Donna McKechnie News

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched May 9 as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld brought you a glimpse of the panel discussion then. Today, we bring a look at the second talkback in the series which took place last week, May 16, following a screening of Every Little Step, which follows the real-life dancers as they struggled through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. The film also takes a look at the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and revival Broadway shows. This panel was moderated by John Breglio, Every Little Step executive producer, and producer of the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line. Panalists included Baayork Lee, the original 'Connie' from the 1976 Tony Award-winning production of A Chorus Line and choreographer for the 2006 revival, and Donna McKechnie, who won the Tony Award for her performance as 'Cassie' in the original 1976 production of A Chorus Line.

Sondheim Unplugged announces that Broadway Veteran GEORGE LEE ANDREWS, who created the role of Frid in A Little Night Music, has joined the company of our Monday, May 23 performance. Mr. Andrews is in the Guinness Book of World Records as 'the longest-running actor in the same Broadway show,' on behalf of his 23-year run in The Phantom of the Opera.

Sondheim Unplugged announces that Broadway Veteran GEORGE LEE ANDREWS, who created the role of Frid in A Little Night Music, has joined the company of our Monday, May 23 performance. Mr. Andrews is in the Guinness Book of World Records as 'the longest-running actor in the same Broadway show,' on behalf of his 23-year run in The Phantom of the Opera.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its fourth show of their season, COWBOYS & ANGELS, starring Tony Award-nominee and T.V. star VALARIE PETTIFORD (Film: "Jumping The Broom," TV: UPN's "Half & Half," "Criminal Minds," Broadway: Fosse, Chicago), KARISSA NOEL and DANIEL TATAR (Life Could Be A Dream, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), performing the music of Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks and Loretta Lynn, performing such memorable songs as "Crazy," "I Fall To Pieces," "Friends In Low Places," "If Tomorrow Never Comes," "Coal Miner's Daughter," and more - as well as their own selections, under the musical direction of Gerald Sternbach, in a one night only concert - COWBOYS AND ANGELS which will perform on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 7:30PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

Following thirteen sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a fourteenth installment, Monday, May 23 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Eric Michael Gillett (The Frogs, Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Jana Robbins (Mazeppa in the 1989 revival of Gypsy), and Lucia Spina (B'way's Legally Blonde, South Pacific). We're also pleased to welcome three very special guests, each of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Crista Moore (Louise in the 1989 Broadway revival of Gypsy), Teri Ralson (Company's original Jenny and Mrs. Nordstrom in the original A Little Night Music) and Sarah Rice(Sweeney Todd's original Johanna). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series, and was nominated for the 2011 MAC Award.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Barbara Cook in Concert. It will have one performance only on Monday, May 16 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Barbara Cook in Concert is the latest in Reprise Theatre Company's tradition of presenting Broadway stars and legendary entertainers in concert, which have included Patti LuPone, Carol Burnett, Sutton Foster, Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series, part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitor Center and Mini-Museum The Tony Award Documentary Films Series is featuring three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Broadway musical. The Tony Awards Showcase, featuring historic Tony memorabilia, is open until the end of June and free to the public.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched this week, May 9, as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event and brings you the panel disussion below.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series, part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitor Center and Mini-Museum The Tony Award Documentary Films Series is featuring three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Broadway musical. The Tony Awards Showcase, featuring historic Tony memorabilia, is open until the end of June and free to the public.

The Broadway world is abuzz with all things FOLLIES so it was perfect timing that this past Monday night, at Judith Ivey's home, the 2001 revival cast of FOLLIES got together 'to glamorize the old days, stumble through a song or two, and lie about ourselves...a little.' Ok, so there was no singing, but practically the entire cast got together to celebrate what was an amazing experience in their lives and the amazing family they considered ourselves back in 2001. Blogging about the experience was Broadway veteran Randy Slovacek, who gave us exclusive permission to run his memories of the night (and production). As an actor, Randy has appeared on Broadway in Follies, Chicago and Hello, Dolly!, as well as the National companies of A Chorus Line, Cats, 42nd Street, Chicago and Hello, Dolly!. In addition, Randy is a published writer with articles in prominent magazines and is the author of his own blog, 'The Randy Report.'

The Board of Directors of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs is proud to announce the winners of the 2011 MAC Awards. The awards ceremony and show, produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, was held on May 10th, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. The evening was hosted by Christine Pedi. Steven Ray Watkins was the musical director.

Tome Rolla's Gardenia, Eric Bufano and Lampkin Music Group presents Martha Lorin in 'Love Me Or Leave Me - A Tribute to Ruth Etting' ONE SHOW ONLY! Saturday, May 21st, 2011.

Patricia Watt, Executive Producer of the 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, has announced the first group of Presenters for the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, In addition to Len Cariou and Brian Stokes Mitchell who will co-present the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary, dancer, choreographer, teacher and star of stage, film and television Jacques D'Amboise, additional presenters include Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Charlotte D'amboise, Christopher D'amboise and Karen Ziemba.

Chris Isaacson and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center proudly present the premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren in "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey," which will make its Los Angeles debut on June 16 at The Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood, with acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler 'Kiss My Brass' Tour, Bernadette Peters) at the helm.

Chris Isaacson and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center proudly present the premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren in 'DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey,' which will make its Los Angeles debut on June 16 at The Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood, with acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler 'Kiss My Brass' Tour, Bernadette Peters) at the helm.

The Colony Theatre Company is excited to present the fifth and final production of its 36th season, the classy, sassy musical, THE ALL NIGHT STRUT!, conceived by Fran Charnas, directed & choreographed by Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!) with musical direction by Dean Mora. THE ALL NIGHT STRUT! will close on Sunday, May 1 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center.

Lampkin Music Group is proud to present Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Jimmy Webb in 'Just Across the River' at the Palais Royale in South Bend, Indiana. Sunday, May 1st, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 for General Admission and available at the Morris Center for the Performing Arts at 574-235-9190, or online at www.morriscenter.org.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Ray Romano Live for one performance only on Tuesday, June 7 at 8:00 pm, at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. Ticket sales from Ray Romano Live support Reprise's mission to produce musical theatre of the highest artistic quality and to make this art form accessible to new audiences through education and outreach programs.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards nominees were announced by choreographer & director Lee Roy Reams at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant,. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Check out photos from the reception below!