Barry Briefs - Archive 2

Forrest Theatre Box Office - The Barry Manilow musical Harmony is no longer on sale and the scheduled run has been canceled. If you already purchased tickets, please call Telecharge at (888) 268-2020 or if you purchased tickets at the box office, please bring them back to the box office. http://www.forrest-theatre.com http://www.telecharge.com Agents, managers and lawyers are scrambling to rescue Harmony. "There is a flurry of activity trying to let this not be the end," said Bruce Sussman, who wrote Harmony with longtime collaborator Barry Manilow. "The two issues, really, are rights and production." ... One proposition on the table would bring Harmony directly to Broadway this winter without an out-of-town tryout. Based on the work already been done in rehearsal, director David Warren feels that Harmony is strong enough to make such a move a realistic possibility, and that any fine-tuning could be accomplished during a Broadway preview period. In any case, the creative team is growing cautiously optimistic that Harmony will survive in some form or another. "I am becoming increasingly confident that this is not the end," Sussman said. "My only doubt is when it begins." (Newsday.com, 11/20/2003) http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/ny-p2play3549545nov20,0,5282129.story Drama Dept. Thanksgiving Special will include a visit by the refugee cast of Harmony, the Bruce Sussman-Barry Manilow musical whose plug was pulled November 13 by its producer after four weeks of rehearsals. The Thanksgiving Special is seen 7 PM November 24 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street. The show includes songs from Harmony ... Harmony cast members expected to appear are Brian D'Arcy James, Stephen Buntrock, Bradley Dean, Aaron Lazar, David Turner and Thom Christopher Warren. Musical director for Harmony is David Chase. (Playbill.com, 11/18/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82849.html Manilow Musical 'Harmony' in Jeopardy - The Barry Manilow musical about the Comedian Harmonists won't open in Philadelphia next month and its planned Broadway engagement next spring is in doubt. The show fell short of its $7 million capitalization, according to producer Mark Schwartz, forcing him to call off its December run at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre. "Other than the death of my mother, this is probably the most devastating day of my life," Manilow told the New York Post. "Maybe even more so, because it affects so many other people." (Associated Press, 11/15/2003) http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/wire/sns-ap-people-manilow,0,5978096.story Harmony Shuts Down Production - Harmony, a Broadway-bound musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, unexpectedly shut down production yesterday morning after it became apparent that its producers were millions of dollars short of capitalizing the show. Brent Peek, the production's general manager, broke the news to a stunned cast about 10 a.m. at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on West 43rd Street, where "Harmony" was rehearsing. "They're in complete shock," said David Warren, the director. "They were ready to start this thing, and now it's over." Mark Schwartz, the show's lead producer, [later] said that he had been forced to cancel the show after several promises from investors fell through: "It's a complicated and very unfortunate situation, but basically what happened is, we just ran out of financing ... A lot of people said they were putting in money, and it ended up they didn't." Mr. Warren said he was still holding out hope that the show would be seen on Broadway: "Barry and Bruce and I were utterly blindsided by this. I'm owed money and that's a problem, but that's not why my heart is breaking. It's breaking because I think it's a great show." (New York Times, 11/14/2003) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/14/arts/theater/14MANI.html? ex=1069786182&ei=1&en=94ffe2420bf25987 Producer of Harmony Shares Heartbreak - Hours after company members of Harmony were told their show was shuttering due to undercapitalization, producer Mark Schwartz shared their heartbreak ... "Everyone involved in the show has been fabulous. There might be a lot of upset people. I'm the producer, so there's a place to point that anger at." Schwartz said he raised $3.5-$4 million of the $6.5-$7 million capitalization needed for the show's Dec. 2-Jan. 4, 2004, run at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre. The rest of the money did not come through in recent weeks, despite assurances from potential investors ... But a greater immediate hope is that people with money will express interest in a new show with a score by songwriter Barry Manilow. "I'm still looking for the White Knight," Schwartz admitted. David Warren said, "The production is ready, the physical production is finished and it's gorgeous and the show is working exquisitely well in the room. The company is on fire. They were so wonderful and so excited to be playing this play." (Playbill.com, 11/13/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82759.html Harmony Canceled - The production of the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony that was to have opened on Broadway early in 2004 has been canceled. The show had been set to begin performances at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre on December 2. "Apparently the lead producer, Marc Schwartz, had not raised the money that he said he'd raised, and they just ran out," a source close to the production told TheaterMania. "They're hoping to bring other people on and get it started again in a couple of weeks." The show had been rehearsing in New York over the past several weeks. It was to have starred Brian d'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Janine LaManna, Kate Baldwin, Bradley Dean, Aaron Lazar, David Turner, and Thom Christopher Warren. The creative team included director David Warren, choreographer Peter Pucci, scenic designer Derek McLane, costume desiger David Woolard, lighting designer David Binkley, and orchestrator Don Sebesky. (TheaterMania.com, 11/13/2003) http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm?int_news_id=4096 The tryout at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre has been canceled - because of severe undercapitalization ... "My heart breaks for the hundreds of talented men and women who will be hurt by this colossal blunder," Manilow said in a statement. "We all deeply hope that this situation can be corrected and that this powerful piece will finally be seen. The entire cast and creative team, including myself, has been completely blind-sighted by this and we are all hurt and outraged, but we believe in the project and hope that it can be revived very shortly with a new producer and investors." (Broadway.com, 11/13/2003) http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=32229&CT=38 https://a248.e.akamai.net/7/1608/523/20031113RUZ25/www.broadway.com/ site_images/32241.JPG Harmony at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre Cancelled - The pre-Broadway staging of Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's musical, Harmony, has been canceled due to lack of funding, company members were told at a 10 AM meeting November 13. The troupe was to ship out to Philadelphia November 17 to work on the show before its first performance at the Forrest Theatre December 2. The plan was a Broadway berth in 2004. Mark Schwartz is the lead producer of the musical, and has been a champion of the show, but apparently did not have the funding in place, company members were told ... Since its world premiere tryout several years ago in La Jolla, the show has gone through many changes. Company members in the David Warren-directed troupe have been excited about the maturity and richness in the storytelling, and said the show was human and unlike anything in the current Broadway season. "This would have been a powerful contender," Jim Russek, of Rave Advertising, which handled the ad campaign for the show, told Playbill On-Line ... "The score is so beautiful, the story is so powerful." Russek said he produced three of the show's songs for advertising and "they make you cry, they're phenomenal." (Playbill.com, 11/13/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82749.html http://www.playbill.com/images/photos/manilow2.jpg

Harmony Starts December 2 in Philadelphia - Unforeseen delays in the construction of delivery of the set of Harmony have prompted the producers of the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical to begin a week later than expected in Philadelphia. The Broadway-aimed musical will now begin performances at the Forrest Theatre December 2 rather than the announced November 25. Opening is now December 17. Performances will continue as planned to January 4, 2004. (Playbill.com, 11/03/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82535.html Blue Jeans for Genes Online Auction - Celebrities and theatre folk team up for a "Blue Jeans for Genes" online auction to benefit the National Hemophilia Foundation, November 10-17, 2003. Proceeds raised will support research to end hemophilia and other bleeding disorders ... Included in the auction will be sheet music from Harmony composer Barry Manilow. (Playbill.com, 11/5/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82603.html http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/bluejeansforgenes http://www.hemophilia.org Measure Of A Man - "...Some have suggested that [Clay] Aiken is the Barry Manilow of our generation. I like to think Barry Manilow is STILL the Barry Manilow of our generation." - Christy Lemire, on reviewing Clay's debut album (Associated Press, 10/16/2003) Philly Run of Harmony On Sale October 12 - Phone sales for the Philadelphia engagement of Harmony, the new Barry Manilow musical about a group of German-Jewish singers in Nazi-era Germany, begin October 12, the day before the first day of full-company rehearsals in Manhattan. The Forrest Theatre is at 1114 Walnut Street. For tickets by phone, call (800) 447-7400. The Forrest box office opens November 3. (Playbill.com, 10/12/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82127.html Heading Toward Broadway - A little bit of Libby, Montana, will be sharing the spotlight with the performers in the Broadway-bound musical "Harmony" when it opens in Philadelphia. A significant portion of the show's cast will be wearing costumes designed and manufactured locally. Set in 1920s and 1930s Germany, the musical tells the real-life story of a ground-breaking singing group that rose to fame and fortune before being forced to disband because several members were Jewish. Barry Manilow composed the music for the stage production while Bruce Sussman wrote the lyrics. Cyrus Lee (of Libby, Montana) is providing 22 costumes for the actors in parts requiring military and political uniforms. A recognized authority on German military uniforms, equipment and related items, Lee was contacted by the producers of "Harmony" with a request to provide costumes for the show. The costumes are being fabricated by Sharon Sater at Stitch-N Time; Stan Pfleiger of Montana Tack and Pack is providing the leather belts and straps for the uniforms; and Montana Exposure got the nod for the insignia. (The Western News, 10/10/2003) http://www.thewesternnews.com/wnnews/octnews.htm#Heading toward Broadway Complete Cast of Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's Harmony Announced - Full-company rehearsals begin Oct. 13. Pre-Broadway tryout begins Nov. 25 at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia. The principal cast includes Tony Award nominee Brian D'Arcy James, Kate Baldwin, Stephen R. Buntrock, Janine LaManna, Bradley Dean, Aaron Lazar, David Turner and Thom Christopher Warren. Company also includes Heather Ayers, Cara Cooper, Joe Dellger, Leo Ash Evens, Nicole Foret, Ivy Fox, Jack Hayes, Steve Hogle, James Kinney, Ian Knauer, Mary Ann Lamb, Elizabeth Loyacano, April Nixon, Josh Rhodes, Alex Sanchez, Gordon Stanley, Lee Zarrett and Jennifer Zimmerman. Performances continue in Philly to Jan. 3. Opening there is set for Dec. 10. Tickets go on sale Oct. 12. Interested parties should call (800) 447-7400. The Forrest box office opens Nov. 3. (Playbill.com, 10/8/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/82051.html All For The Sake Of Smiles - "Seated in a ballroom decorated with flickering white tapers, hundreds of guests watched [as] Barry Manilow performed ... dedicating 'Can't Smile Without You' to everyone at Operation Smile." The gala held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel raised $2.3 million on September 24 (L.A. Times, 10/5/2003) Tickets to the Philadelphia premiere of Harmony will go on sale Oct. 12. Interested parties should call (800) 447-7400. The Forrest Theatre box office opens on Nov. 3. Performances continue in Philly to Jan. 3. Opening there is set for Dec. 10. (Playbill.com, 10/1/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81936.html Harmony comes to the Forrest Theatre, prior to an anticipated long run on Broadway. There's been a movie about the Comedian Harmonists, the German singing group that became famous during the 1930s. There was also a short-lived bio-musical called Band in Berlin. Now, Barry Manilow (composer) and Bruce Sussman's (book & lyrics) high profile production will play in Philadelphia through January. Philadelphia performances: Tues through Sat at 8:00 PM, Wed, Sat, & Sun at 2:00 PM $79.25, $69.25, $51.25, $31.25 (Curtain Up - Philadelphia, New and Noteworthy column, 9/28/2003) http://www.curtainup.com/philadelphia.html Peter Pucci is choreographing "Harmony," an original musical from Barry Manilow and longtime songwriting partner Bruce Sussman, set to start rehearsals Oct. 6 for its move to Broadway. The story is set in 1920s Weinmar, Germany, where six young men created a singing group that combined physical humor and technical skills. Known as The Comedian Harmonists, the six � a doctor, a Polish rabbi, a Bulgarian singing waiter, a bass from the comic opera, a bordello pianist and a musical prodigy � made more than a dozen films, sold millions of records and performed with greats of their era such as Marlena Dietrich and Josephine Baker. But because some members were Jewish and others were not, their own harmony was disrupted by the Nazis' rise to power. (Argus Leader, 9/18/2003) http://siouxfallsentertainment.com/fe/news/feature.asp A Schuur Thing - Jazz vocalist extraordinaire Diane Schuur says she may well wind up doing more collaborating with Barry Manilow as a follow-up to her acclaimed "Midnight" album on which Manilow served as producer and songwriter. "Barry and I met in 1988 on a television special called Swing Street and struck up a friendship. I've always liked his work. He's a true genius. I know he's a pop artist, but he's always loved jazz, and he's very connected with that." Schuur's been out performing material from "Midnight" in recent weeks, with dates coming up in South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas -- and even a Barry Manilow fan convention next month in Fort Lauderdale, FL. (U-Daily News, 9/16/2003) http://u.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,211%257E23521%257E1635771,00.html The Forrest Theatre, the home last season to long runs of Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia!, has scheduled a pre-Broadway tryout of Harmony (Nov. 25). Barry Manilow wrote the music for it, but he does not appear in the musical about the Comedian Harmonists, a popular singing group in Germany during the 1930s. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/14/2003) http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/6771468.htm Harmony listing - Forrest Theatre. 114 Walnut St. Harmony (Nov. 25-Jan. 3). Barry Manilow composed the score for this Broadway-bound musical about the Nazi-persecuted Comedian Harmonists. 215-923-1515. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/14/2003) http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/6771475.htm Casting Announced for Broadway-Bound Harmony - The show, with music by pop music star Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman, is about the Comedian Harmonists. Starring in the production will be Brian D'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Janine LaManna, Kate Baldwin, Bradley Dean, Aaron Lazar, David Turner, and Thom Christopher Warren. Harmony will begin preview performances in its pre-Broadway tryout engagement at the Forrest Theater in Philadelphia on November 25 and will open there on Wednesday, December 10. The production is scheduled to premiere on Broadway in early 2004; it will be directed by David Warren and choreographed by Peter Pucci, with scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by David Woolard, lighting design by David Binkley, and orchestrations by Don Sebesky. (TheaterMania.com, 9/11/2003) http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm?int_news_id=3879 Broadway-Bound Harmony to Star Brian d'Arcy James - The cast will also include Stephen R. Buntrock, Janine LaManna, Kate Baldwin, Bradley Dean, Aaron Lazar, David Turner and Thom Christopher Warrren. James is playing the role of Rabbi. Buntrock is taking on the character of Chopin . LaManna will play Ruth. Baldwin will play Mary. Dean will appear as Lesh. Lazar will play Bobby. Turner's Harmony character is Erich. Warren will reprise his role of Harry for this production (Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's Harmony had a world premiere production at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997). This production, directed by La Jolla-helmer David Warren, is scheduled to begin previews at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre on November 25 and run there through January 3. If all goes well, the show is expected to land on the Great White Way in mid-winter 2004. (Broadway.com, 9/11/2003) http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=38&CI=30618 I write the songs - It was announced this week that Barry Manilow's Holocaust-themed musical Harmony will finally be making its debut on Broadway. "Without a doubt, this is the one piece of work that I want to be remembered for," he told Jewsweek last year. "Despite what happened, the story is uplifting. The tragic part of their story moves me because I'm Jewish and because my relatives went through the Holocaust. There are moments in the script that we refer to traditional Jewish rituals, such as the wedding scene when the groom breaks the wine glass, that I was moved to tears." A Broadway premiere is planned for 2004. (Jewsweek, 9/11/2003) http://www.jewsweek.com/bin/en.jsp?enDisplay=view&enDispWho=Article%5El714 &enDispWhat=object&enPage=BlankPage& Principal Casting Announced for B'way-Bound Harmony - Brian D'Arcy James will star in the new Broadway-aimed Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical, Harmony, the producers announced Sept. 10. Also confirmed for the troupe, which plays the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia starting Nov. 25, are previously-reported Kate Baldwin (South Pacific) and Stephen R. Buntrock (Oklahoma!, Les Miz), with Janine LaManna (Seussical), Bradley Dean (Man of La Mancha), Aaron Lazar (Oklahoma!), David Turner (The Invention of Love) and Thom Christopher Warren (The Lion King). Performances continue in Philly to Jan. 3. Opening there is set for Dec. 10. The cast numbers 24 (www.harmonythemusical.com). A Broadway premiere is planned for 2004. Manilow serves as composer and Bruce Sussman is the lyricist and librettist. (Playbill.com, 9/10/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81570.html Harmony Listing - Barry Manilow has written the score for this new musical about the Comedian Harmonists, the German sextet of singer-clowns who became world renowned during the final years of the Weimar Republic but were undone by the rise of the Nazis. Book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman. Directed by David Warren. Performances begin November 25 for a limited run that could anticipate a move to Broadway. Forrest Theater, Philadelphia. (800) 447-7400. (New York Times, 9/7/2003) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/07/arts/07BRUC.html?pagewanted=8&ei=1 &en=c9dcd6ad0273932a&ex=1063949058 Manilow's Broadway-Bound Harmony - Brian D'Arcy James will likely be the star of Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's long-in-development musical, Harmony, which will have its pre-Broadway engagement at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre, beginning November 25. James confirmed that he was in negotiations to play the lead role of Rabbi. Stephen Buntrock and Kate Baldwin are also expected to be in the cast of the musical. No official casting announcement has yet been released. Harmony is being produced by Mark Schwartz, in association with Garry C. Kief, Brent Peek and executive producer Richard Jay-Alexander. At last report, Peter Pucci is doing the choreography and David Chase is musical director. (Playbill.com, 9/4/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81478.html Hot New Sounds - Listing for Bette Midler's "Rosemary for Remembrance" due September 30, a tribute CD to Rosemary Clooney that reunites Midler with her classic producer, Barry Manilow. (New York Daily News, 8/30/2003) http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/113478p-102366c.html The story of the Comedian Harmonists - is an interesting one [as] told in Harmony, a Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical that had its premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997. With a cast including Danny Burstein, Rebecca Luker, Patrick Wilson, and Janet Metz, Harmony had a number of attractive songs and an intriguing narrative, with backstage romance set against the political upheaval of the period. Both score and libretto were very much in the style of traditional musicals of the '50s and '60s. Six years after its California premiere, Harmony will begin performances on November 25 at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre, and it's expected to come to Broadway in early 2004. Brian d'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Erin Dilly, Janine LaManna, Bradley Dean, and Aaron Lazar will be in the cast. (Broadway.com, 8/27/2003) http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=8&CI=30395 Bette Sings Rosie - The Rosemary Clooney Songbook - For the first time in 30 years, Bette Midler has reunited with fellow Me Decade torch-bearer Barry Manilow, her producer on 1972's The Divine Miss M and 1973's Bette Midler. Midler's new album is a tribute to jazz legend Rosemary Clooney ... Due out September 29th. (Rolling Stone magazine, 9/4/2003) Super Audio Compact Disc by Barry Manilow - Last Fall, Sony Music's Columbia Records in association with Concord Records issued a new album of Christmas tunes from Barry Manilow entitled "A Christmas Gift of Love". At that time, a 5.1 Surround Mix of the album was created for release on Multichannel SACD (Columbia CS 86976) by well known producer/engineer Bill Schnee ... Apparently the work was completed too late for a release on SACD in 2002. But the disc is now on Sony Music's new list of Upcoming Multichannel SACD releases due in the Fall. (High Fidelity Review, 8/18/2003) http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=15331613 Director David Warren on Harmony, scheduled to play at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre beginning November 25 (2003): "This show has evolved beautifully over the past six years. Barry and Bruce have hammered away at it; they've been both smart and brutal in fixing the problems. They've masterfully made those hard decisions you need to when you're trying to perfect a musical. The first time I heard the demo CD, I was completely blown away. People who are expecting a revue of Barry Manilow songs will be very surprised. This is a phenomenal, sophisticated theater score. It's fun when it needs to be fun, but you also have this powerful story that's so moving and so human. You can just feel the passion on every page." (TheaterMania.com, 08/13/2003) http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm?int_news_id=3780 Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia - "This fall, tickets are going on sale for the brand-new Barry Manilow musical Harmony. Sure to be a hot ticket once it hits [Broadway], so make sure you catch the show in its pre-Broadway run! We'll have more information about dates and ticket prices after Labor Day." http://www.forrest-theatre.com Harmony Switches Tryout to Philly - Harmony, Barry Manilow's Broadway-bound musical about a singing group in Nazi Germany, will have its pre-Broadway tryout at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre, instead of the previously announced Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The change in theaters was made primarily to accommodate the musical's physical production and set design, according to a production statement. (Broadway.com, 8/4/2003) http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=30103&CT=38 Philly Gets Pre-Broadway Tryout of Barry Manilow's Harmony - Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's long-in-development musical, Harmony, will have its pre-Broadway engagement at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre, beginning Nov. 25. David Warren directs. The Philly premiere replaces a previously-announced run at Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse, which was to have begun Oct. 21 and run until Jan. 4, 2004. The plan remains to reach Broadway by winter 2004. A theatre is yet to be announced. Harmony is being produced by Mark Schwartz, in association with Garry C. Kief, Brent Peek and executive producer Richard Jay-Alexander. (Playbill.com, 8/4/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/81031.html The Post-Standard at Syracuse.com featuring Diane Schuur's "Midnight" album - Barry Manilow co-produced the disc along with his longtime co-writer and co-producer, Eddie Arkin. "Deedles," as Schuur is known, says working with Manilow was one of the best musical collaborations of her career. Cuts can be heard through the Post-Standard's NewsLine... Today's tune (8863) is "Anytime," a duet with Manilow. (The Post-Standard, 8/4/2003) http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-6/ 1059813447275210.xml Dionne Warwick and Friends - Dionne Warwick has been on a world tour since February celebrating her 40th year in the recording business. It was in 1963 that her first single, "Don't Make Me Over," broke on the charts ... She had a huge hit [with] the Barry Manilow-produced "I'll Never Love This Way Again" in 1979. Warwick is in the middle of recording a commemorative double CD for her 40th anniversary by inviting 40 of her friends to pick a Dionne Warwick song and record it with her. A Who's Who of the pop music world has signed up for the "My Friends and Me" project, including George Benson, Elton John, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano, Kenny Rogers and Barry Manilow. Warwick hopes the CD will be released by Christmas. (Cincinnati Post, 8/1/2003) http://www.cincypost.com/2003/08/01/wick080103.html

Unconditional Love making its debut on cable - Kathy Bates, Rupert Everett, Sally Jessy Raphael, Barry Manilow, and a dwarf are all singing "Can't Smile Without You" in unison [during] a scene from the new movie "Unconditional Love" (directed by P.J. Hogan) that is set to debut Aug. 2 on Starz! Dan Aykroyd, Lynn Redgrave and Julie Andrews co-star. (Washington Blade, 07/18/2003) http://www.washblade.com/2003/7-18/arts/television/needlove.cfm Unconditional Love, the feature film starring Everett and Kathy Bates that was directed by P.J. Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding) in 2000, will finally surface as a world premiere movie on the Starz! cable network on Saturday, August 2. Unconditional Love also features Jonathan Pryce, Dan Aykroyd, Julie Andrews, and Barry Manilow. The film tells the story of a housewife and a British valet who team up to solve the murder of a pop singer they both loved. (The Advocate, 05/30/2003) http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=8797&sd=05/30/03 Unconditional Love World Premiere - STARZ! Pictures and New Line Cinema present the never before seen "Unconditional Love," an offbeat comedy starring Rupert Everett, Kathy Bates, Dan Aykroyd, and Jonathan Pryce, with special appearances by Sally Jessy Raphael, Julie Andrews and Barry Manilow. Bates and Manilow sing the movie's big finale, a duet of his hit song, "Can't Smile Without You." The film will have its world premiere Saturday, August 2, 2003 on STARZ! at 9 p.m. ET/PT (with subsequent plays throughout the month). (Press Release, Starz Encore Group LLC, 5/29/2003) http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030529/lath019_1.html Where Are They Now - Ron Dante, best known for his work as a producer for Barry Manilow and other major recording artists, was the driving force behind some of Barry's greatest successes. Their collaboration spawned one hit after another. Dante produced songs that have become landmarks on the pop music scene including "Mandy", "I Write The Songs", "the Grammy winning "Copacabana" and "Could It Be Magic." Ron Dante and Andy Kim will be appearing at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, September 6, 2003. http://www.rondante.com/09062003.html San Francisco guitarist Michael Lent has toured extensively with Jeffrey Osborne and appeared on several albums and TV shows with Barry Manilow. VOTE for MICHAEL LENT Now! through July 31, 2003, to be included on KKSF's next CD Sampler For AIDS Relief! http://www.kksf.com (Smooth Jazz KKSF 103.7) The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is to stage An Evening with Joe: Stalin the Musical ... The musical culminates with a full-blown Moulin Rouge-style dance routine at Stalin's funeral with a high-kicking troupe of generals, state officials and mourners singing along to a rousing chorus of "Sweet Stalin (I'm In Love Again)" - a spoof of Barry Manilow's kitsch ballad "Sweet Heaven". (7/27/2003) http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/media/story.jsp?story=427904 The Work of Songwriter David Friedman, whose songs have been recorded by Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Petula Clark and the late Nancy LaMott, will be celebrated in a new Off-Broadway musical revue entitled "Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman." The revue will play Upstairs at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York) beginning October 9th with an official opening set for October 23rd. (Playbill.com, 07/25/2003) http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80875.html Harmony Cast Notes - Broadway.com reports Bradley Dean and Aaron Lazar are being added to the cast of Harmony at Ft. Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse in October ... They join Brian d'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Erin Dilly, and Janine LaManna in the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical. D'Arcy James will play the central role of Rabbi, played at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997 by Danny Burstein. Lazar understudied Stephen R. Buntrock as Curly in the Broadway Oklahoma! and also understudied the role of Raoul in the Broadway Phantom of the Opera. (7/21/2003, 7/23/2003) http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=8&CI=29796 http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=8&CI=29862 Broadway.com news on Harmony - Mentioned as possibilities for the cast of Barry Manilow's Harmony for its forthcoming run at Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse are Brian d'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Erin Dilly, Janine LaManna, and James Barbour. Buntrock and Dilly co-starred in the U.S. tour of Martin Guerre, and Buntrock understudied Barbour in Jane Eyre. Buntrock was recently seen on Broadway in Oklahoma!, succeeding Patrick Wilson, who was in Harmony when it was first produced, at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997. http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CT=8&CI=29520 Music Feature: Diane Schuur's Midnight - Recorded in the old-school style, with all musicians present for each track, this album hosts a cohesiveness that's hard to find outside of the Ella era. [The] album contains three duets, the first of which, "Stay Away from Bill," has Schuur sharing the mic with Karrin Allyson... In a second duet, Brian McKnight lends his sultry vocals for a touching, duel-declaration of devotion... Schuur shares the last duet with her good friend, songwriter, album producer and fellow crooner, Barry Manilow. (Good Times, July 2003) http://www.gdtimes.com Release Date for Diane Schuur's Midnight - On August 12, 2003, Concord Records and "First Lady of Jazz," Diane Schuur will release Midnight, a CD co-written and produced by the legendary Barry Manilow and his long-time collaborator Eddie Arkin. A year in the making, Midnight is a beautifully crafted and lush recording of 13 original tracks, including duets with multi-platinum R&B sensation Brian McKnight, perennial jazz favorite Karrin Allyson, and Manilow himself. http://www.concordrecords.com/home_body.asp Listening to Barry Manilow helps autistic boy make a language breakthrough - An inspiring article in Jewish World Review about a Huntington Beach family (Jane & Tom Conover and their children: Mary, Steven, Jacob), music ...and the Magic of Barry Manilow. http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0603/manilow_miracle.asp Dick Gephardt Fund-raiser - Liz Smith reports... "If you like [Dick] Gephardt and have $1,000 you can get in on an evening with Barry Manilow on June 23 at the Grand Hyatt. Call (202) 448-9347." (New York Post, 6/11/2003) http://www.nypost.com/gossip/liz.htm Barry... and Bette Midler - The Divine Miss M is going back to her musical roots. When she was first starting out, Barry Manilow was her accompanist and musical director. They're pairing up again for an album of Rosemary Clooney tunes, reports gossip columnist Cindy Adams. (Susan Phinney, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 05/05/2003) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/people/120293_people05.html Diane Schuur's "Midnight" - Having previously collaborated with such noted men of jazz as Maynard Ferguson and Stan Getz, Schuur covers material by adult-contemporary mainstay and old friend Barry Manilow, who co-produced the CD and appears on a duet. Due in July. (USA Today, 4/16/2003) http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2003-04-16-standards-side_x.htm Diane Schuur CD due in July - AAJ lists a release date of July 8, 2003, for Diane Schuur's "Midnight" on Concord Jazz (produced by Barry Manilow; duets with Brian McKnight and Karrin Allyson) (All About Jazz, 4/8/2003) http://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/ft/20030408/2617/AprilConcordReleaseScheduleUpdate.html Jack Jones and Diane Schuur Palm Springs concerts - "Diane Schuur was the first to stand and applaud Jack Jones, Saturday (April 5), at the McCallum Theatre. Barry Manilow was one of many to praise it after it was over. At a benefit concert for ACT for MS, Sunday (April 6), at Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Diane seemed comfortable with herself as she begins to embark upon a new wave of popularity ... Two of her most beautiful ballads were compositions by Manilow -- When October Goes, with a Johnny Mercer lyric, and a theme song he wrote for her next CD, which he produced, titled Life Is Good." (The Desert Sun article by Bruce Fessier, 4/8/2003) http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/features/1049775961.shtml Opening Night of Celine Dion's "A New Day" - Barry attended Opening Night of Celine Dion's "A New Day" at the Caesar's Palace Colosseum in Las Vegas, Nevada (March 25, 2003) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====24934 Looks Like The Presidents Made It - Members of the pop-rock band The Presidents of the United States reunited for a party (March 22, 2003) at the Showbox in Seattle, performing some of their hits ("Lump", "Peaches") and favorites, including "We Are Not Going to Make It," which "trailed off with a snippet of Barry Manilow's Looks Like We Made It." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/24/2003) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/113930_presidents24q.shtml A Schuur thing - "Life is Good" is the title of one of the cuts off jazz singer Diane Schuur's latest album, Midnight (Concord), due out in July. In many ways, the song, written by Barry Manilow (who also produced the CD) and his longtime collaborator Marty Panzer, aptly defines the moment for 49-year-old Schuur. Having battled and conquered demons throughout her career, Schuur says she's finally at a "good place" in her life ... Working with Manilow is definitely one of the good times, Schuur says, calling it one of the best musical collaborations in her career. The two had actually worked together briefly back in 1987 when she sang "Summertime" with Manilow on his album Swing Street ... "When we started this new project, Barry really didn't know the musicianship that I have," Schuur says. "He knew me as a singer but he was truly blown away by the fact that I could sit down and participate with the arrangements and communicate with the musicians as a musician, not just a singer. And everybody he brought into this project, from lyricists to arrangers, is just brilliant..." (Chicago Sun-Times, 3/13/2003, article by Miriam Di Nunzio) http://www.suntimes.com/output/jazz/cst-ftr-schuur13.html Phillips & Driver - Under "New record releases" (March 11, 2003), the Kansas City Star reports "Austin folk rocker Gretchen Phillips (of Two Nice Girls) and New York downtown crooner Dave Driver" are releasing an album (Togetherness, Bar/None 135, 03/11/2003) which includes cabaret-style arrangements of songs by "Leonard Cohen, Bad Company and even Barry Manilow ('Could It Be Magic')." http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/living/5340420.htm Top Of The Pops 2 Classic Performer - Barry Manilow's "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" was voted #1 on Top Of The Pops 2's classic performer survey (March 5, 2003) (broadcast March 25). http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/vote/index.shtml Barry Manilow 'Trying To Get The Feeling' (45%) David Cassidy 'The Last Kiss' (23%) Ricky Martin '(Un Dos Tres) Maria' (8%) Cliff Richard 'It's Only Me You Left Behind' (5%) Will Young 'Anything Is Possible' (5%) Tom Jones 'She's A Lady' (3%) Neil Diamond 'Morning Has Broken' (3%) Michael Bolton 'Can I Touch You There' (2%) Chris De Burgh 'The Lady In Red' (2%) Robson & Jerome 'Unchained Melody' (2%) Richard Niles' History of Pop Arranging - The works of arrangers Richard Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Arif Mardin and Jimmie Haskell are featured in the seven-part series in which musicians talk about the art of arranging a pop hit. (BBC Radio 2 - January 21 and February 18, 2003). http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2_aod.shtml?profile Ready to Take A Chance On Me - According to a New York Press Release (02/14/2003), ABBA's Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Siegfried & Roy, Barry Manilow, Robin Leach, Suzanne Somers and others, were scheduled to be "red carpet arrivals" at the Las Vegas premiere of "Mamma Mia!" at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino (14 February 2003). Suzanne Somer's Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame - Barry attended the Presentation of a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame to Suzanne Somers in Hollywood, California (January 24, 2003) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====19334

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