Music
CD’s You Won’t Want To Miss: Sutton Foster, Miss You Like Hell, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Brigadoon, Two-Player Game and Be More Chill

GHOSTLIGHT DELUXE, an imprint of Ghostlight Records, will release Take Me to the World — the long-awaited third album from two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster — on Friday, June 1. Starting today, Friday, May 18, customers that pre-order the digital album will immediately receive a download of the album’s second single. “I’m on My Way / On My Way” is a medley of one of Sutton’s signature songs from the musical Violet, combined with the traditional spiritual. The album is being released in conjunction with the fifth season of the critically-acclaimed TV Land series “Younger,” which returns on Tuesday, June 5.
Take Me to the World features Sutton’s signature vocal stylings on classics written by musical theater luminaries including Stephen Sondheim (“Take Me to the World”), Cole Porter (“Give Him the Ooh-La-La”), and Kander & Ebb (“A Quiet Thing”), as well as legendary pop songwriters such as Paul Simon (“Old Friends / Bookends”) and James Taylor (“You Can Close Your Eyes”). The album takes listeners on Sutton’s personal journey inspired by the birth of her daughter. The recording’s first single, also available now to customers who pre-order the digital album, is “Stars and the Moon” with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.
Sutton enlisted the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and other Ball State faculty and students from a variety of areas, including the Musical Theatre program, for this innovative, collaborative recording. Take Me to the World is produced by Sutton’s longtime musical director – and another Ball State faculty member – Michael Rafter.
1. Take Me to the World / Starting Here, Starting Now
2. Everybody Says Don’t / Yes
3. I’m on My Way / On My Way
4. If I Were a Bell / Singin’ in the Rain
5. I Got Love / Gimme Gimme
6. Give Him the Ooh-La-La
7. Stars and the Moon
8. A Quiet Thing / Hush, Little Baby
9. Room
10. Old Friends / Bookends
11. You Can Close Your Eyes
12. It All Fades Away
13. C’est Magnifique
14. Every Time We Say Goodbye (Bonus Track)
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Miss You Like Hell, the New York premiere production from The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham), for an original cast recording to be released later this year. With book and lyrics by Quiara Alegría Hudes, music and lyrics by Erin McKeown, and choreography by Danny Mefford, the new musical was directed by Public Theater Resident Director and Founder of Public Works Lear deBessonet, and stars Daphne Rubin-Vega and Gizel Jiménez. The recording is being produced by Erin McKeown and Kurt Deutsch.
Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes and acclaimed, genre-breaking singer/songwriter Erin McKeown brought their highly anticipated new musical to The Public earlier this season, which ran from March 20 to May 13. Two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega is Beatriz, a flawed mom to 16 year-old Olivia, and an undocumented immigrant on the verge of deportation. After living estranged from each other for years, a mother and daughter embark on a road trip that crosses state lines. Together they meet Americans of different backgrounds, shared dreams, and complicated truths in this powerful new show with vast heart and fierce humor.
“Miss You Like Hell is important musical theater,” says the label’s founder Kurt Deutsch. “It sings of America right now. Gizel and Daphne give such heartfelt and beautiful performances that deserve to be preserved. Quiara is a genius. Erin, welcome to the theatre. We are honored to have you. Thank you Public Theater for producing the show. It is an honor to work with you on so many albums.”
The complete cast for Miss You Like Hell includes Marinda Anderson (Ensemble), Danny Bolero (Manuel), Andrew Cristi (Ensemble), Latoya Edwards (Pearl), Shawna M. Hamic (Ensemble), Marcus Paul James (Ensemble), Gizel Jiménez (Olivia), David Patrick Kelly (Higgins), Michael Mulheren (Mo), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Beatriz), and Martín Solá (Manuel Understudy).
Miss You Like Hell featured scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez; costume design by Emilio Sosa; lighting design by Tyler Micoleau; sound design by Jessica Paz; and hair and makeup design by J. Jared Janas and Dave Bova.
Michael Aarons serves as Music Coordinator, with Cody Owen Stein serving as Music Director. The show features orchestrations by Charlie Rosen and Erin McKeown. Julie McBride is the Music Supervisor, who provided additional arrangements.
GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has previously collaborated with Quiara Alegría Hudes on their Grammy Award winning recording of In The Heights. The label has joined forces with The Public Theater on original cast recordings such as Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Giant, First Daughter Suite, See What I Wanna See, and Fortress of Solitude.
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The Off-Broadway musical, A Letter To Harvey Milk, will release its digital cast album on May 22 in honor of Harvey Milk’s birthday, it will be available on itunes.com, amazon.com, google.com etc. and in stores at a date TBA.
The cast album of A Letter To Harvey Milk,, which recently announced an extension at Theatre Row’s Acorn Theatre (410 W 42 Street) through June 30,2018, through June 30,2018, is produced by Michael Croiter, co-produced by Laura I. Kramer and Jeffrey Lodin and executive produced by Lisa Dozier King. The cast recording will be released on Yellow Sound Label.
Based on the short story by Lesléa Newman, the musical A Letter To Harvey Milk, has music by Laura I. Kramer, lyrics by Ellen M. Schwartz, with additional lyrics by Cheryl Stern, book by Jerry James, Laura I. Kramer Ellen M. Schwartz and Cheryl Stern and will be directed by Evan Pappas with music direction by Jeffrey Lodin, orchestrations by Ned Ginsburg, casting by Stephanie Klapper. A Letter To Harvey Milk, is presented by Letter Productions LLC, Associate Producer/Production Supervisor SenovvA Production Core and is executive produced by Lisa Dozier King.
A Letter To Harvey Milk, stars Adam Heller (Broadway: It Shoulda Been You, Elf, Caroline or Change), Julia Knitel (Broadway and National Tour: Carole King in Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie), Cheryl Stern (Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles, The Women) along with Michael Bartoli (National Tour: Joseph/Dreamcoat), Sarah Corey (International: Death for Five Voices), Jeremy Greenbaum (Broadway: Newsies), Aury Krebs (Regional: Rent, Hairspray), Philip Hoffman (Broadway: Into the Woods, Cabaret), CJ Pawlikowski (National Tour: Book of Mormon, Memphis) and Ravi Roth (National Tour: Alter Boyz, Seussical).
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the New York City Center (Arlene Shuler, New York City Center President & CEO) production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s musical Brigadoon, for a new cast recording to be released this fall. Brigadoon has book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Starring Kelli O’Hara, Patrick Wilson and Stephanie J. Block, the show features The Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Rob Berman. The Annual Gala Production was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with Jack Viertel serving as artistic advisor. The album is being produced by Kurt Deutsch, Lawrence Manchester, Rob Berman and Emily Altman.
Before My Fair Lady and Camelot there was Brigadoon, Lerner & Loewe’s transcendent romantic fantasy about the past, the present, and what it means to (almost) be in love. The classic 1947 musical, celebrating its 70th anniversary, follows Tommy Albright (Wilson), a jaded New Yorker who gets lost in the Scottish Highlands and stumbles into an idyllic town that only appears for one day every century. He quickly becomes smitten with the headstrong Fiona MacLaren (O’Hara) and makes an enemy of the rebellious Harry Beaton (Fairchild), bringing about a chain of events that could spell doom for the entire town.
The show stars Stephanie J. Block, Patricia Delgado, Sara Esty, Robert Fairchild, Rich Hebert, Jamie Jackson, Ross Lekites, Aasif Mandvi, Dakin Matthews, Kelli O’Hara and Patrick Wilson. The rest of the cast includes Mark Aldrich, Giselle O. Alvarez, Florrie Bagel, Callan Bergmann, Ward Billeisen, Peter Chursin, Peyton Crim, Christine DiGiallonardo, Rebecca Eichenberger, Anastacia Holden, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Jules-Romay Joseph, Timothy McDevitt, David Scott Purdy, Nicholas Ranauro, Lindsay Roberts, Shannon Rugani, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Lucas Segovia, Gabriela M. Soto, Madison Stratton, Emily Tate, Ron Todorowski and Nicholas Ward.
New York City Center thanks The Frederick Loewe Foundation for its lead sponsorship in support of this special production of Brigadoon, which was originally presented November 15-19, 2017.
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The release of Two-Player Game, the new album from George Salazar and Joe Iconis, in digital and streaming formats today, Friday, May 11. It will be available on physical CD this summer in conjunction with the debut New York production of Be More Chill. For more information, please visit www.ghostlightrecords.com/joe-iconis-george-salazar-two-player-game.html
Two-Player Game is a hot recording of a rock-and-roll evening of hilarious characters, soaring vocals, and unstoppable energy that joins George Salazar – the Drama Desk-nominated actor known for Be More Chill, TheLightning Thief, Godspell, and tick tick BOOM – with Joe Iconis, the Larson Award-winning musical theatre writer behind Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, The Black Suits, and his songs for “Smash” on NBC-TV, for a recording of their intimate yet mind-melding concert. George shares showstoppers he has originated on stage, songs he’d never get to sing, brand new material from upcoming musicals, and more. The album is produced by Ian Kagey and Kurt Deutsch.
The program was originally presented as a sold-0ut run at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Salazar and Iconis will return to the venue for album release shows for two performances on Monday, May 14 and Thursday, May 31. A limited edition of the physical CD will be available at these concerts. Tickets are available at 54below.com/events/george-salazar-joe-iconis-two-player-game/
This album reunites Iconis and Salazar from Be More Chill, the musical whose cult status and social media following have propelled it to chart-topping success and a long-awaited Off Broadway debut this summer. After its world premiere at Two River Theater in 2015, the show’s New York production will start previews on July 26 and run through September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, NYC). Tickets are available at www.bemorechillmusical.com.
Before arriving in New York, Be More Chill has been an organic sensation, amassing an unprecedented following across various online platforms, with millions of fans from Brazil to Japan to New Jersey sharing fan art, streaming the album, and talking about the show. The cast recording has racked up over 100 million streams, and entered the Billboard “Broadway Top Ten” chart in its 97th week of release, one of the only shows to enter the top 10 prior to a New York run. In 2017, Tumblr ranked Be More Chill as the #2 most talked-about musical on their platform, following Hamilton.
In addition to Two-Player Game and Be More Chill, the work of Joe Iconis is also represented on GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS with Things to Ruin and The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree.
Celebrities
The Glorious Corner

SLY REVIVED — (via Rolling Stone) Sly Stone, the enigmatic R&B/funk icon, will share his story in a new memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), arriving Oct. 17 via Questlove’s new publishing imprint, AUWA Books.
Stone co-wrote the new book with Ben Greeman, who’s written memoirs with George Clinton, Brian Wilson, and Questlove (he helped the Roots drummer with his three other books, too). Questlove — who’s directing a documentary about Stone — will also pen a foreword for Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).
In a statement, Stone said, “For as long as I can remember folks have been asking me to tell my story. I wasn’t ready. I had to be in a new frame of mind to become Sylvester Stewart again to tell the true story of Sly Stone. It’s been a wild ride and hopefully my fans enjoy it too.”
Born Sylvester Stewart, Stone’s music career began when he was a child, singing in a gospel quartet with his siblings. In the Sixties, he worked as a radio DJ in the Bay Area, forming various soul groups, including the extremely successful Sly and the Family Stone. The group’s debut,A Whole new Thing, arrived in 1967, and that same year they released their first major hit, “Dance to the Music,” which anchored the band’s second album. Between 1967 and and 1982, Sly and the Family Stone released 10 albums, including classics like Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin; On.
But after the dissolution of the Family Stone, Stone struggled to find success as a solo artist while simultaneously battling drug addiction. Though he got sober, he receded from public life, making only sporadic appearances, like the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a performance at the 2006 Grammys. In 2011, Stone released a new solo album, I’m Back! Family and Friends; in 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) is one of several books on the initial slate for Questlove’s new AUWA Books venture. (The Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint takes its name, by the way, from the bird-call noise Prince used on songs like “Baby I’m a Star” and “Eye No.”) Also on the docket: Questlove’s new book, Hip-Hop Is History, and a book from TikTok star Drew Afualo (both out in 2024).
This is major news for sure. If you’re of a certain age, Sly Stone’s music was the best. The true of story of what actually happened should be cataclysmic. The stories I’ve heard over the years encompass almost everything good and bad about the music industry. I hope the curtain is finally pulled back in this instance.
TICKET TO YOUNG — (Via Ultimate Classic Rock) Count Neil Young among those musicians who blame escalating ticket prices for ruining the concert industry. “It’s over. The old days are gone,” Young declared in a message posted to his Neil Young Archives website. “I get letters blaming me for $3,000.00 tickets for a benefit I am doing. That money does not go to me or the benefit. Artists have to worry about ripped off fans blaming them for Ticketmaster add-ons and scalpers.”
The acclaimed rocker’s message was accompanied by a story about the Cure and their recent battle with Ticketmaster. The ticketing giant earned the scorn of the goth rock band and their fans by adding several fees to ticket prices for the Cure’s upcoming North American tour. In some cases, these “unduly high” fees, as Robert Smith called them, resulted in the actual price of tickets nearly doubling from their face value. Ticketmaster eventually agreed to refund some of the cost.
“Concert tours are no longer fun,” Young opined, pointing to ticket fees and scalpers as the culprit. “Concert tours not what they were.”
Young’s thoughts about ticket prices are the latest in his ongoing list of gripes regarding modern touring. In December, the rocker reiterated his refusal to play at concert venues that use factory farms.
SHORT TAKES — Could Big Blue be coming back? Blockbuster for decades was the go-to spot for DVDs and video-tapes. Stay tuned …I love Keanu Reeves, but I must admit I’ve not seen any of the John Wick movies. Chapter 4 opened this past weekend with a $74 million+ score. Rather amazing in this post-covid period.
I pulled up the trailer and was terrifically impressed by the lush visuals; beautiful music and Reeves and Lance Reddick just sensational. I am thinking of a John Wick-weekend where I’ll watch all 4 … Writer/producer Terry Jastrow arrives in NY this week with his wife actress Anne Archer … Whatever happened to the Madonna biopic? You ask three different people and you get three different answers,. Check this one out from IndieWire: https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/julia-garner-madonna-biopic-fingers-crossed-1234819696/ …
Personally, I don’t think Garner should do it. Mired in controversy already, could it really be any good? … GUESS WHO DON”T SUE: What up-and-coming metal band is using the name of a high-profile manager to score some Manhattan-gigs? They were going to work with the manager until it blew up. Simply shady if you ask me … btw: whatever happened to Wendy Stuart Kaplan? …
Friday was the last episode (for their inaugural season) of Apple TV+’s Shrinking which has just been so excellent in this its debut season. Jason Segal and Brett Goldstein have come up with the best show on streaming yet. Infectiously good and the acting turns from Segal and Harrison Ford are off the charts. The show culminated in a wedding for best-friend Brian (Michael Urie) and ended with a call-back to the show’s very first scene. Remember it? Truly a one-of-a-kind show. We loved it … I’ve heard at least 4 stories on the news this weekend about composting. Is this a hot topic now? Trending is it? … RIP Nicholas Lloyd Webber
NAMES IN THE NEWS –— Alex Salzman; Rob Petrie; Anthony Pomes; Terry Jastrow; Tyrone Biljan; Jacqueline Boyd; Bill McCuddy; Brad LeBeau; Nile Rodgers; Nancy Hunt; Steve Leeds; Terri Epstein; Brenda K. Starr; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; William Schill; Robert Funaro; Vinny Pastore; Maureen Van Zandt; Tricia Daniels; and ZIGGY!
Cabaret
The Marvelous Marilyn Maye Received Twelve Standing Ovations At The New York Pops

Karen Akers, Jim Caruso, Tony Danza, Jamie deRoy, Max von Essen, Melissa Errico, Bob Mackie, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Josh Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Rex Reed, Randy Roberts, Mo Rocca , Mark Sendroff, Lee Roy Reams, Brenda Vaccaro and David Zippel were there to see and honor Cabaret legend and Grammy nominee Marilyn Maye. Maye who turns 95 April 10th, made her at Carnegie Hall solo debut last night with The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke.
Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance and it showed with the 12 standing ovations she received.
Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, she was “discovered” by Steve Allen and had a RCA recording contract, seven albums and 34 singles.
The evening started out with the superlative New York Pops Overture of Mame, which Maye had played the title role.
Next a Cole Porter Medley with “Looking at You,” Concentrate On You,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” It’s Alright With Me,””Just One of Those Things,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “All of You”. This was Marilyn’s second standing ovation. The first was when she stood on that stage for the first time and the audience was rapturous.
A terrific “It’s Today” from Mame with high flying kicks was the third ovation and wow can that woman kick.
A rainbow medley included “Look To The Rainbow” from Finnian’s Rainbow, the iconic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” the jazzy “Make Me Rainbows” and of course “The Rainbow Connection.” And with that another standing ovation.
Frank Loesser’s Joey, Joey, Joey brought on a fifth standing ovation. This song was a masterclass in acting and vocal nuance. For that matter every song that comes out of Ms. Maye’s mouth is perfection. Part of the brilliance of this night is her musical director, arranger, and pianist Ted Firth. That man is a genius.
Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady ended the first act with a sixth standing ovation.
The overture from Hello Dolly! and then Cabaret shows Marilyn Maye also starred in opened the second act. The New York Pops sounded phenomenal as always.
“Your Gonna Hear From Me” from “Inside Daisy Clover was an appropriate starter for this next round as the audience got to its feet.
Maye’s most requested song “Guess Who I Saw Today” from New Faces of 1952 was followed by a show stopping “Fifty Percent” from Ballroom and of course another standing ovation.
Her next song was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to be included in its permanent collection of recordings from the 20th century. Her recording of “Too Late Now” is considered by the Smithsonian to be one of the 110 Best American Compositions of the Twentieth Century and Ms. Maye showed us why and again another standing ovation.
A proclamation from The City of New York read by Steven Reineke to Marilyn Maye made this day Marilyn Maye Day. This treasure cried with joy as she sang Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here.” Though she forgot some of the lyric, Ms. Maye proved performing is all on the intent and connecting to the audience. Two more standing ovations were added here.
For encores, I was thrilled to hear James Taylor’s “Circle of Life” and “Here’s To Life,” which is my personal favorite, finally going back into “It’s Today” with those high kicks and a twelfth standing ovation. Bravo Ms. Maye!
If you are a singer and do not catch Ms. Maye live, you really do not care about your craft. Last night Ms. Maye made it clear why she’s been celebrated as one of America’s greatest jazz singers for more than 50 years and this was a night I will always remember. Thank-you New York Pops.
Don’t miss the Pop’s 40th Birthday Gala: This One’s For You: The Music Of Barry Manilow on Monday, May 1st. The gala will star Sean Bell, Erich Bergen, Betty Buckley, Charo, Deborah Cox, Danny Kornfeld, Norm Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Billy Stritch, Steven Telsey, Max von Essen, Dionne Warwick, and more to be announced. This will be yet another New York Pop’s Night not to miss.
Broadway
T2C Sends Our Prayers to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lea Michele

Saturday, March 25, 2023
A Statement From Andrew Lloyd Webber
I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft.
Thank you for all your thoughts during this difficult time.
The 75-year-old Oscar-winning composer son Nicholas followed in his father’s footsteps and was a successful composer in his own right, having written Fat Friends The Musical. He was married to musician Polly Wiltshire, who appeared on the soundtrack of his father’s 2019 movie Cats.
During his career, Nicholas also scored music for an adaption of The Little Prince as well as composing numerous TV and film scores, including for the BBC1 drama Loves, Lies, and Records.
Nicholas previously spoke about making his own way in the theatre world away from his famous family name in a 2011 unearthed interview.
He said he wanted to be ‘judged on his own merits’ so dropped his surname when working to see what the reaction would be.
Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.
Also on Saturday Lea Michele updated her fans on the status of her two-year-old’s health via her Instagram after he was hospitalized earlier this week. Her son Ever was in the hospital, but is now out due to a ‘scary health issue. She posted a picture backstage in her dressing room ahead of her Broadway performance in Funny Girl. Lea had been out to focus on her family.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for just so much love and support this week. I really really appreciated it”.
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