Highlights From “Memphis” Starring Adam Pascal

Adam Pascal (“Rent,” “Aida”) joined the Broadway cast of “Memphis” in October, succeeding Chad Kimball in the role of ’50s disc jockey Huey Calhoun, the rebel who dares to play black music on a white radio station in the segregated South. Here’s a look at Pascal’s take on the Tony Award-winning musical’s final two songs: “Memphis Lives in Me” and “Steal Your Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

Click here for Broadway tickets or for more information about the show.


Memphis, the WINNER OF THE 2010 TONY AWARD® FOR BEST MUSICAL – is a Broadway musical with heart, soul and energy to burn. She’s a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can’t break out of segregated clubs of 1950’s Memphis Tennessee. He’s a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock ‘n’ roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music – or their love – is put to the test.



 

The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS has become a staple of the classic American songbook thanks to iconic songs such as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “I Got Plenty O’ Nothin’.” Through this series, Broadway’s Best Shows will highlight these songs by showcasing the diverse collection of artists and genres who have been influenced by them. We invite you to enjoy the journey that each of these songs has maintained throughout the years and to share your thoughts on the different renditions of these iconic songs!


Part Four: I Got Plenty of Nothing

“I Got Plenty of Nothing” is sung by Porgy in Act I as he reflects on all the positive emotions that come from the beautiful relationship he has begun with Bess. Click here for a deeper insight into the song by Suzan-Lori Parks, the book adaptor of the current Broadway revival.

Bing Brosby (1936)

From Porgy and Bess. Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin & DuBoise Heyward.


Frank Sinatra (1956)

Multiple takes from a recording session where Frank was trying out this song – he got it right with take 21 on 15th November 1956.


Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald (1976)

‘I Got Plenty of Nuttin” sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong


Sam Harris (1994)

From the CD ‘George & Ira Gershwin: A Musical Celebration’ done for the APLA tribute concert.


Norm Lewis (2012)

Norm Lewis performs “I Got Plenty of Nothing” from the current Broadway revival of The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS.


Which one is your favorite? Have you come across any other renditions?


The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stunning and stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty Of Nothing,” plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime, “Private Practice”), Drama Desk nominee NORM LEWIS (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER (Race, “In Living Color”).

Broadway Tickets


 

Earlier this morning, the cast of Gore Vidal’s THE BEST MAN held a Press Conference featuring two time Tony Award winner James Earl Jones, Tony and Emmy Award winner John Larroquette, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Candice Bergen, Emmy Award winner Eric McCormack, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, Drama Desk Award winner and Academy Award nominee Michael McKean and five time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury. The conference was hosted by fellow cast member Donna Hanover, who fielded questions from the press.



The press prepare their questions for the cast of THE BEST MAN

Candace Bergen and Angela Lansbury

Donna Hanover

James Earl Jones, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler and Jefferson Mays

John Larroquette and Candace Bergen

Michael Wilson (Director)

Producer Jeffrey Richards, Michael McKean, John Larroquette, Candace Bergen, Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler, Jefferson Mays, Director Michael Wilson, and Donna Hanover

Michael McKean, John Larroquette, Candace Bergen, Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones

Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler and Jefferson Mays

The Cast of Gore Vidal's The Best Man

The Cast of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man

Photo by Andy Drachenberg


Gore Vidal's The Best ManGore Vidal’s THE BEST MAN comes to Broadway in an all-star theatrical event with two time Tony Award winner James Earl Jones, Tony and Emmy Award winner John Larroquette, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Candice Bergen, Emmy Award winner Eric McCormack, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, Drama Desk Award winner and Academy Award nominee Michael McKean and five time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury.

Broadway Tickets



 


Andrew Lloyd Webber on “Phantom” turning 25

“Phantom of the Opera” is the longest-running Broadway show ever. Andrew Lloyd Webber came to “CBS This Morning” to talk about his show’s success.


Winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and now the longest-running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera is based on the novel by Gaston Leroux. It tells the story of the hideously deformed Phantom who lurks beneath the stage of the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over its occupants. The phantom falls in love with the young Soprano devoting himself to creating a new star for the Opera by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all the skills at his disposal.



 



PORGY AND BESS: Opening Night on Broadway
Celebrities attend the opening night of The Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS on Broadway, January 12th, 2012.



The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stunning and stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty Of Nothing,” plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime, “Private Practice”), Drama Desk nominee NORM LEWIS (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER (Race, “In Living Color”). Broadway Tickets



 

In celebration of the upcoming Year of the Dragon and Chinese New Year, the entire cast of the hit play CHINGLISH got together with Time Out New York at cast member Johnny Wu’s favorite Chinese restaurant – The Tung Shing House – in his childhood neighborhood to kick off the new year with traditional and authentic cuisine. Check out all the fun and food in this exclusive behind-the-scenes BBS video!


Be sure to check out this week’s issue of Time Out New York to read more about the dinner, and be sure to see CHINGLISH before its final performance on January 29, 2012 at the Longacre Theatre.


CHINGLISH is the hilarious story of an American businessman desperate to launch a new enterprise in China. There are only three things standing in his way: He can’t speak the language. He can’t learn the customs. And he’s falling in love with the one woman he absolutely can’t have.



 

Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis Perform
Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis Perform “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from Broadway’s “Porgy and Bess”.



The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stunning and stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty Of Nothing,” plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime, “Private Practice”), Drama Desk nominee NORM LEWIS (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER (Race, “In Living Color”). Broadway Tickets



 

The Phantom of the Opera has millions of fans and followers from all over the world. Take a behind the scenes look at the South African Production of The Phantom of the Opera, which just one of the shows numerous international productions!



Winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and now the longest-running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera is based on the novel by Gaston Leroux. It tells the story of the hideously deformed Phantom who lurks beneath the stage of the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over its occupants. The phantom falls in love with the young Soprano devoting himself to creating a new star for the Opera by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all the skills at his disposal.



 

 

Suzan-Lori Parks on ‘Porgy and Bess’
Suzan-Lori Parks, who wrote a reworked book for “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” now on Broadway, talks about some of the changes in the show and in the number “I Got Plenty of Nothing.”



The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stunning and stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty Of Nothing,” plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime, “Private Practice”), Drama Desk nominee NORM LEWIS (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER (Race, “In Living Color”). Broadway Tickets



 

The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS opened this Thursday, January 12, 2012, at The Richard Rodgers Theatre. Here’s a first preview of some of the songs in the landmark new Broadway revival production.

“I Got Plenty of Nothing” (Porgy)




“Bess, You Is My Woman Now” (Porgy, Bess)




“It Ain’t Necessarily So” (Sporting Life, Ensemble)




“There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon” (Sporting Life)




Which song is your favorite?


The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stunning and stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty Of Nothing,” plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime, “Private Practice”), Drama Desk nominee NORM LEWIS (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER (Race, “In Living Color”).

Broadway Tickets