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There are six really fun items in this newsletter, but the first one is also me asking for help.
South Florida, step forward! On Thursday, March 12, I'm doing a concert in Ft. Lauderdale, FL – my first concert there ever! – and we need to sell more tickets. I'm bringing two incredible singers and four unbelievable instrumentalists, we're doing two hours of music, it's going to be absolutely ferocious, but at the moment, it's going to be an intimate crowd. And Ft. Lauderdale deserves a blowout! So if you can help spread the word, buy some tickets, fill some seats, I assure you the band would appreciate it, the venue would appreciate it, and I would be over the moon. Click here to get information and buy tickets for Ft. Lauderdale!
You're gonna see Nasia Thomas (who played Anna of Cleves in SIX and brilliantly covered the role of Cathy in The Last Five Years on Broadway!), Carrie St. Louis (Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, and just announced to play Sandra Dee in Just In Time!), and the Mighty Mighty JRB Band: Alison Shearer on saxes, Sam Minaie on basses, Hiddy Honari on guitars, and Jamie Eblen on drums and other things! Click here to get information and buy tickets for the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale!
And you're gonna hear songs from Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, Parade, The Bridges of Madison County, The Connector, classics from my albums and brand new bangers! If you were putting together your own JRB show, it would be basically this! So, if you are in South Florida or you know anyone in South Florida who would dig some jazz, funk, salsa, Americana and rock, all served on a big emotional slice of showtime, get the word out and let's fill the house at the Broward Center next Thursday night!
And then...
What if you're in Florida but further north? What if you were, for example, in Orlando? WELL, WE'RE COMING UP TO YOU! The very next night, Friday, March 13, we're at Judson's Live to do TWO SHOWS with the same amazing group of performers! (And these shows are almost completely sold out!) Come see us at 7 pm and/or 9 pm where we will make you sing, dance, laugh, cry, and enjoy the fine food and beverage service!
Information and tickets for Judson's Live in Orlando at this link!
But what could I possibly do to follow up on three amazing concerts in Florida? Well... I think what I'll do is go to London and start rehearsals for The Last Five Years 25th Anniversary starring Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, which I'll be directing AND conducting at the London Palladium for seven sold-out performances, March 22 through 29!
(Even though the shows are totally sold out, you can find out more information here.)
Wait, you really want to see me and Ben and Rachel do The Last Five Years but you didn't get your ticket in time? Or you don't have a passport? Or you don't want to risk flying internationally at this moment of insane global volatility? I HAVE A SOLUTION.
Two legendary historic venues, one on each US coast, will be presenting the only American performances of this production! Come see us in
Los Angeles at The Hollywood Bowl on Friday, April 3
and/or in
New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 6 & 7!
I cannot believe we get to bring this show to these incredible theaters – I've never gotten to perform in either venue, and I'm so excited and grateful to be able to do it with this show and these magnificent performers.
And if you can't make it to Florida, London, Hollywood or Radio City – or if you're in elementary school – you can still get on the JRB Train! On March 20, Apple TV will premiere the second season of Wonder Pets In The City, which features a very special and exceptionally cute episode with music by me and Georgia Stitt! I was honored to be one of the composers of the original Wonder Pets series twenty years ago, and it was such a joy to step back into Linny the Guinea Pig's classroom, this time with my favorite collaborator and mother of my favorite children. Thank you to co-executive producer Jeffrey Lesser for inviting us to join the party! Here's the ridiculously adorable trailer for Season 2:
And finally – speaking of Georgia Stitt, her glorious new album Bell Tower is out as of today! Featuring twenty-six (!) magical settings of contemporary and classic poetry, brought to life by a remarkable ensemble of musicians and some of the world's best singing actors, this album is a balm and an inspiration in these complicated times. You'll hear thrilling performances by
Rebecca Luker
Tituss Burgess
Kate Baldwin
Hila Plitmann
Marc Kudisch
Ruthie Ann Miles
Kelli O'Hara
Andrea Jones-Sojola
Sierra Boggess
and
Nikki Renée Daniels
and your life will be better! Stream it or buy it here!
I can't wait for this month of miracles, and there's so much more to come! Thank you for all the love and support and community, and most of all: thank you for listening!
With deepest gratitude,
JRB