Donald Smith News

It may not be like getting a gift on every one of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 4th Annual Urban Stages 'Winter Rhythms' series-presented over a dozen straight nights at the not-for-profit's Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 39th Street-could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 4-15, more than 80 singers and actors will perform in an eclectic mix of 22 shows (including three on Saturday and Sunday, 12/8 and 12/9), with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages 'On Tour Outreach Program.' Two years ago, Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill brought in MAC and Bistro award-winning director, lyricist and producer Peter Napolitano to produce the Winter Rhythms program and broaden the scope of it's musical offerings. BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Columnist Stephen Hanks recently caught up with the new Sol Hurok of Urban Stages to learn how he had helped Winter Rhythms evolve and get some insights into this year's program.

Noted composer/lyricist/arranger and two-time Grammy Award nominee Larry Kerchner will be celebrated on Monday, November 5, 2012, at 7 PM at a special benefit performance of his musical works, titled Hidden Treasures: The Songs of Larry Kerchner, at The York Theatre (at St. Peter's), Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, in New York City. Produced by Sandi Durell, the musical evening will benefit The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative and The Mabel Mercer Foundation.

There may have been 40 cabaret performers strutting their stuff this past week at the 23rd New York Cabaret Convention at the Rose Theater at Lincoln Center, but the true star of the three-night extravaganza (October 17-19) was the late Donald Smith, the cabaret impresario and guru to the genre's luminaries, who died this past March at 79. Sponsored by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, which Smith founded in 1985, this year's Convention featured numerous homages to Smith from the performers, many of whom had their career's supported and advanced with the help of the colorful and beloved cabaret producer and promoter. Early in Wednesday's Gala Opening Night show, the 'first lady of the American keyboard' Barbara Carroll called her friend Donald Smith 'the quintessential New Yorker,' and when Mark Nadler closed night one with George and Ira Gershwin's 'Our Love Is Here to Stay,' he said, 'Everybody who cares about the myths of these songs are in this room tonight.' Well, it was clear that anyone who cared about Donald Smith was at the Rose Theater for at least one of the three shows.

The annual New York City Cabaret Convention -- conceived, launched, and brilliantly sustained for the past 23 seasons by The Mabel Mercer Foundation --has honored many specific people and events across the past two decades. Legendary performers, composers, lyricists, and their anniversaries have all had their day and their due as the Convention grew in visibility, stature, and acclaim.

The annual New York City Cabaret Convention -- conceived, launched, and brilliantly sustained for the past 23 seasons by The Mabel Mercer Foundation --has honored many specific people and events across the past two decades. Legendary performers, composers, lyricists, and their anniversaries have all had their day and their due as the Convention grew in visibility, stature, and acclaim.

Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, now running through Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. Get a first look at highlights from the production below.

Caroline Sorokoff Associate Director of the Great Neck Arts Center has announced that KT Sullivan, United States Congressman Gary Ackerman, author Nelson DeMille and and a local arts philanthropist will be honored at this years Gala which will be held Oct. 24th at the Gold Coast estate Oheka Castle on Long Island, which was commissioned by Otto Kahn.

On Monday, October 1, the Friars Club presented 'Remembering the Oak Room: A musical tribute by its headliners.' This 90-minute program was held in memory of the legendary cabaret venue, featuring nearly a dozen A-list performers whose careers were closely associated with the nightclub in the Algonquin Hotel.

Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

The 22nd season at New Line Theatre opens with alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running tonight, Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre.

The 22nd season at New Line Theatre opens with alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld has various interviews with Taylor Pietz, Zak Farmer and D. Mike Bauer from the cast. Check out the videos below!

Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. Get a first look at the cast in the photos below!

The 22nd season at New Line Theatre opens with alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre.

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' has secured the rights to three premieres for its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre -- the outrageous emo rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012; the powerhouse Pulitzer Prize-winning rock opera NEXT TO NORMAL, running Feb. 28-March 23, 2013; and the hilariously dark, adult musical comedy BUKOWSICAL, running May 30-June 22, 2013.

New Line Theatre closes its 21st season with HIGH FIDELITY, playing now through June 23, 2012. With a script by award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Good People), music by Tom Kitt (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Next to Normal), and lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On, Hands on a Hardbody), HIGH FIDELITY explores America's new Lost Generation and the music they live their lives to. Check out photos of the cast performing on stage in St. Louis below!

New Line Theatre will close its 21st season May 31-June 23, 2012, with HIGH FIDELITY. Tickets are on sale now through Metrotix, 314-534-1111. View photos below!