Angela Lansbury News

Aaron Lazar's passion, originality and engaging demeanor have helped propel his career from the stage to screen, and to 'The Tao of Broadway' which will play Le Poisson Rouge on Monday November 7th.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor esteemed stage actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit on April 16, 2012 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC. Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer said, 'I am thrilled that Patti LuPone will be this year's recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award. With her wonderful performances in Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Company, Passion, and more - she has had an amazing connection to Steve's words and music. It's wonderful to add her name to the distinguished honorees Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters. We look forward to saluting Patti and her extraordinary talents in April.'

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY, recently praised by the Wall Street Journal for its ongoing reissue campaign, continues to make good on its promise to open its vaults with more classic cast recordings previously unavailable in the CD era.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & CHRIS ISAACSON have just announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' first show of their 3rd Season, beginning with, HEART AND SOUL, starring American Idol Finalist SYESHA MERCADO, Broadway sensation SHOSHANA BEAN, and vocal powerhouse SYLVIA MACCALLA, celebrating the music of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston.

Stars from Hollywood and Broadway came together tonight for a one-of-a-kind performance featuring some of the biggest names from stage and screen to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF). Catherine Zeta-Jones returned to host the evening, marking the 6th anniversary of the event and raising $1 million. Funds raised during the evening support the numerous essential health and social services the MPTF provides to more than 60,000 entertainment industry members every year.

On Sunday, October 16, 2011, an expected 30,000 walkers and dozens of celebrities and elected officials will gather in West Hollywood Park for the 27th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, the largest event of its kind, benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and more than 20 other Los Angeles County AIDS service organizations. This past June marked 30 years since HIV was first identified - a discovery that took place in Los Angeles.

On her sophisticated, sweeping debut CD, ‘The Dimming of the Day,' acclaimed singer/actress Anastasia Barzee reimagines an eclectic range of Broadway, pop and jazz-infused songs, and showcases a diverse array of her favorite contemporary artists including Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright, Randy Newman, Kate Bush, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more. A CD release party is set for October 16th at the Metropolitan Room. Tickets are·$25.00 with a 2 drink minimum.

While Broadway fans know full well of Peter Filichia's prowess as a theatre columnist and critic, some may not be aware that he is one of those cliché-defying gents who can define both the infield fly rule and an 11 o'clock number. So in his terrific new book, Broadway Musical MVPs, he borrows a page from the sports section and picks a Most Valuable Player for the past 50 Broadway seasons.

Rolex presents A HALLOWEEN THRILLER A Dance Celebration of Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires & Wilis, - Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the newly renovated New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th and 7th Ave) NYC.

Glamour, sophistication, and elegance: these words defined the era of supper clubs and the crooners who ruled them. Florida Studio Theatre opens its Cabaret Season on October 12 with That's Life, Again, a journey to the time when livin' was easy, with stylish songs like 'New York, New York,' 'Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime,' and 'My Way.'

Walt Disney Studio's Home Entertainment has just released BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:3D Diamond Edition. Among the bonus features of the newly released DVD are a musical conversation with Composer Alan Menkin and a behind the scenes look at the making of the animated full length feature.

On Sunday, October 16, 2011, an expected 30,000 walkers and dozens of celebrities and elected officials will gather in West Hollywood Park for the 27th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, the largest event of its kind, benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and more than 20 other Los Angeles County AIDS service organizations. This past June marked 30 years since HIV was first identified - a discovery that took place in Los Angeles.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) announced today that producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, will be honored for their work in bringing musical theatre to a worldwide, pop-culture audience at the Eighth Annual Season Awards Gala taking place on Sunday, November 6th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street) beginning at 6:00pm. Neil and Craig are currently represented on Broadway with How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying are currently producing the new NBC television drama 'SMASH' about the behind-the-scenes creation of a Broadway musical. 'SMASH' premieres on NBC on February 6th.

Theatre legend Arthur Laurents, who passed away earlier this year, has a final book that will soon be released by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. The book, which is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, will be officially released on April 24, 2012.

Just in time for the holidays, enjoy Jim Carrey (A Christmas Carol) in MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on December 6th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The whole family will be full of laughs watching Mr. Popper, a driven businessman who is clueless when it comes to the important things in life until he inherits six, 'adorable' and mischievous penguins.

Glamour, sophistication, and elegance: these words defined the era of supper clubs and the crooners who ruled them. Florida Studio Theatre opens its Cabaret Season on October 12 with That's Life, Again, a journey to the time when livin' was easy, with stylish songs like 'New York, New York,' 'Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime,' and 'My Way.'

In honor of this Sunday's once-in-a-lifetime worldwide live movie theater showing of the 25th anniversary celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Fathom - the same company who recently brought us LES MISERABLES, Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, and Shakespeare's Globe Series, among others - today we are going to take a look at many of the various aspects of the world's most successful entertainment as it swings like a wonton chandelier into cinemas worldwide direct from the Royal Albert Hall for the next two weeks. By going back and revisiting the hallowed origins of the haunting operatic musical - Hal Prince, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman included - as well as a look at the various iterations of the show since its inception - such as the 2004 film version, PHANTOM VEGAS and the musical sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES - perhaps we, too, can bring back the music and memories and magical moments of so many years ago - 25 to be exact - with this special spotlight of illumination on all aspects of what makes PHANTOM a sensation, now and forever.

The American Theatre Wing raised more than $550,000 at their annual Gala last night. All of the proceeds will go towards The Wing's education and outreach programs. The event was held at New York's legendary Plaza Hotel in honor of Sir Howard Stringer (Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sony Corporation and longtime American Theatre Wing Board Member), and included a special tribute to Douglas B. Leeds (Former President and dear friend of The Wing).

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and an all-star line-up of performers, including Angela Lansbury, James Naughton, Kelli O'Hara, Elaine Paige, Colin Donnell, Marilu Henner, Gala Co-Chairmen Theodore S. Chapin & Marva A. Smalls and more honored Sir Howard Stringer with the American Theatre Wing last night, September 26. Celebrity guests included Samuel L. Jackson & LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Judith Light, Lucie Arnaz, Nora Ephron & Nick Pileggi, Jane & Morley Safer, Jim Dale, William Ivey Long, Susan Fales-Hill, Mario Buatta, Ted Hartley & Dina Merrill, Melissa & Chappy Morris and Susan Patricoff. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below!