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We're re-releasing 5 of our most popular episodes for a 2020 fresh start!(Psst: keep your eyes open for an exciting announcement, coming soon...) Loureen is at the end of her rope. And now, she's just turned her husband into a pile of ashes. As Lynn Nottage's funny and wrenching POOF! opens, Loureen (Audra McDonald) has inadvertently made her abusive husband (Keith Randolph Smith) disappear. Enter her friend and neighbor Florence (Tonya Pinkins) to help her pick up the pieces and begin to imagine a life post-Samuel. Directed by Seret Scott, POOF! features Tony Award winners Audra McDonald (Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill) and Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam; Caroline, or Change). Following the play, the 2-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (Sweat, Ruined) joins host Claudia Catania for a conversation about POOF!'s origins - and how she almost never became a playwright.
On Episode #19 of “CAN YOU HEAR ME, LONG BEACH?" Karole Foreman has been a working actress for quite some time, emphasis on working. Just check her IMDB page, you'll see not only the pure volume of roles in both TV and film but roles running the gamut of characters with actual names and backstories to ones identified only as "Woman." But, in her latest role, the character most definitely has a name: Billie Holiday. Foreman, who lives in Signal Hill, plays the icon in International City Theater's production of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill." It's a role that is no doubt daunting considering that Holiday is arguably (is there really an argument?) the most distinctive vocalist in American music history. We spoke with her about the role and about her job. Foreman was then joined on the podcast by "Lady Day" director Wren T. Brown and musical director Stephan Terry. Finally, Satica is a R&B singer raised in Long Beach who recently released song and video "Ode to LBC." Reporter James Chow, who wrote a profile of the artist for the Hi-lo, produced this short audio feature about her. 0:36 Karole Forrman takes on the persona of Billie Holiday 13:28 A normal day for a working actor. 19:29 Music director Stephan Terry and artistic director Wren T. Brown join the conversation 28:20 The difference between improvisation and impromptu 34:16 The way to a music director's heart... 42:39 "A fantastic little thing" about Satica and her music (Produced by James Chow)
Oh, what a little sunlight can do! The Broadway Babies are back from our summer vacation, and we're diving right into the deep end with our next show: Audra McDonald's star turn as doomed jazz singer Billie Holiday in the "musical play" "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill." Originally a Broadway revival in 2014, the show was filmed for a TV movie that aired on HBO in 2016 — and we're here to talk Billie's life story and how its leading lady elevates the play's iffy dialogue and plot. TV movie available online at HBO.com Cast recording: Spotify | Amazon | Apple Music Music "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" "God Bless the Child" "Strange Fruit" "Deep Song" All songs performed by Audra McDonald. Released by PS Classics. Show Notes To keep from going into a whole YouTube concert of her, here’s two of Audra’s iconic performances that really show her range and talent, both vocal and acting: ”The Glamorous Life” and “Down With Love”. There will be more to come… She always gives the best Tony speeches, by the way. And the best interviews because she’s just so down to earth but also earth-shatteringly talented...she’s classy, sassy, and just a touch bit ass-y. “All Stars 4” co-winner Monet X Change made a powerful music video of “Strange Fruit” that, let’s say, modernizes the song. And last but definitely not least, here’s the real Billie really singing “Strange Fruit” in 1959, the same year the play takes place and the year she died. Podcast cover art: David Taylor Twitter: @bwaybabies | Facebook: Facebook.com/broadwaybabiespodcast
This week's episode is about the music of Billie Holiday, who has been on my mind on account of the upcoming production of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at the Garry Marshall Theater in Burbank. It runs from May 15 through June 2. Discounted ($39) tickets can be found here using the promo code BILLIE Playlist here Questions? Comments? Requests? Call the WNPM voicemail at (424) 704-1666, or email wnpmpod@gmail.com
This week's episode is not focused on any particular artist, but instead a collection of songs that didn't make it into other episodes, or songs I've come across that have struck me as worth sharing by artists that I'm not sure I could put a whole episode together about. A wide variety of jazz is covered, from the astonishingly beautiful episode opener by the Rene Hall Orchestra to music by pod favorites like Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Grachan Moncur III and more. Questions? Comments? Requests? Call the WNPM voicemail at (424) 704-1666, or email wnpmpod@gmail.com ATTN to my Los Angeles area listeners, I've just been informed that the Garry Marshall Theater in Burbank will be producing the Tony Award-winning play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill about the great Billie Holiday. It runs from May 15 through June 2. Discounted tickets can be found here using the promo code BILLIE Playlist for this episode can be found here
Lonny Price is one of the industry's most respected directors of both stage and screen. As an actor, he appeared in such shows as Merrily We Roll Along, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Dirty Dancing, Burn This, and so many more. But it is as a director Lonny is best known to audiences, having brought to life such musicals as A Class Act, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Urban Cowboy, Sunset Boulevard, plus countless musicals at Encores and the Ravinia Festival and the incomparable Live from Lincoln Center musicals including Candide, Company, Sweeney Todd, Camelot, and the brilliant Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. Lonny pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how his bar mitzvah led to his first Broadway job, what it was like creating Merrily We Roll Along, and why Elaine Stritch always wore a hat. Also, Lonny shines the spotlight on George Abbott, Stephen Sondheim, and Patti LuPone! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 To book a room at Shetler Studios, head on over to: https://www.shetlerstudios.com
Loureen is at the end of her rope. And now, she's just turned her husband into a pile of ashes. As Lynn Nottage's funny and wrenching POOF! opens, Loureen (Audra McDonald) has inadvertently made her abusive husband (Keith Randolph Smith) disappear. Enter her friend and neighbor Florence (Tonya Pinkins) to help her pick up the pieces and begin to imagine a life post-Samuel. Directed by Seret Scott, POOF! features Tony Award winners Audra McDonald (Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill) and Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam; Caroline, or Change). Following the play, the 2-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (Sweat, Ruined) joins host Claudia Catania for a conversation about POOF!'s origins - and how she almost never became a playwright.
Portland Center Stage is presenting “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” from May 26 to July 1 at The Armory in Portland’s Pearl District. Use the discount code “PJCE” for $10 off your ticket to any performance of this incredible production. And, don't miss a special concert featuring Portland-based singer-songwriter Jimmy Herrod with a sextet of PJCE musicians. We’ll be playing a new song by Jimmie, and songs written or made famous by Billie Holiday arranged by Kerry Politzer, Clay Giberson, and Alex Koehler. It’ll be a bit like a live version of this podcast with musical performances, questions and answers with the artists, and more information about one of jazz’s most iconic masters using some of Billie Holiday’s own words from archival audio. Join us to get a deeper experience of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” and a deeper appreciation of an American original. The concert is Sunday, June 24th at Portland Center Stage. There’s a reception at 6 pm in the atrium, and the concert starts at 7 pm in the Ellen Bye Studio. “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” does not perform that night. More information at pjce.org. And don’t forget to use the code PJCE for $10 off your tickets.
As Yet Unnamed London Theatre Podcast 03-Sep-2017 With T R P Watson - Alice from Traffic Light Theatregoer - Gareth James - PaulInLondon - Plays Discussed Against - Almeida Theatre [00:20] Salad Days - Union Theatre [17:40] Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill - Wyndham's Theatre [26:44] Windows - Finborough Theatre [33:48]
Sloshed Cinema gets jazzy with 3 new movies from the world of jazz—Born to be Blue, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill and Miles Ahead.
Nominations for the 68th annual Tony Awards were announced Tuesday, with tough competition in several categories. For instance, Tyne Daly, Cherry Jones and Audra McDonald are among the nominees for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play; Sutton Foster, Idina Menzel and Kelly O'Hara are all nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. Leading the nominations list is the musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which earned 10 Tony nods. Hedwig and the Angry Inch staring Neil Patrick Harris, is next with eight nominations. New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood suggests some likely winners, considers who got snubbed and takes note of the Broadway season as reflected in the nominees list. The Tony Awards will be given out on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in a ceremony hosted by Hugh Jackman and broadcast on CBS. More from WQXR and WNYC about the nominated productions: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder on Around Broadway and The Leonard Lopate Show. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (preview) on Souncheck. After Midnight on Around Broadway. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Around Broadway and The Leonard Lopate Show. The Glass Menagerie on The Leonard Lopate Show. Twelfth Night on The Leonard Lopate Show Bullets Over Broadway an Inside Look in The Greene Space. The Cripple of Inishmaan on NPR. Aladdin on Around Broadway. A Raisin in the Sun an Inside Look in The Greene Space. Casa Valentina an Inside Look in The Greene Space. Machinal on The Leonard Lopate Show. Rocky on Around Broadway. Violet on Around Broadway. Les Misérables on Around Broadway. All The Way on Around Broadway. If/Then on The Leonard Lopate Show and an Inside Look in The Greene Space. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill on Around Broadway. Mothers and Sons on The Leonard Lopate Show. Of Mice and Men on NPR. A Night with Janis Joplin on Around Broadway. Outside Mullingar on Around Broadway and The Leonard Lopate Show. Richard III on The Leonard Lopate Show.
This week on the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Alexis J Rogers who plays Billie Holiday in Porchight Music Theatre's production of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She tells about how she studied Billie Holiday's life and singing style and how emotionally draining her role is. She also talks about her many roles in Chicago theatre.
Douglas Aibel, artistic director of New York's Vineyard Theatre, reflects upon the six year run and impending closing of the Broadway musical "Avenue Q", which made its Off-Broadway debut at the Vineyard and has been the company's longest-running commercial transfer -- out of a field that also includes "[title of show]", "How I Learned to Drive", "Three Tall Women", "Fully Committed", "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" and "Goblin Market", among many others. He also talks about his vision for the Vineyard and how it grew out of a 65-seat, multi-disciplinary performance space into a full-fledged theatre company; how his father's love of Broadway musicals, and incessant playing of cast albums, put him on the path towards a career in theatre; his early years doing five and six internships or part-time jobs at theatres around the city in order to break into the business and make connections; how a job in fundraising at Manhattan Theatre Club led him to work in film; how his dual career as theatrical artistic director and noted film casting director inform each other; and why he believe that people in theatrical chat rooms should be required to use their real names. Original air date - August 24, 2009.
Douglas Aibel, artistic director of New York's Vineyard Theatre, reflects upon the six year run and impending closing of the Broadway musical "Avenue Q", which made its Off-Broadway debut at the Vineyard and has been the company's longest-running commercial transfer -- out of a field that also includes "[title of show]", "How I Learned to Drive", "Three Tall Women", "Fully Committed", "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" and "Goblin Market", among many others. He also talks about his vision for the Vineyard and how it grew out of a 65-seat, multi-disciplinary performance space into a full-fledged theatre company; how his father's love of Broadway musicals, and incessant playing of cast albums, put him on the path towards a career in theatre; his early years doing five and six internships or part-time jobs at theatres around the city in order to break into the business and make connections; how a job in fundraising at Manhattan Theatre Club led him to work in film; how his dual career as theatrical artistic director and noted film casting director inform each other; and why he believe that people in theatrical chat rooms should be required to use their real names. Original air date - August 24, 2009.