Music News Net

GREEN DAY Returns To North America for More Concerts

MUSIC NEWS - With their sold-out stadium tour of Europe behind them, rockers Green Day will hit the road next week for a series of North American tour dates, and a TV appearance, including an August 7th stop at this year’s Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago, IL. The sows are part of the second leg of the band’s USA tour to promote their Grammy Award winning album 21st Century Breakdown (full itinerary below). The band, singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool will also perform their new single, “Last of the American Girls,” on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Friday, July 30th.

NJPAC / NJYT Presents RENT

NJPAC/ New Jersey Youth Theatre production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize winning, Tony Award- winning musical Rent is a well-acted (and well-cast) show. The set – a combination of industrial loft, outdoor space, fire escape, and a few other outdoor and indoor settings was imaginative, gritty, and edgy, just as one would hope.  Nestled in the set was the orchestra whose members were right-on, serving both the actors and the audience as they kept up with the actors nuances and engaged the audience’s emotions as only a layer of fine musicianship can do.  The sound was good, although there were some glitches, but I hasten to add:  the glitches did not take away from the actor’s performances, nor did they affect the flow of the storyline.  In fact, the show segued from scene–to-scene practically flawlessly.

(l to r, Mark and Mimi, played by Shayne Kennon and Chelsea Cortes)

Broadway's SPIDERMAN Musical to Start Rehearsals

MUSIC NEWS- The oft-delayed, troubled and very expensive new Broadway musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark is said to be beginning rehearsals in August.  This, according to a report in The New York Times.  There are still no official performance dates announced, but the show is expected to bow in November at the Hilton Theatre.

The musical is based on the well known Marvel Comics character, and follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down; literally, when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider.  Tony Award winner Julie Taymor is directing the show, which will feature music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge (who've had their own schedule problems due to Bono's medical issues), and a book by Taymor and Glen Berger.

RAY CHARLES Broadway Musical Delayed

MUSIC NEWS- The Shubert Theatre and Broadway will have to hold on a little longer for a forthcoing Ray Charles musical.  Producers of the show announced Friday that "Unchain My Heart" will now open in the spring of 2011 instead of its original planned opening of October 8, 2010. The musical is being produced by Stuart Benjamin, who worked for over 15yrs with the R&B legend and produced the film,  "Ray".

Mr Benjamin cited "logistical reasons" as the reason for the delay. The Ray Charles show was originally booked to run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, but with the change of dates will now be moved over to the Schubert Theatre.

BRIAN WILSON Tackles Gershwin Classic Tunes on New Album

MUSIC NEWS- Two legendary musical minds, separated by 70 years will join together on a new album.  The pioneering musical genius of Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, has teamed up with George Gershwin, on Wilson's, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin (out via Disney Pearl on August 17- special vinyl out on August 24). The release will feature timeless classics like "Rhapsody in Blue," "I've Got Rhythm" and "Summertime" and will make history with "The Like in I Love You" and "Nothing But Love," two new songs Wilson developed from never-before-published music by Gershwin.

Wilson recently said, "Along with Irving Berlin, Gershwin basically invented the popular song, but he did something more. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equaled, yet his music is timeless and always accessible. This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on."

American Idiot Original Broadway Cast Recording Release

MUSIC NEWS - Reprise Records has announced they will release The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Green Day's American Idiot on April 20, 2010.  That's the same day the show will open at the St James Theatre in New York City. The official album features the 24-member cast accompanied by the band, marking another amazing collaboration between the band and the musical.  Based on Green Day’s chart-topping 2004 album American Idiot, the musical and the cast recording include every song from American Idiot, as well as several songs from the band’s GRAMMY Award-winning current album 21st Century Breakdown.
 
Green Day’s singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool wrote the show's score, which follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they strive to find meaning in a post-9/11 world.  Armstrong wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the book with the show’s director, Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening).  The album’s arrangements and orchestration were done by Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), who is the show’s music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger. Armstrong is the album’s producer. 
 

DUNCAN SHEIK Signs on for "American Psycho" Musical

MUSIC NEWS - The LATimes is reporting that singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik has signed up to score the upcoming musical adaptation of "American Psycho".  The musical will be based on the 1991 Bret Easton Ellis novel that focuses on a 1980s Wall Street banker who spends his evenings as a deranged serial killer. Back in 200, the novel was turned into a film that starred Christian Bale.

Mr Sheik talked about his passion for the project in a statement about the novel, in which he said; "I came to feel that what some people (including myself) may have seen as an over-the-top literary folly of the early nineties was in fact a pretty timeless tale of alienation and solipsism."

Back in 1996 Shiek has quite the hit with "Barely Breathing" (listen here).  He later became an accomplished composer for stage productions and won a Tony Award in 2007 for his work as the composer of "Spring Awakening".  He's more recently worked on "Whisper House", now running in San Diego.

No word on when work on "American Psycho" will begin.

Elvis Costello, Neko Case, Sheryl Crow Set for John Mellencamp & Stephen King's "Ghost Brothers..."

MUSIC NEWS - Word out is that  John Mellencamp has nearly completed recording and “assembling” the “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County”; his musical theater collaboration with author Stephen King.

The show is now running two hours  and 10 minutes, but more edits will likely happen once producer T-Bone Burnett completes the tunes. When finished, the recording will be available in a package thats said to have the full text, two discs featuring the entire production of the script and songs performed by the cast, and a third CD of the songs only.  Plans are for the cd/book set to be released before the show opens in September 2010 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA.

Bono and The Edge's SPIDERMAN, the MUSICAL Off Track Again

 MUSIC NEWS - News from Broadway is that once again, Bono and the Edge's  Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark has been delayed. The show (if it actually gets produced), will features songs written by the two U2 members, was slated, after the first set of delays, to start previews on February 25, 2010 and then open in March.

But, According to the New York Times, production troubles and financal problems have continued and the show has had to be pushed back yet again.   Bono, along with producer David Garfinkle and Julie Taymor, co-author of the book that the multi-million dollar musical is based on, will try to gather up some new investors to drop cash into the show.  But in these difficult financial times that have impacted Broadway as well, the continued problems with the Spidey show and it's huge production budget, we're not too confident. 

The opening date has not been rescheduled, but an executive from the show told the New York Times that they're hoping to start the play later in the spring 2010.

In the meantime, we'll have to be satisified with Spiderman films on Netflix. 

UPDATE 11/6/09 - No change on the show's financial situation, but now it at least has a star- rock singer Reeve Carney.   Producer Michael Cohl says Carney will portray the celebrated web-slinger Peter Parker in "Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark", when/if it reaches previews and opening on Broadway !!

The "Broadway Bret" MICHAELS Tony Awards Chapter is Officially Closed

       MUSIC NEWS- The squabling over last Sunday's Tony Awards show accident with Poison's Bret Michaels is, hopefully, over.  After some terse statements from both camps (which we won't go into again), Mr Michaels seems to have thought further on the matter, risen above the emotion of the incident and wants to move on...  Read his statement below that was sent to MNN.  You can also find it on his, BretMichaels.com.  We wish him the best, and a speedy recovery.

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I am trying to remain very positive and somewhat humorous about the whole situation.  I apologize that I did not make a statement earlier as I have been feeling pretty beat up over the last few days. The fact is I was honored to be asked to perform at the event.  The entire “Rock of Ages” production were awesome and even though I was completely out of my element I was really enjoying myself prior to my injury.  In fact all involved at the awards show treated me good.  

I had a great time at the Tonys right up until I got blindsided, I must admit it was a little blurry after that.  In hindsight, there is no doubt I got my bell rung, unfortunately it has been posted and perhaps funny to watch, but I can assure you it has been painful to experience.  In all honesty I had absolutely no idea what struck my head.  Upon impact I thought a piece of the lighting rig had fallen out of the ceiling and as I fell back it seemed like my head struck the stage and I blacked out for a second.  When I opened my eyes I noticed a large set prop coming down straight for me.  I immediately pushed myself out of the way and amidst the chaos I laid on the floor and asked “what the hell just happened?” 

CHEAP TRICK To Vegas for "Sgt Pepper Live" Performances !

        MUSIC NEWS - Rumors had been circulating for months, but we now know for sure - “Sgt. Pepper Live,” featuring Cheap Trick, will be live at the Las Vegas Hilton on September 13-15, 17-19 and 21-23.  The show, with additional musical guests to be announced, will feature a full symphony orchestra, audio production by Geoff Emerick and set design by René Lagler.  Attendees will hear one of rock's best known bands interpret one the best know albums by the best known band of all time. Cheap Trick 's previous performances in LA at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007 & 2008  of “Sgt. Pepper Live” drew tens of thousands of fans for sold-out shows, selling more than 53,000 tickets.  Best known for their classic singles, “I Want You To Want Me” and “Surrender”, American power-pop rockers, Cheap Trick have a Beatles connection, recorded the album, All Shook Up in 1980 with Sir George Martin and Geoff Emerick, producer and engineer of  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.    Grammy winner Emerick (for Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road albums) will continue to be in charge of the audio production for “Sgt. Pepper Live”.  The special engagement will be performed in the legendary Hilton Theater, which was the Vegas home to Elvis Presley (who entertained for 837 consecutive performances).

Cheap Trick continues to tour and record, the newest album, the self-released,  THE LATEST releases on June 23 (order below thru MNN).  They announced they'll be part of Def Leppard's summer tour, along with Poison (see full itinerary below)

Tickets are priced at $65, $80 and $95 and are on sale now, available at LVHilton.com  or by calling 1-800-222-5361. 

BONO and THE EDGE Discuss Spiderman, the Musical

     MUSIC NEWS - U2's BONO and the EDGE sat down recently to talk their Broadway debut, Spiderman and their involvement in the new Marvel Entertainment musical.  Previews of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark start January 16, 2010 with the official start date being February 18, 2010 at the Hilton Theatre in NYC!  See video below-

Poison's BRET MICHAELS Learns the "Hard Knocks" of Broadway at the Tony Awards

     MUSIC NEWS - Poison's Bret Michaels (and star of MTV's Rock of Love) will certainly remember last night's Tony Awards show and his performance of Nothin' But a Good Time with the band for the B'way hair metal musical,  ROCK OF AGES.  At the close of the number, a piece of scenery was being lowered and knocked the rocker on his head.  Watch the video below to see Bret wrap up with the cast of hair band jukebox musical and you can see in the last few seconds of this video clip, that bit of cross-promotional synergy nearly cost him his life.

His publicist said Mr Michaels was "slightly injured," and that "Michaels was hoping to hit some after-parties but was getting X-rays as a precaution."  Wow, and he thought the rock n roll life with Poison was tough!

UPDATE 5:00pm - His publicist released word that Mr Michaels fractured his nose and had to get three stitches in his lip. He was getting a CAT scan today as a precaution.

PBS to Air Concert Revival of Brit Musical, CHESS, with Josh Groban and Idina Menzel

     MUSIC NEWS - PBS's Great Performances will air the London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, starring Josh Groban and Idina Menzel in Chess in Concert on PBS Wednesday, June 17th at 8 p.m. EDT (check local listings). Reprise Records will then release Chess in Concert (order below) as a two-CD set, a single audio CD, and on DVD beginning June 16th, 2009.  In addition, a three-disc Special Edition, which includes the two-CD set plus the DVD, will be available exclusively through Groban's official website and his official fan club site.  This limited-edition version includes music and video from the performance, a full-color booklet with cast photos and a synopsis by composer Tim Rice, sheet music for "Anthem" and "I Know Him So Well," plus an MP3 download of the two-CD audio content to be delivered on June 16th. Groban and Menzel led the cast in this very special 21st anniversary performance of the British cult musical at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2008. The book and lyrics are by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King) and the music is by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mamma Mia!). Also featured are the West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall.

More at www.joshgroban.com and www.idinamenzel.com.
 

Cuts at the BONO & THE EDGE Scored Spiderman:The Musical !

   MUSIC NEWS -  The upcoming Spiderman broadway musical is looking to be the most expensive in Broadway's history, according to published reports.  As previously reported, U2 frontman BONO and guitarist THE EDGE are both involved in writing the score for the new production, based on the Marvel comic.  Word out recently is that the production is expected to cost up to $40 million in order to complete.  The weekly production costs for the show are expected to go over $1 million, that means the show would have to run for 8,000 years to break even, reports the New York Post.  WOW !  According to the publication, the musical is facing a budget cut of $5 million due to these high estimates.  The show is being directed by Lion King director, Julie Taymor.  The majority of the money is apparently being spent on designer costumes and sets. Spiderman: The Musical is expected to open in New York City in 2009 at the Hilton Theatre (currently the home of Young Frankenstein).

In other U2 news; the band is expected to release a new cd in January '09 with a world tour to start in March !