Bette Midler News

Emmy winning actor/comedian Bruce Vilanch joins several Broadway Veterans and the students of Musical Theatre University in their very first fully-staged musical production, HAIRSPRAY, which will be presented for three performances, January 31 through February 2, at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School. Vilanch will reprise his critically acclaimed turn as Edna Turnblad in the Tony Award winning musical, based on the cult film by John Waters, alongside Broadway actors Sal Mistretta, Lisa Robinson and Gwen Stewart, and featuring the talented, young Musical Theatre University students.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced this week's performances (Jan. 27 - Feb. 3), including LAPHAM'S QUARTERLY, EWALT & WALKER, GRAHAM REYNOLDS & THE GOLDEN ARM TRIOFLOANNE & THE THIRD SET, LAURA CANTRELL, BRIDGET EVERETT RIVER WHYLESS, NEVER SLEEP ALONE, PAULETTA WASHINGTON VINCENT D'ONOFRIO & DANA LYN, BRIDGET BARKAN, PAM ANN DAVID AMRAM WITH THE AMIGOS BAND, CHARLOTTE MARTIN TONY TRISCHKA, and THE CIVILIANS.

The Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival, like its more intimate sibling, the Short Play Lab, presents one-act works no more than 60 minutes in length, presented in repertory over a three-week period, at Roy Arias Studios Stage II, 300 W. 43rd St. 4th fl., New York City beginning Monday, February 10 through Sunday, March 2.

The Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival, like its more intimate sibling, the Short Play Lab, presents one-act works no more than 60 minutes in length, presented in repertory over a three-week period, at Roy Arias Studios Stage II, 300 W. 43rd St. 4th fl., New York City beginning Monday, February 10 through Sunday, March 2.

Legendary comedic writer Bruce Vilanch is a last minute addition to this year's North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival. He is set to share 60 minutes of comedic stories on the Arts Center Mainstage at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12. Tickets cost $16 in advance and $20 at the door. The Arts Center is located at 300-G East Main St. Tickets and more information can be found at www.nccomedyarts.com.

It was announced today that Carole King will be honored as the 2014 MusiCares() Person of the Year tonight, Jan. 24, 2014.

Donna Vivino, the rising Broadway and vocal star, will celebrate the release of Beautiful Dreamer - her debut solo album from Ghostlight Records - with a special performance at 54 Below tonight, January 23 at 9:30 PM. The veteran of Broadway's 'Wicked' and 'Les Miserables,' Vivino will reprise her solo concert 'It's Not Easy Being Green' with special numbers from the new recording.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for January 27-February 2, featuring: Joey DeFrancesco, Jared Gold Organ Trio with Dave Stryker, Jamie deRoy & Friends with Dee Snider, Beth Leavel, Kevin Meaney & Lauren Worsham, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Mentor Mondays at Jim Caruso's Cast Party featuring Tony Award-Winner Lillias White, and more. Details below!

Birdland Jazz Club announces its February 2014 schedule, featuring: 4 Generations of Miles with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams & Sonny Fortune; Reflections of Monk with Tom Harrell, Greg Osby, Melissa Aldana, Aaron Goldberg, Ben Allison & Matt Wilson; Quest with Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Ron McClure & Billy Hart; Joey DeFrancesco Organ Trio; Cyrille Aimee; Barbara Carroll; Christina Bianco's Birthday Bash; Jay Leonhart Duo; Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne; Anne Tofflemire; Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Virginia's Signature Theatre just announced the full cast of this spring's world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Celebrating the release of his new book, HAM: Slices of a Life (a collection of stories and essays), Tony Award nominee Sam Harris will make his Feinstein's at the Nikko debut in a show of the same name on Friday, January 24 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, January 25 at 7:00 PM.

Grammy Award-nominated singer and renowned interpreter of the Great American Songbook,Michael Feinstein, returns to Carnegie Hall with a special concert featuring a variety of love songs in celebration of Valentine's Day, on Friday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. He is joined by special guests Laura Osnes (Broadway's Cinderella, and Maria in Carnegie Hall's The Sound of Music) andJulian Ovenden (Season Four of PBS's Downton Abbey, the West End's Finding Neverland, and as John F. Kennedy in the 'Bombshell' production on NBC's Smash).

Paul Blart: Mall Cop followed the most dedicated-if not talented-mall cop at West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey. When the mall is taken over by a gang of crooks, Paul gets his chance to prove himself. But does he have what it takes to fend off the bad guys and save the girl?

DONNA VIVINO, the rising Broadway and vocal star, will celebrate the release of Beautiful Dreamer - her debut solo album from Ghostlight Records - with a special performance at 54 Below on Thursday, January 23 at 9:30 PM. The veteran of Broadway's "Wicked" and "Les Miserables," Vivino will reprise her solo concert "It's Not Easy Being Green" with special numbers from the new recording. She will be joined by Musical Director Ken Levinsky on piano and Jeff Ganz on bass. The album was released in stores and via online outlets December 10, 2013.

As always, Connecticut's professional theaters offerered a bountiful selection of excellent theater in 2013. It's hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the year's standouts from the theaters I cover for BroadwayWorld.com:

Today we are taking a look at a sensational seasonal showstopper by one of Broadway's best songwriters, Frank Loesser, performed by a line-up of legendary greats sure to start your 2014 off on the right foot - and left!

Join two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated Michael Feinstein as he rings in the New Year with two special performances tonight, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Feinstein's at the Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco). Considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards, Michael will perform a range of classics from the Great American songbook.

Joe's Pub has announced this week's performances, running Dec. 30 - Jan. 5. The slate features PAM ANN, SANDRA BERNHARD, JP JOFRE, PAULETTE MCWILLIAMS, SOMETHING STEPHEN SAID, and LARRY KRONE AND FAMILY.

According to the Associated Press, drummer Ricky Lawson passed away Monday, December 23, 2013, following following a brain aneurism. He was 59.

Today, check out BWW's production highlights from 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!