Stories » StageBuddy top 5 songs from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' cast album

Stories for February 27, 2020

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    Joey Alexander interview with 91.3KXCI: Tucson
     
    Posted At : February 26, 2020 12:00 AM

    Joey Alexander, the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader recently unveiled 'Warna' (Verve Records). The album is primarily a collection of reflective, moving new and original music by an experienced and confident musician. Translating as "color" from Alexander's native language of Bahasa, WARNA follows four Motéma Music albums that garnered the pianist three Grammy nominations and such honors as historic critics' and readers' poll victories in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Joining Alexander on the new album are Larry Grenadier and Kendrick Scott, who comprise the core piano trio. On several tracks, Venezuelan-born percussion Luisito Quintero, and flautist Anne Drummond, join the burgeoning jazz pianist. Joey sits down with 91.3KXCI: Tucson to discuss the recording. Listen to the attached file

  • Chopin has always been an integral part of Benjamin Grosvenor's repertoire / Classical Music Sentinel
     
    Posted At : February 26, 2020 12:00 AM

    The two Piano Concertos by Frederic Chopin recorded here have been an integral part of British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor's repertoire ever since his early teens. And this level of familiarity definitely manifests itself in his playing. There's a constant fluid limpidity and clarity to his phrasing, and an overall forward momentum shaped by delicate contours. Nothing ever sounds forced or affected, but rather seemingly moves along naturally. The slow passages are contemplative whilst the fast passages quite simply dance off the keyboard. And when a certain degree of darkness creeps into the music, his playing takes on an appropriately different mien, and the same can be said when the music takes on a highly Polonaise style. READ THE FULL Classical Music Sentinel REVIEW

  • Celebrating Harry Belafonte on his 93rd birthday at 'The Apollo' / THEATERMANIA
     
    Posted At : February 26, 2020 12:00 AM

    Celebrating Harry Belafonte's 93rd birthday. A celebration of his life and work with special guests: Common, Maxwell, Sheila E., Talib Kweli, Aloe Blacc, Alice Smith, John Forté, Gael Faye, Resistance Revival Chorus, and many more special guests! American singer, actor, producer, and activist; Harry Belafonte started as key figure in the folk music scene of the 1950s, especially known for popularizing the Caribbean folk songs known as calypsos. He was also involved in various social causes, notably the civil rights movement. Harry became a folk singer, learning songs at the Library of Congress's American folk song archives. He sang Caribbean folk songs as well, in nightclubs and theatres; his handsome appearance added to his appeal as a frequent performer on television variety programs. With hit recordings such as "Day-O (Banana Boat Song)" and "Jamaica Farewell," he initiated a fad for calypso music and became known as the King of Calypso. In the mid-1950s his Harry Belafonte and Mark Twain and Other Folk Favorites were the first of his series of hit folk song albums. During this time he made his Broadway debut, appearing in the musical John Murray Anderson's Almanac (1953–54); for his performance, he won a Tony Award for supporting actor. Later in the decade he starred on the stage in 3 for Tonight and Belafonte at the Palace. Throughout his career, Belafonte was involved in various causes. He was a supporter of the civil rights movement and a close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Belafonte was active in African humanitarian efforts, notably appearing on the charity song "We Are the World" (1985). In 1987 he became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2014. 100% of the net profit to benefit The Popular Democracy Movement Center and the Harry Belafonte 115th St. NY Library. SEE THE THEATERMANIA PAGE

  • Watch Vikingur Olafsson play Debussy 'La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin' from new DG album / udiscovermusic.
     
    Posted At : February 26, 2020 12:00 AM

    Following his critically acclaimed and multi-award winning recording Johann Sebastian Bach, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson will release his new album, Debussy • Rameau, on 27 March 2020. The innovative recording juxtaposes pieces by two giants of French music, Claude Debussy and Jean-Philippe Rameau, exploring the contrasts and common ground between them.  Ólafsson explained, "This album is set up as a dialogue between two of my favourite composers, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Claude Debussy. I see them as musical brothers and soulmates, even though one was 180 years older than the other. They were musicians of the future, who loved to stir things up. They were two uniquely gifted keyboard composers, two progressive and fiercely original musical thinkers who could capture incredibly evocative images through sound. I want to show Rameau as a futurist and I want to emphasise Debussy's deep roots in the French baroque – and in Rameau's music in particular. The idea is that the listener almost forgets who is who, while listening to the album." Watch Víkingur Ólafsson perform Debussy's ‘La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin' from his new album Debussy • Rameau.

  • Johnny Gandelsman explores Bach Cello Suites at 'Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series' / NOOZHAWK
     
    Posted At : February 25, 2020 12:00 AM

    The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series will present Grammy Award-winning violinist and producer Johnny Gandelsman in A Violinist Explores Bach's Cello Suites, 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, at St. Mark's-in-the-Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. Gandelsman will perform as part of the 40th annual Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series. Since its inception by founder Rose Knoles in 1981, the concert series has brought widely acclaimed classical artists to perform in intimate spaces in the Santa Ynez Valley. Noted for its acoustics and serene ambiance, St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church has been the home of the series since 2007. "We are very much looking forward to hearing Johnny Gandelsman's interpretations of Bach's timeless and transcendent music," said Robert Cassidy, artistic director. "A magical sonic environment will be experienced with the sound of the solo violin resonating off the long-grain fir, high-ceiling interior of the church." READ THE FULL NOOZHAWK ARTICLE

  • Joyce DiDonato stars in 'MET Agrippina: LiveinHD' / OPERAWIRE
     
    Posted At : February 25, 2020 12:00 AM

    The Met Opera's Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season continues this Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 with a transmission of "Agrippina," which was composed by Handel to a libretto by Grimani. The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will feature Joyce DiDonato in the title role with Brenda Rae as Poppea, Iestyn Davies as Ottone, Matthew Rose as Claudio, Kate Lindsey as Nerone, Dunan Rock as Pallante, and Nicholas Tamagna as Narciso. Harry Bicket directs the production by Sir David McVicar. Find out which theaters in your local area are transmitting the simulcast by clicking here. PHOTO (Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) SEE THE OPERAWIRE PAGE

  • Jake Shimabukuro chats with radio about 'Trio'
     
    Posted At : February 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    Referred to as "the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele," Jake Shimabukuro is a true virtuoso, and exhibits his talents once again with the release of  ‘Trio', available through Music Theories Recordings. It's been a decade and a half since covering Jake's cover of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" went viral and propelled Jake to a level of success most never plausible with a ukulele. Now, with nearly twenty albums already under his belt, Shimabukuro enlists the help of bassist Nolan Verner and guitarist Dave Preston, as well as legendary producer R.S. Field, in presenting the ambience of a classic jam session taken into a studio and transformed into a captivating 13 track album.  In conjunction with the alum release, Jake has made some time TODAY!! Feb. 24, 2020 to discuss the tracks with US radio.    

Top 10 for Feb

StageBuddy top 5 songs from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' cast album

Posted: June 15, 2017 12:00 AM | By: Admin
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the new musical based on the films of the same name, as well as the book by Roald Dahl, puts audiences inside the "world of pure imagination." Starring two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle and directed by three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien, this new musical features the beloved songs from the original film, including "Pure Imagination" and "The Candy Man," alongside a brand new score from the songwriters of Hairspray, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, a book from David Greig and choreography from Joshua Bergasse.

Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous-and mysterious-factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life-changing journey through Wonka's wondrous world.  

CLICK HERE FOR StageBuddy top 5 songs from new 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' cast album. Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Crossover Media Projects with Cast Albums

  • Cast Albums

    Oklahoma

    In 1943, Decca Broadway released the first-ever cast album of all time. The musical was Rodgers and Hammerstein's groundbreaking Oklahoma!. Fast forward 76 years, the newly-relaunched Decca Broadway, part of Verve Label Group, announces the release of the new cast recording for the revival of Oklahoma! 

    The 2019 revival of Oklahoma! is making history as the first time the Rodgers and Hammerstein estate has allowed new arrangements of the original score. The New York Times said of these new versions, "The well-known melodies have been reimagined – by the brilliant orchestrator and arranger Daniel Kluger – with the vernacular throb and straightforwardness of country and western ballads." Daniel Fish's reimagined revival of Oklahoma! officially opened April 7 at Circle in the Square Theatre. The cast is led by Rebecca Naomi Jones as Laurey and Damon Daunno as Curly and the cast album will be produced by Dean Sharenow and Daniel Kluger.   

  • Cast Albums

    Tootsie

    In 1943, Decca Broadway released the first-ever cast album of all time. The musical was Rodgers and Hammerstein's groundbreaking Oklahoma!. Fast forward 76 years, the newly-relaunched Decca Broadway, part of Verve Label Group, announces the release of the new cast recording of the hit musical Tootsie. 

    The new comedy musical Tootsie, adapted from the 1982 film, began previews on Broadway March 29, following an acclaimed out-of-town tryout in Chicago last fall. Variety called Tony-winner David Yazbek's score "strikingly over-the-top: You know something's right when the music itself feels witty." Meanwhile, The Chicago Tribune commented, "The sound has a movie-score quality… many of his tempos are arrestingly up – so much so…that they keep amping the pleasures of the piece." Tootsie officially opens at the Marquis Theatre April 23. Tony nominee Santino Fontana leads the cast as Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime – as the star of a new Broadway musical.

    TOOTSIE features an original score by Tony Award-winner DAVID YAZBEK (The Band's Visit, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), a book by ROBERT HORN (13; Dame Edna, Back with a Vengeance), choreography by Tony Award nominee DENIS JONES (Holiday Inn, Honeymoon in Vegas), and musical direction by ANDREA GRODY (The Band's Visit). TOOTSIE will be directed by eight-time Tony Award nominee and Olivier Award winner SCOTT ELLIS (She Loves Me, On the Twentieth Century). 

  • Cast Albums

    RENT - Live FOXTV Event

    Sony Masterworks Broadway announces today's release of RENT – ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK OF THE FOX TELEVISION EVENT, featuring music from the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT, as performed by the star-studded cast of FOX's television event, the soundtrack is produced by Stephen Oremus, executive-produced by Marc Platt and co-produced by Derik Lee.

    The soundtrack features performances by actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens (Maureen Johnson), singer/songwriter Jordan Fisher (Mark Cohen), recording artist Tinashe (Mimi Marquez), actress Kiersey Clemons (Joanne Jefferson), newcomer and singer/songwriter Brennin Hunt (Roger Davis), R&B/Pop superstar Mario (Benjamin Coffin III), performer Valentina (Angel Dumont Schunard) and Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Brandon Victor Dixon (Tom Collins).  Additionally, Keala Settleperforms the iconic solo from "Seasons of Love."

  • Cast Albums

    The Prom

    THE PROM – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING is available on from Sony Masterworks Broadway.  Produced by Scott M. Riesett and Tony Award Nominee Matthew Sklar, with music by Sklar and lyrics by four-time Tony Award Nominee Chad Beguelin, the album is also available to stream and download everywhere now.  The Prom cast celebrated the release with two CD signing events – at the annual BroadwayCon fan convention and at Theatre Circle.

  • Cast Albums

    Head Over Heels

    The producers of Head Over Heels, the new musical comedy featuring the iconic songs of The Go-Go's – the most successful female rock band of all time, and Sony Masterworks Broadway today release The Original Broadway Cast Recording.  Included in the 20-track cast album is a true bonus from The Go-Go's themselves: an exclusive new recording of one of the band's most popular songs, "This Town," which marks their first studio recording in more than 17 years since their album God Bless The Go-Go's (2000). The track, produced by Scott Sigman, was recorded exclusively for the Broadway collection by members Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin.  The album is produced by Scott M. Riesett and Tom Kitt with co-producers Louise Gund and Christine Russell, engineered by Isaiah Abolin and Lawrence Manchester, and was recorded at the DiMenna Center in New York City on August 26-28.

  • Cast Albums

    Desperate Measures

    The Original Cast Recording from the hit musical comedy Desperate Measures is now available digitallyfrom Masterworks Broadway, with the CD set for release August 10.  With music by David Friedman (Listen to My Heart) and lyrics by Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina), the album is produced by 7 time Grammy and Tony NomineeRobert Sher (Patti LuPone's Gypsy, Daniel Radcliffe's How To Succeed…) with liner notes by Peter Filichia.  The album is Executive Produced by Mary Cossette (The Will Rogers Follies; Woody Sez; Carol Welsman'sWhat'Cha Got Cookin'?) and Willette Klausner (The Band's Visit; Smokey Joe's Café; Latin History For Morons). Described by the Huffington Post as "a good old-fashioned musical comedy… a happy surprise of a show filled with enjoyable songs," Desperate Measures is currently playing at New World Stages in New York City and tickets are on sale at: www.DesperateMeasuresMusical.com

  • Cast Albums

    SpongeBob SquarePants - Original Cast Recording

    The Original Cast Recording of SpongeBob SquarePants – The New Musical - album features a score of original songs unlike anything Broadway has ever heard and is produced by Scott Riesett and Tom Kitt, with executive producers Scott Farthing, Doug Cohn and Susan Vargo. A special two-LP vinyl version of the recording will be released November 3, in anticipation of the show's Broadway performances which begin November 6 at the Palace Theater in New York City.

    20 TOTAL
    SYND:     NPR/First Listen
    Direct: SiriusXM
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Hartford CT, AL(Statewide)
    INTER: UK
    Online: Stage Buddy, Affinity, The Reviews Hub, Britishtheatre.com