In the past few weeks, we have lost two of the loveliest ladies of the Golden Age of musical theatre, Angela Lansbury and Rita Gardner.
Rita reentered my life three years ago as my student. I was awed when this wonderful lady, who I previously worked with at Milwaukee Melody Top, and who I considered Off Broadway Royalty re: The Fantasticks, wanted to study with me. This was Rita: She continued studying acting and singing right up to the month she passed. What a wonderful, bright, sly, spirit. I visited her two days before she left us, and she sang a scale for me. Music from the beginning to the end.
Rita also was a close friend of our colleague here at The Voice Studio and JWP, Claire-Frances Sullivan. I connected Claire-Frances with Rita to help her with her website, and they quickly became close friends. Claire-Frances remembers Rita as a fierce, warm, and colorful spirit. She will miss her weekly coffee dates with Rita at Rita’s favorite diner, Rita’s hilarious and sage advice, and their many long talks on the phone about music, theater, and life.
Angela was a gracious and deeply kind mentor and friend to me. I am humbled and honored that she was a part of my life both professionally and personally. She was one of those presences that you thought would always be there, and now that she’s not, what a void.
Angela and Rita will both be missed so dearly by many folks all over the world, and especially warmly loved and remembered by those of us here at The Voice Studio and JWP.
New York Premiere: Proud Ladies
So you think you know these ladies...? Come join Kurt for an interesting trip down memory lane on Columbus Day, October 10th at 7:00pm at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center.
https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/kurt-peterson-in-proud-ladies/
Music director Michael Roberts, me, and producer Frank Dain after a lovely tribute to the prolific Stephen Schwartz.
Picture by JWP team member, Claire-Frances Sullivan.
Profoundly beautiful and haunting lullabies and love songs accompanied by my talented high school classmate, Jean Renee Schneider. Congratulations!
Hats off to my dear friend and colleague Ian Herman on the release of his first solo album! Available on iTunes, Amazon, and all streaming services. JWP had the good fortune of presenting him live at The Zipper quite a few years ago in his solo show, "Alone at Last". For a preview, check out www.ianherman.net
A very worthy cause and a dedication to our dear friend Bill Sensenbrenner.
“Hey up there, way up there, whadya say up there?”
Click through the picture for a lovely remembrance of Harvey Evans.
We’re back! Can’t keep a good number off the internet. Tune in to the video at 4:50, unless you want to catch Yvonne de Carlo.
Had a nice time talking with Kyle up in Calgary! Listen to his podcast via this link.
Happy birthday, Bernadette!
Wishing a very happy birthday to our PROUD LADIES friend and colleague, Bernadette Peters on February 28th, 2021. Hoping your day is awash with happiness!
Bernadette Peters will be one of the many prolific women featured in Kurt's new musical memoir, PROUD LADIES.
February 6th, 2021 marks the 52nd anniversary of Dear World opening on Broadway. Feels like it was yesterday! Thank you to Playbill for the walk down memory lane, click on the picture below to check it out.
Kurt and James William Productions mourn the loss of the wonderful, talented, and profoundly generous, Rebecca Luker. A dear friend and bright light lost far too soon. Missing you already, Rebecca.
"Dear World" opened on Broadway 51 years ago today (February 6th, 2020) starring our dear Angela Lansbury who earned a Tony Award for her performance. Click on the picture for an article about the show; thank you Playbill for these wonderful memories!
Wishing a very happy birthday this February 2nd to one of our special ladies, Elaine Stritch. You are dearly missed!
Another February 2nd Happy birthday to our dear Cady Huffman, the original Ulla in "The Producers". Some day I'll convince her to do that Swedish clog dance "Who Hid the Halibut on the Poop Deck" with me!
Kurt, Stephenie, and Claire-Frances had a wonderful time at their first Association of Performing Arts Professionals conference. It was a very welcoming atmosphere to network and promote Proud Ladies. Much on the horizon, onward!
Jerry Herman, July 10, 1931 – December 26, 2019
Jerry and Kurt recording Dear World's "Each Tomorrow Morning".
We will miss the sweet and much underrated songwriter, Jerry Herman, who gave us so many wonderful musical moments. I think "We'll Need a Little Christmas" today.
Read his Playbill obituary here, with a picture of Angela Lansbury and Kurt in the attached gallery. A cherished memory!
http://www.playbill.com/article/jerry-herman-composer-of-tuneful-broadway-hits-dies-at-88?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PlaybillPost&fbclid=IwAR03ziLCrygDFNs92KkSjCdC7QuN0Eh2ceNwVSjz8Vb60FdmqdUcZBahBak
Read a wonderful portrait of a one-of-a-kind performer and person in Alexandra Jacobs' "Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch". You might read about an incident in the Savoy that Kurt shares in his memoir concert, "Proud Ladies"!
https://www.amazon.com/Still-Here-Madcap-Singu…/…/0374268096
Thinking of Ethel Shutta on her birthday, December 2nd; a wonderful performer who, at age 74, introduced Broadway Baby to the world in the landmark Follies. What an incredible person, and talent!
Ethel will be one the many prolific women featured in Kurt’s new musical memoir Proud Ladies, due in New York Spring 2020. Proud Ladies will also be represented at the Association and Performing Arts Professionals Conference in January at the New York Hilton for bookings across the nation.
Wishing a happy birthday on November 18th to the wonderful Dorothy Collins, seen here with John McMartin. Thank you for your friendship, for your breathtaking “Sally Durant” in “Follies”, and for the sweetest gift, the sailor, which I will cherish forever.
Dorothy will be one the many talented women featured in Kurt’s new musical memoir Proud Ladies, due in New York Spring 2020. Proud Ladies will also be represented at the Association and Performing Arts Professionals Conference in January at the New York Hilton for bookings across the nation.
Happy birthday on November 16th to our dear friend and colleague, Donna McKechnie!
Thank you for your wonderful contributions to the American Theatre.
Donna will be one the many talented women featured in Kurt’s new musical memoir Proud Ladies, due in New York Spring 2020. Proud Ladies will also be represented at the Association and Performing Arts Professionals Conference in January at the New York Hilton for bookings across the nation.
The Original Podcast
Kurt had a great time sitting down with Patrick Flynn this May!
"I was very lucky to have the chance to chat with Kurt Peterson who produced Sondheim: A Musical Tribute and was in the original Broadway cast of Follies (1971). Kurt spills some tea on how the first Sondheim tribute came together, talks about his plans for the upcoming 50th anniversary, and what it was like to be in Follies before it was considered a classic of American musical theatre. You can learn more about Kurt and his work at his website: James Williams Productions Dot Com."
Click on the picture to listen to the full interview.
Joining Us!
We at JWP are thrilled to announce that the very capable and talented Claire-Frances Sullivan will be joining our organization and assuming many responsibilities at both JWP and The Voice Studio. Claire’s experience as a production assistant coupled with her title as theater-maker, performer, and lyricist with the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop make her an invaluable asset as we move forward with our many projects. Welcome, Claire!
Hal Prince Exhibit
Kurt and his dear friend and co-producer Stephenie Skyllas at the opening of "In the Company of Harold Prince" at the Lincoln Center Library. This incredible exhibit is an interactive record of Hal's creative output and will be at the library until March of 2020. Run don't walk! Thanks, Hal, for everything.
Victoria Mallory
The Fantasticks at The Springer Opera House
Columbus, GA in 1970
September 20, 1948-August 30, 2014
Can it be five years since we lost her?
Hope you’re sitting down! I was recently honored with the “Lifetime Achievement in Dance” award by Columbus State University. See the link above.
I had hoped to record a new holiday song, but it never happened…
So, from two years ago, here is “There Are All Kinds of Christmases.”
Wishing you the very best always,
Kurt Peterson, JWP, and The Voice Studio
Kurt’s NY BOUND solo musical memoir, Proud Ladies: Close Encounters With and Lessons Learned From will be workshopped Aug. 13-18 at Columbus, GA's Springer Opera House, directed by Lisa Asher, with choreography by Joshua Bergasse, and music direction by Ian Herman. Projections are by Telegraphicmedia. The show will be produced by James William Productions and Stephenie Skyllas/Over~Sky Productions.
While Kurt is the only physical actor in this show, the 23 proud ladies loom large and act along with him through the use of multi-media depictions. This artful use of images, some never-before seen, bring these dynamic women to life. The audience feels their presence and the impact these women had in shaping this man's view of the world, as well as himself.
KURT INTERVIEWS HAL PRINCE
Zero Hour ended it's successful run (just for now) with a wonderful talk back with a man who knew Zero Mostel well, and who has given us all so very much.
Make plans to see the long overdue salute to Hal Prince, The Prince of Broadway, coming soon.
To see the entire interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ONqrjy2WE
Kurt and Hal
(L-R) Hal Prince, Kurt Peterson, Jim Brochu
WEST SIDE STORY AT LINCOLN CENTER:1968
This recently discovered recording just might be from the opening night of West Side Story at Lincoln Center on June 24,1968
Check out the beautiful work of Doug Reside, curator at the Billy Rose Theater Division of the Lincoln Center library - many more GIFs of the original and 1968 productions of West Side Story right here!
In 1977, the late Clark Gesner (composer of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown), asked Kurt to record a demo of a brand new Christmas song for Bing Crosby. Sadly, Bing passed away just a few weeks before the session - it would be the "last Christmas song Bing never recorded" - but now you can hear the lovely "All Kinds of Christmases" sung by Kurt, with orchestrations and piano by Rick Jensen.
Happy Holidays from all of us at JWP and The Voice Studio!
People are talking about WEWP. . . NOW in its second pressing!
"I was flabbergasted." - Angela Lansbury
"Hell, I'm gobsmacked." - Hal Prince
"Glorious." - Huffington Post
GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS PRESENTS
“WHEN EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE”
A CONCERT ALBUM CELEBRATING BROADWAY’S GOLDEN AGE
STARRING KURT PETERSON & VICTORIA MALLORY
ALBUM ONLINE AND IN STORES NOW
New York, NY (5/18/2016) – Ghostlight Records released the concert recording of When Everything Was Possible, an exciting and poignant evening celebrating Broadway’s Golden Age starring Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory and directed by Larry Moss, on May 13, 2016. The beloved performers – who appeared in the original productions of the classic musicals Follies, A Little Night Music, Dear World and Sondheim: A Musical Tribute, among many others – reunited at New York’s City Center in 2012 and this live album memorializes that special evening, Victoria’s last New York stage appearance. When Everything Was Possible includes songs from shows they appeared in either separately or together between 1966 and 1974, in addition to two new compositions. To order the album, please visit www.sh-kboom.com/everything-was-possible.
When Everything Was Possible features selections from landmark works of musical theater, along with hilarious and personal memories from the stars themselves, to offer a walk down Broadway’s memory lane. The concert has new orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, music direction by Michael Rafter, direction by Larry Moss, musical staging by Joshua Bergasse, historical projections by Telegraphic Media, original songs by composer Jesse Wiener, and an introduction by Ted Chapin, President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. The album is produced by James William Productions and Stephenie Skyllas.
The accompanying 32-page booklet contains many never-before-seen historic photographs, as well as images from the 2012 concert, a memorial to Victoria. The archival recording beautifully captures the hopeful, emotional, and exuberant evening that Backstage said, “No young performer should miss. Not only will you learn a lot; it will give you hope.”
After seeing When Everything Was Possible, Broadway legend director Hal Prince – who directed many of the iconic original productions – called the show “magical” and remarked, “they represent the best of musical theatre. Beautiful voices, charm, shining intelligence, and additionally they’re terrific looking. The show they’ve so adroitly put together is thoroughly entertaining, informative, poignant, was performed with grace and generosity and is a real treat.” Tony Award winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara raved “I was so moved and inspired. I felt like I was seeing something so rare and special. Everyone did.”
Kurt, Angela Lansbury, Vicki, and Kelli O'Hara
For more information, please visit www.WhenEverythingWasPossible.com.
Q: What could legendary classical actor Vincent Price and Broadway juvenile Kurt Peterson possibly have in common?
A: Both tried to save the failing Peter Paul candy bar "No Jelly" in 1972. The bar failed, but Kurt and his commercial won the "CLIO Award" for Best Commercial. See "Mr. Peanut Butter" Kurt and "Miss Jelly" Erika Peterson in this classic backstage drama.
Recent Articles and Videos
1973 Sondheim Tribute: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/watch-mini-docu-on-1973-sondheim-a-musical-tribute-concert-that-helped-launch-the-sondheim-cult-343985
Puppet Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Peterson, Liz Larsen, and More Celebrate Sondheimas: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/sondheimas-birthday-celebration-photos_72208.html
BWW Interview: Kurt Peterson on WHEN EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE Archival Recording and Remembering Victoria Mallory: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interview-Kurt-Peterson-on-WHEN-EVERYTHING-WAS-POSSIBLE-Archival-Recording-and-Remembering-Victoria-Mallory-20150321
Kurt Peterson - "So Many People"/"Being Alive": http://youtu.be/2lRHm_kQEVk
"You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" from Sondheim's 75th Birthday Celebration: http://youtu.be/KrY-VYsSRQs
1971 Follies Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTD9H-yshUg
Music! Music! Music!
I Like Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8yU-qvAARE
Small Town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJMKIn7qow8
Waiting for the Girls Upstairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlkKwyqFl3Q
Have I Got a Girl for You/Someone Is Waiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZcVprSLDLE
Being Alive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F7LmhJFWnk
Alpine Miss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2isyo3JHuB8
I'm Free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2wH7l66bwU
I Got Plenty o' Nothin': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofc5WuJSyQM
JWP and Triton Gallery Release a "Window Card"-sized poster of Sondheim—A Musical Tribute
This is a more "New York Apartment friendly size replica of the iconic"scrabble" poster the Huffington Post recently described as "The revelatory first (and still reigning finest ever) all-star Sondheim concert"
To order visit http://tritongallery.com/
Welcome '73 Sondheim Musical Tribute
to YouTube!
How fun it is to see the 1973 Warner Brothers promo documentary of the first celebration tribute to Stephen Sondheim. JWP has been trying to find the lost footage, but this one is great fun as you see, Chita, Angela, Donna, Stephen, and many more in their younger days.
Click here to see the Sondheim Musical Tribute Promo
"Congratulations and welcome back!" — Stephen Sondheim
"I was flabbergasted!" — Angela Lansbury
"A complete triumph!" — Ted Chapin
"I was so moved and inspired!" — Kelli O'Hara
"Magical! Bravo!" — Hal Prince
On Sunday, April 29th, 2012, When Everything Was Possible – A Concert (with comments) debuted at New York City Center. Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory, Broadway’s go-to juvenile and ingénue of a Golden Era, were welcomed back to the New York stage in a memorable evening of song and story.
With Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, Music Direction by Michael Rafter, Musical Staging by Joshua Bergasse of NBC’s Smash, Direction by Larry Moss and never before seen images from the era’s greatest photographers, When Everything Was Possible revisits a powerfully charged time of American and world history as well as the sunset years of the Golden Age of Broadway. The concert featured songs from shows they were very much a part of including West Side Story, Dear World, Carnival, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sondheim - A Musical Tribute and more.
A Follies Reunion
Opening night of the Kennedy Center production of Follies on Broadway at the Marriott Marquis with original cast members in attendance.
Harvey Evans, Peter Walker, Victoria Mallory, Virginia Sandifur, Kurt, Steve & Denise Boockvar
Harvey Evans, Kurt, Jonathan & Leigh Berry Tunick
The Zero Hour Tour Has Begun!
JWP is proud to be co-producing the Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Award-Winning hit play Zero Hour, based on the life of Zero Mostel, written by and starring Jim Brochu with direction by Piper Laurie.
Visit www.zerohourshow.com for our tour schedule and for links to purchasing tickets.
Also visit Broadway.com, Variety.com, Playbill.com, and Broadwayworld.com to read all about Zero Hour.
"Singularly captivating, Zero Hour is a success. It brings Mostel back to life, just the way his fans want him." — The New York Times
"An extraordinary act of reincarnation...from the moment that Brochu spins around to face the audience, he is a Hirschfeld drawing come to pulsing life! You can't help being swept up in the tornado of energy as Brochu's star turn conjures forth a Zero larger than life and death." —Time Out New York, Four Stars Critics Pick
Kurt and Victoria on the red carpet at the opening night
of Broadway's newest production of West Side Story.
Kurt and Victoria with Kelli O'Hara backstage at South Pacific at Lincoln Center
where Kurt and Victoria made their debut 4o years before.
THE ONE THAT BEGAN IT ALL
“Sondheim: A Musical Tribute”
1973 Poster Re-issued in a special limited edition
To honor Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday, Kurt Peterson and his company, James William Productions (JWP), has re-issued a special limited edition of the poster designed for “Sondheim: A Musical Tribute,” the first celebration and revue of the music of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Produced by Mr. Peterson, the Tribute was held on March 11, 1973, at the Shubert Theater on the set of “A Little Night Music.” What began as a mere luncheon soon grew into a three-hour concert with forty-one songs performed by thirty-eight singers, all Sondheim show veterans.
The famous poster, using Scrabble® squares to spell out the names of Sondheim shows, was designed by Neil Appelbaum and was given to the cast of the historic concert. The poster has never been available to the general public.
This special limited edition poster is available through James William Productions at jameswproduction@aol.com
The poster is also available through Triton Gallery in New York City at 800-626-6674 or on-line at www.broadwayposters.com.
Kurt Peterson, JWP and Jane Bergére presented a new play, Capture Now Off Broadway at The Theatres at 45 Bleecker, 45 Bleecker Street in New York City this past season. The play was both written and performed by Josh Jonas and directed by Larry Moss.
Capture Now is the story of the relationship between two young brothers, the "coming of age" of the older brother and the love of the family and friends who help move him through difficult times...an understatement.
The play takes place on Long Island in the late '80s-early '90s and features music of cool groups that the brothers share a passion for as they learn to "Rock."
Josh Jonas was born and raised on Long Island and attended Boston University where he received his BFA in acting. His other writing credits include the one acts Elvis Savant and No-Hitter. He was see in the New York premieres of Belly of The Whale and Divinity Bash and was also the lead in the film Worn Like a Tattoo with Billy Drago.
Larry Moss, the founder of the Larry Moss Studio and author of the acclaimed book The Intent To Live, developed and directed the Obie, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning The Syringa Tree. He directed Runt of The Litter, Beast on The Moon and RFK. Larry has coached a number of actors, many of whom are award winners or nominees. He coached Helen Hunt in As Good As it Gets (Academny Award); Hank Azaria in Tuesdays with Morrie (Emmy); Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (Academy Award), The Affair of the Necklace, and Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award); Leonard DiCaprio in The Aviator (Academy Award Nomination); Michael Clark Duncan in The Green Mile (Academy Award Nomination); and many, many others.
Kurt will be co-producing Capture Now with Jane Bergére, whose producing credits are Broadway: Minsky's, Curtains., 13–The Musical, All My Sons, Glengarry Glen Ross (Tony Award, Best Play Revival); Caroline or Change (Tony nomination, Best Musical); Metamorphoses (Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, Best Play and Tony nomination, Best Play); Off-Broadway: The Exonerated (Drama Desk Award, Best Play and Lucille Lortel Award); Houdini the Musical. Also The Exonerated national tour and London.
Visit www.capturenowtheplay.com and in the not too distant future, www.capturenowthefilm.com.
Visit the CAPTURE NOW production page for additional links and photos.
Cady Huffman, Kurt and Larry Moss at opening night of Capture Now.
Kurt and JWP presented the exciting pianist Ian Herman in Ian Herman Alone at Last, an evening of original compositions
at 8 PM on Wednesday, July 30th at The Zipper Theater in NYC.
"I have known Ian and his work for many years and I find his playing and especially these energetic, fun and moving pieces, extraordinary.
It is going to be a wonderful evening and I'm proud that JWP is involved in helping to bring Ian and his talent to the stage." Kurt.
To see photos from the evening, click here.
See Ian play live from his debut performance at The Zipper Factory: www.youtube.com/user/PianoPaws
Eivand Harum, Ramona Mallory, Victoria Mallory and Kurt
at the gala opening of the Kenn Duncan exhibit at the New York Library for the
Performing Arts. Eivand, a wonderful Harkness dancer, played Riff in the West Side Story Kurt and
Vicki starred in at Lincoln Center in the summer of '68 . Ramona, of course, is Vicki's talented daughter.
Kurt participated in Donna McKechnie's book tour promoting her autobiography, Time Steps.
L-R: Tommy Walsh, Pamela Myers, Kurt, Priscilla Lopez,
Donna McKechnie, Harvey Evans, Eugene at the piano.
Priscilla and Kurt
Donna McKechnie promoted her book, Time Steps, at Barnes & Noble in New York. (All photos by Ben Strothmann)
