Desi Arnaz News

One sure sign of a troubled musical is the inability to recall a single tune from the twenty listed in the show's program immediately following the performance. But that's not all that needs adjusting in Pegasus Theatre's ambitious new work, THE CUBAN AND THE REDHEAD, onstage at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts through September 30th.

Renowned actress and singer Linda Purl, best known for 'Happy Days', 'Matlock' and 'The Office' will make her solo cabaret debut at Feinstein's 54 Below on September  4th and 5th with her sensational new show 'Big Band Romance' featuring the all- female Diva Jazz Orchestra.

Pegasus Theatre presents The Cuban and the Redhead, a new musical about Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, with book, music and lyrics by Robert Bartley and Danny Whitman. Tickets are on sale now.

Gianni Valenti, the music world's gift to New York City, has created another venue for the performing arts. Jim Caruso made it official last night as he introduced Lucie Arnaz, who with her longtime friend and music director Ron Abel thrilled a celebrity filled opening night audience.

On Thursday, July 12th, Hollywood maven and powerhouse, Donelle Dadigan, (Co-Founder of the Jose Iturbi Foundation/President & Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Chairman of The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) invited a select group of VIPs for an evening of dinner and a concert at The Hollywood Bowl as the Los Angeles Philharmonic presented an evening of Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2 under the stars with Behzod Abduraimov on piano and conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

Sarah Drew (Grey's Anatomy) and Oscar Nuñez(The Office) will portray Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in the world premiere of I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom by Gregg Oppenheimer. Five performances will take place July 12 through July 15 at the James Bridges Theater, located on the campus of UCLA, where L.A. Theatre Works will record Oppenheimer's hilarious behind-the-scenes account in front of a live audience for future radio broadcast, digital download and online streaming.

On May 20, The Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs previewed an incredible new documentary, 'The Show Goes On', about the life and career of Broadway, Film and Television Icon Kaye Ballard to a 'more than full house'. In fact, two theatres were opened for the screening since demand far exceeded the number of seats in the main house. With her typically self-deprecating humor, Ms. Ballard proclaims herself 'The Greatest Star You Hardly Knew', and the beautifully constructed 90 minute film details her extraordinary accomplishments from Broadway's 'Carnival', 'The Golden Apple', 'Molly' and 'Pirates Of Penzance' to her stellar nightclub, film and television career including 'The Doris Day Show' and the beloved and  iconic 'Mother's In Law' with Eve Arden. It highlights the extraordinary talents of Ms. Ballard and doesn't shy away from the disappointments and challenges along the way, featuring interviews with Woody Allen, Carol Channing, Hal Prince, Carol Burnett, Michael Feinstein, Joy Behar and more. Hal Prince boldly states 'if Kaye Ballard had been cast as the mother in 'Gypsy,' 'she would have made history.' I had the chance to visit with Ms. Ballard at her home on 'Kaye Ballard Lane' in Rancho Mirage (the home formerly owned by her friend and TV director, Desi Arnaz) to talk about the film and more. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

The National Comedy Center will celebrate its grand opening with appearances by Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin, Saturday Night Live original cast alumni including Dan Aykroyd and more, coinciding with the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, August 1st -5th in Jamestown, New York.

Back by popular demand, Lucie Arnaz actress, singer, dancer and Emmy Award-winning daughter of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko with her acclaimed show, Latin Roots, for two performances only Friday, February 23 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, February 24 (8 p.m.).

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, a new one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will be broadcast Today, Dec. 22 (8:00-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, a new one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will be broadcast Today, Dec. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL A New One-Hour Special Featuring Two Episodes of Classic Series To Rebroadcast 12/24

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, a new one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will be broadcast Friday, Dec. 22 (8:00-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Feinstein's at the Nikko announced today the exciting lineup of artists who will perform on-stage during the first quarter of 2018. Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketfly.com.

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, a new one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will be broadcast Friday, Dec. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

On the docket for L.A. Theatre Works in 2017-18: a season of seven audio theater productions, including an original commission of a 19th century novel about Zionism, a new docudrama about the BP oil spill, two recent Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, the revival of a cautionary tale against fascism, a romantic comedy, and a tribute to I Love Lucy - each featuring a star-studded cast. In addition, LATW will honor Woman in Gold attorney E. Randol Schoenberg and launch the company's 14th national tour.

After their sold-out world premiere at ODC Theater last summer, RAWdance returns next month in an encore presentation of DOUBLE EXPOSURE, the company's critically acclaimed program of duets representing more than a dozen West Coast choreographers. Double Exposure runs October 26 - 28, Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 - $35, and may be purchased online at odc.dance/tickets or by phone at 415-863-9834.

Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (PAC) is marking its 10th anniversary season featuring the concert version of the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning RENT by Adelphi graduate Jonathan Larson; multiple Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby; powerhouse Broadway singer and Hamilton star Mandy Gonzalez; star of stage and screen Lucie Arnaz and much more. Tickets are now on sale at the box office or online at pac.adelphi.edu.

Amazon Studios has acquired LUCY AND DESI, a drama written by WEST WING scribe Aaron Sorkin. Cate Blanchett will reportedly take on the role of the legendary comedian and television pioneer, Lucille Ball.