Fred Astaire News

The Broadway at Birdland concert series has announced that Donna McKechnie's new Talk/Variety show will return on Monday, March 24 at 7pm. Andrea McArdle has signed on to be Donna's Very Special Guest.

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Family Concert, The Lost Elephant, with Dan Kamin today, February 8, 2014 at 2:00pm and 3:30pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. These concerts are designed for the entire family to enjoy. Families are invited to attend 'Meet the Musicians' at 1:15pm or 4:30pm for an interactive experience with ASO musicians and their instruments.

Don't miss your chance to get the best seats at the greatest values for each of the three terrific musicals during the upcoming 2014 season at the Goodspeed Opera House. Unprecedented demand is expected when tickets go on sale for the new season so audience members are encouraged to call right away. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. this Sunday offering great deals on three fantastic musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: the home-run hit Damn Yankees - The Red Sox Version; the vibrant Fiddler on the Roof; and the World Premiere production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows at Goodspeed Musicals - the first regional theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards.

I'm almost certain I've said this before about a Coyote Stageworks production - but it bears repeating! 'Run, don't walk' to the box office to see this highly polished, highly entertaining and anything but 'high brow' musical comedy before it's too late. I offer a few critical thoughts below, in addition to heaps of praise -- but nothing to impede you from running out and spending a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre with an absolutely irresistible quartet of actors. Founder and Artistic Director, Chuck Yates, has once again assembled a 'dream team' of actors, directors and designers who deliver at every turn. The Andrews Brothers is all fluff, to be sure, but it is presented with such panache, polish and style that the diversion from anything with more depth is just what the doctor ordered. I can't think of a better description than a very old-fashioned word - 'delightful'! It was absolutely delightful. I LOVED THIS SHOW and you will too.

If life really is about not taking anything too seriously, as Mel Brooks would have us believe, then do yourself a favor and see 3DT's production of The Producers. It may be politically incorrect but it's the funniest version of this musical I've ever seen and it will push you to have a good time in spite of yourself. Yes, it's another one of my must-see musicals of 2014.

Bill Robinson - 'Mr. Bojangles' - is a name synonymous with tap dancing. He invented the 'stair dance,' starred in movies and on Broadway, broke the color barrier for dancers in vaudeville and performed for kings and presidents. His career in American dance was unprecedented. Even today, those unfamiliar with his work know his name from the song 'Mr. Bojangles' and Fred Astaire's classic dance routine 'Bojangles of Harlem.' And if you've ever used the word 'copasetic', you can thank Robinson - he coined it.

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 45th Anniversary at a gala benefit on Monday, March 31st, 2014 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is veteran Broadway virtuoso Maurice Hines.

Portrait Gallery Historian Amy Henderson, curator of “Dancing the Dream,” hosts a wine and cheese reception with Turner Classic Movies' legendary host Robert Osborne.

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Family Concert, The Lost Elephant, with Dan Kamin on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 2:00pm and 3:30pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. These concerts are designed for the entire family to enjoy. Families are invited to attend 'Meet the Musicians' at 1:15pm or 4:30pm for an interactive experience with ASO musicians and their instruments. Tickets to the Family Concerts are $12 in all sections, and the performances are recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets are available by calling the ASO Box Office at 410-263-0907 or online at www.annapolissymphony.org.

The producers of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL just announced that Krystal Joy Brown (Big Fish, Leap of Faith) will assume the role of “Diana Ross” beginning Thursday, January 23 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Follow Lyrics & Lyricists over the rainbow to the West Coast and the glory days of MGM. Over the weekend, Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall made her L&L debut as guest artistic director for GOING HOLLYWOOD, a singing, dancing, Technicolor celebration of the silver screen's greatest musicals, featuring Cameron Adams, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, Jeremy Jordan, Rob McClureand Rachel York. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special event below!

Follow Lyrics & Lyricists over the rainbow to the West Coast and the glory days of MGM. This weekend, beginning today, January 11 and continuing the 12th and 13th, Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall makes her L&L debut as guest artistic director for GOING HOLLYWOOD, a singing, dancing, Technicolor celebration of the silver screen's greatest musicals, featuring Cameron Adams, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, Jeremy Jordan, Rob McClure and Rachel York. In the video below, Marshall chats about what to expect from the special concert event!

Point Park alumnus and Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford has received a Directors Guild Award nomination for directing The Sound of Music Live! on NBC last month.

Follow Lyrics & Lyricists over the rainbow to the West Coast and the glory days of MGM. On January 11, 12 and 13 Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall makes her L&L debut as guest artistic director for Going Hollywood, a singing, dancing, Technicolor celebration of the silver screen's greatest musicals, featuring Cameron Adams, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, Jeremy Jordan, Rob McClure and Rachel York. In the video below, Marshall chats about what to expect from the special concert event!

Follow Lyrics & Lyricists over the rainbow to the West Coast and the glory days of MGM. On January 11, 12and 13 Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall makes her L&L debut as guest artistic director for Going Hollywood, a singing, dancing, Technicolor celebration of the silver screen's greatest musicals, featuring Cameron Adams, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, Jeremy Jordan, Rob McClure and Rachel York.

Tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: http://www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guests are actor Gavin MacLeod and Elinor F. Rowe.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Joan Fontaine, perhaps best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rebecca' and who received an Academy Award for her performance in Hitchcock's 'Suspicion,' died at her home in Carmel, Calif., on Sunday, December 15th at the age of 96. BroadwayWorld remembers the legendary actress below.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud present the premiere of Donna McKechnie's new Talk/Variety show just last week. Tony-winning choreographer/director Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots) was Donna's Very Special Guest for the evening, with singers Nick Adams and Nikki MacCallum singing songs from Mitchell's hit shows. Donna and Jerry discussed life, love, careers and even ended the evening with a good, old-fashioned soft-shoe, after Mitchell demonstrated his most successful audition tune, 'I Love A Piano!' BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below!

The New York Times reports that Joan Fontaine, perhaps best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rebecca' and who received an Academy Award for her performance in Hitchcock's 'Suspicion,' died at her home yesterday.