Bill Russell News

Last night, actor Nick Cearley celebrated the work of Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. The evening, 'Still Bill' featured lyrics and poems by Russell with special guests Lauren Molina (vocals, cello, ukelele), Chris Schelling (keys), Christian Imboden (banjo, guitar), Shannon Ford (drums) and Alice Ripley. Bill Russell will direct the evening, which played the Canal Room. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the concert below.

Today, April 29, Philadelphia Music Theater Works has announced full casting for the musical SIDE SHOW. They will present a stage reading - modeled after New York's City Center Encores - of Bill Russell and Henry Kreiger's play; July 1-3, 2010. Philly Music Theater Works' mounting of the Broadway musical will be its Philadelphia regional premiere.

A homely songbird seeks success as a superstar swan. Imagine American Idol with a zany animal characters and song contests and it's Lucky Duck, a new musical at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center June 22 to August 8.

FIRE ISLAND - THE ICE PALACE, located within the Grove Hotel in Cherry Grove, is pleased to announce the fifth season of BRANDON & RAY'S BROADWAY AT THE BEACH, an open-mic musical theatre party on Fire Island featuring Broadway's best! On Monday, June 21st, from 9pm till 11pm, join host BRANDON CUTRELL (Bistro, three-time MAC, and Nightlife Award winner) with RAY FELLMAN (Bistro Award winner) at the piano for opening night of this weekly party on Fire Island. There is no cover charge and no minimum.

FIRE ISLAND - THE ICE PALACE, located within the Grove Hotel in Cherry Grove, is pleased to announce the fifth season of BRANDON & RAY'S BROADWAY AT THE BEACH, an open-mic musical theatre party on Fire Island featuring Broadway's best! On Monday, June 21st, from 9pm till 11pm, join host BRANDON CUTRELL (Bistro, three-time MAC, and Nightlife Award winner) with RAY FELLMAN (Bistro Award winner) at the piano for opening night of this weekly party on Fire Island. There is no cover charge and no minimum.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue our Friday night soiree, THE AFTER PARTY. Now going strong it's third, THE AFTER PARTY is billed as 'a weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined.' Every Friday from 10:30 pm until the wee hours, pros from Broadway and aspiring stars alike belt it out on the stage of The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Bill Russell directs Nick Cearley in 'still bill - lyrics and poems by Bill Russell' at the Canal Room, June 9th with special guests Alice Ripley and Lauren Molina.

On June 9, Actor Nick Cearley will celebrate the work of Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. The evening, 'Still Bill' features lyrics and poems by Russell, and will feature Lauren Molina (vocals, cello, ukelele), Chris Schelling (keys), Christian Imboden (banjo, guitar), Shannon Ford (drums) and special guest Alice Ripley.

Broadway Sessions w/ Ben D is thrilled to welcome Sarah Jane Everman, Lauren Molina, Nick Cearley, Anthony J. Wilkinson and Reichen Lehmkuhl Tuesday, June 8th.

A homely songbird seeks success as a superstar swan. Imagine American Idol with a zany animal characters and song contests and it's Lucky Duck, a new musical at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center June 22 to August 8.

Andy Sandberg (Hair), in association with CATCO (Columbus, OH), will present a New York staged reading of the new musical The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), in anticipation of the world premiere in Ohio this fall.

Pandora Productions presents the satire of beauty contests, Pageant: The Musical, Thursday, May 6 through Sunday, May 16 at the Henry Clay (604 South Third Street). Tickets are $15-$17 and are available by phone (502) 216-5502 or online www.PandoraProds.org. Showtimes are 7:30 PM with matinees Sunday May 9 and Saturday, May 15 at 2 PM.

Pandora Productions presents the satire of beauty contests, Pageant: The Musical, Thursday, May 6 through Sunday, May 16 at the Henry Clay (604 South Third Street). Tickets are $15-$17 and are available by phone (502) 216-5502 or online www.PandoraProds.org. Showtimes are 7:30 PM with matinees Sunday May 9 and Saturday, May 15 at 2 PM.

Andy Sandberg (Hair), in association with CATCO (Columbus, OH), will present a New York staged reading of the new musical The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), in anticipation of the world premiere in Ohio this fall.

Bill Russell directs Nick Cearley in 'still bill - lyrics and poems by Bill Russell' at the Canal Room, June 9th with special guests Alice Ripley and Lauren Molina.

On June 9, Actor Nick Cearley will celebrate the work of Tony Award nominee Bill Russell. The evening, 'Still Bill' features lyrics and poems by Russell, and will feature Lauren Molina (vocals, cello, ukelele), Chris Schelling (keys), Christian Imboden (banjo, guitar), Shannon Ford (drums) and special guest Alice Ripley.

The suspense is building . . . who will be chosen as 'Miss Glamouresse'? Miss Bible Belt; Miss Deep South; Miss West Coast; Miss Industrial Northeast; Miss Great Plains; or Miss Texas? Find out as Pandora presents Pageant: The Musical, premiering Thursday, May 6.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell and Yul Vázquez), has announced that the roster of performers for its Annual Spring Benefit will include Carlo Alban, Ivette Dumeng, Bill Evans, Ivan Hernandez, Sal Inzerillo, Andy Karl, Angela Lewis, Mark Linn-Baker, Orfeh, Ina Marie Smith and Mary Testa.

Today, April 29, Philadelphia Music Theater Works has announced full casting for the musical SIDE SHOW. They will present a stage reading - modeled after New York's City Center Encores - of Bill Russell and Henry Kreiger's play; July 1-3, 2010. Philly Music Theater Works' mounting of the Broadway musical will be its Philadelphia regional premiere.

The 24th ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION was a great success with an astounding, $3,265,700 being raised this year by the 64 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies benefiting Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, the 23 editions of the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION have raised over $42 million for BC/EFA.