Michael Leonard News

Cabaret performers thinking about launching duo shows could certainly take a lesson in chemistry from watching and listening to singer Karen Oberlin and guitarist Sean Harkness in their current show, A Wish, which is based on their superb recently released CD of the same title, launched with two shows at Kitano on February 1 (to celebrate the CD release), and has taken up a once a month residency until late August at the Metropolitan Room (the next show is on June 25 at 9:30 pm). While theirs is not a romantic off-stage chemistry (both are happily quite happily married, thank you), on stage and in the recording studio Oberlin and Harkness have concocted a delicious musical interaction that conjures up romance to the nth degree.

Peggy Eason is one of those characters who seem to have been made for the New York cabaret scene. She's a bodacious woman who is ubiquitous at the local clubs, possesses a passion for singing, and bills herself as the 'Chocolate Diva,' although on stage she's more like a Red Hot Mama. Eason opened her third solo cabaret show, I'll Show Them All, at Don't Tell Mama on Monday night (she's appearing again at the club on Sunday at 7pm) with the decidedly politically incorrect titled song written especially for her by David Conforte, 'Black, Blind and Beautiful' (Hey, 'African American, Visually Challenged and Beautiful' doesn't have the same ring to it.). But there was little that was incorrect about her fast-paced and entertaining show that was often poignant and funny at the same time.

The Weaver of Raveloe, a new musical based on Silas Marner, the classic novel by George Eliot, will have its world premiere at OBERON in Cambridge on May 29 and 30, 2014.

Firehouse Theater and Theatre Out Denver present 'Next Fall' running August 30 through September 28 at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place, Denver, CO. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 8 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 Adult; $18 for Students/seniors; $15 on September 9 and are available by calling 303-562-3232. For more information, go to www.firehousetheatercompany.com.

The York Theatre Company production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this Saturday evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for today, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) will host aspecial gala event featuring several numbers from the Richard Rodgers Award-winning new musical in development, Buddy's Tavern, with book by Raymond DeFelitta, lyrics by Alison Louise Hubbard, and music by Kim Oler. The institutional fundraising event is set for TONIGHT, August 5 at the Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Gallery (652 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between Bleecker and Bond Streets). Portion of the proceeds collected by the Gertsman Gallery will be donated to The York Theatre Company.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

Featured in this week's event was the cast of Storyville (Ernestine Jackson, DC Anderson, Cory Bretsch, Karen Burthwright, Kyle Robert Carter, Demeka Hayes, Michael Leonard James, Leajato Robinson, Clifton Samuels, Christopher Spaulding, Carl Wallnau, Debra Walton, NaTasha Yvette Williams, and Zakiya Young) performing 'Welcome to New Orleans,' 'The Best Is Yet to Come,' and 'Animal Stomp.' Check out highlights below!

Featured in this week's event were the casts of Soul Doctor, Avenue Q, Storyville, Gazillion Bubble Show and Rock of Ages. BroadwayWorld brings you full photo coverage below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) present the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. The show opened earlier this week and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photo coverage below!

York Theatre's musical set in the infamous New Orleans red light district of a hundred years ago doesn't do justice to the subject.

Ed Bullins, book writer of the musical 'Storyville,' attended a recent performance of the musical at The York Theatre Company. Scroll down for photos of him with the cast and creative team!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) presents the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) presents the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel.

Performances begin today, Monday, July 15, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 17, 2013 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Performances begin Monday, July 15, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 17, 2013 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

The York Theatre Company has announced the full cast for the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. Scroll down for photos from the meet and greet!

Kritzerland Upstairs at Sterling's presents BROADWAY BOUND - UNSUNG SONGWRITERS with Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Alan Chapman, Milt Schaefer, Ira Levin, Michael Leonard, Larry Grossman, Hal Hackady, Brad Ross, Douglas Bernstein, Denis Markell and more. The show is tonight, May 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Tom Griep is musical director.