Cary Grant News

 In 1962, fifty-seven years ago, the magnificent TONY BENNETT recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."  The song was honored with two Grammy Awards, including "Record of the Year" and gave Tony a signature tune that, as he delights in saying, has made him "A Citizen of the World."  Last March, the classic was entered into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as "an aural treasure worthy of preservation." Now in 2019, and about to turn an ageless 93, the legendary performer -  himself a world treasure - continues to leave his heart in each song that he sings and in every aspect of his life.

Counter-Productions Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of Kevin Broccoli's THE MARRIED NAME this weekend at AS 220's Black Box Theatre, 95 Empire St in Downtown Providence. Broccoli is a very talented actor, playwright, and artistic director of Epic Theatre in Cranston. In an uninterrupted hour and twenty minutes, THE MARRIED NAME deals with four men getting together for dinner a short time before the wedding of two of them. Rex and Dan are planning this wedding and encountering problems that probably should have been dealt with earlier. Kevin Broccoli can write funny.

Choreographer extraordinaire Matthew Bourne, already a force of nature in the British dance arena since 1988, turned the international dance world upside down with his ground-breaking SWAN LAKE in 1995. His unique take on CINDERELLA will land at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre beginning February 5, 2019, as part of its international tour. I had the wonderful occasion to interview Andrew Monaghan, who's dancing the dual lead role of Cinderella's heroic pilot Harry, as well as, The Prince.

Take a closer look at the man behind the iconic movies - the master of suspense - Alfred Hitchcock at Adelaide Festival Centre's latest exhibition, Hitchcock: Master of Suspense.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will kick off the 10th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 11th with a 30th anniversary screening of the seminal romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... with beloved stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan and acclaimed director/producer Rob Reiner in attendance. The 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival, held in the heart of Hollywood April 11th-14th, marks the 10th annual celebration of classic films on the big screen from TCM. The TCM network will also celebrate its 25th anniversary on closing night of the festival.

The Pasadena Playhouse announces that Simon Helberg will play George Bailey in its holiday production of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapted from the film by Joe Landry, and directed by Cameron Watson, for 15 performances only December 12 to 23 (Press Opening: December 13, 8 p.m.).  Additional casting is still to be announced.

Last night, Renee Taylor won the annual The United Solo Special Award, which recognizes artists who have made significant recent contributions to solo theatre during the year, for her critically acclaimed autobiographical comedy MY LIFE ON A DIET. Along with Ms. Taylor, this year's nominees included Derek DelGaudio (In & Of Itself), Alison S. M. Kobayashi (Say Something Bunny!), John Lithgow (Stories By Heart), Chita Rivera (An Evening with Chita Rivera) and Bruce Springsteen (Springsteen on Broadway).

When you enter the Friars Club on 55th street the world immediately becomes a better place. The first space you encounter is the Billy Crystal Room where you hear the laughter and the animated conversations as Friars share stories with one another. Last night in only the 8th time in the Club's 114-year history The Icon Award was presented by Robert De Niro to Billy Crystal at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to a capacity filled New York/Hollywood audience. The Icon Award honors individuals whose extraordinary accomplishment raise the standard of entertainment and positively redefines our culture. Billy is following in the footsteps of entertainment icons Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents the largest holiday celebration in its history - the mainstage holiday production It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play for 15 performances only (December 12 to 23), performances of Bob Baker's Nutcracker in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (November 24 to December 31); and the Playhouse District Association Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Playhouse Courtyard - an event that is free to the public on Friday, November 30 at 7:00pm. An additional free holiday concert will be held in the Playhouse Courtyard on December 14 at 6 p.m. in association with the Playhouse District Association.

When the Met's literary advisor asked Nicholas Wright what he thought about doing the libretto for MARNIE, he said yes because he was really interested in working with composer Nico Muhly and Michael Mayer. He was somewhat reserved, however, about whether it was a good opera subject. That was understandable, of course, when he admitted, laughing, a case of mistaken identity.

For its' final season offering, California Stage Theater presents the Sacramento premiere of the Holocaust remembrance play, TIMES LIKE THESE. Written by nationally celebrated playwright John O'Keefe, the Sacramento production will be directed by Elly Award-winning  actor and director Richard Winters.

The final role has been cast for the 2018/19 Australian seasons of the triumphant stage adaption of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest in Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Ojai Film Festival and Women In Film (WIF) will present a Legacy Series event with acclaimed actress Eva Marie Saint on Friday, November 9 at the Ojai Art Center. The intimate filmed interview produced by WIF's Ilene Kahn Power and Dorothea Petrie, directed by Petra Haffter, and edited by David Flores and Zachary Weintraub, is a 40-minute retrospective of the Academy, and Emmy award-winning star's career in film, television and stage. The event begins at 4 pm with the screening, followed by Q&A with Ms. Saint. A reception will follow.

For its' final season offering, California Stage Theater presents the Sacramento premiere of the Holocaust remembrance play, TIMES LIKE THESE. Written by nationally celebrated playwright John O'Keefe, the Sacramento production will be directed by Elly Award-winning  actor and director Richard Winters.

The award-winning East Lynne Theater Company has seen many successes since its founding in 1980, but none like 'Arsenic and Old Lace.'  Although first produced on Broadway in 1941 by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, Joseph Kesselring's comedy is still the most produced play in this country today. Yes - It' just that good!

My Life On A Diet, Renee Taylor's critically acclaimed autobiographical solo comedy, announce that the Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress will hold three scheduled post-show talkbacks. The talkbacks will happen immediately following the performances on Friday, August 24th at 7 pm, Saturday, August 25th at 7 pm, and Friday, August 31st at 7 pm. Written by Ms. Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna, and originally directed by Mr. Bologna, MY LIFE ON A DIET is scheduled to run through Sunday, September 2, 2018 Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46 Street, between Ninth & Tenth Aves).

The 39 Steps is a prime example of big things coming in small packages. The cast of four expertly portray over 150 characters in a show with aspects of espionage, mystery, thrills, and comedy...lots and lots of comedy.

My Life On A Diet, starring Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress Renee Taylor, has extended its limited run due to popular demand. Originally scheduled as a 6-week run ending August 19th, the autobiographical comedy will now extend for two-weeks, perform through Sunday, September 2, 2018 Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46 Street, between Ninth & Tenth Aves). MY LIFE ON A DIET is written by Ms. Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna, and was originally directed by Mr. Bologna.

Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress Renee Taylor - known to millions for her role as Fran Fine's food-obsessed mother, Sylvia, on 'The Nanny' - returns to the New York stage in the New York premiere of My Life on a Diet, an autobiographical comedy written by Ms. Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna. Originally directed by Mr. Bologna, My Life on a Diet just opened at Theatre at St. Clement's.

Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress Renee Taylor - known to millions for her role as Fran Fine's food-obsessed mother, Sylvia, on "The Nanny" - has returned to the New York stage in the critically acclaimed New York premiere of MY LIFE ON A DIET, an autobiographical comedy written by Ms. Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna, and originally directed by Mr. Bologna. Presented by Julian Schlossberg, MY LIFE ON A DIET is now playing Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46 Street, between Ninth & Tenth Aves).