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Jim Wilhelm, a theatrical agent who represented actors including Olivia de Havilland, Daniel Dae Kim, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lea Salonga and Cybill Shepherd, has died. He was 68.

Wilhelm died Monday in New York after a brief battle with cancer, a publicist announced.

Wilhelm was one of the original founding partners of Douglas, Gorman, Rothacker & Wilhelm, one of New York’s most preeminent theatrical agencies since its inception in 1988. In 2010, he became the first theatrical agent to be made a voter for the Tony Awards.

Over the years, Wilhelm also counted as clients Lynn Cohen, Sandy Duncan, Lainie Kazan, Alice Ripley, Kathleen Chalfant, Elaine Paige, Sierra Boggess, Douglas Sills, Keala Settle, Paige O’Hara and Jodi Benson.

He served as the vice president of the board of directors of the National Association of Talent Representatives and was an active participant in, and a founding board member of, Broadway Cares, which assists those with HIV and AIDS.

Broadway Sessions celebrated it's season finale recently. Nobody panic Broadway Sessions will be back weekly beginning onSeptember 7th. But of course we had to blow the roof of the joint 1 more time before parting. So we called upon friends, Colton Ryan Dear Evan Hansen, Kimber Elayne Sprawl Beautiful, Lauren Elder Side Show and Matt DeAngelis Waitress to dazzle us 1 last time this summer. Enjoy highlights from these tremendous talents here. We can't wait to see you all back at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in September...

The heartbreaks and triumphs that fill people’s lives as they transition from the dreams that fuel their twenties to the confident maturity of their forties are finally being realistically showcased in entertainment. ‘thirtywhatever,’ a new musical revue that’s filled with songs about what happens between the time people say goodbye to 29 and hello to […]

The post Musical Revue thirtywhatever Explores Life’s Heartbreaks and Triumphs at New York’s Laurie Beechman Theatre appeared first on Shockya.com.

TheBroadway Artists ConnectionBACAll Stars Benefit for Cat Youth Theatre onMonday, November 14th7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre is Bac's biggest amp final event of the season The evening hosted by Antoine L. Smith The Color Purple will feature many Broadway favorites with a combined 34 Broadway credits listed below, Bac's 2016 open mic winners amp a performance by the students ofCAT Youth Theatre.

We're Back After a long summer hiatus Broadway Sessions returned to The Laurie Beechman TheatreThursdaynightto kick off our 9th season of Broadway fun. And what better way to celebrate than by featuring our audience in an All Open Mic partyThe packed house proved to be ripe for the harvest with one performer after the next knocking the ball clean out of the park. Check out these super talented up and comers and remembers these names. Today's open mic star may just be next year's Broadway star. And with talent like this, I'd put money on it.

To be honest, I've been feeling a little HOMEsick this week. Missing our Thursday nights together at our beautiful Home, The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Well, who says you can't go Home... let's bring it on Home with some of our favorite friends singing one of our favorite musical theatre classics- Home from The Wiz. Are you getting a 'home' theme here...

Cast members from the Tony-nominated revival of The Color Purple made their way to The Laurie Beechman Theatre on Thursday evening for Broadway Sessions. It became clearpretty darn quickthat we were no longer in a theater- we were at Church These cats can sing like nobody's business. And that's just what they did. They Sang Cast members Rema Webb, Antoine L. Smith, J. Daughtry, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Phoenix Best, Akron Watson and Carla R. Stewart were greeted with standing ovation after standing ovation. The cast also shared insights into their audition experiences, told us their favorite 'audience reactions', played a round of 'The Color Purple Pyramid' and joined their voices together for an unforgettable group performance of the show's 11 o'clock number, 'I'm Here.'...

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including Telly Leung Songs For You CD Release Ann Hampton Callaway Celebrates Women Songwriters Lena HallThe Villa Satori -Growing up Haight Ashbury Laurie Beechman Tribute at the Metropolitan Room and Sondheim Unplugged.

This weekend, Atlanta-based actors and writers Jeremiah Parker Hobbs and Jessica DeMaria will debut their new breath-taking,folk-rock musicalTHE Last Time We Were Here atThe New York Musical Theatre Festival Nymf.There are only two performances of this special event Saturday, July 25, 3pm, and Monday, July 27, noon, both at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe located at 407 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

We’ve covered some of the production highlights from the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival, which is celebrating 12 years of bringing new musicals to the stage. Here are some concerts and workshops that working actors and musical theater lovers alike shouldn’t miss! “Tom Kitt and Friends,” July 13 at PTC Performance SpaceThis one-night only concert from composer-lyricist Tom Kitt, whose award-winning shows include “Next to Normal” and “If/Then,” will feature various singers from projects old and new—and a special guest or two! $27.50 for individual tickets. “Women of Note,” July 20 at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box TheatreCelebrate the women of musical theater! This annual Nymf event honors “the ladies who are making theatre sing,” including performances of songs by the likes of Lynn Ahrens, Barbara Anselmi, Kait Kerrigan, and this year’s Tony-winning honorary chair Jeanine Tesori. $27.50 for individual tickets. “Under Construction: Nymf’s Next Broadway Sensations,” July...

After his critically acclaimed and sold-out concert honoring composer Maury Yeston, singersongwriter Tim Realbuto Ghostlight Wunderkind returns to the concert stage to honor more of his favorite composers with 'Tim Realbuto Live In Living Color', an evening celebrating the songwriting duo of Marc Shamian and Scott Wittman, who are responsible for hits such as Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can. The June 9th concert event will take place at 700 Pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre 407 West 42nd Street, NYC and promises to feature Realbuto's interpretation of many of Shaiman and Wittman's biggest hits.

After his critically acclaimed and sold-out concert honoring composer Maury Yeston, singersongwriter Tim Realbuto Ghostlight Wunderkind returns to the concert stage to honor more of his favorite composers with 'Tim Realbuto Live In Living Color', an evening celebrating the songwriting duo of Marc Shamian and Scott Wittman, who are responsible for hits such as Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can. The June 9th concert event will take place at 700 Pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre 407 West 42nd Street, NYC and promises to feature Realbuto's interpretation of many of Shaiman and Wittman's biggest hits.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's In Trousers - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, Have Faith, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John Lachiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional...

Mary Testa - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress - and Michael Starobin, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger will perform four concerts in January to promote their new album Have Faith from Ghostlight Records. Fresh off her recent starring role on Broadway in Wicked, Mary will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 700 Pm. Music Director Michael Starobin, will join her on piano with Alisa Horn on cello. Since being released earlier this month, Have Faith was called stunning by Playbill, beautifully hypnotizing by BroadwayWorld and a sensational CD debut, terrific from first cut to last by the Connecticut Post. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com. To order the album, please visit www.sh-k-boom.comhavefaith.

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from Mary Testa - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and Michael Starobin, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets today, December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 700 Pm. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from Mary Testa - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and Michael Starobin, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 700 Pm. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.

Tim Realbuto and Jenna Leigh Green have announced the next leg of submissions for their Wunderkind songwriting competition. Writers are encouraged to submit original material to be performed at each stop on Realbuto's Wunderkind tour. The next performance is on Monday, October 13th at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. The winner of the last contest was Andrew J. Hanley pictured here with Green and Realbuto, whose song 'Love Me' was performed at Realbuto's Triad show on September 1st.

Peter Kramer/AP/Press Association Images

“ I’m 81. I could go at any moment. I could fall over right here, on stage. And then you could all say: ‘I was there!’”

Joan Rivers uttered those words on stage at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York on 27 August. Barely a week later, she was gone. She didn’t die on stage, which is a shame in a way – as someone so renowned for pushing boundaries and setting out to shock, you get the impression she would have got a kick out of that.

The day after her set in New York, Rivers was admitted to the Yorkville Endoscopy clinic to undergo a fairly routine procedure on her vocal cords. During the operation, she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest, triggering a stroke. The comedienne was put into a medically induced coma and given life support but never recovered, and she passed away on 4 September.

Broadway Sessions returns with cast of Aladdin on September 4, 2014. Broadway Sessions takes place every Thursday evening at The Laurie Beechman Theater inside The West Bank Cafe located at 407 west 42nd street corner of 42nd street and 9th avenue. 212-695-6909. Doors open at 10pm for open mic. Showtime at 11. 5 drink specials all night. 5 cover includes a donation to Broadway CaresEquity Fights Aids.

Joan Rivers was in "good spirits" the night before her emergency hospitalization on Thursday, Aug. 27, a source tells Us Weekly. The Fashion Police host, 81, who was hospitalized after she stopped breathing during a throat surgery, not only attended a dinner at Amaranth Restaurant in New York City, but also made death jokes during a performance at Laurie Beechman Theatre. "She seemed absolutely fine," the source tells Us of the comedian's state at dinner. "She was cracking jokes all night. She was in really good spirits." Rivers, [...]...

The New York Musical Theatre Festival has announced the performers for their special opening night launch event Meeting Our Heroes A Tribute to the Composers Who Inspire Us at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe 407 West 42nd Street on Monday, July 7 at 700 Pm. Jeremiah Ginn Murder for Two, Janet Krupin IfThen, Bring It On The Musical, Charlotte Maltby Les Miserables at the Muny and Bryce Ryness Fly By Night, First Date, Hair, will help four emerging songwriters celebrate four of musical theater's most celebrated composers. An intimate, history-making night of songs and stories, this one-night-only concert opens Nymf with music from established and new writers alike and honors the individuals who have made an indelible mark on the musical theater community.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival will launch this season with a special opening night event Meeting Our Heroes A Tribute to the Composers Who Inspire Us at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe 407 West 42nd Street on Monday, July 7 at 700 Pm. Four of musical theater's most celebrated composers will appear to be honored by four emerging songwriters for an intimate, history-making night of songs and stories, as they pay tribute to the writers who inspire us. Featuring a cast of Broadway friends, this one-night-only concert opens Nymf with music from established and new writers alike and honors the individuals who have made an indelible mark on the musical theater community.

After touring the world with The Vaudevillians, RuPaul's Drag Race favorite and Bistro Award nominee Jinkx Monsoon makes her much anticipated return to New York with Jinkx Monsoon The Inevitable Concert. Monsoon will appear live with her band, premiering an evening of songs from her upcoming CD, The Inevitable Album. The CD will be released the week of the show and will available to buy at the theatre. Performances run May 8 - 11 at 7pm at The Laurie Beechman Theater inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street. Tickets are 25 plus a 15 fooddrink minimum. A 50 VIP ticket including priority seating and meet-and-greet is also available. To purchase tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com.

Acclaimed composer, Rona Siddiqui will present her collection of musical theatre songs ranging from comic metal love songs to aquatic funk and everything in between with Songs Rona Wrote The Music of Rona Siddiqui at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, June 10th at 930pm. The concert event will include performances by Erin Dilly A Christmas Story, Sarah Stiles Avenue Q, Into the Woods, Gideon Glick Spring Awakening, Mykal Kilgore Hair, Mj Rodriguez Rent, Manu Naruyan Bombay Dreams, Margo Seibert, Ayesu Lartey, Matt Bauman, Andrew Leggieri, and Ben Langhorst. For more information on Rona Siddiqui check out her website, www.ronasiddiqui.com...

Dimitri Moise is extremely proud to be a part of Nymf's Next Broadway SensationHe is currently at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the New Studio on Broadway studying Musical Theatre. Regional credits include Tim Wyatt in the Pre-Broadway Production of Johnny Baseball, Richie in A Chorus Line, Hud in Hair, and Sailor in Anything Goes. Nyu credits include Flick in Violet and Polynices in The Seven. Dimitri has also been seen in various new works such as IanBradley Cole in Bradley Cole, Rob in This Dark City, St. GoarDerek in The Lorelei, and Davu in Let it Rain. In addition, he has performed solo at Carnegie Hall, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in Daniel Lincoln's Cabaret 4 Scores...and 7 Shows Ago, at the Daryl Roth Theatre in J. Oconor Navarro's New Composers Cabaret, and most recently at Radio City Music Hall this past May.