Lynn Shankel News

The snow is piling up in Cleveland, so I’m lucky to have a warm dorm room to ignore homework and connect with my favorite artists.

It is always exciting when you sit in a theater to see the world premiere of a new musical. The Arena Stage's Kreeger Theater was a buzz in anticipation of SNOW CHILD which is a co-production with Alaska's Perseverance Theatre. Why Perseverance? Well, Arena Stage's Artistic Director Molly Smith actually grew up in Alaska, returned there after schooling and founded the Perseverance Theatre in Juneau. She served as Artistic Director there for 19 years before coming to Arena Stage. Four years ago, Smith and Perseverance Artistic Director Art Rotch discussed the idea for an adaptation for SNOW CHILD.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series recently welcomed singer/songwriter Jeremy Schonfeld, who hosted a 'Songwriter Circle' on the stage of the historic music room. Scroll down for photos!

The New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York State affiliate of the ACLU, announced today a star-studded lineup of performers for its annual benefit concert. "Broadway Stands Up for Freedom" will boast performances by some of Broadway's finest on Monday, July 18, at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Tickets are now on sale at http://nyuskirball.org/calendar/nyclu2016. 

The New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York State affiliate of the ACLU, announced today a star-studded lineup of performers for its annual benefit concert.

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series presented a reading of Stephen Cole and David Evans' musical fable, 'Merman's Apprentice' on Monday, June 15. Directed by Stephen Cole and Amy Burgess, the cast featured PJ Benjamin, Austin Colby, Eddie Korbich, Brian Charles Rooney, Klea Blackhurst, Bill Nolte, Desi Oakley, Sarah Sesler, Anita Gillette, Elizabeth Teeter and F. Michael Haynie, supported by a six piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel. Scroll down for photos!

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, will appear at the historic Birdland stage for a sold-out performance tonight, June 15 at 7pm. Directed by Igor Goldin (Yank) the cast features (in alphabetical order) P.J. Benjamin, Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Bill Nolte, and Elizabeth Teeter supported by a six-piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel.

Lea Salonga recently sat down to talk about the musical ALLEGIANCE's inspiring song, 'Gaman.' The video below also shows the Tony Award-winner and cast singing the song at every stage in the show's process. Check out the interview and performance below!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: 'Merman's Apprentice' In Concert, Starring: Klea Blackhurst & Anita Gillette; BLAME CANADA! Featuring Broadway's Canadian Talent; Ann Hampton Callaway: On My Way to You; Sara Chase at 54 Below; and The Melody Lingers On: A 'Benefit' for Victims of Earworm.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for June 15 - June 21, featuring "Four Generations of Miles,' with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams, Sonny Fortune; Erich Bergen; Merman's Apprentice featuring Richard Kind, Klea Blackhurst and Anita Gillette; and more!

Producers Lorenzo Thione and Andrew Treagus announced  complete casting for Allegiance, a new musical inspired by a true-life story, starring George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, set to open on Broadway this Fall at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street).

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, will appear at the historic Birdland stage One Night Only, Monday, June 15 at 7pm. Directed by Igor Goldin (Yank) the cast features (in alphabetical order) P.J. Benjamin, Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Richard Kind, and Elizabeth Teeter supported by a six-piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel.

Notable Broadway arranger, orchestrator and musical director Lynne Shankel presents an evening of original songs later this year at popular NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, titled SHANKTUNES: A NIGHT OF ORIGINAL SONGS BY LYNNE SHANKEL.

Notable Broadway arranger, orchestrator and musical director Lynne Shankel will present an evening of original songs later this Fall at popular NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, titled SHANKTUNES: A NIGHT OF ORIGINAL SONGS BY LYNNE SHANKEL.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, has announced that the New York premiere of a new musical, The Memory Show, book and lyrics by Sara Cooper; music by Zach Redler; directed by Joe Calarco, will begin performances Tuesday, April 16, at 7pm at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project, at 229 West 42nd Street. The Memory Show features Catherine Cox and Leslie Kritzer. Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30 at 7pm.

Get a rush of excitement when you hear Tony Award-winner Beth Leavel belt out the opening number from Broadway Bares XXI: Masterpiece, appropriately titled 'Going, Going, Gone.' Just imagine the Broadway's hottest dancers strutting their stuff and stripping down to the brassy music by Matthew Sklar and the saucy lyrics by Chad Beguelin. 'Going, Going, Gone' was produced by Mike Croiter and Doug Derryberry at Yellow Sound Lab.

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming staged readings of WANDA'S WORLD taking place at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College. The cast will include Sandie Rosa, James Royce Edwards, Leo Ash Evens, Heather Jane Rolff, Michael Dexter, Devin Ilaw, Karla Mosley, Christine Scharf, Valerie Wright, Alan H. Green and Liz Holtan. Lynn Taylor-Corbett directs with musical direction by Lynn Shankel. Two readings will take place on January 11th at 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming staged readings of WANDA'S WORLD taking place at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College. The cast will include Sandie Rosa, James Royce Edwards, Leo Ash Evens, Heather Jane Rolff, Michael Dexter, Devin Ilaw, Karla Mosley, Christine Scharf, Valerie Wright, Alan H. Green and Liz Holtan. Lynn Taylor-Corbett directs with musical direction by Lynn Shankel. Two readings will take place on January 11th at 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

Skylar Astin (Spring Awakening) Andy Karl (Legally Blonde, Altar Boyz, 9 to 5)and Sally Wilfert (Make Me a Song and the national tour of ...Spelling Bee) complete the company of performers who appeared at the Dec. 15 benefit concert A New York City Christmas, in support of ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty).