A fire that consumed three immigrant hatmakers in a notorious Ontario town more than a century ago has ignited the imagination of Canadian composer-lyricist Marek Norman, who turned their stories into a haunting new musical theater piece. Ballycroy, with book, music, lyrics and orchestrations by Norman, will get a one-time-only concert presentation Nov. 5 in Stratford, … Read Full Article→
When I saw a New York City reading of a three-character pop musical called Writing Kevin Taylor a few years ago, I was certain this would be the next big little hit in regional theaters — a small-cast, one-set romantic comedy about a couple on the rocks, the agony and ecstasy of creative people, and the power of … Read Full Article→
The largely anonymous Chinese immigrants who built the American transcontinental railroad in the 19th century finally get a collective voice — and it sings! — in the world premiere of Jason Ma’s new musical Gold Mountain, presented by Utah Shakespeare Festival Nov. 4-30 in the West Valley Performing Arts Center in West Valley City, Utah.
The … Read Full Article→
Life is a little sweeter because of the catalog of albums released over the years by PS Classics, the indie label devoted to the heritage of musical theater and the American Songbook. If you love musicals, cabaret, Broadway stars, solo albums, studio recreations of classic shows, bewitching vocalists, and the composers and lyricists who made America sing … Read Full Article→
The Los Angeles-based musical duo of Jack and Benny Lipson, twin brothers who write songs, make music and perform together and with friends as the band jackbenny, will make their New York City debut at The Duplex in Greenwich Village 7 PM Nov. 9. Their vibe is hard to explain. Think acoustic alt-folk with a pop … Read Full Article→
Back in May 2015, when pop and theatre singer-songwriter Daniel Zaitchik was prepping his new romantic musical comedy Darling Grenadine for a concert reading in Los Angeles, he answered a handful of my questions about the new show. Fast forward two years and the intimate, magical tuner about a commercial songwriter’s life and loves is now getting a … Read Full Article→
Another Roll of the Dice, the new musical by librettist Mark Saltzman, might as well be called More Guys and Dolls. Like the beloved hit musical Guys and Dolls, it marries songs by Frank Loesser and characters created by Damon Runyon, whose short stories were populated with shady, colorful denizens who haunt the alleys, … Read Full Article→
