Ethel Merman News

SIX BY SONDHEIM, an intimate and candid look at the life and art of the legendary composer-lyricist, airs on HBO tonight, December 9th, directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine. Click below to get a sneak peek behind the scenes with Darren Criss in the studio, about to record his part for 'Opening Doors' with musical director Andy Einhorn the day before shooting the scene from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG with Stephen Sondheim!

The ASCAP Foundation will honor Tony Award-winning lyricist and director of Annie Martin Charnin with the first-ever ASCAP Foundation George M. Cohan Award at their 18th annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 11th, 2013. The invitation-only event, hosted by ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams, will be held at the Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, SIX BY SONDHEIM is a highly personal profile of a great American artist as revealed through the creation and performance of six of his iconic songs. Told primarily in Sondheim's own words, this feature documentary weaves together dozens of interviews with the composer, rarely seen archival material spanning more than half a century (including newly discoveRed Footage of Ethel Merman performing 'Gypsy') and re-stagings of three songs produced especially for the film. Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts tonight, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT). Check out an extended sneak peek with the videos below!

Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation premieres today, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Robert McWhir of The Landor Theatre are delighted to announce the full programme of work for the second annual From Page To Stage Festival, a season of new musical theatre at the Landor Theatre from Monday 10 February to Sunday 9 March 2014.

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run tonight, December 3 through 22, 2013.

Directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, SIX BY SONDHEIM is a highly personal profile of a great American artist as revealed through the creation and performance of six of his iconic songs. Told primarily in Sondheim's own words, this feature documentary weaves together dozens of interviews with the composer, rarely seen archival material spanning more than half a century (including newly discoveRed Footage of Ethel Merman performing 'Gypsy') and re-stagings of three songs produced especially for the film. Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts MONDAY, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT). Click below to check out a preview of the documentary.

Urban Stages , in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano will kick off its Fifth Annual Winter Rhythms Benefit Series with Mary Martin: A Centennial Celebration on Tuesday, December 3 at 7pm.. Hosted by noted author Stephen Cole, this evening will pay tribute to the 100th Birthday of one of the greatest performers of the American Musical Theatre and the shows she starred in, including The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Peter Pan, etc. The show will be at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $50 and includes a champagne reception. Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444 by searching for "Winter Rhythms 2013."

This December, January and February, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2013-2014 Independence Studio on 3 season opens with a bang as the 'first broad' of American Theatre takes the stage in Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas. Directed by Richard Hopkins, who is a co-creator of the show, the production opens tonight, November 21st and continues through December 29th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

FST's production of Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas opens this week at the Walnut Street Theatre. Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas was developed under the direction of FST Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, with assistance from Kathy Halenda and Jack Fournier. As one of the most successful music revues created and developed at FST, Sophie Tucker has previously been shown to audiences at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Art Station, Centre Stage, New Repertory Theatre, Invisible Theatre, The Irish Classical Theatre and many more. The show now travels to delight audiences at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

BroadwayWorld's chief theatre critic Michael Dale was there for the New York City premiere last night as a guest interviewer, and you can check out interviews with the evening's guests, including Laura Osnes, Jeremy Jordan, Darren Criss and more. Plus check out a special sneak peek from the film!

The company of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder just celebrated their November 17 opening night on Broadway with the famed Gypsy Robe ritual. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you exclusive photo coverage below!

Directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, SIX BY SONDHEIM is a highly personal profile of a great American artist as revealed through the creation and performance of six of his iconic songs. Told primarily in Sondheim's own words, this feature documentary weaves together dozens of interviews with the composer, rarely seen archival material spanning more than half a century (including newly discoveRed Footage of Ethel Merman performing 'Gypsy') and re-stagings of three songs produced especially for the film. Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts MONDAY, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT). BroadwayWorld was there for the New York City premiere last night and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

The Show Goes On Productions (TSGO) is proud to announce QUEEN OF THE BEATNIKS: THE SONGS OF Judy Henske is back by popular demand to the Cutting Room, this time with a new band! The show, written and performed by MEREDITH DIMENNA under the musical direction of Jason BinnICK will be at the Cutting Room, tonight, November 19th, 2013 at 8:00pm EST.

Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts MONDAY, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are proud to announce the upcoming lineup at Feinstein's at the Nikko for January 2014. Artists include actor and singer Tom Wopat, star of stage and screen Cheyenne Jackson, Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess, Emmy Award winning actor and comedian Leslie Jordan, and more! Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run December 3 through 22, 2013.

The Palm Springs Cultural Center announces a new addition to its annual line-up of cultural programs and special events -- The Stanley Kramer Film Festival will debut at Camelot Theatres today, November 15th and run through Sunday, November 17th. The 2013 event, which is designed to coincide with other Stanley Kramer Centennial events taking place this year, will include special screenings of six of Stanley Kramer's best-known films. It will also feature special events, and special appearances with actress Karen Sharpe Kramer, Stanley Kramer's widow, and his daughter, the actress and singer, Katharine 'Kat' Kramer.