Bernadette Peters News

Tickets are now on sale for Kelrik Productions' presentation of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, playing February 25 - March 11 at Unity (1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo.)

Last night, SMASH cast Marilyn Monroe in the big Broadway musical based on her life at the show's center. Or, did they? While Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) may have done whatever it took to make an impression on the show's lothario director, Derek (Jack Davenport), it was Ivy's long-standing friendship with the songwriting team of Julia & Tom (Debra Messing & Christian Borle) and the belief in her readily apparent talent by the lead producer, Eileen (Anjelica Huston), that really sealed the deal. So, where does that leave Karen (Katharine McPhee)? In the chorus, it seems - at least for now. The drama escalated and reached an early peak along with the crescendos of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's smashing "Twentieth Century Fox Mambo" showstopper - the musical highlight of the impossibly strong second episode - as the heated fully-staged and fully-choreographed audition gave way to a dream reality which finally showed us all out there in the audience what a Karen/Marilyn could potentially be: a true blonde bombshell to beat the band. Of course, nothing is quite so cut and dry as it may appear and Karen may get her chance in the spotlight on the actual Marilyn musical's stage after all. Yet, for the next few episodes at least, Ivy is the star of the show - and she is going to wring every last wiggle, coo and peck out of the role. Plus, who can put over a number in true Broadway fashion - as Marilyn Monroe, perfectly played, no less - than Megan Hilty? Did you hear her line in the newly envisioned 'Let Me Be Your Star'? In much the same way as Hilty with the Broadway pizazz, McPhee effortlessly puts over treacherously tricky pop songs with smoothness, sweetness and near-tangible sincerety and conviction. Which way will the score ultimately go - and, furthermore, what shall be of the show that contains it? Will the musical be more Norma Jean or more Marilyn, thus more befitting of Karen or Ivy, respectively? Who knows, perhaps there ultimately will be two Marilyns required - as was proposed in this very column last week at this time and seems the logical ultimate conclusion of the casting dilemma at the show's core. We will certainly have to wait and find out what happens next on SMASH and what the show ends up requiring of its incredibly talented cast of hoofers and stars-to-be. Plus, Nick Jonas, Uma Thurman and Bernadette Peters make guest star debuts in the next several weeks!

From Nick Jonas and Michael Urie to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza, Barbra Streisand to Alan Menken, Bernadette Peters to Susan Boyle, Colin Quinn to GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2012 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

A rep for singer Whitney Houston announced to the Associated Press that Houston died yesterday at age 48. The singer died in her room at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where she was for Clive Davis' Grammy Awards party. No cause of death has yet been revealed.

We reached out to producer Craig Zadan and he tells BroadwayWorld.com that 'Neil (Meron) and I worked closely with Whitney on the TV production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and the movie was a magical experience. We had a reunion with Whitney last year in Atlanta and she seemed to be in a great place emotionally and we subsequently began developing a new film for her which we had hoped to do later this year. It's such a tragedy and we're so heartbroken at this terrible loss, both personally and professionally. We will miss her a lot.'

We reached out to Frank Wildhorn upon the news of the singer's death today at age 48, and he tells BroadwayWorld.com that it's 'So sad and tragic...she was such a big part of my life in the late 80's, and she was such a wonderful soul to work with and such a soulful woman. I only hope she's singing 'up there'. I'm sending my prayers and sympathies for her family.'

Whitney Houston's first television performance was on the Merv Griffen show (April 29, 1985) singing 'Home' from THE WIZ.

A rep for singer Whitney Houston has announced tonight to the Associated Press that Houston died this afternoon at age 48. The singer died in her room at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where she was for Clive Davis' Grammy Awards party. No cause of death has yet been revealed.

Steps off Broadway Productions, Inc., has announced the upcoming staged performances of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway hit musical spectacular, Into the Woods.

BroadwayWorld TV te ofrece algunos de los mejores momentos de 'Follies', el musical de Stephen Sondheim, con libreto de James Goldman, dirigido por Mario Gas que comenzó previas el 10 de febrero y se estrenará oficialmente el 23 de febrero en el Teatro Español de Madrid. El público de la capital podrá disfrutar hasta el 8 de abril de este musical, que se hace por primera vez en castellano, protagonizado por Vicky Peña, Muntsa Rius, Pep Molina, Carlos Hipólito y Massiel entre otros.

+ Unique Comedy with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The Improvised Shakespeare Company and Capitol Steps + Hit Shows Like DAMN YANKEES, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES & FOREVER TANGO + Classic Music from the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Haochen Zhang & Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio + Legendary Artists Bernadette Peters, Patti LaBelle and Arlene Dahl + Tributes to Sinatra, the Blues Brothers and John Lennon + ArtSmart Lecture Series, Family Fare and more.

Echa un vistazo a las imágenes de la producción de FOLLIES en el TEATRO ESPAÑOL de Madrid, dirigido por Mario Gas y protagonizado por Vicky Peña, Muntsa Rius, Pep Molina y Carlos Hipólito, cuyas previas comenzarán el 10 de febrero. El estreno oficial de la versión española de este musical de Stephen Sondheim y James Goldman será el 23 de febrero.

Steps off Broadway Productions, Inc., has announced the upcoming staged performances of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway hit musical spectacular, Into the Woods.

Ya están ultimándose los ensayos para que todo este listo para este jueves 10 de febrero, fecha en que comenzarán las previas de FOLLIES, el musical de Stephen Sondheim y James Goldman, en el TEATRO ESPAÑOL de Madrid. El estreno oficial será el 23 de febrero. Aquí tenéis algunas imágenes del proceso de preparación de este gran espectáculo.

On Monday, February 6th at 7PM, five of Young Broadway's favorite blondes will present "Blonde Ambition," a one-night-only concert to benefit 'Broadway Barks.' The evening will feature Hunter Ryan Herdlicka ('A Little Night Music'), Lora Lee Gayer ('Follies'), Tess Soltau ('The Addams Family'), Ryah Nixon ('9 to 5' national tour), and Jessica Waxman, with musical direction by Benjamin Rauhala.

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, Gerald Goehring, Michael F. Mitri and Dorothy Berloni are developing BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, a new Broadway musical based on the popular 2000 novel by Kate DeCamillo. Casting for a developmental reading is currently underway and set to take place in early March. This is set to be followed by an out of town engagement and Broadway production, the timing of which will be confirmed at a later date.

Showcasing one of the greatest contemporary voices of our time, Linda Eder's diverse repertoire spans Broadway (Jekyll & Hyde),standards, pop, country and jazz. Tom Wopat first came to public attention in the late '70s as the freewheeling Luke Duke on the legendary TV series The Dukes of Hazzard, and has starred many times on Broadway including roles in City of Angels, Guys and Dolls and as Frank Butler in the revival of Annie Get Your Gun. An Evening with Linda Eder and Tom Wopat is a delightful journey through some of our most beloved show tunes and standards, with two of the best, Fri. Feb. 24 at 8 PM.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: January 14-20.

+ Unique Comedy with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The Improvised Shakespeare Company and Capitol Steps + Hit Shows Like DAMN YANKEES, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES & FOREVER TANGO + Classic Music from the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Haochen Zhang & Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio + Legendary Artists Bernadette Peters, Patti LaBelle and Arlene Dahl + Tributes to Sinatra, the Blues Brothers and John Lennon + ArtSmart Lecture Series, Family Fare and more.