| May 11: Michael will join The 52nd Street Project |
Michael will perform in Packing Peanuts: A Moving Experience with The 52nd Street Project, to be held at Espace (635 West 42nd Street, between 11th & 12th Avenues), on May 11 beginning at 7 pm. Jonathan Bernstein will direct, with music direction by Kimberly Grigsby. Other performers include Lilli Cooper, Sondre Lerche, Mary Testa and other special guests.
This spring gala will be a celebration of the Project's new home and first theater, opening later this year. The program will feature songs about home, moving and the Project, with lyrics by Project kids and music by Henry Krieger, Sondre Lerche, and Jeanine Tesori, among others. Peter Bernstein will play guitar.
The 52nd Street Project was founded in 1981 by actor/playwright Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for New York's inner-city children. Proceeds from the gala will support the project's original writing, performance, and tutoring programs.
Tickets begin at $250. For more information, or to purchase, call 212-333-5252.
Espace (635 West 42nd Street, between 11th & 12th Avenues), on May 11 beginning at 7 pm.
|
| Michael in new Hit Series "Fringe" |
As most of you know Michael has been appearing regularly on the hit TV series Fringe. He plays the Observer, a mysterious chilling character. His co-star Jasika Nicole mentioned him in a recent interview.
" Do you see the Observer [Michael Cerveris] all over the place?
I get to hang out with him in real life more than I ever got to see the Observer [on set]. We have a couple of friends in common and we’ve gone to some functions together. And he is a really cool guy. He came to my birthday party. My partner and I ended up hanging out and talking with him for like an hour. He’s just really cool. And he has eyebrows in real life, which a lot of people don’t know. He doesn’t look nearly as bizarre as he does when he’s on set.
In the scripts when they mention the Observer, they never say “we will see the Observer doing this blah blah blah.” There will be one line and it says, “You will be observed.” That’s also really creepy ... "
You can read the full article here: Red Eye Chicago
“Fringe,” which airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox. |
| Tuesday
March 31: Character Studies Talks With... Michael |
Michael will be the featured guest at the live interview session of
"Character Studies Talks With..." on Tuesday, March 31. Hosted by
writer/producer Tony Vellela, creator of the PBS series about
theatre, "Character Studies," who also writes the on-line Broadway
reviews column "Intermission Talk" from www.characterstudies.net, the
series features important figures from the world of theatre in a
lively discussion about their careers, followed by a questions period.
Michael's interview begins at 6:15 PM, at the theatre at the Drama
Book Shop, 250 west 40th street [1/2 block east of Port
Authority]. Earlier that afternoon,Vellela will share the stage with
noted actor / director / playwright Austin Pendleton, starting at 4:30 PM.
Tickets for the event are available by calling the Book Shop at 212 -
944 - 0595. Each session separately is $18, but anyone interested in
attending both will receive a discount = both sessions for
$25. Scripts of several productions Michael has starred in are
available for purchase at the Book Shop at a discount also, on the
day of the event. Because seating is very limited, doors will open
for purchasers of advance tickets fifteen minutes prior to the start
of each session, and then open to those who arrive at the start time.
|
| Monday
December 15: Original Cast of TOMMY Reuniting |
|
Tommy can you hear me? Finally what many people have
been waiting for - Michael will join others from the
original Cast of TOMMY for a special reunion concert.
Th 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert will be on Monday
night, December 15th, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the August
Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).
Appearing
with Michael will be original cast members: Michael
Arnold, Anthony Barrile, Bill Buell, Maria Calabrese,
Tracy Nicole Chapman, Paul Dobie, Jonathan Dokuchitz,
Tom Flynn, Cheryl Freeman (Fame on 42nd Street), Jody
Gelb, Christian Hoff, Paul Kandel, Donnie Kehr, Pam
Klinger, Lisa Leguillou, Norm Lewis, Michael McElroy,
Marcia Mitzman, Lee Morgan, Alice Ripley, Sherie Rene
Scott and Timothy Warmen.
Be
sure to get your tickets early because this will sell
out fast!
Tickets will range from $52 to $502 (including a $2
facility fee) and more information will be available
shortly on www.rockersonbroadway.com
and www.thepathfund.com.
The concert will benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights
AIDS and the Broadway Dreams Foundation.
|
| Sunday
October 12: Michael joins 10th anniversary of Joe's Pub |
|
The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis;
Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and Joe’s
Pub (Director, Shanta Thake; General Manager Kevin Abbott)
announce additions to the extraordinary lineup of the
Joe’s Pub 10th Anniversary Weekend featuring
10 for the 10th, a two-day series of 10
free concerts at Joe’s Pub, and an anniversary
Gala paying tribute to legendary musician, champion
of emerging artists, and New Yorker Judy Collins.
Michael
will appear on Sunday night at 9:30. The night is called
The Stew Songbook. He will star alongside
John Cameran Mitchell, Penny Arcade and more.
To get Free Tickets to the night visit www.joespub.com/content/view/153
This is a THREE step process.
1. REGISTER anytime between now and OCTOBER 5TH HERE
.
2. Then, starting Midnight October 1st through Midnight
October 5th, you can log on to join the virtual line
and SUBMIT A REQUEST for up to two tickets per show.
Select as many shows as you would like to attend.
3. LOG ON again on October 6th anytime to see if you
have been selected to receive a pair of tickets. People
are chosen at random, not in the order requests are
received.
To order tickets to the 10th Anniversary Gala, please
call (212) 539-8779, email gala@joespub.com or visit
www.joespub.com.
The complete lineup for the free concert series, which
will take place Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October
12, now includes performances by Baby Loves Salsa with
Jose Conde; Raul Midón; Jill Sobule with John
Wesley Harding; Imani Uzuri Presents Mosaic featuring
Haale, Matou and DJ Rekha; The Budos Band; Allen Toussaint;
Roy Nathanson and friends with Debbie Harry; Reggie
Watts with Kristen Schaal; , featuring
Michael Cerveris, John Cameron Mitchell, Penny Arcade,
and more; and BE IN: A Night of Music & Love with
members of the Public Theater’s Cast of HAIR.
A full schedule is available online at
www.joespub.com/content/view/153.
|
| Tues
Sept 30: Michael guest stars on hit sci-fi show "Fringe" |
|
Michael breathed new life into the sci-fi show "Fringe"
in last night's episode.. Fringe was created by JJ Abrams
who also created the superb show LOST. It stars Joshua
Jackson, Anna Torv, John Noble and Lance Reddick. The
show has created quite a buzz since it's debut a few
weeks ago.
Here are what some have said so far:
" Fringe needed its enigmatic figure, and The Observer
(Michael Cerveris) fits that bill quite nicely. Bald
with no eyebrows. Impeccably dressed. Likes his roast
beef sandwiches with precisely 11 jalepeños,
though claims he wouldn't much be able to taste Dr.
Bishop's rootbeer float. Present at three dozen instances
of the pattern. Doesn't seem to age. Oh, and he can
read Peter Bishop's thoughts." -
PASTE Magazine
"Two things really made “The Arrival”
stand out: first was Walter Bishop unhinged. ..Next
was the introduction of “The Observer.”
Observer (Played by Michael Cerveris) is a guy with
no eyebrows and severely underdeveloped taste buds.
He writes from right to left in some sort of weird language
and packs a whole bunch of futuristic technology. He
also has the ability to read minds. The Observer has
been photographed at various scenes related to “The
Pattern.” He’s either an alien, a time traveler,
or something else – regardless of what he is in
the show, he is a terrific visual for the show and creepy
as heck...Sufficiently moody, and laced with new and
intriguing elements, “The Arrival” shouldn’t
be missed by Fringe fans " - UGO
TV
"Tonight's episode definitely got me intrigued
about fringe science, and this is the first time I can
really say I'm looking forward to the next episode.Tonight's
episode definitely got me intrigued about fringe science,
and this is the first time I can really say I'm looking
forward to the next episode." - TV
Squad
Also check out the new
Fringe Fansite
In the preview
for Episode 1.04 -entitled "The Arrival",
the footage starts showing a suited man (Michael Cerveris)
writing an unreadable text in his notebook. Then, it
shifts to an explosion sequence in New York City after
which a man-in-black reports through his phone that
"it has arrived".
"The
Arrivals" will deal with the team's investigation
over a mysterious cylinder retrieved from the blasting
scene completely unharmed and the disturbing events
following. It is said that after Olivia uncovers an
unbelievable commonality between disturbing events,
Dr. Bishop takes matters into his own hands and Peter
is forced into field duty.
"The
Arrival" will air Tuesday, September 30 at 9:00
P.M. on Fox.
|
| This
fall: Michael returns to NY stage in Sondheim's Road Show |
|
This fall Michael will star in the off-Broadway
production of John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim's
Road Show (formally known as Bounce) .
The production will be directed by John Doyle who previously
directed Michael in the innovative and sensational revival
of Sweeney Todd. Michael will
star alongside Alexander Gemignani (Assasins) as the
Mizner brothers.
John
Doyle will also provide scenic design for the newly
revised musical.
This
will be the shows premiere in New York City. It will
play Oct. 28 - Dec. 28 at The Public's Newman
Theater. Opening night is Nov. 18. Be sure
to get your tickets early because they are expected
to go fast!
Road
Show is a tale of American dreamers who scramble
for success, identity and love in the early 20th century.
Music and lyrics are by Sondheim, and the book is by
Weidman, who previously collaborated together on the
musicals Assassins and Pacific
Overtures.
The
Road Show performance schedule is Tuesdays at 7 PM;
Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM
and 8 PM; and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM.
The
Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets
are $80 for Saturday evening performances and $70 for
all other performances. Student tickets are available
in advance, at the box office only, for $25 (1 per ID).
There are a limited number of Rush Tickets sold an hour
before curtain at every performance available to the
general public (two per person, $20 each, cash only).
To
purchase tickets call (212) 967-7555 or visit www.publictheater.org.
Read more information |
| Sept
15: Michael sings Lyrics by William Shakespeare |
Now that filming has completed on Cirque Du Freak, Michael
has returned to New York. On Sept 15, he will star along
with Darius de Haas (Marie Christine) and Carol Woods
(Follies) at the Kaye Playhouse, performing Lyrics of
William Shakespeare.
The
evening is presented by The Shakespeare Society and
will feature music that has been set to Shakespeare's
words. The music will be compiled from Stephen Sondheim,
Duke Ellington, Thomas Arne and Vaughan Williams.
Presiding
over the evening will be former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert
Pinsky, who will guide the audience through the selected
works.
Lyrics
By W. Shakespeare will take place at 6:30 PM
at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street
between Park & Lexington Avenues). Tickets are available
by calling (212) 772-4448. |
| Michael
stars in new movie, Cirque Du Freak |
Michael
is currently in New Orleans filming a brand new action
adventure movie, Cirque Du Freak. Michael says
it's "kind of a Harry Potter with
vampires -- a great big budget special effects movie
in which I play the terribly evil and unpleasant, but
darkly amusing (and 400 lbs.) Mr. Tiny." After
playing Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Michael
is used to being in makeup but this is the first time
he's had to wear a fat suit and endure 4 hours
a day of prosthetics.
The
movie is being directed by Paul Weitz (of American Pie
and About a Boy).
Lauren Schuler Donner (The X Men trilogy) is producing
for Universal,
It also stars Salma Hayek as Madame Truska, John C.
Reilly as Larten Crepsley, Patrick Fugit as Evra Von
and Josh Hutcherson as Steve.
Cirque Du Freak is based on a popular series of
young adult books by Darren Shan. There
are twelve books which are planned to be divided into
a trilogy.
The
project is set to film until June with a possible
release date of later this year.
|
| Support
for NY MS Society Walk on APRIL 13th |
Since
Michael and Gibson are currently in New Orleans filming,
Cirque Du Freak, they will not be able to attend
the MS Walk this year, an event that Michael and Gibson
have participated in over the past years. However, he
is still working for the cause and has a friend, Megan
McGinnis who will be doing the walking. The walk will
take place on April 13th. You too can support his extremely
worthwhile cause by donating online.
To
donate online:
|
| Michael
returns to Lincoln Center in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline |
|
Michael returned to Broadway
this fall in the Lincoln Center production of William
Shakespeare's Cymbeline
William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, which will begin
previews Nov. 1 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre with
an official opening scheduled for Dec. 2.
Directed
by Mark Lamos, the cast of 26 will feature Jonathan
Cake (Medea opposite Fiona Shaw), Michael Cerveris (Tony
Award for Assassins), John Cullum (Tony Awards for Shenandoah
and On the Twentieth Century), Martha Plimpton (Tony
nomination for The Coast of Utopia) and Phylicia Rashad
(Tony Award for A Raisin in the Sun). Additional casting
will be announced shortly.
Cymbeline,
according to press notes, "combines comedy, tragedy
and history into an epic tale of power and magic - its
action sweeping across Britain and Italy, as two warring
powers clash until its eventual joyful conclusion. The
characters [include] a Lear-like monarch (John Cullum),
a wicked queen (Phylicia Rashad), an Iago-like villain
(Jonathan Cake), a deceived husband (Michael Cerveris),
and a heroine, the king's daughter Imogen, Shakespeare’s
last great female role (Martha Plimpton)."
The
design team will comprise Michael Yeargan (sets), Jess
Goldstein (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and
Tony Smolenski IV and Walter Trarbach (sound). Original
music will be penned by Mel Marvin.
Lincoln
Center Theater's 2007-2008 season will also include
a new production of South Pacific. Bartlett Sher will
direct the latter, which is scheduled to begin previews
Feb. 28, 2008.
Cymbeline
will play Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM with matinees Wednesday
and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
Tickets,
priced $65-$90, will go on sale Sept. 9 by calling (212)
239-6200 or by visiting www.lct.org.
|
| April
12th: LoveMusik Opens! |
|
Michael stars in the new
Hal Prince- Alfred Uhry musical - LoveMusik,
It is the love story of composer Kurt Weill and actress
Lotte Lenya. The musical uses songs from composer Weill's
catalog. It begins Broadway performances April 12th
at the Biltmore Theatre.
The
Manhattan Theatre Club staging also stars Tony Award
winner and Michael's Passion costar
Donna Murphy as Lotte Lenya. Also in the cast are David
Pittu (as Bertolt Brecht) , John Scherer (as George
Davis), Judith Blazer (Titanic), Edwin Cahill, Herndon
Lackey (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Parade), Erik Liberman,
Ann Morrison (Merrily We Roll Along), Graham Rowat (Irving
Berlin's White Christmas, Dr. Zhivago), Rachel Ulanet
(King David) and Jessica Wright (2006's Company, 2005's
Sweeney Todd).
Rehearsals
began March 5 (at the same time Michael was performing
daily in King Lear). Suggested by the
letters of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, LoveMusik
features a book by Pulitzer and Tony Award winner Alfred
Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy, Parade), "a full range
of Kurt Weill songs," musical staging by Patricia
Birch (A Little Night Music), and direction by 21-time
Tony Award winner Harold Prince (The Phantom of the
Opera, Cabaret and Sweeney Todd).
LoveMusik,
officially opens on May 3rd. It "follows the lives
of the unlikeliest of lovers — the brilliant,
intellectual German composer Kurt Weill (Cerveris) and
the woman who became his muse and star, Lotte Lenya
(Murphy)," according to MTC. "LoveMusik is
an epic romance, set in Berlin, Paris, Broadway and
Hollywood, spanning 25 years in the lives of this complicated
couple."
Act
One is called "Europe," and Act Two is called
"America."
LoveMusik
features the lyrics of Maxwell Anderson, Bertolt Brecht,
Howard Dietz, Roger Fernay, Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein
II, Langston Hughes, Alan Jay Lerner, Maurice Magre,
Ogden Nash, Elmer Rice and Kurt Weill.
LoveMusik
is produced by Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow,
artistic director, Barry Grove, executive producer)
by special arrangement with Marty Bell, Aldo Scrofani,
Boyett Ostar Productions, Tracy Aron, Roger Berlind/Debra
Black, Chase Mishkin and Ted Snowdon. (The commercial
names attached indicate a hope for a future life beyond
its not-for-profit MTC launch.
The
LoveMusik
design and production team are Beowulf Boritt (scenic
design), Judith Dolan (costume design), Howell Binkley
(lighting design), Duncan Edwards (sound design), Paul
Huntley (wig design), Angelina Avallone (makeup design),
Mark Simon (casting), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations),
Kristen Blodgette (musical supervisor), Seymour Red
Press (music coordinator), Milton Granger (additional
vocal arrangements), and Nicholas Archer (conductor).
LoveMusik
tickets are currently on sale through June 17.
Tickets
are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200,
(800) 432-7250 outside the NYC metro area, online at
Telecharge.com, and at the Biltmore Theatre box office
(261 West 47th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue).
Tickets range in price from $76.25-$101.25.
Visit
www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for
more information.
|
| The
New York Times reports on Michael's double duty - King
Lear and Love Musik |
|
Busy Actor’s Long, Long Day: Shakespeare,
Weill and Rock
"THE alarm clock woke Michael Cerveris with a Kurt
Weill recording at 7:30 a.m. on a recent, blustery Tuesday
morning. By 9 Mr. Cerveris, the “Sweeney Todd”
star, had showered, dressed, checked e-mail and was
out walking his dog, Gibson. His distinctive shaved
head covered by a stocking cap, he ducked into a deli
and bought a healthful-looking green juice, which he
consumed in his living room with a bowl of organic oatmeal
and some vitamins. Crouching down, he gently fed Gibson
a few vitamins of her own, dipping them in peanut butter...."
read entire article
|
| April
9th : Michael joins Shakespeare birthday celebration |
|
Michael joined other Broadway stars in an all day marathon
celebrating Shakespeare's birthday. The Shakespeare
Society's second annual free Shakespeare Birthday Marathon
is on April 9 at 6:30 PM at the Kaye Playhouse.
The actors will perform scenes, speeches and songs from
the Bard's comedies and romances such as A Winter's
Tale, The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing.
The
event will also include an excerpt of Kenneth Branagh's
upcoming film version of As You Like It starring Kevin
Kline, Bryce Dallas Howard and Alfred Molina.
The
Kaye Playhouse is located at Hunter College on 69th
Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. The event
is free and open to the public. For more information
visit http://www.shakespearesociety.org/or
call (212) 327-3399.
read more information |
| Rehearsals
for King Lear and LoveMusik |
|
Playbill online reports:
"PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: Translations —
Nothing Lost in Hynes' Sight
By Harry Haun
29 Jan 2007 Also in rehearsal — times two, in
fact — was Michael Cerveris. "Right now,
there's sort of a battle between Kurt Weill and King
Lear for my chin and what grows on it," he said.
He's about to start playing Kent to Kevin Kline's Lear
at The Public by night while rehearsing Weill to Donna
Murphy's Lotte Lenya in LoveMusik for Broadway by day.
What a juggling act! "I know: no sense, no fear,"
he shrugged, "but it's two thrilling, exciting
things to work on — and I'm not going to say no
to challenges like these."
|
| Michael
in new movie and joins cast of King Lear |
|
Michael is currently shooting a movie called Brief
Interviews With Hideous Men directed by John
Krasinski (the Office USA).
Michael will also appear as Kent in King Lear
at the Public starring Kevin Kline early next year before
returning to Broadway in LoveMusik.
|
| December
18 : Michael appears in reading of The Philanderer |
|
Michael will appear on December 18 in a reading of The
Philanderer, the latest installment in Project
Shaw, will be presented Dec. 18th at 7pm at the Players
Club.
The
cast for the one-night-only reading of George Bernard
Shaw's comic play, hosted by Howard Kissel, will also
include Karen Ziemba, Nancy Anderson, David Garrison,
Peter Bartlett, Timothy Jerome and Liz Morton.
The
Philanderer, according to press notes, "introduces
Leonard Charteris, a man committed to remaining unattached.
He is a philosophizing philanderer who believes that
only conventional people marry while advanced people
form 'charming friendships.' But when he meets a self-described
'new woman' who belongs only to herself and is the property
of no man, he finds he may have met his match, if not
his mate."
The
Project Shaw series is produced and directed by David
Staller, who last year acted with Dana Ivey in Shaw's
Mrs. Warren's Profession at the Irish Repertory Theatre.
Dates stretching throughout 2006 and beyond will provide
an airing of every sketch, full-length and one-act play
by the playwright.
The
Players is located at 16 Gramercy Park South. For reservations
call (212) 475-6116 beginning Dec. 1. Visit www.projectshaw.com
for more information. |
| December
14 & 15 : Loser's Lounge Tribute to Elton John |
| Michael
will join the Loser's Lounge Tribute to Elton John
Thursday December 14 at 9pm and Friday December 15th
at 7pm and 9pm
As
of September 18th, 2006; Joe's Pub will be changing
our ticketing systems.
Please note a few changes in policy:
Tickets
can be purchased 24 hours a day online at joespub.com.
Between the hours of 10am and 9pm, tickets can be purchased
by phone at 212-967-7555. Between the
hours of 11am and 5pm tickets can be purchased and dinner
reservations can be made simultaneously by calling 212-539-8778.
You
may buy tickets in person at The Public Theater box
office, located at 425 Lafayette Street
from 1:00 pm to 6:00pm on Sundays and Mondays and 1:00pm
to 7:30pm from Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are
also available for purchase in person at Joe's Pub from
6:00pm to 10:00pm, seven days a week. Please note that
many shows at Joe's Pub do sell out in advance, so door
sales are subject to availability.
There
is no service fee charged at the box office or at the
door at Joe's Pub.
For all phone and web sales, there is a ticket service
fee of $2 for tickets $15 and under and $3 per ticket
for tickets higher than $15 (a substantial reduction
from the service fees prior to September 18th).
|
| December
1 : Michael appears in an oak tree |
| Michael
Cerveris will appear in the Tim Crouch's an
oak tree, a two-character play at the
Barrow Street Theatre in which one character is played
by a different actor each performance.
Each
guest actor, male or female, plays "the Father."
Crouch directs the play, and plays "the Hypnotist."
The premise of the play is that father's daughter has
just been killed in a car accident involving the hypnotist.
The
guests have never seen the play nor read the script
before walking on stage. They get their lines and directions
via an earpiece, a clipboard and from Crouch's dialogue
— it varies throughout the play
Past
guests have included F. Murray Abraham, Charles Busch,
Reed Birney and James Urbaniak.
Presenters
of an oak tree are the Perry Street Theatre (Martin
Platt, David Elliot, co-directors), Rosalie Beer, A.J.
Epstein and Richard Jordan Productions in association
with Barrow Street Theatre.
Friday, December 1st, 2006 at 9:30pm
The Barrow Street Theatre
27 Barrow Street, near Seventh Avenue.
Tickets are $45
Calling (212) 239-6200.
For more information visit http://www.perrystreettheatre.com/.
|
| October
5, 6 & 7: Loser's Lounge Tribute to Talking Heads |
| Michael
will be joining the wonderful 'losers' in their tribute
to Talking Heads on October 5, 6 & 7th. Be sure
to get your tickets early because these shows sell out
quickly!
Joe's
Pub
425 Lafayette Street
between East 4th and Astor Place
You
can buy tickets online here.
Thursday, October 5th: 9:30pm
Friday, October 6th: 7pm & 9:30pm
Saturday, October 7th: 7pm & 9:30pm
Directions: Adjacent
to the 6 train. Stop at the Astor Place station at Lafayette
Street and 4th Avenue. A
block and a half away from the N/R/W train. Stop at
the 8th Street/NYU stop at Broadway and walk one block
over to Lafayette Street.
|
| Tim
Burton and Johnny Depp Make big screen version of Sweeney
Todd |
| Taken
from Time Magazine:
By Barbara Kiviat & Sonja Steptoe
Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006
YET ANOTHER CUTTING-EDGE ROLE
Playing
a barber might seem a tame choice for JOHNNY DEPP. But
not when it's Sweeney Todd. Depp and director Tim Burton--who
previously teamed up on Edward Scissorhands and last
year's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory--are reuniting
for a movie version of the Stephen Sondheim musical
about the murderous London barber who shaves his clients
a little too closely. Depp, who will do his own singing,
popped by the Broadway revival earlier this year and
chatted with Michael Cerveris, the Tony-nominated thesp
who plays Sweeney. The part is grueling, Cerveris says,
but "we know Johnny Depp is very good with scissors.
Razors shouldn't be a problem."
|
| Sweeney
Todd to close on Sept 3. |
|
Sweeney Todd will be closing on Sunday
September 3rd so be sure to get your tickets now.
Order
Tickets Here from Telecharge
To order SWEENEY TODD tickets by phone, call 212-239-6200
(NYC Metro Area)
or 1-800-432-7250.
BOX
OFFICE
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
230 W. 49th St.
Box Office Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 10am-8pm
Sunday, 12pm-6pm
|
| FLEET
STREET ON THE BOWERY |
| Michael
played to a sold out Bowery Ballroom and raised $6500
for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
CERVERIS
with appearances by
Manoel Felciano
Lauren Molina
Ben Magnuson
Donna Lynn Champlin
and many other members of the Sweeney Todd company
and VERY special guests
NELLIE McKAY and
DUNCAN SHEIK
Monday, August 21 (8:00 PM doors)
@ BOWERY BALLROOM nyc's premiere music venue
6 Delancey Street (near Bowery), NY, NY 10002
phone: 212.533.2111
$20 advance/$25 at the door
16 AND OVER WITH A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID
For one night only, the company of Sweeney Todd--one
of the more remarkable performing ensembles in town--are
forsaking the rarefied environs of Broadway and reconnecting
with their downtown roots for an evening of new and
unexpected non-musical theater musical stylings. Michael
and his band will be performing songs from his first
album, Dog Eared as well as debuting songs from his
forthcoming release The Hinterlands EPs (both available
on Low Heat Records) due out in early autumn. Mano,
Lauren, Ben, Donna Lynn and the rest of the cast will
be performing a mixture of their own songs and covers,
joined by many other members of the Sweeney Todd company
of actor/musicians. They will be joined by the quixotic
and exquisite Nellie McKay (Threepenny Opera) and the
silver-voiced Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) performing
songs of their own and others.
The evening is being organized by Cerveris as a benefit
for BC/EFA, an entertainment industry leader in the
fight against AIDS and in the support and care of persons
afflicted with and affected by this devastating illness.
Tickets are onsale now and available with cash at the
box office at the Mercury Lounge, or with a credit card
through TicketWeb. TicketWeb accepts Visa, MasterCard,
American Express and Discover.
www.boweryballroom.com/index.php
www.ticketweb.com/user/?region=nyc&query=detail&event=680576
Box Office: located at the Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
(between Ludlow and Essex)
NYC
Hours are Monday through Saturday,
12 noon to 7 p.m.
212-260-4700
Take the F train to Second Avenue
|
|
Broadway Stands Up For Freedom |
| Concert
to Benefit the Youth Programs of the New York Civil
Liberties Union
Featuring:
Tony Award winners and stars Michael Cerveris (Sweeney
Todd, Assassins); Audra McDonald (A Raisin in the Sun,
Ragtime, Carousel); William Finn (Spelling Bee, Falsettos);
Cady Huffman (The Producers) Celia Keenan-Bolger (Spelling
Bee); Leah Hocking (Mamma Mia!); Cheyenne Jackson (All
Shook Up); Richard Easton (The Invention of Love); Jenn
Gambatese (All Shook Up, Tarzan); Brenda Braxton (Chicago);
Leah Hocking (Mamma Mia!); Barrett Foa (Avenue Q); Amanda
Green (High Fidelity); Thos Shipley (Miss Saigon); Todd
Buonopane (Spelling Bee); and founding performers Erich
Bergen and Liana Stampur
Musical
Director: Seth Rudetsky
Director:
Daniel Goldstein
Click here to purchase tickets, or contact Jaclyn Stoll
at 212-607-3343 or jstoll@nyclu.org.
Peter
Norton Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York City
Monday, July 24, 2006 at 7.30pm
Sponsor Packages begin at $250
Priority Tickets $100 and up
General Admission Tickets $50
Discount Tickets $10 (students, NYCLU/Symph Space members,
low-income, seniors, and union members)
You may also order general admission and discount tickets
through the Symphony Space box office at 212-864-5400
or www.symphonyspace.org.
|
|
Broadway Under the Stars |
| Michael
will participate in this year's Broadway Under the Stars.
It will be presented for the first time on Cental Park
Lawn. It will be directed by Jeff Calhoun and will pay
tribute to veteran director-producer Hal Prince.
The
evening will feature choreography by Chase Brock and
musical direction by Phil Reno, who will lead a live
orchestra. Fireworks will follow the 8 PM performance.
Also
performing will be Michael Arden (Big River), Carolee
Carmello (Mamma Mia!), Kevin Clay, Manoel Felciano (Sweeney
Todd), Renée Elise Goldsberry (The Color Purple),
Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line), Matthew Morrison (The
Light in the Piazza), Anika Noni Rose (Caroline, or
Change), Kelli O'Hara (The Pajama Game), Elaine Stritch
(Company), John Cullum (Urinetown), Christine Ebersole
(Grey Gardens), Sutton Foster (The Drowsy Chaperone),
Shuler Hensley (Tarzan), Brian d'Arcy James (The Lieutenant
of Inishmore), Jane Krakowski (Nine), Rebecca Luker
(Mary Poppins), Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago), the cast of
Jersey Boys (Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel
Reichard and J. Robert Spencer) and Grammy Award winner
Lee Ann Womack.
In
a statement, director Calhoun said, "Talk about
'a walk in the park'! How often does a director have
the opportunity to work with this many of Broadway's
most shining stars as well as 12 of the most accomplished
dancers in the city? Collectively they have been nominated
for over 40 Tony Awards and have garnered 18. This is
an evening of music from the shows of the greatest director/producer
in the American musical theatre. It doesn't get much
better than this."
Those attending should enter the park at West 81st Street
at Central Park West or East 79th Street at Fifth Avenue.
For more information visit broadwayunderthestars.com.
|
|
Michael nominated for Tony Award |
| Michael
has been nominated for a Tony Award for his critically
acclaimed performance of Sweeney Todd.
"I
slept through the nominations, as I always do. Anything
I need to know, I'll find out when I get up at a reasonable
hour! I woke up to a lot of texts and messages from
friends and family.
read
more of Michael's reaction to the news
Also nominated for Leading Actor in a Musical are: Harry
Connick, Jr. (The Pajama Game), Stephen Lynch (The Wedding
Singer), Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), John Lloyd
Young (Jersey Boys).
The show has also been nominated for Best Revival of
a Musical. Patti LuPone is also nominated for Leading
Actress in a Musical and Manoel Felciano for Best Featured
Actor in a Musical. John Doyle is nominated for Best
Director and Sarah Travis for Best Orchestrations.
Here are just some of the critics' response to Michael's
performance as the demon barber of Fleet Street.
The
Wall Street Journal:
"Michael Cerveris gives the performance of a lifetime
in the title role, one all the more potent because of
the production's bare-bones simplicity. With next to
no scenery to distract you -- not even a barber's chair
-- it's easy to lose yourself in the mad intensity of
his demonic stare. Mr. Cerveris, whose head is as smooth
as a cue ball, looks like an apostate monk on the prowl,
and when he proclaims that "they all deserve to
die," you know he means to slit every throat within
razor's reach. "
The New York Times:
" Mr. Cerveris's stunningly realized Sweeney seems
destined to haunt the nightmares of anyone who sees
him. His face shadowed into hollows by Richard G. Jones's
superb lighting, his eyes glazed with obsession and
all-encompassing contempt, he brings to mind black-and-white
photographs of serial killers from decades ago - pictures
you at first avert your eyes from and then stare at
in fascination. His voice has both the fiery sheen and
coldness of Sweeney's silver razors. He is, in a word,
magnificent. (He also plays a lovely lyric guitar.)"
NY1:
"Michael Cerveris is extraordinary. He is an equally
accomplished actor and singer, and we're moved by his
Sweeney, who is chillingly creepy and sympathetic."
The New York Post:
" As Sweeney, a surly, vibrant-voiced Cerveris
dominates the action, getting crazier as the body count
mounts."
Associated Press:
"As Sweeney, Cerveris is younger than most of the
others who have played the role. Yet what the actor
lacks in weight and age, he makes up for in passion.
There is a scary, cadaverous physicality to his performance,
and he sings the part with ferocity."
The New York Daily News:
"Michael Cerveris brings a sensuality to Sweeney,
and his voice is full of genuine anguish. Especially
in the first-act finale with Patti LuPone, who plays
Mrs. Lovett, we see that revenge and murder have their
lustful side."
|
|
Vote for Michael and Sweeney Todd on Broadway.com |
| Michael
and Sweeney Todd have already collected several awards
from the Drama League, the Drama Critics Circle and
the NY Theater Wire Critics.
Broadway.com is having a online audience awards. You
can vote here.
The Broadway musical version of Alice Walker's The
Color Purple led the list of 2006 Broadway.com
Audience Award nominees, earning an impressive 13 nods.
Also proving to be favorites with Broadway.com users
were Sweeney Todd and The Drowsy
Chaperone, earning nine and eight nominations,
respectively.
Final voting for the Broadway.com Audience Awards takes
place through 11:59PM on Thursday, June 1. Winners will
be announced on Monday, June 5.
And stay tuned May 16 for the Tony nominations and May
15th for Outer Critics Circle nominations...
|
|
Sweeney Todd wins Drama League Award for Distinguished
Revival of Musical |
|
Patti LuPone was also honored with the Distinguished
Achievement in Musical Theatre Award. The
Drama League Awards, hosted by Alan Cumming, was held
on Friday, May 5th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in
Times Square.
|
|
May 19th: Michael will appear on 'Theatre Talk ' |
| Michael
will appear on 'Theatre Talk' on Friday, May 19th at
midnight on channel 13 in New York. It will also air
on PBS affiliates in Boston, Hartford, and Washington,
D.C.
|
|
April 24 & 25: Michael will host the Easter Bonnet
Benefit |
| This
year, Michael will be one of the hosts for the annual
Easter Bonnet Competition April 24 and 25 at the New
Amsterdam Theatre. The two-day spectacular (April 24
at 4:30 PM and April 25 at 2 PM) will feature the companies
of various Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring productions,
and the shows will offer skits, songs and/or dances
as well as a bonnet created specially for the competition.
A
benefit for BC/EFA, the Easter Bonnet Competition ends
a six-week period of intensive fundraising by the assorted
Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Curtain speeches, autographed
posters and program sales, auctions and cabaret performances
are all part of the fundraising effort, which brings
in hundreds of thousands of dollars. The company that
raises the most funds for BC/EFA will be awarded a prize
at the Easter Bonnet Competition. A second prize will
be awarded to the company with the best bonnet design
and presentation. Additional awards will be presented
to the Broadway play, national tour and Off-Broadway
production raising the most money.
Last
year's competition raised a record-breaking $2,849,067
for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which is the
nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund-raising
and grant-making organization.
Tickets
for the event are priced $350 VIP orchestra (front and
center); $200 priority orchestra (middle and side);
$100 rear orchestra and front mezzanine; $40 mezzanine;
and $20 balcony. Those interested in attending the event
should call (212) 840-0770, ext. 268 or visit www.broadwaycares.org.
The
New Amsterdam Theatre is located at 214 West 42nd Street.
|
|
March 3: Michael will appear on 'The Isaac Mizrahi Show'
|
| Michael
will appear on the Isacc Mizrahi Show. It will air on
The Style Network on March 3rd, 2006 at 7:00PM. It will
be repeated on E! Network on a separate date (TBD).
|
|
February 26: Michael writes for New York Times |
| You
can find out what what new music Michael recommends
in a new article he has written for the New York Times:
" Michael
Cerveris plays the throat-slicing, guitar-picking Sweeney
in the pared-down revival of "Sweeney Todd."
Though it's his fourth leading role in a Broadway musical
(there were turns in "Assassins," "The
Who's Tommy" and "Titanic"), Mr. Cerveris
would rather be a rock star. In 2004, he released "Dog
Eared" (Low Heat), with cameos by members of Sonic
Youth and Sleater-Kinney. His vocals and guitar can
also be heard on the "Sweeney Todd" cast album,
released on Nonesuch in January, and he has plans for
an early summer release of an EP, "hinterlands
(the history of tears)" (Low Heat). Mr. Cerveris
spoke with Winter Miller about what he has been listening
to. "
read full article |
|
Feb 13: So In Love: A Night of Romance at the Rainbow
Room |
| Michael
will join other Broadway stars at "So In Love:
A Night of Romance at the Rainbow Room". The concert
will raise funds for the Drama Leauge and also feature
Harry Connick Jr., Liz Callaway, Julia Murney, Mary
Testa, Marian Seldes, Richard Easton, Katie Clarke,
Tina Fabrique, Liz McCartney and Roz Ryan. Hugh Jackman
serves as Honorary Chairman.
Tickets for So In Love are $500-$2,500
which includes the concert, a pre-gala cocktail reception
and a full three-course dinner. A limited number of
“show only” tickets are also available for
$85 each.
To
arrange tickets for the concert or for any additional
information about The Drama League, please call Derek
Travis Collard, The Drama League’s Director of
Special Events at (212) 244-9494, ext. 5. For more information,
please visit www.dramaleague.org.
|
|
Sweeney Todd Available on CD |
| The
original cast recording for Sweeney Todd is now available.
" Like everything else in this show and on this
stupendous album, Cerveris and Lupone have rendered
their version the definitive one.
| Amazon.com
says. "Tony Award winners Michael
Ceveris (Assassins) and Patti Lupone (Evita) lead
a ten-person ensemble as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett
in the cast album from the celebrated new Broadway
production of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of
Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Originally produced in 1979, and considered a core
work of Sondheim canon, Sweeney Todd has not been
seen on Broadway in more than sixteen years. The
revival opened to unanimous raves at the Eugene
O'Neill Theater.... The 2005 revival of Stephen
Sondheim's 1979 Grand Guignol masterpiece Sweeney
Todd illustrates what happens when you have a director
with genuine vision. The show has been completely
reivented, yet at the same time its dark core has
been masterfully unveiled, not betrayed."
read more about Sweeney Todd |
|
|
|
Sweeney Todd: Opening Night |
| Michael
and the rest of the cast were showered with red and
white roses from the audience and shouts of Bravo during
the long enthusiastic standing ovation on Sweeney Todd's
opening night.
The Wall Street Journal:
"Michael Cerveris gives the performance of a lifetime
in the title role, one all the more potent because of
the production's bare-bones simplicity. With next to
no scenery to distract you -- not even a barber's chair
-- it's easy to lose yourself in the mad intensity of
his demonic stare. Mr. Cerveris, whose head is as smooth
as a cue ball, looks like an apostate monk on the prowl,
and when he proclaims that "they all deserve to
die," you know he means to slit every throat within
razor's reach. "
The New York Times:
" Mr. Cerveris's stunningly realized Sweeney seems
destined to haunt the nightmares of anyone who sees
him. His face shadowed into hollows by Richard G. Jones's
superb lighting, his eyes glazed with obsession and
all-encompassing contempt, he brings to mind black-and-white
photographs of serial killers from decades ago - pictures
you at first avert your eyes from and then stare at
in fascination. His voice has both the fiery sheen and
coldness of Sweeney's silver razors. He is, in a word,
magnificent. (He also plays a lovely lyric guitar.)"
NY1:
"Michael Cerveris is extraordinary. He is an equally
accomplished actor and singer, and we're moved by his
Sweeney, who is chillingly creepy and sympathetic."
The New York Post:
"The cast is tremendous, keeping the proceedings
going with such style, simplicity and involvement that
they make it impossible to imagine the musical being
performed in any other way or by anyone else. As Sweeney,
a surly, vibrant-voiced Cerveris dominates the action,
getting crazier as the body count mounts."
Associated Press:
"As Sweeney, Cerveris is younger than most of the
others who have played the role. Yet what the actor
lacks in weight and age, he makes up for in passion.
There is a scary, cadaverous physicality to his performance,
and he sings the part with ferocity."
Theatremania:
"Cerveris as a bald Sweeney is both an accomplished
guitarist and an accomplished Sweeney -- tightly wound,
glowering, raising his razors triumphantly high. "
The New York Daily News:
"Michael Cerveris brings a sensuality to Sweeney,
and his voice is full of genuine anguish. Especially
in the first-act finale with Patti LuPone, who plays
Mrs. Lovett, we see that revenge and murder have their
lustful side."
USA Today:
"Doyle.. has acquired a company whose virtuosity
is matched by a breathtaking chemistry. This is especially
true of Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, who play
the avenging Todd and Mrs. Lovett, the piemaker who
devises a scheme to make his bloodlust profitable."

Read entire reviews
here. |
|
Sweeney hits the newstands! |
| Michael
and his exciting new role as Sweeney Todd is mentioned
in numerous magazines this month including: The
New York Times, New York Magazine,
Vogue, Time Out and
the upcoming issues of Elle and Oprah
Magazines.
From
Oprah Magazine:
" On guitar, Michael Cerveris' Sweeney Todd is
a shattering study of rage and desolation. As in all
Sondheim musicals, the wit is lacerating, the melancoly
is incandescent, the truth is timeless. Says Cerveris
(who has a Tony of his own for Sondheim's Assassins).
"Temperance and tolerance are being shouted down
in this country. You don't have to look past the front
page to see what revenge leads to and that's the meaning
of Sweeney Todd." "
Read entire articles
here. |
|
Sweeney Todd on Broadway |
| Michael
Cerveris will return to Broadway this fall, starring
as the legendary demon barber of Fleet Street. This
exciting new production puts new twists on Sondheim's
masterpiece musical thriller. This time the action takes
place in a mental hospital and the cast do double duty
as actors and musicians. Michael will play guitar. Patti
LuPone costars as Mrs. Lovett and is set to play tuba.
Eugene
O'Neill Theatre
230 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019
Previews
start October 3rd 2005 and the show opens on November
3rd.
Performances from October 3rd to November 5th are:
Evenings Monday - Saturday at 8pm
Matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm
From
November 6th: Evenings Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday - Saturday
at 8pm
Matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
The
show runs for two hours, 20 minutes, including one 15-minute
intermission.
Call Telecharge on 212-239-6200 or go to telecharge.com.
Tickets cost from $36.25 - $101.25.
more information |
|
October 16: Play on Broadway! |
| The
First-Ever Broadway Game Show!!!
Michael will be performing in Play on Broadway!
The Event is in support of the Todd Lundquist Benefit
fun and will be hosted by Julie Halston (Gypsy, Hairspray).
In the tradition of great television game shows, PLAY
ON BROADWAY is a one-of-a-kind, fully interactive event
in which Broadway celebrities will play alongside audience
members for chances to win fabulous prizes. The evening
will consist of games inspired by all-time TV favorites
tailored to test our celebrity and our audience's knowledge
of Broadway. Each game will conclude with one celebrity
winner and one audience prize winner.
Date: Sunday, October 16, 2005
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Roundabout’s Laura Pels
Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for
the Arts (111 West 46th Street).
Tickets: $75 (mezzanine), $150 (rear
orchestra, $75 of which is tax deductible) and $275
(front orchestra, $200 of which is tax deductible).
The $275 seats include admission to the exclusive post-show
celebration at Balzano’s (1515 Broadway at Shubert
Alley). To purchase tickets, please call TheaterMania.com
at 212-352-3101. To order, or for more information,
please call 917-664-1779.
more information |
|
Raves for Ravinia |
| Talkin'
Broadway: "Cerveris, whose stature
as premier Sondheim leading man was established by his
Tony win for Assassins and his television
performance in Passion, holds on to
his crown quite easily with this performance. Refreshingly,
we got to see him play a happy and well-adjusted if
legally insane character this time, rather than one
of the tormented souls of Assassins,
Passion, and Sunday in the
Park with George. Sporting a Mike Meyers look-alike
wig, Cerveris goes positively goofy as Hapgood, having
fun with “Simple” while delivering a relaxed
but sincere rendition of “Everybody Says Don’t”
.. Cerveris found a way to make this underwritten character
work. He avoided the temptation to make Hapgood a latter-day
Harold Hill or any type of traditional leading man,
but instead a warm and funny scamp who relishes the
opportunity to make mischief for the corrupt Mayoress
Cora Hoover Hooper and her coterie of scoundrels. Vocally,
he had a tonal color and a confident delivery that certainly
surpassed the recorded performances.."
Chicago Sun Times: "
As for Cerveris, who will play the demon barber Sweeney
Todd on Broadway this season, he could not
have been more charming. Looking startlingly different
in a shaggy wig, he was a sweet, offbeat foil for McDonald's
seriousness, bringing an especially lovely, childlike
quality to "Everybody Says Don't." "
more
|
|
July 23rd: Cerveris Live @Bowery Ballroom with Teenage
Fanclub |
| Michael
will be starting off the summer with an exciting gig
at Bowery Ballroom this Saturday July 23rd. He and his
band will open for Teenage Fanclub.
Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub played on Michael's
debut album, Dog Eared.
Bowery Ballroom is at 6 Delancey, NY, NY 10002
phone: 212.533.2111
tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/
They are also available at Mercury Lounge without a
service charge
Be sure to pick them up IMMEDIATELY if you can, because
it will certainly sell out!
|
|
June 13th: Broadway Under the Stars |
| Michael
will make perform at this years annual concert "Broadway
Under the Stars". The show will be at 8:30pm in
Byrant Park.
Christina Applegate (Sweet Charity) and the Radio City
Rockettes, Rorbert Leo Butz, Raul Esparza, Dan Fogler,
Hunter Foster, Victor Garber, Cheyenne Jackson, Marc
Kudisch, Christopher Sieber and Tom Wopat are also scheduled
to perform.
Tony
Award winner Scott Wittman — of Hairspray fame
— will direct this year's concert, which will
celebrate the songs of the late Cy Coleman and Fred
Ebb and will feature a 30-piece live orchestra conducted
by Phil Reno.
The
concert will be broadcast on CBS-2 in Manhattan Saturday,
June 18 at 7 pm ET.
Bryant Park
Between 40th and 42nd Streets, off Sixth Avenue
tickets: FREE
|
|
May 28th: Captain Louie |
| Michael
will make a special guest appearance on Saturday afternoon,
May 28 right before the matinee performance of Captain
Louie.
Michael
will entertain audience members of the kid-friendly
musical by reading portions of the book upon which the
Stephen Schwartz musical is based. Captain Louie,
which plays the York Theatre Company through June 12,
is based on Ezra Jack Keats' "The Trip," a
1978 children's picture book.
Saturday, May 28th
11:30 AM and 2:30 PM
The York Theatre Company
619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street.
Tickets: $35, are available by calling (212) 868-4444
or by visiting
www.smarttix.com.
read
more |
|
June 3 & 4: Michael @ Losers Lounge presents the Smiths
v. the Cure |
| Michael
will be joining the Losers Lounge special presentation
"The Cure vs. The Smiths"
The First Ever Loser's Lounge Battle Royale. He will
be performing the Smiths' classic "How Soon is
Now".
Friday, June 3 @ 8pm & 11pm
Saturday, June 4 @ 8pm & 11pm
Knitting Factory
74 Leonard Street
New York, NY 10013
phone 212-219-3132
Knitting
Factory website
Buy tickets here
at Ticketweb.com
|
|
May 12-16: Michael performs in the Apple Tree |
| Michael
will star along with Kristin Chenoweth in the New York
City Center’s annual Gala on May 16, 2005, featuring
a special benefit performance of Encores! The
Apple Tree, The event is honoring Broadway
producers Fran and Barry Weissler. This exciting evening
includes a pre-performance cocktail reception, and post-performance
dinner.
The
Apple Tree is a unique evening of three one-act
musicals about men, women and a little thing called
temptation from the songwriting team of Fiddler On The
Roof and She Loves Me. The first one-act based on Mark
Twain’s "The Diary Of Adam and Eve"
is a quirky, touching spin on the tale of the world's
first couple. The second, “The Lady Or The Tiger?,"
explores the fickleness of love in a fable set in a
mythical barbarian kingdom. Finally, "Passionella"
is based on Jules Feiffer's offbeat Cinderella-story
about a chimney sweep, whose dreams of being a "glamorous
movie star" nearly sabotage her one chance for
true love. Notable songs include "What Makes Me
Love Him?", "Go To Sleep Whatever You Are"
and "Oh, To Be A Movie Star".
Ticket are $25 to $90 and are available now online
or
by calling CityTix® at 212-581-1212 or 1-877-581-1212
(outside metropolitan NYC, NJ, & CT) or through
the City Center Box Office, on West 55th Street between
6th & 7th Avenues
visit website
|
|
April 13: Michael and Des McNuff talk at Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame Museum |
| Wednesday,
April 13, 7:00 p.m. – Michael will join director
Des McAnuff in the Museum’s Fourth Floor Theater
to talk about the Broadway production of Tommy.
Tickets to this event are $5 and are currently on sale.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
One Key Plaza
751 Erieside Ave
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
The Rock Hall is located at: One Key Plaza, 751 Erieside
Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Drive toward Downtown Cleveland
on I-77, I-71 or I-90. Take the East 9th Street exit
and drive north until you reach the Hall of Fame and
Museum. If you drive into Lake Erie, you've gone too
far.
If
you choose public transit, take a bus or the Rapid downtown
to Public Square. Transfer to the Waterfront Rapid Line
for a short ride to the North Coast Harbor station.
From there, it's a short walk to the Museum. For more
information on public transportation, call RTA at (216)
621-9500.
read press release
visit website
|
|
Reviews: Passion @ Lincoln Center |
| photo
by Richard Termine
(larger
Image)
The New York Times: "Giorgio,
the object of Fosca's intemperate desire, is played
by Michael Cerveris, the foremost interpreter of this
equally demanding role in recent years. (He also played
it in the Kennedy Center production of 2002, and in
concert last fall with Ms. Murphy and Marin Mazzie.)
In the early scenes he sings with a bright clarity that
darkens and takes on stronger emotional coloring as
Fosca's presence comes to dominate Giorgio's thoughts,
her voice seeping into the corners of his psyche like
a spreading bloodstain.
Giorgio
has never had to think about love, because it has come
as naturally into his life as sunlight. Fosca forces
him to confront this ignorance, to examine the depth
and color of his feelings for his lover, Clara, who
is played - magnificently - by Audra McDonald. (Her
bright, burnished soprano is sunlight itself.) The macabre
paradox of "Passion" is that Giorgio's emotional
awakening nearly destroys him. Mr. Cerveris makes palpably
clear that as he rises to the challenges of Fosca's
love, Giorgio is as physically ravaged as he is spiritually
ennobled." read
entire review
Variety: "The true force of this
"Passion" is the gifted Cerveris, especially
when compared with the original cast's wooden Jere Shea.
Cerveris is quietly masculine and charismatic, and his
rich, bold baritone invests thrilling emotion into the
role, in particular the reproachful "Is This What
You Call Love?" and "No One Has Ever Loved
Me," sung with the clarity of a character whose
eyes and heart have been freshly opened. As much as
Fosca, this is a show about the painful enlightenment
of Giorgio's journey to love, and Cerveris makes that
journey vivid and compelling."
Talking Broadway: "Cerveris is up to the
challenge, as a veteran of Giorgio who's played the
role a number of times already (including at the Kennedy
Center in 2002). He continues to grow in the role, which
he interprets with an increasingly wary youthful alacrity,
and manages to find new dramatic colors as his character
moves from love to agitation to outrage and then to
passion and despair."
NY Daily News: "Few male performers
have the vocal richness or dramatic intensity of Michael
Cerveris, who plays Giorgio superbly."
|
|
Backstage: Wall to Wall review |
| "If
"Wall to Wall" had any real star, however,
it was Cerveris -- a newly minted Tony winner for his
work in the revival of Sondheim's "Assassins"
last season. From number to number, he showed a seemingly
inexhaustible range. His steeliness opposite Errico
in the title number from "Sunday in the Park With
George" contained exactitude and was thus terrifically
unnerving. After blowing a lyric in "Color and
Light," also from "Sunday," not only
did he recapture his footing, but he gave audiences
unfamiliar with the tuner some clues about its Pulitzer
Prize-winning craftsmanship.
He
was also fantastically consistent. Opposite Mary Beth
Peil, he sang "Beautiful," also from "Sunday,"
with quick-to-the-draw tenderness. Then, in "Loving
You" from "Passion," opposite Judy Kuhn,
he segued into well-tended emotion. In the title song
from "Anyone Can Whistle," his delivery was
suffused with yearning, while in "The Gun Song"
from "Assassins," performed with Becky Ann
Baker, James Clow, and Merwin Foard, he was mordantly
funny. In "The Ballad of Booth," also from
"Assassins," he was paired with Patrick Cassidy,
who starred in the original 1991 production and showed
an extraordinary generosity of spirit. Finally, Cerveris
showed he could be an ensemble player as well: His part
in "A Weekend in the Country" from "A
Little Night Music" was on a flawless, decidedly
un-hammy par with Kate Baldwin, Laura Benanti, John
Dossett, Randy Graff, and Danny Gurwin."
read entire review
|
| April
11 : Sondheim Serenade at Roundabout Theatre |
| Michael
will also join Christine Baranski, Polly Bergen, Barbara
Cook, Alan Cumming, Boyd Gaines, Victor Garber, Judith
Ivey, Judy Kuhn, Marin Mazzie, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy
and Bernadette Peters at the Roundabout Theatre Company's
annual spring gala honoring Stephen Sondheim, April
11.
The
event — which will include an intimate dinner
and entertainment — will take place at Pier Sixty
at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Scott Ellis (Twelve
Angry Men) will direct the evening's highlight of an
"original, all-star musical tribute," according
to an announcement.
Sondheim
will be presented with The Jason Robards Award for Excellence
in Theatre — named for the stage and screen actor
who served on Roundabout's Board of Directors.
For more information, contact Steve Schaeffer at (212)
719-9393 or visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.
|
| April
9: Losers Lounge at Bowery Ballroom |
| Michael
will join the Loser's from Loser's Lounge as they encore
their sold out Queen tribute at Bowery Ballroom.
Saturday, April 9th at Bowery Ballroom
Tickets only $17 in advance
The Queen tribute sold on in record time at Fez, so
buy tickets early & often!
Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey Street NYC
http://www.loserslounge.com/ |
| March
30, 31 April 1: Passion at Lincoln Center |
| Michael
will rejoin Ravinia cast mates Patti Lupone and Audra
MacDonald, this Spring in the Lincoln Center's performance
of Passion. Lonny Price will direct
and Paul Gemignani is the musical director.
Wednesday, March 30: 7pm
Thursday, March 31: 8pm
Friday, April 1: 8pm
The
Rose Theater
Lincoln Center
The Rose Theater is located on the 5th floor of the
Time Warner Center at Broadway and 60th St.
Directions:
By subway: Take the A, B, C, D, #1 or #9 trains to 59th
Street/Columbus Circle.
By
bus: The M5, M7, M10, M11 and M104 bus lines all stop
within one block of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Buy
tickets online now at LincolnCenter.org
The show will also be broadcast on PBS.
Read more. |
| March
21 : Sondheim 75th Birthday Children and Art |
| Michael
will join other Broadway stars to celebrate Stephen
Sondheim's 75th Birthday. The event "Children
and Art" will take place on March 21 at
Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre.
All proceeds will benefit Young Playwrights
Inc., an organization founded by Stephen Sondheim in
1981.
New
Amsterdam Theater
March 21st
7:30pm
tickets range from $500-$5,000 and are now available
by calling Young Playwrights Inc. at (212) 594-5440.
Tickets at the $1,500 level and above include an exclusive
post-show dinner with Stephen Sondheim at the Four Seasons
(99 East 52nd Street). Balcony tickets are available
at $150 and $250.
For more information visit www.sondheim75.com.
Read more
|
| March
19 : Wall to Wall Sondheim |
| Michael
will join other Broadway stars part of Symphony Space's
Wall to Wall Stephen Sondheim salute March 19 at the
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.
The
35th Wall to Wall concert is set to begin at 11 AM and
will continue for 12 hours at the New York City landmark.
Michael will be performing:
Sunday In The Park With George with Melissa Errico @
2:50
Beautiful with Mary Beth Peil @ 3:01
Color & Light with Melissa Errico @ 3:10
Scene 11 from Passion with Judy Kuhn @ 4:27
Ballad Of Booth with Patrick Cassidy @ 6:13
The Gun Song with the Broadway cast @ 9:12
Franklin Sheppard Inc. with Lonny Price @ 10:19
The event will also be live all day on XFM satellite
radio and also online
3 Day free trial of XFM online:
http://xmradio.com/xstream/registration/registration.jsp?userForward=default
and from NOON to 4PM on WNYC
Tickets to Symphony Space are first come first served
all day. People will be lining up VERY early and they'll
try to get people in as people leave during the day.
For more information visit:
http://www.symphonyspace.org/genres/eventPage.php?genreId=1&eventId=1005
Read
More
|
| March
14 : Miscast |
| Michael
will join
Ana Gasteyer, Jackie Hoffman, Andrea Martin, Steven
Pasquale, Bruce Vilanch and Tom Wopat in the upcoming
Miscast in MCC Theatre's popular annual benefit, March
14.
The celebrated
signature musical revue directed by Scott Wittman (Hairspray)
will perform this year at Roseland. Miscast
features Broadway performers singing popular Broadway
showtunes. The catch is each performer sings songs for
roles in which they would never be cast.
Miscast begins at 6:30 PM with cocktails
and a 7:30 PM welcome, dinner and awards presentation.
Dessert follows with the performance set for a 9 PM
start.
Tickets
range from $350-$2,000 for individuals. Tables are available
at $7,500 $20,000. For reservations, call (212) 727-7722,
extension 32. A live and silent auction will also be
held, items can be previewed and bid upon online at
www.mcctheater.cmarket.com.
|
| February
17- 20 and 22-26: History of Tears |
| Michael
has co-created a play with music along with director
Nick Phillippou and writer Michael Tisdale entitled,
"The History of Tears". The experimental piece
is an adaptation of Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young
Werther", an 18th century German Romantic novel
of youth love, loss and suicide.
The work is being performed by undergraduates at NYU's
Tisch School of the Arts on Feb 17-20 and 22-26 @ 8
and one matinee on the 26th at 2pm.
see flyer
|
| February
15: Cerveris @ Post
Valentine's Day Massacre Show |
| Michael
will be performing with Chris Weilding and Claudia Chopek
at Matt Keating's Post Valentine Day Massacre Show on
Tuesday, February 15th.
FEB 15 Matt Keating's Post Valentine's Day Massacre
Show
@Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
Bet East Houston and Stanton
new York, NY 10002
212 - 477 - 4155
http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/
8:00 Jenna Torres
8:20 James Vidos
8:40 Michael Cerveris
9:00 or so Matt Keating (possibly w/ wife Emily Spray)
10:00 or so Jeff London
|
| February
7: Dog Eared Listed in top 100 |
| Michael's
debut album was listed in Hoboken City's top 100 albums
of 2004.
55.
CERVERIS - Dog Eared (Low Heat)
The only indie rocker who won a Tony Award
in 2004, Michael Cerveris imbues his solo debut with
enough heartache to fill a Buick, and enough indie-cred
guest stars to fill a minibus
http://hobokenrockcity.com/blog.asp
|
| February
5 & 12: Losers' Lounge Tribute to Queen |
| The
wonderful Losers at Losers' Lounge return this month
with a sure to be exciting tribute to Queen. Michael
will be joining them Saturday February 5th and 12th.
February 4, 5, 11 and 12
At Fez Under Time Cafe
380 Lafayette Street at Great Jones
New York, NY
Tickets are $20
Fez Info: 212-533-7000
http://www.feznyc.com/
http://www.loserslounge.com/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/loserslounge/
|
| January
31: Cerveris @ ACE OF CLUBS |
| FINAL
SHOW
MONDAY 31 January
@ Ace of Clubs (formerly Acme Underground)
9 Great Jones Street
$10 no drink minimum
7PM doors
with
JULIA GREENBERG
special guest comedian DEMETRI MARTIN
and very special appearance by Laura Cantrell
Co-creator of the recent Off Broadway hit People
Are Wrong, Julia Greenberg’s CD, "Past
Your Eyes," available on Cropduster.com,
made it to two 1999 top 10 lists, and got raves from
the music press including the New York Times, CMJ New
Music Report, Performing Songwriter, and the Village
Voice. Her single “Pitiful You” was downloaded
so extensively on Rollingstone.com that it charted in
Rolling StoneMagazine.
Demetri
Martin is a very funny young comedian who's written
for Conan and appeared on Letterman, Conan, and Carson
Daly www.demetrimartin.com.
Matador
recording artist Laura Cantrell is the much loved country
singer/songwriter and WFUV DJ who will be performing
a full show at Lincoln Center's American Songbook series
in February. On stage, on record, and on the radio,
Laura Cantrell has made a name for herself by combining
a love of traditional country and folk music with a
modern sensibility that informs a sound both timeless
and thoroughly original.“My favourite record of
the last ten years and possibly my life is an LP by
a New York woman born in Nashville called Laura Cantrell.
It’s country, and I don’t know why I like
it, but it has the same sort of effect on me as Roy
Orbison had in the ‘60s.”— John Peel,
BBC Radio 1
http://www.lauracantrell.com/
|
| February
7 : Michael joins Cabaret Gourmet |
Michael
will join other Broadway performers at this year's Cabaret
Gourmet. The event
includes dinner from many top restaurants in New York.
Other performers include: Sarita Choudhury, Peter Dinklage,
Ana Gasteyer, Buck Henry, Anthony Mackie and Karen Ziemba.
The evening will also feature silent and live auctions
with exciting prizes such as prime seats to some of Broadway¹s
hottest shows, travel packages, culinary treats and more.
Cabaret Gourmet
Monday, February 7th
Time:7:00 9:30 PM
Canal Room
285 West Broadway @ Canal Street.
Tickets are $200; and $2,5000 - $3,000 per VIP prime seating
table (limited availability).
For reservations call The Play Company at (212) 398-2977
or contact Special Events Manager Phillip Guttmann (pguttmann@playco.org).
|
| August
26-27 2005: Anyone Can Whistle at Ravinia |
This
summer Michael will once again return to Chicago's Ravinia
Festival to star in Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle.
He will play Dr. J. Bowden Hapgood, the stranger to a
strange town.
Michael's fellow Tony winners and past Ravinia costars
Audra MacDonald and Patti LuPone will play Fay Apple and
Cora Hoover Hooper respectively.
Anyone Can Whistle will be part of the
Ravinia's Sondheim 75 series, a five-year salute to the
works of the famed composer, which will culminate in 2005
with Sondheim's 75th birthday.The amusing musical will
be directed by Lonny Price with musical direction by Paul
Gemignani. .
Marcus
Aurelius said "The object of life is not to be on
the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself
in the ranks of the insane." Anyone Can Whistle,
an absurdist social satire about insanity and conformity
(among a dozen other things) is probably the bravest show
Stephen Sondheim wrote, at least until Assassins.
(Sondheim.com)
Among many beautiful songs, Michael will sing two of the
most memorable "Everybody Says Don't" and "With
So Little to Be Sure of"(duet with Audra MacDonald).
The Ravinia Theatre
Highland Park, IL
The Pavilian
Friday, August 26, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale in April.
Ravinia.org
|
| March
19 2005: Michael joins Stephen Sondheim tribute |
Michael
will perform in a tribute to Stephen Sondheim on March
19, 2005. The 12 hour long - Wall to Wall Concert is presented
by Symphony Space and will take place at the Peter Jay
Sharp Theatre.
Hundreds of artists — from the worlds of Broadway,
jazz and classical music — will interpret Sondheim's
work, some played by a full orchestra, others featuring
intimate jazz arrangements.
Other artists include George Lee Andrews,
Ivy Austin, Christine Baranski, Barbara Barrie, Polly
Bergen, Pat Birch, Kate Burton, Melissa Errico, Raul
Esparza, Joel Fram, Paul Gemignani, Joanna Gleason,
Jonathan Hadary and Phyllis Newman.
Tickets:
Free, and patrons may sample a few moments or stay several
hours.
Read
more |
| February
2 2005: Spring Awakening |
Michael
will play "the stranger" in Spring Awakening
on February 2, as a part of the Lincoln Center
Songbook series.
Spring Awakening is singer/songwriter Duncan
Sheik's new musical version of Frank Wedekind’s
1891 play about tragic young love. Duncan Sheik provided
the rock-score music and Steven Sater wrote the book and
lyrics. Celebrated director Michael Mayer (Side Man, Thoroughly
Modern Millie) is guiding this musical toward a Broadway
run. Though a top-40 pop artist (his single, Barely Breathing),
Sheik likes to stretch his wings and compose for theater.
Spring Awakening, considered an expressionist
masterpiece, has been shocking audiences since its premiere
over a century ago with its bold depiction of teenagers’
sexual stirrings and their consequences in a repressive
society.
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Lincoln Center
The Allen Room
NYC
time: 8:30pm
Tickets are $20 to $40 and are available online now
at lincolncenter.org
Read a review
of the show from Variety |
| January
2005: Monday nights with Cerveris |
2
More shows to Go!
Here's some GREAT NEWS for the new year: Michael is busily
writing material for his new album but he will take some
time to perform live with his band Monday nights in January
at FEZ.
CERVERIS
takes up residence at Fez Under Time Cafe for 4 consecutive
monday nights in January (10/17/24/31) with different
guests and special appearances on each night (including
Laura Cantrell, Duncan Sheik and others).
Mondays,
January 10, 17, 24, 31
@ Fez Under Time Cafe
380 Lafayette Street at Great Jones
Doors open at 7pm
$10
all ages
January
10:
Cerveris played to a cheering sold out crowd at FEZ
last Monday. The night opened with a super psychedelic
rock set from the Soft Explosions. Between bands, the
audience was entertained by the very funny special guest
star, comedian Demetri Martin.
See
more photos
from the Jan 10th gig.
January 17:
It was another super exciting night at Fez last week
as Cerveris played to another full house. The Sharp
things started things off with some lovely tunes. The
crowd gave a very hearty welcome back to Joe McGinty
and his band Baby Steps. The end of the night was capped
off with another fantastic set from Cerveris. Singer/Songwriter
Duncan Sheik took the stage midset to play a few of
his own songs. One of the highlights of the evening
came when Michael sang a delicately beautiful song from
Duncan's upcoming sold out musical at Lincoln Center,
Spring Awakening (which Michael will also be performing).
See
more photos
*********************************************
Be sure to pick up your snow shovels and start digging
because this Monday is absolutely one that you don't
want to miss!
The
night will be opening with some very special guests.
Chris Weilding will be taking front stage performing
his own songs. In addition to playing guitar for Cerveris,
being a former member of Cheater, The Angry Inch and
the Inch Worms. Chris was also the original Krzyzhtoff
when Michael first took over the role of Hedwig in New
York. This Monday, he will be able to show off his own
songwriting skills. He will be backed by Jeremy Chatzky,
Jon Spurney and Eddie Zweiback.
January 24:
CHRIS WEILDING (7:30)
KENDALL MEADE/MASCOTT
and comedian DEMETRI MARTIN
former
Cheater guitarist and original member of The
Angry Inch and The Inch Worms,
Chris Weilding stretches out with his solo project aided
by Jeremy Chatzky, Eddie Zweiback and Jon Spurney.
you
might be familiar with Kendall Jane Meade from her days
as one third of Juicy, or from her time with Helium
or the Spinanes. But with her solo
project Mascott she's revealed herself to be a strong,
sensitive songwriter on her own, facing her fears and
not afraid to say she's afraid...a model of indie pop's
buried treasures. " Ms. Meade has a natural reserve
that makes her talent at creating seductive pop all
the more intriguing...finding restlessness at the heart
of a woman's quietude. " (NYtimes)
www.mascottmusic.com
|
|
|
|