July 28th 2008
Dillon and U.K. Chart Topper Hawkes to Star in Manilow's Can't Smile without You -
by
Mark Shenton
Initial casting has been announced for Can't
Smile without You, the new musical that will
feature the pop hits of Grammy Award winner Barry
Manilow.
Chesney Hawkes, a British pop icon best known for his number one hit "The One and Only," will play the lead role of Tony opposite "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" reality TV finalist Siobhan Dillon, as love interest Mandy.
Can't Smile without You — newly written around such classic Barry Manilow hits as "Could It Be Magic," "It's a Miracle," "I Write the Songs," "Mandy," "I Made It Through the Rain," "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" and the title tune — has a book by Tim Prager, based on an original idea by Bill Kenwright, who also produces the show and co-directs it with Keith Strachan.
The show begins performances at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre on Aug. 28, prior to an official opening on Sept. 1, and runs there to Sept. 6. The production will then play Dartford's Orchard Theatre (Sept. 8-13), Liverpool's Empire Theatre (Sept. 15-20), Bristol's Hippodrome Theatre (Sept. 22-27), Manchester's Palace Theatre (Sept. 29-Oct 4), Hull's New Theatre (Oct. 6-11), Glasgow's King's Theatre (Oct. 13-18), Edinburgh's Festival Theatre (Oct. 20-25), Northampton's Royal and Derngate Theatre (Nov. 10-15), Stoke's Regent Theatre (Nov. 17-22) and Darlington's Civic Theatre (Nov. 24-29).
Hawkes recently completed his new album "Another Fine Mess." Other songs he has written have been recorded and charted by performers as diverse as boy band A1, Caprice and various other international artists. Dillon went on from "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" to sign a record deal with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, co-wrote and recorded an album with Polydor for Universal. She subsequently starred in the West End production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre.
July 18th 2008
The brand new CD from Jane McDonald released on August 11th will feature her very own versions of two of Barry's Classic Songs...."Even Now" & "One Voice"....Jane is a huge admirer of Barry's songs and arrangements and is thrilled to include two of them on her hugely anticipated new CD.
1. Doctors
Orders, 2.
Time For
Love, 3.
Song For
You, 4. Mas
Que Nada, 5.
If I Knew
Then
6. How Do
You Keep The
Music
Playing, 7.
Sweet
Talker, 8.
If You Love
Me, 9. Nine
Times Out Of
Ten
10. Even
Now, 11. You
Do It All
For Me, 12.
The Hungry
Years, 13.
Not A Day
Goes By, 14.
One Voice
Available from all major stores on August 11th or you can pre-order at www.hmv.com or www.play.com
July 11th 2008
"Secrets Out: Even Hellboy loves Palm Springs' own Barry Manilow" by Bruce Fessier
Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow has to be all smiles. His 1978 hit, "Can't Smile Without You" is creating a sensation in Guillermo del Toro's latest film, "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army," Click Here for the full article
Click Here to see the article published in The Mail On Sunday July 6th! A Free Barry Manilow CD was available in The Mail On Sunday on July 13th!
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July 7th 2008
More Manilow At The 02....
Extra Date Added - Sunday 7th December 2008
Tickets on sale
NOW!Ticketline - www.ticketline.co.uk
, 02 Arena - www.the02.co.uk,Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.co.uk, See Tickets - www.seetickets.com
For full details and
Fan Club Tickets - Click HereJune 12th 2008
BARRY Manilow is to play two nights at London’s O2 Arena in December, it has been confirmed.
Manilow: An Evening of Music and Passion will be visiting the prestigious new concert venue on Thursday, December 4 and Saturday, December 6, 2008
Story by Jack Foley - www.indielondon.co.uk
Click Here for the full article
June 12th 2008
Barry Manilow's Can't Smile Without You poised for West End
CAN’T Smile Without You, a new musical based on the songs of American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, looks set for a transfer to the West End next year (2009) following an appearance in Bromley and a regional tour.
Bromley’s Churchill Theatre will play host to the compilation musical from August 28, 2008, until September 6, before its three-month regional tour.
Feature by Lizzie Guilfoyle - www.indielondon.co.uk
Click Here for the full article
June 2nd - The Gazette - Montreal
'A lovely accident'
Barry Manilow owes his entire career to mentor Clive Davis, who suggested his latest musical venture: covering classic songs - BERNARD PERUSSE
Click Here for the full article
20th May 2008
Barry is heading to the O2 Arena in London in ’08!
Mark your calendar…“Manilow: An Evening of Music and Passion” will be heating up the O2 Arena in December with shows on:
Thursday, December 4
Saturday, December 6
And….a select, limited number of FRONT ROW seats for these concerts are available NOW….by bid….on the online auction site at: www.FrontRowManilow.com
It’s easy, secure, and guarantees you a front row seat!
Stay tuned to www.manilow.com , www.manilowuk.com and the Hotline for the latest news on the BMIFC and public on-sale dates.
NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWSCrooner Andy Williams given honourAmerican crooner Andy Williams has been honoured by his peers in Hollywood.The famed singer, who has been making records for over five decades, received his very own ELLA Award from the Society Of Singers - a group which offers help with the emergency financial needs of professional vocalists worldwide.
Speaking before a special evening of music laid on in his recognition, Andy, 80, said: "It feels very nice to be honoured by your peers, other singers, nothing can be better than that, to have the recognition from them that they enjoy the work you've done."
Tribute performances by some of music's finest were laid on at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the singer - including acts like Glen Campbell, Pat Boone and music legend Johnny Mathis, who raved about Andy, calling him "a wonderful icon in the business" who "deserves all his accolades".
Andy said he was particularly touched that one of the night's performers had come out in his honour, saying: "Barry [Manilow] said that he had been a fan of mine for a long time and that I had influenced him some, that's why he wanted to come pay tribute to me, which I thought was very nice."
The Copacabana star said of Andy: "His vocal range is amazing, he still has that talent so I'm happy to be here and frankly it's a way for me to say thank you to him - without an Andy Williams I wouldn't be here."
19th May 2008
Barry Back In The UK
Plans are afoot for a very limited number of concerts in the UK. And for the first time….current BMIFC members will be able to purchase their UK fan club tickets on-line. But….you’ll need to be a current member with a current membership number. We anticipate that tickets will go on sale very soon. So…if you haven’t already….be sure to check with the BMIFC and confirm that your membership is current by emailing them at orders@starz.bz.
Ultimate Manilow - CD Competition Winners
Congratulations to the following who each win a copy of Barry's CD - Ultimate Manilow.
Pat Wilson, Warwickshire, Julie Gallagher, Kent, Susan Bell, Surrey, Ann Davies, Sussex, Caroline Atkins, West Midlands
The answer to the question "What was the title of Barry's first No1 USA single was of course "Mandy"
30th April 2008 from Playbill.com
"Can't Smile Without You, New Barry Manilow Musical, to Premiere in August in U.K." - by Andrew Gans
A new musical featuring the hit songs of Grammy Award winner Barry Manilow will make its world premiere this summer at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley.
Entitled Can't Smile Without You, the musical will begin previews Aug. 28 at the Kent venue before embarking on a national tour that will kick off Sept. 15 at the Liverpool Empire. A West End run will follow.
Based on an original idea by Bill Kenwright, the musical features a book by Tim Prager and over 30 Manilow tunes, including "Could It Be Magic," "It's a Miracle," "I Write the Songs," "Mandy," "I Made It Through the Rain," "Trying to Get the Feeling" and the title song.
Can't Smile Without You, according to press notes, centers around "an aspiring young boy-band who, on a visit to New York, come across an opportunity not to be missed — auditions for the latest reality TV show to find the next pop music sensation. When the TV company offers lead singer Tony a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their unconditional blessing. But before Tony can realize his dream, he is caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leaves him fighting for his life. Left with no memory his dreams are all but shattered. His only hope lies in the power of the music he loves and his feelings for a girl he once knew called Mandy."
The creative team also includes Keith Strachan and Kenwright (co-directors), Andy Walmsley (set and costume design), Ben Cracknel (lighting design), Carole Todd (choreography) and John Maher (musical direction). Garry Kief is executive producer.
The Churchill Theatre is located on High Street in Bromley, Kent.
April 23rd 2008 - The Kansas City Star
"Barry Manilow talks about how he makes the songs his own" by Timothy Finn
Barry Manilow didn't write all the songs on his recent album, "The Greatest Songs of the Seventies." But each track has something in common with the others. "They couldn't just be songs we all liked," Manilow told The Star recently. "Clive (Davis) wanted them to be so popular and well-loved that they've gone No. 1." But even more important: "They need to be very melodic. (Clive) wanted a CD filled with melody, filled with comfort, filled with memories."
Click Here for the full article
April 23rd 2008 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Manilow's arena show will be longer and more personal" by Kevin C. Johnson
When Barry
Manilow brings his "Manilow: An Evening of Music and
Passion" tour to the Chaifetz Arena on Friday night —
the first concert at the new venue — he promises that
the show will be even bigger and better than its Las
Vegas counterpart.
"It's a little different from the show we do in Vegas,
which is just called 'Music and Passion,'" says the
classic crooner known for "Mandy" and "I Write the
Songs," among other standards. "The 'evening' part means
I can go further than just the 85 minutes they allow us
to do in Vegas.
"When we do the arena shows, I'm on my own again, and I
can be up there as long as I want and I can throw more
hits in."
Click Here for the full article
April 23rd 2008 - The Kansas City Star
Late 1960s: After attending the New York School of Music and Julliard, Barry Manilow got his first job at a label by working in the mailroom at CBS. He also started writing jingles for commercials and would eventually write themes for major buyers like Dr Pepper and McDonald's.
Click Here for the full article
April 21, 2008 - KidScreen Daily News Briefs - by Gary Rusak
The Toys 'R' Us Children's Fund
hosted its 23rd annual gala late last week
New York City, raising US$5.2 million for
its charitable work. The event was hosted by
comedian Emmy and Tony-award winner Martin
Short and featured a performance by Grammy
Award-winner and "Copacabana" songster Barry
Manilow.
April 17th 2008 - The Telegraph
"[Manilow Magic] turning Chaifetz into the Copa" by Corey Stulce
Bringing a taste of Las Vegas to the Gateway to the West, Barry Manilow will serve as the first concert performer at the new Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University on April 25.Click Here for the full article.
April 15th 2008 - The Desert Sun
"Band directors laud Manilow's gift of instruments" by Bruce Fessier
Eighteen of the Coachella Valley's 20 public middle and high schools have met today's deadline for ordering materials from the Manilow Music Project.
But the schools' band directors say they need more support to help their students compete for admission to the top music colleges.
Barry Manilow said that's why he announced his offer this month to buy $250,000 worth of instruments, stands and sheet music for local public schools with band programs.
Click Here for the full article.
April 4th 2008 - The Desert Sun
Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow is pledging roughly $250,000 worth of music supplies to the public middle and high schools in the Coachella Valley. In an exclusive interview at his South Palm Springs home, the Brooklyn native said he wants to give Coachella Valley students the same opportunity he received in his high school music class. "I would have been a loser had I not had that music class," Manilow said. He already donated more than $10,000 worth of musical instruments to Palm Desert Middle School in January.
Click Here for the full article.
 Ultimate Manilow - Re-released in a new slip case |
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Superstar Barry Manilow cuts
the cake celebrating his
300th show at the Las Vegas
Hilton on Friday night.
Champagne flowed for Manilow
and his singers, dancers and
band in an after-show party
in the Hilton's Tempo
Lounge.
The wording on the cake:
"Barry, because of your
talent, 300 shows is a piece
of cake."
The superstar opened
"Manilow: Music and Passion"
at the Las Vegas Hilton on
February 23, 2005. He'll be
performing at the Las Vegas
Hilton through 2008.
photo courtesy of LV Hilton
Released
in the USA as a two CD set Barry's
classic albums "This One's For You"
& "If I Should Love Again" Available to
order as an Import from the USA
Dave Koz
- At The Movies is now available as
an import from the USA which
includes an added DVD with a
performance by Barry of the classic
song "Moon River".
Barry On ET Tonight 14.2.2008
Barry On The Insider 14.2.2008
Graham
Norton meets
Barry
Manilow
Click Here
for details
and for
video clip!
February 24th 2008 - Palm Beach Post
"Manilow keeps passion in fashion" by Leslie Gray Streeter
(The beginning of this review should be sung to the tune of Copacabana.)Her name is
Kelly, she lives in Boca
She danced with Barry Manilow, in the
front row of his show ...
Yes, An Evening of Music and Passion,
the road version of Barry Manilow's Las
Vegas Hilton show is a tastefully
over-the-top spectacle capable of
inspiring a little goofy spectacle in
anyone.