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Wanna Sing With Broadway Stars On The MacGyver The Musical Cast Album?

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Have you ever dreamt of being on an official cast recording of a musical? How about one with Broadway’s Taylor Louderman, Brandon Victor Dixon, and TV’s Tristin Mays? Or imagined yourself as MacGyver? Now’s your chance to take a shot at doing all of those at once… Because MacGyver is not only a classic TV show, it’s now a musical! After a very successful run of MacGyver The Musical earlier this year, we’re recording an album of the songs from the show. And all that’s missing now is… you!

And just as MacGyver is not like any other action hero, “MacGyver The Musical” is not like any other musical. Because in every performance we would cast the lead of MacGyver right out of the audience! Before each show we held a brief audition and, with their applause, let the audience decide who would be our MacGyver that night. Simple as that. And we had Macs of all ages and genders.

So, in keeping with that spirit, we’re now looking for someone to sing the part of MacGyver on the album, and we’re running a contest to find them– except this time, our “audience” is the entire country. And the winner will be flown to New York City on our dime for a recording session-and get paid for it! Sound interesting? Then read on– all the entry details are below. Because now we all know there’s a MacGyver in everyone, and anyone can be MacGyver!

Submission Guidelines

Round 1

Make a short video of yourself singing–

Pick a high-energy rock song from the 80’s or 90’s that really shows off your voice.

Start off the video with your name and where you’re from, followed by “This is my MacGyver album audition video.” Then sing as much or as little of your chosen song as you’d like-the important thing is that you show us what you can do. You can sing a cappella or to a karaoke track-your choice! Please title the video “MacGyver The Musical Album Contest: FirstName LastName Audition.”

Contest is open to US residents only who are 18 or older. All genders welcome.

Finalists (those who move on to Round 2) will be chosen through an online voting process.

If you have any questions, contact macgyver@broadwayworld.com

Round 2

Finalists will record a video of themselves singing an excerpt of one of the show’s songs…

More details TBA. Finalists will be given access to written and recorded materials to help them learn the song excerpt.

The winner will be chosen by the show’s producers from among the finalists.

Contest Schedule

Round 1 Submissions Accepted – June 29 – July 15Voting Period – July 16 – July 22Finalists Announced – July 23Finalists’ Submissions Accepted – July 23 – July 26Winner Announced – July 31Winner Recorded in NYC – Sometime during the first two weeks of August. Album Release – September 2022.

The winner will be flown to NYC, housed in a hotel, and be professionally recorded and produced doing the following:

-Singing the lead vocal for one song. The winner will be provided with materials for the song in advance, along with a Zoom coaching.

-Singing and/or speaking a few lines in four other songs.

-Delivering some dialogue lines in intros to two of the songs.

-$1000.00 winner’s fee.

To enter click here.

Suzanna, co-owns and publishes the newspaper Times Square Chronicles or T2C. At one point a working actress, she has performed in numerous productions in film, TV, cabaret, opera and theatre. She has performed at The New Orleans Jazz festival, The United Nations and Carnegie Hall. She has a screenplay and a TV show in the works, which she developed with her mentor and friend the late Arthur Herzog. She is a proud member of the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle and was a nominator. Email: suzanna@t2conline.com

Celebrities

The Glorious Corner

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G.H. Harding

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.

Neil Young

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.

John Wick: Chapter 4

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/

Julia Garner

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? …

Shrinking

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!

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Broadway

Did You Know There Is A Kander & Ebb Way?

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On Friday, March 24th, the 96-year-old John Kander was given a Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams in celebration of the first performance of his new Broadway musical New York, New York. Following the proclamation, Lin-Manuel Miranda unveiled the sign renaming 44th Steet ‘Kander & Ebb Way. On hand was the Manhattan School of Music to performed the iconic Kander & Ebb song “New York, New York.”

New York, New York opens Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

 

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Cabaret

The Marvelous Marilyn Maye Received Twelve Standing Ovations At The New York Pops

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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.

Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The evening started out with the superlative New York Pops Overture of Mame, which Maye had played the title role.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye and Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

A terrific “It’s Today” from Mame with high flying kicks was the third ovation and wow can that woman kick.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

“Put On A Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Tedd Firth and Marilyn Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady ended the first act with a sixth standing ovation.

Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

“Your Gonna Hear From Me” from “Inside Daisy Clover was an appropriate starter for this next round as the audience got to its feet.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Being presented with flowers

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.

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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!

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

Marilyn Maye By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Jamie deRoy and Tony Danza Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Eric Gabbard., Steven Reineke, Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Bob Mackie and Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Mark Sendroff Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Karen Akers, Sidney Myer, Marilyn Maye and Lee Roy Reams Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Josh Prince, Marilyn Maye and Michael Novak Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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.

 

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