Ethel Merman News

Al Hirschfeld gets a tome of his own!

Australia's Acoustic Voice, the only acoustic theater company in the world, announced today the North American premiere of Call Me Miss Birds Eye: A Celebration of Ethel Merman, in its pre-Broadway run at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater tonight, July 8, through July 19, 2015.

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring and summer, Hirschfeld is being celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Iconic figures take center stage across the country and more!

Join one-of-a-kind mother, Rose, and her two talented daughters as they search for fame in Pittsburgh CLO's production of GYPSY, July 10-19 at the Benedum Center. This entertaining musical is complete with memorable performances, mother-daughter struggles and the hardships of show business life, all while set during the infamous vaudeville era.

RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL is set to open Off-Broadway Monday, July 13th at St. Luke's Theatre. Preview performances began on June 25th. Book and lyrics for RUTHLESS! are by Joel Paley with music by Marvin Laird. Joel Paley also directed the original production as well as productions in L.A., South Beach and the record-breaking concert event starring Bernadette Peters. He will once again serve as director of the newest incarnation ofRUTHLESS!, with Marvin Laird on board as music supervisor as well.

STAGES St. Louis continues the voyage through its 29th season with the tap-happy Broadway classic, Anything Goes. The de-lovely Cole Porter musical comedy from Broadway's Golden Age will run July 17th - August 16th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

The latest edition of Scott Siegel's acclaimed series shows the growing number of Broadway musicals without new scores.

RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL entertained the crowd on Fran Drescher's New York Harbor cruise to kick off Gay Pride Week last Sunday, June 21st. A benefit for Cancer Schmancer, the floating party was held aboard the Hornblower Hybrid. Patti LuPone joined the festivities immediately following her matinee of SHOWS FOR DAYS along with other celebrity guests including Thomas Roberts, Patti Stanger, Jill Zarin, Peter Marc Jacobson, and Ann Hampton Callaway.

Broadway lovers (and haters) rejoice, because the funniest and bloodiest musical about what it takes to make a child a star is returning to Off-Broadway. RUTHLESS! is set to begin performances tonight, June 25th at St. Luke's Theatre in the heart of the Theater District, with the official Opening Night on Monday, July 13th.

Growing up listening to a vast array of music, my ear fell in love with the classics and one particular song entitled 'Summertime' touched my heart and ears. The Gershwin's music is a staple in the history of American Music, and I was ecstatic to see The Alley Theatre's production of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE.

Today we are toasting this week's big news than Megan Hilty will take on the title role in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.

Megan Hilty will star in New York City Center's annual Gala Annie Get Your Gun: In Concert, a one-night-only performance of the classic Irving Berlin musical, on October 27, 2015. Directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, the Gala will feature The Encores! Orchestra led by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. Additional casting will be announced at a later date. The event will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs.

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series presented a reading of Stephen Cole and David Evans' musical fable, 'Merman's Apprentice' on Monday, June 15. Directed by Stephen Cole and Amy Burgess, the cast featured PJ Benjamin, Austin Colby, Eddie Korbich, Brian Charles Rooney, Klea Blackhurst, Bill Nolte, Desi Oakley, Sarah Sesler, Anita Gillette, Elizabeth Teeter and F. Michael Haynie, supported by a six piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel. Scroll down for photos!

Broadway lovers (and haters) rejoice, because the funniest and bloodiest musical about what it takes to make a child a star is returning to Off-Broadway. RUTHLESS! is set to begin performances June 25th at St. Luke's Theatre in the heart of the Theater District, with the official Opening Night on Monday, July 13th. Book and lyrics are by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird. Joel Paley also directed the original production of RUTHLESS! as well as productions in L.A., South Beach and the record-breaking concert event starring Bernadette Peters. He will once again serve as director of the new production, with Marvin Laird on board as musical supervisor as well. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars!

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, will appear at the historic Birdland stage for a sold-out performance tonight, June 15 at 7pm. Directed by Igor Goldin (Yank) the cast features (in alphabetical order) P.J. Benjamin, Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Bill Nolte, and Elizabeth Teeter supported by a six-piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel.

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans' musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, is SOLD OUT for its Monday, June 15th show.

Becca McCoy went from being a working actor in Chicago to a stay at home mom in Palatka, Florida, and lived to tell the tale, as a cabaret. The award-winning national performer, a native of St. Petersburg, crafted a taut hour-long solo-show giving the universal story of 'blooming where you're planted' a fresh and engaging treatment in THE PEARL IN THE HOGWALLER, whose title comes from Palatka's wildly popular and best-known attraction: a mudbog. 

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: 'Merman's Apprentice' In Concert, Starring: Klea Blackhurst & Anita Gillette; BLAME CANADA! Featuring Broadway's Canadian Talent; Ann Hampton Callaway: On My Way to You; Sara Chase at 54 Below; and The Melody Lingers On: A 'Benefit' for Victims of Earworm.

Today we salute the man behind the music and lyrics of many of the most popular songs of the 20th century, Cole Porter.