Events in Music History in April 1996

10 Song Demo

Apr 2 Capitol Records releases "10 Song Demo", the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash. co-produced by Cash and husband John Leventhal

Country Singer and Songwriter Rosanne Cash

Apr 11 Revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical "The King & I", starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy, premieres at Neil Simon Theater, NYC; runs for 781 performances

Music Concert

Apr 12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Robin Williams, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Kirkland

Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist James Taylor

A Funny Thing

Apr 18 Second successful revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", starring Nathan Lane, opens at St James Theater NYC for 715 performances

Apr 21 "Delicate Balance" opens at Plymouth Theater NYC
Apr 24 "Jack-Night on Town with John Barrymore" opens at Belasco for 12 performances

Academy of Country Music Awards

Apr 24 31st Academy of Country Music Awards: Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Patty Loveless win

Apr 25 "Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk" opens at Ambassador Theater NYC
Apr 28 "Big" opens at Shubert Theater NYC for 193 performances

Music History

Apr 29 Jonathan Larson's rock musical "Rent", loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera "La Bohème", starring Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, opens at the Nederlander Theatre, NYC; runs for 5,123 performances, and wins 4 Tony Awards, 7 Drama Desk Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama