Ethel Merman News

Date of Death: February 15, 1984 (76)

Birth Place: Astoria, NY, USA

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BWW CD Reviews: WHEN I GROW UP: BROADWAY'S NEXT GENERATION - Live at 54 BELOW is Enlivened Fun
by David Clarke - Jul 30, 2013

Earlier this year, on March 18, Van Dean, Kenny Howard, and Michael J. Moritz, Jr. brought together a melange of Broadway's most impressive young talent for WHEN I GROW UP: BROADWAY'S NEXT GENERATION, a cabaret concert at 54 BELOW. Kenny Howard says that this group inspired him 'not only with their talents but also with a maturity that is far beyond their years.' For this cabaret concert, the children tackle the adult repertoire of their heroes, taking on music from SPRING AWAKENING, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AVENUE Q, [TITLE OF SHOW], and more.

BWW Reviews: Hole in the Wall's ANYTHING GOES Is a Pleasure Cruise on Choppy Seas
by Jacques Lamarre - Jul 29, 2013

Cole Porter classic sails on some rough waters.

MUSIC AT THE MANSION Concert Series Continues with Gerardo Mastrolia Today
by BWW News Desk - Jul 28, 2013

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', today, July 28, at 3 p.m. Performers include Gerardo 'Gerry' Mastrolia, Members of Opera Theatre of Montclair under the Direction of Mia Riker Norrie, and Lisa Viggiano. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Amber Smith.

CABARET LIFE NYC: You Ain't Read Nothin' Yet--Stephen Hanks' Fantasy Interview With the Legendary AL JOLSON
by Stephen Hanks - Jul 27, 2013

With the International Al Jolson Society's 17th Annual Long Island Festival just three weeks away (On August 17, from 9am to 4:30pm, at Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside, NY 11572.), BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Review/Columnist and passionate Al Jolson fan Stephen Hanks fantasizes about what it might be like to have a conversation with 'The World's Greatest Entertainer,' 53 years after he died. You ain't read nothin' yet.

Photo Flash: Ross Petty Visits ANYTHING GOES at the Princess of Wales Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jul 26, 2013

Ross Petty, one of Canada's leading musical theatre actors and producers, just happened to have starred as the principal male lead in a touring production of Anything Goes early in his career. It was 1980 and Petty played Billy Crocker opposite Ginger Rogers as Reno Sweeney. The cast also included another legendary performer: Sid Caesar, who played Moonface Martin (aka Public Enemy Number 13). Remembering the year Petty played in ANYTHING GOES, he attended the July 24th evening performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre with his wife Karen Kain, the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada. To almost recreate the moment, Petty posed for another photo with the current stars of the 2013 production of ANYTHING GOES. Scroll down to see both photos!

Brandywiners' ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Begins Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 25, 2013

Annie Get Your Gun is playing tonight, July 25-27 and August 1-3 at Longwood Gardens Open Air Theater. All shows begin at 8:30 pm.

BWW Reviews: Well, Hello, Klea! Blackhurst Creates a Charming, Feisty Dolly
by Lauren Yarger - Jul 23, 2013

t's one of those old musicals with a few memorable tunes and a ridiculous plot that would find it difficult to stand on a modern stage otherwise, but solid performances anchored by Blackhurst make Goodspeed's production an enjoyable romp through turn-of-the-century New York. Goodspeed announced a week's extension to the run before it even had begun.

Exclusive Photos and Interview Sneak Peek: Elaine Stritch on Life in Michigan, What's Next and More!
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 22, 2013

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch left New York City for good in May, after 71 years here, to relocate to her home state of Michigan. Now in a recent interview with Fairweather Magazine, the 88-year old opened up about her new life outside of the Big Apple. Stritch told Fairweather: 'I have a natural input fear of myself that goes in front of me. It's almost like someone says every time I walk into the room, 'Ladies and gentlemen…Elaine Stritch. There's something that says get out of my way, it's going to be my turn, because you need the love of the audience. My assistant/friend, Marge, says you can't live without an audience. That's why I'm questionable about this move. I don't know if it is going to work or not.'

Bill Fayne and Friends Bring THE GOLDEN AGE OF MOVIES to Suncoast Showroom Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 20, 2013

In a journey through an iconic time in music and movie history, Bill Fayne and Friends will perform 'The Golden Age of Movies' at the Suncoast Showroom tonight and tomorrow, July 20 and 21.

BWW Reviews: GYPSY at Maine State Music Theatre; Greatest American Musical is MORE Than Great at MSMT
by Scott Moreau - Jul 19, 2013

'Sing out, Louise!!'. This phrase has been part of theatre lexicon for more than 50 years. Almost having become an inside joke, and used by directors, choreographers and actors to coax performers into giving it their all. Throughout GYPSY's storied history, it has been produced numerous times across this country; the 'greatest American musical' is also often referred to as a 'perfect' musical. And Maine State Music Theatre's current production of GYPSY is just that: perfect.

Photo Flash: First Look at Michele Ragusa as 'Mama Rose' in Hangar Theatre's GYPSY
by BWW News Desk - Jul 18, 2013

Broadway actress Michele Ragusa (Young Frankenstein, Urinetown, Ragtime) is no stranger to taking on major roles in the world of musical theater as she did when she took over for Megan Mullally in Young Frankenstein or when she was a replacement in Urinetown covering the roles of Penny and Hope. But now, Ragusa has taken on an iconic role that not only seems to suit her, but one that critics are raving about. The role, made famous by the legendary Ethel Merman is of course Mama Rose in Gypsy. Ragusa is currently playing the 'ultimate show business mother' at The Hangar Theater (which took home 9 awards at the 2012 Broadway World Awards) through this weekend. Scroll down for a first look at her in action!

MUSIC AT THE MANSION Concert Series Continues with Gerardo Mastrolia, 7/28
by Devin MacDonald - Jul 17, 2013

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', on Sunday,July 28, at 3 p.m. Performers include Gerardo 'Gerry' Mastrolia, Members of Opera Theatre of Montclair under the Direction of Mia Riker Norrie, and Lisa Viggiano. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Amber Smith.

BWW Interview: 'Wow, Wow, Wow, Fellas' Klea Blackhurst is Goodspeed's Dolly!
by Joseph F. Panarello - Jul 17, 2013

Klea Blackhurst talks about her career, Jerry Herman and starring in HELLO, DOLLY! at the Goodspeed Opera House

Hershey Area Playhouse Announces 2014 Season: GYPSY, THE FANTASTICKS & More
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 16, 2013

Classic musicals, comedy and drama are all on the lineup for the 2014 Hershey Area Playhouse season including: The Fantasticks, February 13-16, 20-23, 2014; Leading Ladies , April 24-27, May 1-4, 2014; Gypsy, July 17-20, 24-27, 2014, Ten Little Indians, October 9-12, 16-19, 2014 and A Christmas Carol (Traditional), December 4-7, 11-14, 2014.

Helen Hanft Public Memorial Set for Ellington Room Today
by BWW News Desk - Jul 14, 2013

A public memorial for actress Helen Hanft will be held on tonight, July 14 at 7 PM in the Ellington Room at Manhattan Plaza, 400 W. 43 St. (Ninth Ave. building).

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at GYPSY at Maine State Music Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jul 12, 2013

Everything's coming up roses July 17, as Maine State Music Theatre continues its 55th season of professional musical theater at the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin campus in Brunswick, Maine with the smash musical fable, Gypsy. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Mama Rose and Gypsy Rose Lee!

Andrea McArdle Kicks Off Broadway Cabaret Concerts at Sugar Loaf PAC Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 13, 2013

Legendary Broadway stars will be coming to Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center in an intimate cabaret setting starting tonight, July 13.

BWW Reviews: Jim Brochu's CHARACTER MAN is a Triumphant, Tour de Force Tribute To Iconic Musical Theater Stars
by Stephen Hanks - Jul 12, 2013

About halfway through Jim Brochu's Saturday, June 29 performance at the Metropolitan Room of his new show Character Man, I realized I was witnessing what was probably the best cabaret show I'd seen this year, and perhaps was one of the best in my almost three years of reviewing cabaret. By the time the show ended, I had changed my mind. Not because the show fell apart in the second half, but because what Jim Brochu had created (and is opening tonight at the Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, Florida, where it will be performed until August 11) was more than a cabaret show. Character Man is a delightful, extremely well-crafted Off-Broadway theater piece that is destined for a run that might rival his critically-acclaimed one-man Zero Mostel tribute show, Zero Hour, which played throughout the country between 2006-2012 and earned Brochu 2010 Drama Desk and Helen Hayes Awards.

Brandywiners to Stage ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, Begin. 7/25
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 12, 2013

Annie Get Your Gun is playing July 25-27 and August 1-3 at Longwood Gardens Open Air Theater. All shows begin at 8:30 pm.

COCAINE & ETHEL MERMAN: THE NEW HOMO GUIDE to Play Minnesota Fringe, 8/3-11
by BWW News Desk - Jul 5, 2013

Direct from Houston, Texas, L. Robert Westeen presents, at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, his new one-man show, Cocaine and Ethel Merman: the New Homo Guide.

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