Ethel Merman News

This holiday season join ArtsWest and Judy Garland as they welcome you into their home for the Seattle Premiere of Judy's Scary Little Christmas.

Today, BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present yet another awesome performance clip as originally seen on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, this time with a classic Rodgers & Hammerstein song from THE KING & I, just in time for its upcoming major revival later this season.

Winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, ANYTHING GOES sails into the McCallum just in time for the holiday weekend, November 28 through 30. Cole Porter's most popular musical comedy features one of Broadway's most memorable scores including such classics as 'I Get A Kick Out Of You', 'Friendship', 'It's De-Lovely' and the title song, 'Anything Goes'. The successful 2011 revival was produced by Roundabout Theatre, directed by Kathleen Marshall, and also garnered a Tony Award for lead actress Sutton Foster in the role of Reno Sweeney, originated in 1934 by Ethel Merman and played over the years by the likes of Patti LuPone and Elaine Paige. I had the opportunity to speak with the current Reno Sweeney, Emma Stratton, as she was winging her way to the Southern California for the West Coast leg of the national tour. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Today, BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present a world premiere exclusive clip from next week's PBS special MY MUSIC PRESENTS: GREAT BROADWAY MUSICAL MOMENTS FROM THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, which is set to air on December 1.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Columbus Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

Once again the uniquely talented Hershey Felder endears his audience to him with his newest presentation, the life and work of the one and only composer Irving Berlin in Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Currently onstage at the Geffen Playhouse through December 21, Felder's tribute, although a bit long - coming in a tad short of two hours without an interval - is enriching, humorous and replete with most of the brilliant Berlin tunes.

The completely reimagined revival of Side Show opened Monday night, November 17, at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the show's Gypsy Robe ceremony and brings you pictures of the sacred event below!

ASCAP Award-winning writer/director Chip Deffaa's 'The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue'-currently playing at the 13th Street Theater in repertory with Deffaa's long-running 'One Night with Fanny Brice'--is to receive a cast recording. The cast album will feature all of the singing actors currently appearing in the show: Rayna Hirt, Ken Adams, Michael Cyzz, Maite Uzal, Michael Kasper, Jonah Barricklo, Emily Bordonaro, Missy Dreier, K.W. Andersson; Andrew Lanctot, Ann Marie Calabro, Brandon Pollinger, and Timmy Thompson, with musical direction by Richard Danley. Deffaa will produce the album; Slau Halatyn will be the recording engineer; with production to begin later this month at Be-Sharp Studios in Astoria. The album will be released in the United States on the Original Cast Records label. It will be the sixth show of Deffaa's to get a cast album.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nominations are announced, Lyric presents 'Porgy' and 'Carousel,' 'Camelot' opens, 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Annie' return, 'Annie' and 'Ani' hit screens, parodies of 'Guffman,' the Merman/Mormon thing, Rudolph and Tupperware, and a suburban 'Garden!'

The Houston Symphony's January calendar starts the New Year with an impressive lineup of concerts including an intimate concert experience with commentary from Andres Orozco-Estrada. "Musically Speaking with Andres" begins with Shostakovich's Symphony No. 12, The Year 1917. On January 17-18, twin sisters Christina and Michelle Naughton will perform a masterful two-piano musical dialogue in Mozart and Shostakovich.

Comic book fans' favorite voodoo shaman Papa Midnite does the two-step with CONSTANTINE while The Devil's Vinyl plays.

The timeless musical ANYTHING GOES runs from tonight, November 7th through 23rd at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City (2215 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA).

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will host their 18th Hall of Fame Luncheon today, November 6th in downtown Cleveland. The 2014 honorees have impacted the success of CPH through their wide-ranging achievements. This year's recipients include Joe Garry, George Gund II, Maeve McGuire, and June Squibb. Receiving the Heritage Award for his contributions to CPH will be Nelson Isekeit. Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are long-time CPH supporters Bob Blattner and Betty Fredman.

On Monday, November 3, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to host Tony Award Nominated actress & singer Anita Gillette on the historic stage in a wonderful evening of music and memories, and a hilarious look behind the scenes from Broadway to Hollywood in 'After All...and furthermore...'

On Sunday November 2, Kritzerland presented its 51st show Put on Your Sunday Clothes, The Songs of Jerry Herman at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with special guest star Karen Morrow. No surprise that this was an uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable evening of song, for as host Bruce Kimmel stated up front, 'No one brings optimism to Broadway like Jerry Herman.' Fabulous Tom Griep served as musical director at the piano with super songsters David Engel, Valerie Perri, Damon Kirsche, Shannon Warne, Chelsea Emma Franko and 14 year-old Sami Staitman as well as the aforementioned queen of singers Karen Morrow. Singing doesn't get any better than this!

Pride Films and Plays announces that Sam Button-Harrison* and Dan Gold join Libby Lane* as the cast of The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens on January 17, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.

Bucks County Playhouse opens up its stage to the star power talent with the National Tour of BALLROOM WITH A TWIST tonight, November 4th. Audiences are invited to experience the unique and live thrill of witnessing pros from Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance move together now all on one stage at the Playhouse.

THE LAST SHIP - the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting and book by Tony Award winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey opened October 26. The Last Ship is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreographed by Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Steven Hoggett. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the cast's Gypsy Robe ceremony last night and brings you pictures from the sacred event below!

Recognizable stage and screen star Anita Gillette returns to the Birdland with her new solo show AFTER ALL... AND FURTHERMORE tonight.

Catch Anita Gillette's brand new solo show!