Chita Rivera News

Signature Theatre celebrates the start of its 25th anniversary season next fall with an all-new production of Sunday in the Park with George, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical. Directed by Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner and staged in the MAX Theatre, this production marks the first time Signature has produced the play since the theatre's co-production with Arena Stage in 1997.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will present the ninth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. The award, named in honor of the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb, will be presented by Joel Grey on Monday, December 2nd from 6-8pm at a by-invitation-only ceremony in the Penthouse Lounge of The American Airlines Theater.

At this year's dinner and holiday party, Dancers Over 40 honors some of our outstanding - and long-time -- members: Advisory Board Members Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye, Bye Birdie, Bajour, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and Bob Avian (Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Ballroom), Board of Directors member Lawrence Merritt (Dear World, Applause, Pippin, Evita), and long-time DO40 members Skip Randall (Song of Norway, Make Mine Manhattan, Call Me Mister) and Louise Quick (Sweet Charity, Pippin, Best Little Whorehouse, and Fosse Assistant on Pippin, Liza with a Z and Cabaret). Also this year, DO40 is honoring Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola for his ongoing support of DO40 and our mission. This year's host is Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway).

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) present Making Magic, Defying Gravity, an evening of music, performance, and 'behind the curtain' conversation, today Monday, November 11 at Parkway Central High School at 7:00 p.m. The evening includes live performances from Broadway's and St. Louis's top student talent, but also provides understanding and perspective on theatre education and careers in the business.

To celebrate the publication of The Untold Stories of Broadway on November 12 by Dress Circle Publishing, Jennifer Ashley Tepper will be sharing three short excerpts about each of the Broadway theaters featured in the book-countdown style! Today: The Al Hirschfeld Theatre!

Brevard Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Director & Principal Conductor Christopher Confessore leads the BSO for the second subscription concert of the 2013-2014 season, In Good Company on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 8:00pm at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

Williamstown Theatre Festival announced today that this year's Benefit will honor Award-winning director and frequent WTF collaborator Scott Ellis, on Monday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street). The evening will be hosted by Julie White, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Ellis-helmed production of The Little Dog Laughed, and will include appearances by Tony Award-winners Chita Rivera, Susan Stroman, Rupert Holmes and more.

Bay Area Cabaret invites audiences to CHITA RIVERA: A LEGENDARY CELEBRATION, lauding a theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents, as the fabulous Chita Rivera returns in a unique solo concert event celebrating her 80th Birthday.

This November, December and January, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Tony Award-winning actors Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, Spamalot) and Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf), Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), and Broadway stars Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show], The Little Mermaid) and Derek Klena (Wicked, Dogfight) are all scheduled to take part in the developmental reading. Dog and Pony will receive its World Premiere at The Old Globe next spring, running May 28 - June 29, 2014; casting for that production will be announced at a later time.

The Drama League announced today that they will honor Golden Globe Nominee and Emmy Award winner Neil Patrick Harris at the 30th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway, to be held on Monday evening, February 3, 2014 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street). The black-tie gala, which features dozens of stars from Hollywood and Broadway in a one-night-only evening of musical selections drawn from Mr. Harris' career in theater, film and television, supports The Drama League's educational initiatives for promising young artists. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) will present Making Magic, Defying Gravity, an evening of music, performance, and 'behind the curtain' conversation, on Monday, November 11 at Parkway Central High School at 7:00 p.m. The evening includes live performances from Broadway's and St. Louis's top student talent, but also provides understanding and perspective on theatre education and careers in the business.

Jinkx Monsoon, the alter ego of Jerick Hoffer and season five winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, will star in Off-Broadway's hit production 'The Vaudevillians' at one of New England's most prestigious music and comedy venues summer of 2014. Hosted by Provincetown's Art House Theatre, the drag-comedy sensation will reprise her role as Kitty Witless, alongside co-star and co-writer Richard Andriessen, better known as Dr. Dan von Dandy. Extended for the fifth time in New York, the show will leap to this popular Cape Cod summer destination from June 27 through September 20, 2014. For tickets and information, please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Carmel Dean and Anna K. Jacobs are two great artists we are thrilled to feature on Cutting-Edge Composers Corner! Their song, 'Little Precious' was sung by Lilli Cooper at our concert at the Canal Room.

Spotlight on Broadway-an interactive website and multi-media project featuring the history of Broadway-has officially launched with 40 videos that chart the evolution of Broadway's 40 official theaters and honor the thousands of men and women who have worked on Broadway. Developed by the City of New York Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, in partnership with The Broadway League, each video was filmed inside one of the Broadway theaters and features insightful interviews with some of Broadway's most legendary performers and creative professionals.

Bay Area Cabaret presents Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis in his West Coast concert debut. A commanding yet affable presence, Lewis took Broadway by storm, starring opposite Audra McDonald in the highly-acclaimed The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. His performance brought the singer/actor critical praise, as well as Best Leading Actor nominations for the Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced a special talkback series at Becoming Dr. Ruth, featuring America's favorite sex therapist, Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, following select Wednesday evening performances. These special talkbacks will take place October 30, November 6, 13, 20 and December 18, and are complimentary to ticketholders for these performances.

Cutting Ball Theater opens its 15th season with the World Premiere of SIDEWINDERS by Basil Kreimendahl. M. Graham Smith makes his main stage directing debut at Cutting Ball with SIDEWINDERS, featuring DavEnd, Sara Moore, Donald Currie, and Norman Muñoz. SIDEWINDERS plays tonight, October 18 through November 17 (Press opening: October 24) at the Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT on Taylor (277 Taylor Street) in San Francisco. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the star below!

Signature Theatre has announced the pairing of one of the theatre's most celebrated friends with the upcoming 2013/14 season's newest play. Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn returns to Signature this fall for the first time in nearly twenty years to direct the world premiere of Pride in the Falls of Autrey Mill, the new play by Paul Downs Colaizzo.