Jon Sobel

Latest from this author

REVIEW: American Classical Orchestra and Chorus - Bach's B-minor Mass (NYC, Nov. 15, 2014)

The superb and eye-opening performance at Lincoln Center used original instruments and featured world-class soloists.
Monty Python's 'Life of Brian'-Inspired 'Not the Messiah' by Eric Idle and John Du Prez ('Spamalot') - New York Premiere of Comic Oratorio at Carnegie Hall

The Collegiate Chorale and the Orchestra of St. Luke's along with Broadway stars and Eric Idle himself perform the oratorio at Carnegie Hall December 15-16.
REVIEW: Lutenist Hopkinson Smith Plays Bach Cello Suites on German Theorbo at Salon Sanctuary Concert in NYC

To put across these richly emotional works of Bach on a plucked instrument, Hopkinson Smith has chosen the bass lute known as the German theorbo.
Petite Opera Productions Presents 'Brundibár,' Children's Opera from Terezin Concentration Camp

New generations of children are keeping alive the Holocaust-surviving opera. This month, Petite Opera Productions of Park Ridge, IL will present Brundibár, the children's fairytale opera by Hans Krása and Adolf Hoffmeister that was performed by children at the Terezin (Theresienstadt) concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.
Classicalite Q&A with Violinist Itamar Zorman

Israeli violinist Itamar Zorman, winner of the 2011 Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition, has been furthering his stellar young career with new recordings, prestigious bookings, and recognition, having received a 2014 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award and a 2013 Avery Fisher Career Grant. As he prepares for his "Distinctive Debut" concert at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall on November 5, he took some time to speak with us about his background and career.
Gotham Early Music Society Presents 'The Play of Daniel' Christmas Week at Trinity Church

The 12th-century proto-opera returns to Trinity Church's Twelfth Night Festival this holiday season.
Olivier-Winning 'Magic Flute' Adaptation from South Africa Flutters into NYC's New Victory Theater in November

'Impempe Yomlingo' is an adaptation of Mozart's comic opera set in contemporary South Africa, with an orchestra of marimbas, drums and township percussion.
The Magic of Digital Filmmaking: Chloë Grace Moretz as a Cellist in 'If I Stay'

The actress talks about how it's done today: 'taking my head and putting it on another body of someone playing.'
In a Broadway First, 'On the Town' Producers Seek Investors Online

Howard and Janet Kagan are seeking equity investors for their 70th anniversary production of the Leonard Bernstein/Jerome Robbins/Betty Comden/Adolph Green musical via a custom-made website.
'Finding Neverland,' New Musical about 'Peter Pan' Playwright J.M. Barrie, Arriving on Broadway in March

Remember that Jennifer Hudson number on the Tony Awards a few months back? This is that show. Finding Neverland, the new musical based on Marc Forster's 2004 film about Peter Pan playwright J.
Keke Palmer Will Be Broadway's First Black 'Cinderella'

The singer, actress, talk show host and former child star will be the first African-American to play the 'Cinderella' title role in the Broadway musical.
Broadway-Hopeful New Musical About John Lennon and Yoko Ono Seeking Funding

After a sold-out run at the Hollywood Fringe, 'Rock & Roll's Greatest Lovers' aims for bigger stages and the big screen.
'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' Broadway Tickets Now On Sale, Previews Begin September 10

Simons Stephens's adaptation of Tom Haddon's award-winning bestseller won seven Olivier Awards last year.
Tony Award Nominee Josh Young Leads Cast in Pre-Broadway Chicago Engagement of New Musical 'Amazing Grace'

The new musical explores the life of English poet and clergyman John Newton, author of the words to the hymn 'Amazing Grace.'
Stax Records Musical in Development, Aiming for Broadway

'Ray' producer Stuart Benjamin and Concord Music are developing a musical based on the legendary soul and R&B label.
Banned by the Soviets in 1968, Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Holocaust Opera 'The Passenger' Makes New York Premiere July 10

A chance encounter between a Holocaust survivor and her Nazi overseer provides the drama in this production by the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
'Elephant Man' Broadway Revival Starring Bradley Cooper Delayed till November 7

Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola co-star in Bernard Pomerance's Tony-winning drama. Producers announced that a scheduling conflict has delayed the opening at Broadway's Booth Theatre of a revival of The Elephant Man, starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Tony nominee Scott Ellis (The Mystery of Edwin Drood).
'The King and I' Around the World: Ken Watanabe and Kelli O'Hara Cast in Broadway Revival, Lou Diamond Phillips in Melbourne

Bartlett Sher will direct a new revival at Lincoln Center next year, while Australian audiences can see Phillips reprise the role he played on Broadway in 1996.
Classicalite Q&A with 'Kinky Boots' Star Billy Porter

With a Tony Award, a new album, and an autobiographical play coming up this fall at Primary Stages, Billy Porter is on several rolls at once.
Second Try for 'First Wives Club': Musical Adaptation on Tap for Chicago Pre-Broadway Tryout

With a new book by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason ('Designing Women'), the Holland-Dozier-Holland musical will make a new try for Broadway glory next year.
'If/Then' with Idina Menzel is Fastest-Selling Broadway Cast Album Since 'Rent'

The last cast album to enter the Billboard charts at such a high position was 'Rent' back in 1996--which also starred Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp, and even had the same director.
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Head to International Festival in Advance of 40th Anniversary Season

NYGASP will present 'The Pirates of Penzance' and 'The Yeomen of the Guard' at the 21st International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in August.
'Motown: The Musical' Celebrates 500 Performances on Broadway; Meanwhile, Patti LaBelle Works to Extend 'After Midnight'

What a difference a few decades in music history make. Tomorrow Motown: The Musical will reach its 500-performance milestone at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Classicalite Q&A with Daryl Waters, Music Supervisor and Arranger for 'Holler If Ya Hear Me' on Broadway

Daryl Waters also worked on 'After Midnight,' 'The Color Purple,' 'Jelly's Last Jam' and 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk.'
Sting's Broadway-Bound New Musical 'The Last Ship' Opens Chicago Run Next Week

The semi-autobiographical show is set to move to Broadway in the fall. Sting's partially autobiographical new musical The Last Ship, an homage to the shipbuilders of the rocker's childhood home, began previews last week at Chicago's Bank of America Theater in preparation for an official June 25 opening.
As 'Kinky Boots' Celebrates 500th Broadway Performance, New Play by Star Billy Porter Preps for Fall Opening

Porter's autobiographical play depicts coming of age in Pittsburgh surrounded by a group of strong-willed women.
'The Zombies: A Musical' Opens Off-Broadway This Week

The world premiere musical comedy promises to be a feast, if not of brains, then of camp horror. When The Zombies: A Musical, now in previews, opens Off-Broadway at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater this Thursday, June 19, it may or may not prove a feast for your brain.
Rap Meets Broadway: LL Cool J, T.I., Tupac and--Hugh Jackman?

Hip-hop culture has been muscling its way onto the Great White Way for some time, with or without Hugh Jackman's rapping skills.
Shut Out at the 2014 Tony Awards: Woody Allen's 'Bullets Over Broadway,' Idina Menzel and 'If/Then'

Idina Menzel's pop-culture ascendance may have hit a tiny snag Sunday night when she lost out in the Tony Awards balloting to newcomer Jessie Mueller.
Sylvia Milo is Mozart's Neglected Sister in 'The Other Mozart'

A one-woman show explores the life of Mozart's sister Nannerl and asks, 'How could we have lost the other Mozart?'