sWest End, respectively. I'll Eat You Last is a one-woman show about legendary Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers, whose clients included Barbra Streisand, Cher, Gene Hackman and Mike Nichols. Currently on Broadway, starring Bette Midler, I'll Eat You Last is nominated for the 2013 Drama League awards for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play.

Based on the real individuals that inspired J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, Peter and Alice tells the story of when Alice Liddell Hargreaves met Peter Llewelyn Davies at the opening of a Lewis Carroll exhibition in 1932. Currently playing to acclaim in the West End, Judi Dench stars as Alice and Ben Whishaw as Peter in this new play where enchantment and reality collide.

John Logan received the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his critically acclaimed Red, directed by Michael Grandage. Red has been seen in more than eighty productions across the United States and in over thirty foreign countries. He is also the author of more than a dozen other plays including Never the Sinner and Hauptmann. As a screenwriter, Logan has been thrice nominated for the Oscar and has received a Golden Globe, BAFTA and WGA award. His film work includes The Aviator, Gladiator, Rango, Coriolanus, Sweeney Todd, The Last Samurai, Any Given Sunday and RKO 281.

Oberon Books is one of the U.K.'s leading independent publishers specializing in drama and the performing arts. Oberon has a backlist of over 1,000 books including the latest modern plays and classics from some of the world's leading dramatists, as well as a wide range of handsomely produced publications covering the theatre, opera, dance, biography, performance studies, monologues, practical guides and fiction.

For over 50 years, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre. TCG's constituency has grown from a handful of groundbreaking theatres to nearly 700 Member Theatres and affiliate organizations and more than 12,000 individuals nationwide. TCG offers its members networking and knowledge-building opportunities through conferences, events, research and communications; awards grants, approximately $2 million per year, to theatre companies and individual artists; advocates on the federal level; and serves as the U.S. Center of the InterNational Theatre Institute, connecting its constituents to the global theatre community. TCG is North America's largest independent publisher of dramatic literature, with 11 Pulitzer Prizes for Best Play on the TCG booklist. It also publishes the award-winning AMERICAN THEATRE magazine and ARTSEARCH, the essential source for a career in the arts. In all of its endeavors, TCG seeks to increase the organizational efficiency of its member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field and promote a larger public understanding of, and appreciation for, the theatre. For more information visit www.tcg.org.

Peter and Alice

By John Logan

Published by Oberon Books

Distributed by TCG Books

Paperback 72 pages

$17.95 978-1-84943-474-4

April 2013

I'll Eat You Last

By John Logan

Published by Oberon Books

Distributed by TCG Books

Paperback 64 pages

$17.95 978-1-84943-414-0

April 2013

Also by John Logan, available from TCG:

Red 978-1-84002-944-2 $18.95

TCG books are exclusively distributed to the book trade by Consortium Book Sales and Distribution. Orders: 800-283-3572. SAN number: 63170X. Individuals may call 212-609-5900 or visit the online bookstore at www.tcg.org. For postage and handling, add $5.00 for the first book and $.50 for each additional copy.

BWW Reviews: Jenna Ushkowitz's CHOOSING GLEE: 10 Rules to Finding Happiness and the Real You

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:26:52 PST

Chris Colfer has written a childrens novel as well as a young adult novel, and Jane Lynch has written a memoir. Now, Jenna Ushkowitz is following suit as another Glee cast member dabbling in writing. The Glee star released her debut novel "Choosing Glee: 10 Rules to Finding Happiness and the Real You," on May 14 through St. Martin's press.

For her writing debut, Ushkowitz took a road different from Lynch and Colfer. Instead of a memoir or novel, she opted to write more of a self-help type book that encourages readers to reach their full potential and most importantly, find happiness.

Some might find this type of book questionable, especially because "that Tina girl from Glee wrote it," but they could not be more wrong. It is very fitting for Ushkowitz to write this type of book - you could go as far as to say she is the perfect candidate to write something like this.

Cheesy or predictable are not words that describe Ushkowitz's first crack at writing. She truly achieves what she aims to do with the book. Ushkowitz takes ten core rules and instead of claiming to have all the answers, and makes suggestions based on the rules on how to achieve happiness and be true to yourself. She admits you might need to face rejection or failure in the process, but she shows that it's all part of growing up and learning.

Ushkowitz is at a point in her life where she feels like she has it figured out, but that has come after years of mistakes - or maybe "learning experiences," is a more appropriate term She has determined that the ten key elements to finding your own happiness are: being yourself, knowing what you want, overcoming fear, being willing to make and learn from mistakes, expecting change, being active, never saying never, doing the best you can, taking risks, and rewarding yourself.

Each of these rules are explored in a chapter, and Ushkowitz writes in a way that shows she knows what she is talking about. She explains how all these rules played a key role in her finding her own happiness. She provides us with her own insight, as well as the insight of those important in her life. People might be skeptical about a book like this being written by a 27-year-old, but Ushkowitz makes it clear that she has experienced a lot in her short lifetime. It is made clear in her writing, that experiences have made her wise.

Ushkowitz's friends and Glee cast mates all contribute to the book, providing a tidbit about what they think is the key to happiness. Everyone has a different opinion, so Ushkowitz draws from and utilizes them. In one chapter, Ushkowitz features an interview with Chris Colfer, which shows us how much she has learned from her co-stars and what a whirlwind Glee really is. In Choosing Glee we hear from Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, Jessica Szhor, Ushkowitz's boyfriend Michael Trevino, Kristin Chenoweth, and more.

Choosing Glee gives us an insight on Ushkowitz's life from her adoption, to her experiences on Broadway and to Glee. It also explains her confusingly Jewish last name. Her paternal grandfather was Jewish. It all makes sense now!

By taking us on her journey to happiness, Ushkowitz provides us with "heartwork." "Heartwork," is homework within the book that allows readers to reflect and plan ahead. These pages are worth taking the time to fill out, because what do you have to lose? You might just find out something about yourself. This journalist found out that yes, she is a diva, and should take some time to rationalize situations.

This book is for anyone afraid of change or what is to come of their future. Ushkowitz relates to her journey on Broadway, and reflects on her roles in The King and I and Spring Awakening. She takes us on her rollercoaster ride of auditions and her eventual success with Glee. The actress also gives us insight on the struggles and obstacles that have come with landing her spot as Tina on Glee.

Glee's audience and targeted demographic is largely teenagers and young adults. Viewers of FOX's hit show are drawn to the dramedy because it is uplifting and gives a voice to people who are not normally portrayed on screen. Fans of Glee and Ushkowitz are at a delicate age where they either are not sure what they want out of life, or have decided and are not sure of how to go about attaining their life goals. They will definitely respond well to the interactive and visual nature of the book.

Lindsay Mendez, Laura Osnes & More Featured on KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE Alum; Released Today!

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:14:04 PST

A mix of Broadway stars and indie pop artists can be heard on Kerrigan & Lowdermilk's sophomore album Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live, which is released today, May 21, 2013.

Performers include Jenni Barber (The Nance, The Performers), Steven Booth (Dogfight, Glory Days), Sara Chase (The Toxic Avenger Musical, First Wives Club), Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Jerry Springer: The Opera, Bloodsong of Love), Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening), Mandy Gonzalez (In the Heights), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Murder Ballad, American Idiot), Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight, Godspell), Andy Mientus (Smash, Spring Awakening), Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Nadia Quinn (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Dee Roscioli (Wicked), and Alysha Umphress (American Idiot).

The album also features cross-over Broadway / recording artists Morgan Karr (Spring Awakening / Yellow Skies) and Carrie Manolakos (Wicked / Echo) and singer/songwriters Jesse Ruben (The Ones that Matter), Nathan Tysen (The Burnt Part Boys), and The Spring Standards (yellow//gold).

The 18-track album is produced by Michael Croiter and Brian Lowdermilk on Yellow Sound Label and will only be released digitally. It includes Kerrigan-Lowdermilk's never-before-recorded favorites like "My Party Dress," "Avalanche" and "Holding On." It is the result of a promise made to the loyal fans who helped the duo raise a record $35,000 in their kickstarter campaign for their first album, Our First Mistake, overfunding the campaign by $25,000. The team promised to do a concert tour and make a live album with the extra funds. In fact, all of the album's tracks come from Kerrigan-Lowdermilk's seven-concert tour entitled "You Made This Tour", which took place at venues across New York and Philadelphia over the course of five months in 2011.

One of the most celebrated writing teams of their generation, Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk blur the line between musical theater and pop music. Their songs, including hits "Run Away with Me" and "My Party Dress," have found international recognition, gathering millions of views on YouTube and earning them a legion of young fans. Their critically-acclaimed debut album Our First Mistake reached #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart, and their musicals have been developed and produced at theaters across the country. www.kerrigan-lowdermilk.com

Kerrigan & Lowdermilk Release New Album Featuring Laura Osnes, Matt Doyle and More Today

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

A mix of Broadway stars and indie pop artists can be heard on Kerrigan & Lowdermilk's sophomore album Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live, due to release today, May 21, 2013.

Album Art

GIANT Original Cast Album Released Today!

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Ghostlight Records will release the Original Cast Recording of the acclaimed epic musical GIANT online and in stores today, May 21, 2013. GIANT had its New York Premiere at The Public Theater last fall, and was a co-production with Dallas Theater Center. GIANT features music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, and a book by Sybille Pearson, based on the novel by Edna Ferber. This production was directed by Michael Greif and had choreography by Alex Sanchez. To pre-order the album, please visit www.sh-k-boom.com/giant.html.

The two-disc cast album - produced by Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss and Michael John LaChiusa - includes a 44 page, full-color booklet with the entire libretto and liner notes by Oskar Eustis, The Public Theater's Artistic Director. GIANT boasts a company of 26 actors, a 17-piece orchestra, and lush orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, with additional orchestrations by Larry Hochman.

This recording marks The Public's fourth album in collaboration with Ghostlight Records, including the previously released Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Hair, and See What I Wanna See. This is also the label's fifth album with Michael John LaChiusa (Queen of the Mist, See What I Wanna See, Bernarda Alba, and Little Fish). The GIANT original cast recording has been supported by the Shen Family Foundation. TheaterMania.com, a sponsor of the recording, is presenting exclusive online content featuring a documentary which chronicles the story of GIANT against the backdrop of the cast album recording sessions, also including interviews with the cast and creative team.

The Wall Street Journal raved "Giant is the most important new musical to come along since The Light in the Piazza. It's a show of immense and fully realized promise. LaChiusa is one of the most prodigiously gifted musical-theater songwriters since Stephen Sondheim."

The Public Theater has a long history of producing new musicals, and is the only theater in New York City that presents Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, new works, and experimental theater in equal measure. GIANT is a new American musical that spans generations in an epic chronicle of the state that's like no place else on earth: Texas. Amid a turbulent culture of greed, bigotry and money, a powerful cattleman, his new East Coast bride, their family and friends - not to mention their enemies - embrace and confront the joys and sorrows that loom as large as the state they call home.

The GIANT cast included Enrique Acevedo, Raul Aranas, Becca Ayers, Mary Bacon, Kate Baldwin, Xavier Cano, Miguel Cervantes, Natalie Cortez, Rocío Del Mar Vallés, John Dossett, Jon Fletcher, PJ Griffith, Michael Hall ing, Brian d'Arcy James, Mackenzie Mauzy, Melissa Mitchell, Doreen Montalvo, Michele Pawk, Allison Rogers, Isabel Santiago, Tally Sessions, Martín Solá, Bobby Stegger t, Matthew Stocke, Katie Thompson, and William Youmans.

GIANT featured scenic design by Allen Moyer; costume design by Jeff Mahshie; lighting design by Kenneth Posner; sound design by Brian Ronan; hair and wig design by David Br Ian Brown ; and musical direction by Chris Fenwick .

TRACK LISTING

ACT 1

1. Aurelia Dolores
2. Did Spring Come to Texas?
3. Your Texas
4. No Time for Surprises
5. Private Property
6. Outside Your Window
7. He Wanted a Girl
8. Heartbreak Country
9. Ruega por Nosotros
10. Look Back/Look Ahead
11. Topsy Turvy
12. When to Bluff13. One Day
14. My Texas
15. A Stranger
16. Act One Finale

ACT 2

17. Our Mornings/That Thing
18. Jump
19. There is a Child
20. Un Béso, Béso!
21. Place in the World
22. Midnight Blues
23. The Dog is Gonna Bark
24. Juana's Prayer
25. The Desert
26. Aurelia Dolores Reprise/Act Two Finale

Tim Federle, Seth Rudetsky and More Appear at Books of Wonder's FROM PAGE TO STAGE Today

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Children's book authors with roots in the Broadway community take center stage today, May 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Books Of Wonder, the legendary Manhattan book store.

Actor Tim Federle (Better Nate Than Ever), ad exec Tommy Greenwald (Charlie Joe Jackson), musician/playwright/radio host Seth Rudetsky (My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan), playwright/screenwriter Paul Rudnick (Gorgeous) and actor Maryrose Wood (The Unseen Guest) will discuss how they juggle their various careers, in a lively discussion called From Page To Stage, moderated by store owner Peter Glassman.

The event runs from 1 to 3pm; all authors will be available to sign their books as well.

Tony Winning Playwright Eve Ensler Discusses Book IN THE BODY OF THE WORLD at Benaroaya Today

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Eve Ensler, activist, Tony Award-winning playwright and bestselling author of The Vagina Monologues, discusses her new book In the Body of the World - recounting her harrowing experience with cancer - and her ongoing commitment to protect the female body from violence. Her new book was released on April 30, 2013.

This one-of-a kind event is unlike her other bookstore appearances. This is a longer more intimate discussion with one of the world's most influential women. She will touch upon the many milestones and triumphs in her remarkable life and discuss how we might better protect and value the female body. She will take questions from the audience and sign her books in the lobby after the event.

Tickets to An Evening with Eve Ensler are on sale now www.benaroyahall.org.

Exiled from her body at a very early age when she was molested by her father, Eve Ensler has devoted her life's work to protecting the female body from violence. Her new book In The Body of the World recounts her seven months of cancer treatment and confronting her own body in crisis. She is sustained by her promise to help build and attend the opening ceremony of the City of Joy, a sanctuary from violence and rape for the women of the Congo. This is an inspiring and radical examination of cancer and an extraordinary life.

Together Northwest Associated Arts (NWAA), Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest (PPGNW) and The Stranger present An Evening with Eve Ensler. Tickets are $24-$500 and available through the Benaroya Hall Box Office, at 206.215.4747 or online at www.benaroyahall.org. $100 tickets include premium seating in rows 4-12 of the side orchestra ($48 of your ticket is a tax-deductible contribution to PPGNW).

Private Pre Show Reception Package $500: includes a seat in the front two rows, an autographed copy of her new book In the Body of the World, FREE event parking in the Benaroya Hall garage, and admittance to a private reception with Ms, Ensler just prior to her talk ($400 of your ticket is a tax-deductible contribution to PPGNW). $250: includes premium seating in rows 3-10 of the center orchestra, a copy of her new book, Free parking and admittance to the private pre-show reception with Ms. Ensler ($166 of your ticket is a tax deductible contribution to PPGNW).

Donations from An Evening with Eve Ensler will help Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest (PPGNW) achieve its mission of supporting the lifelong sexual health of women and men and to foster a community where every child is a wanted child. PPGNW achieves its mission by focusing on three areas: affordable and quality health care; accurate, age appropriate and comprehensive sex education; and advocacy to protect the fundamental right to decide freely if and when to have a child.

Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, and activist, is the author of The Vagina Monologues, which has been translated into over 48 languages, performed in over 140 countries, including sold-out runs at both Off-Broadway's Westside Theater and on London's West End (2002 Olivier Award nomination, Best Entertainment), and has run for 10 years in Mexico City and Paris. Her experience performing The Vagina Monologues inspired her to create V-Day, a global activist movement to stop violence against women and girls which raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of her award-winning play The Vagina Monologues and other artistic works. In 2011, over 5,600 V-Day benefits took place. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $90 million and educated millions. Eve Ensler has devoted her life to stopping violence, envisioning a planet in which women and girls will be free to thrive, rather than merely survive. V-Day's newest campaign, ONE BILLION RISING launched in February 2012, and culminated in a day of action on V-Day's 15th anniversary, February 14th, 2013 when V-Day activists all over the world STRIKE, DANCE, and RISE to end violence against women and girls.