Bette Midler News

On April 7, 2014, Broadway stars Heidi Blickenstaff, Pamela Myers, and Ron Raines will perform alongside an 18-piece orchestra as Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre honors renowned orchestrator and longtime Stephen Sondheim collaborator, Jonathan Tunick.

On the season three finale of INSIDE COMEDY on Monday, April 7, Kevin Pollak recalls his childhood obsession with impersonating everyone from Robert Duvall to William Shatner; how Cosby influenced his acting career; and his early years coming up with buddy Dana Carvey.

Rubicon Theatre continues the company's 16th Not Your Typical Season with a special run of Love, Loss, and What I Wore -- a witty and wise celebration of womanhood adapted by Nora and Delia Ephron, creators of such hits as 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Sleepless in Seattle,' 'You've Got Mail,' 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' and 'Silkwood.'

Grammy and Emmy Winner JOHN McDANIEL and Tony Nominee BILL RUSSELL have joined the creative team of BRAVE NEW WORLD: THE MUSICAL, currently in development, as Co-Composer and Lyricist. They join a team that already includes Ben Andron as Book Writer, Jonnie Rockwell as Co-Composer, and Tony Nominated Director, Sheryl Kaller. John McDaniel is also attached as Music Director.

Urban Stages Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and producer Peter Napolitano, announced the final week of the World Premiere engagement of Character Man. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). This limited run will continue through April 6th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. The Final Post-Show Talk will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd with Special Guest Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray), moderated by Peter Filichia.

Join the legendary Bette Midler in conversation with Judy Gold on her memoir A VIEW FROM A BROAD, tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Barnes & Noble, Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY.

Broadway and movie star Bette Midler will be reissuing her 1980 memoir A VIEW FROM A BROAD today, April 1, complete with a new introduction.

To celebrate its one-year anniversary, Feinstein's at the Nikko announced today the return of multi-platinum-selling entertainer Michael Feinstein for four performances only - Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1. Joined by special guest Paula West, who recently completed a sold-out residency at Feinstein's at the Nikko, Feinstein will perform a range of classics from the Great American songbook. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m.; Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets for Michael Feinstein with Paula West range in price from $65 - $95 and are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

'A man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven for?' once wrote the poet Robert Browning. The line is about setting goals, striving, and ambition, all of which can be commendable desires. But sometimes in the world of cabaret, the desire to achieve the next level or to raise one's personal bar can be an overreach and overly ambitious. Such was the case with two shows staged this past week by two accomplished singers-Shana Farr and Jillian Laurain--who over the past couple of years have garnered mucho kudos for their vocal prowess and solid shows. Nobody could fault these lovely ladies for pushing their performance envelopes, but in both cases they fell short of their goals.

The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre will present the regional professional premiers of this 'new classic' - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens tonight, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

According to PEOPLE, Broadway and movie star Bette Midler will be reissuing her 1980 memoir A VIEW FROM A BROAD on April 1, complete with a new introduction.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Cabaret fans, rejoice! The 2014 MAC Awards are tonight at BB King's!

TIL DIVORCE DO US PART: THE MUSICAL, will conclude its 10-week engagement at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street in Union Square) after the matinee on Sunday, April 13th, prior to a national tour, which is soon to be announced. Mark Waldrop is the director with concept, lyrics and choreography by Ruthe Ponturo and music by John Thomas Fischer. The musical comedy revue opened to acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Among the raves, The New York Times exclaimed: 'The show is buoyant and high spirited. Revenge is truly sweet!' The New Yorker acclaimed: 'Laugh-Out-Loud Funny!' and New York Magazine called Til Divorce Do Us Part: The Musical 'a wacky and clever musical comedy.' For tickets call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com

Looking ahead at Joe's Pub at The Public, now, March 24, through April 6, performances will feature: VINCENT D'ONOFRIO & DANA LYN - TRANS FORMATIVE: AN EVENING OF SONGS THAT PROPEL US - PT WALKLEY - UBU SINGS UBU - CHARLES YANG - COMPANY FREAK - JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND - BRIDGET EVERETT - NEVER SLEEP ALONE - MATES OF STATE - JESUS ON THE MAINLINE / NATALIE CRESSMAN - CARMEN SOUZA - SUSANNA - KYRA MILLER - THE STRAY BIRDS - BEN WATT W/ BERNARD BUTLER - ROY NATHANSON & SOTTO VOCE - STORM LARGE - THE LOSERS LOUNGE - CHAMPAGNE JERRY - ISLE OF KLEZBOS and EARL DAX & FRIENDS. Details below!

Dinosaurs once again roam the earth when the spectacular production, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS THE ARENA SPECTACULAR, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series, returns to North America this summer. The show that critics have called 'awesome', 'spectacular' and 'breathtaking' will commence a new tour in Cleveland from July 9-13, 2014. This updated production will showcase changes to the dinosaurs based on the latest scientific research including the likely feathering of some species. Worldwide, more than eight million people have seen this show in 243 cities and over 2,000 performances.

On Monday, March 24, actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried explains his love/hate relationship with show business, dishes on some of his more controversial material, including the dirty, infamous “The Aristocrats” joke, and how it felt to find out from internet reports that he had been fired. Also in this episode, writer, actor and comic Richard Lewis, who has enjoyed forty-years in stand-up comedy, talks about the advice he received at the start of his career from the late, beloved David Brenner, and how his breakthrough finally came more than 15 years into his career with his role on “Anything But Love.”

Julien's Auctions, the world's premier entertainment and music memorabilia auction house, has announced Music Icons 2014 to be held Friday, May 16, 2014 and Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Hard Rock Cafe New York located at 1501 Broadway in Times Square

The Amanda McBroom Project, conceived and directed by Eric Michael Gillett and Arthur Masella, with musical direction by Jeff Cubeta is playing at The Laurie Beechman Theatre for 3 nights only, March 14th, 15th & 17th. Starring in the production are, Karen Akers, Aisha de Haas, Terese Genecco, Mandy Gonzalez, Carolyn Montgomery-Forant and Kt Sullivan. Also appearing are Alison Grace Bradbury, Leah Jennings, Eva Kantor, Lauren Stanford, Erin Wegner Brooks and Melanie Vaughan. BroadwayWorld was there at the opening, check below to see photos from the performance!

Broadway's Mandy Gonzalez (Wicked, In the Heights, Dance of the Vampires, Lennon) has joined the cast of The Amanda McBroom Project, set for tonight, March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues.)

The Amanda McBroom Project...continuing the journey will play tonight, March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues).