Ed Drake News

Los Angeles' Reprise Theatre Company today announced it's 2010-2011 season, which features three classic American musicals at UCLA's Freud Playhouse: 'They're Playing Our Song' (September 28 to October 10, 2010), with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, and starring Jason Alexander, the company's Artistic Director; Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 'Gigi' (February 15 to 27, 2011); and Cole Porter's 'Kiss Me, Kate' (May 10 to 22, 2011), with book by Samuel and Bella Spewack.

Masterworks Broadway showcases an unparalleled collection of historical recording session and production photos culled from over 60 years of the Columbia Records and RCA Victor archives. Painstakingly researched and catalogued, these rarely seen images convey the story of the cast recording in a way no other anthology has done before.

Neile Adams (aka Neile McQueen Toffel), author, performer and the former wife of the late legendary actor, Steve McQueen, will make a special appearance at a screening of the film, Bullitt, as part of the Film Series entitled, 'King of Cool - The Films of Steve McQueen,' being held at Seattle Art Museum; SAM Downtown, Plestcheeff Auditorium; 1300 First Avenue (between Union Street and University Street); Seattle, WA 98101, on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Neile Adams (aka Neile McQueen Toffel), author, performer and the former wife of the late legendary actor, Steve McQueen, will make a special appearance at a screening of the film, Bullitt, as part of the Film Series entitled, 'King of Cool - The Films of Steve McQueen,' being held at Seattle Art Museum; SAM Downtown, Plestcheeff Auditorium; 1300 First Avenue (between Union Street and University Street); Seattle, WA 98101, on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Arena Stage presents an innovative take on the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Director Amanda Dehnert (Oregon Shakespeare Festival‘s All's Well That Ends Well and Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Cabaret) and famed set designer Eugene Lee (Tony Award for Broadway's Wicked, Candide, Sweeney Todd) take a spin on this timeless love story by staging it in Rocky Point, an abandoned amusement park in Rhode Island. This whimsical twist on the classic musical is full of buoyant humor, charming music and incredible magic that will thrill audiences of all ages. The Fantasticks runs November 20, 2009 - January 10, 2010 at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre, with an official opening on Friday, November 27, 2009.

Arena Stage presents an innovative take on the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Director Amanda Dehnert (Oregon Shakespeare Festival‘s All's Well That Ends Well and Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Cabaret) and famed set designer Eugene Lee (Tony Award for Broadway's Wicked, Candide, Sweeney Todd) take a spin on this timeless love story by staging it in Rocky Point, an abandoned amusement park in Rhode Island. This whimsical twist on the classic musical is full of buoyant humor, charming music and incredible magic that will thrill audiences of all ages. The Fantasticks runs November 20, 2009 - January 10, 2010 at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre, with an official opening on Friday, November 27, 2009.

Whatsonstage.com is suggesting that British actor Lee Mead, best known for winning the BBC reality television show 'Any Dream Will Do' and his subsequent run as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, may be gearing up to star in a West End revival of the little known Rodgers and Hart musical, BABES IN ARMS. The revival is rumored to have set an opening for sometime in 2010.

James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

When Harry Met Linda, LLC today announced that The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, a new play by David Bertolino, directed by Jerry Douglas, will have its Off-Broadway premiere at the newly renovated HA! Theater (163 West 46th Street, just east of Broadway).

James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

2009 marks Clinton Community Theatre's 28th year of producing quality affordable theatre for the residents of Clinton and surrounding communities. The Clinton Community Theatre proudly presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, a production for the whole family.

When Harry Met Linda, LLC today announced that The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, a new play by David Bertolino, directed by Jerry Douglas, will have its Off-Broadway premiere at the newly renovated HA! Theater (163 West 46th Street, just east of Broadway).

Two of the biggest names in comedy - TBS and Just For Laughs - have lined up a roster of extraordinary comedians for the premiere edition of TBS PRESENTS A 'VERY FUNNY' FESTIVAL: JUST FOR LAUGHS in Chicago, which will run Wednesday, June 17 - Sunday, June 21. Among the many top-name talents scheduled to appear are Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Short, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, David Alan Grier, Tim Meadows, Lisa Lampanelli, Jimmy Fallon, Russell Peters, Louis CK, Jim Jefferies, Bob Odenkirk and Mike Epps, to name a few.

Following last season?s triumph of Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Carousel, Lyric Stage Founding Producer Steven Jones has reunited director Cheryl Denson and music director Jay Dias for the world premiere of the newly restored The King and I, featuring a 35-piece orchestra playing the original Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations. Performances are June 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 @ 8:00 PM and June 21 & 28 @ 2:30 PM. Performances are in the Irving Arts Center?s Carpenter Performance Hall, 3333 N. Mac Arthur Blvd,. Irving, Texas. Tickets, priced from $20-$50, are available online at www.lyricstage.org or by calling 972-252-2787.

Two of the biggest names in comedy - TBS and Just For Laughs - have lined up a roster of extraordinary comedians for the premiere edition of TBS PRESENTS A 'VERY FUNNY' FESTIVAL: JUST FOR LAUGHS in Chicago, which will run Wednesday, June 17 - Sunday, June 21. Among the many top-name talents scheduled to appear are Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Short, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, David Alan Grier, Tim Meadows, Lisa Lampanelli, Jimmy Fallon, Russell Peters, Louis CK, Jim Jefferies, Bob Odenkirk and Mike Epps, to name a few.

Actors Theatre of Louisville was saddened by the news that Ray Fry died on Monday, May 4 in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 86 following a brief illness.

Actors Theatre of Louisville was saddened by the news that Ray Fry died on Monday, May 4 in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 86 following a brief illness.

Mature theater-goers proudly recall seeing musical comedy greats perform. It's easy to remember seeing Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Alfred Drake or Joel Grey because these stars contributed exemplary work in leading roles. However, a book could be written about actors who create vivid impressions in our minds while playing supporting roles in memorable shows. There is no greater example of such an actor than Mary Louise Wilson.