Fred Astaire News

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.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud present the premiere of Donna McKechnie's new Talk/Variety show on Monday, December 9 at 7pm. 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!' Scroll down for photos!

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.

Point Park alumnus and Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford will direct the classic musical, The Sound of Music, live on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, Dec. 5.

The Crazy Coqs December schedule brings back two very popular artists to The Crazy Coqs. The versatile and vibrant Lorna Luft with her new show Back in Business (tonight, December 3-7 and 10 - 14) and the talenTed Gary Williams with his show A Swingin' Christmas (December 17- 21). On December 31, the comedy cabaret chanteuse and very popular Miss Hope Springs will be seeing in the New Year with her New Year's Eve Soiree. Scroll down for more details!

Birdland Jazz Club has announce its upcoming schedule for December 9-15, featuring Donna McKechnie, Shoshana Bush, Frank Wildhorn, Jazz Stories: Eddie Gomez, Kenny Barron, Al Foster, Wallace Roney, and more!

The American Foundation For Arts Education presented its annual National Arts Star Awards on November 20 in a Star-Studded Gala at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center in Rancho Mirage. Among the honorees, James Nederlander was presented with The Legacy Award for creating The National High School Musical Theatre Awards and his ongoing commitment to arts education. The awards were presented by actor/writer Laurence Luckinbill. The National Arts Star Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on Arts Education in America's public schools. The AFAE, originally founded by Carol Channing and her late husband Harry Kullijian, works to restore the arts to our nation's public schools and insure an arts education for every child in America through advocacy and partnering with schools and communities to create specialized arts instructional opportunities for children.

On last night's episode of FOX's GLEE titled 'Puppet Master', Blaine believed he had the best plan to win Nationals, but he didn't take the Glee club's criticism too well when the students accused him of being too controlling.

You know when I was sitting around with my family having dinner, in between passing dishes and pies, I thought - you know what would make this a better Thanksgiving? Puppets and What Does the Fox Say! I mean, come on - you can't have Thanksgiving without puppets and weird YouTube sensations singing about the sounds a fox makes. So, tonight, we are grateful for Glee and ponder the question - what does the Gleek say? Mr. Schue is stuck working on things, so Blaine takes over glee club, and the glee clubbers are less than pleased with Blaine's ideas, causing Blaine to exit dramatically. Kurt presents Pamela Lansbury with their first gig at Callbacks, while the rest of the group is not feeling the idea of it, Kurt is not listening. Imagining the perfect scenario, Kurt imagines Pamela Lansbury [with himself at the helm] singing 'Into the Groove' to a sold out crowd. Kurt and Blaine talk it up about the glee club rebellion of Blaine, which Kurt attributes to the idea they may find him controlling, which Blaine doesn't understand.

Today we are counting down twelve very valid reasons why Glee is something to be thankful for this holiday season, particularly last night's wacky Thanksgiving episode - Adam Lambert, Demi Lovato and 'What Does The Fox Say?' included!

Legendary drummer and NEA Jazz Master Foreststorn 'Chico' Hamilton died on Monday, November 25, 2013, in New York City at the age of 92.

The Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to present film great Leslie Caron (An American In Paris, Gigi, Fanny) in a comic and heartfelt valentine to the human condition, SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). Additional exciting casting news to be announced shortly! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews tonight, November 26 and will open on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Iconic performer Fred Astaire has a lengthy and impressive discography and filmography. The legendary singer, dancer, and actor has many memorable moments - all of which are part of Sony Masterwork's most recent Fred Astaire collection, FRED ASTAIRE: THE EARLY YEARS AT RK.

DelGaudio, one-half of the tandem in the evening of magic NOTHING TO HIDE, draws inspiration from Gene Kelly and Willy Wonka.

Iconic New York City venue-Roseland Ballroom-is closing its doors for good in 2014, and Lady Gaga will help shut down her hometown venue with a real New York theatrical affair!

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Sony Masterworks team up to celebrate one of Hollywood's most beloved stars: Fred Astaire. The new 2-CD set from Sony Masterworks, Fred Astaire: The Early Years at RKO, is available November 19 and TCM names Astaire their “Star of the Month” for December.

There are few shows I've been able to see from their early stages. In the Heights is one of them. I was happy to see the Pulitzer and Tony-winning musical in readings, workshops, off Broadway and then finally as a hit on the Great White Way. And then of course, the true test of time - the high school production.

Donna McKechnie, the Tony Award winning star of A Chorus Line, is regarded internationally as one of Broadway's foremost dancing and singing leading ladies. It's her birthday today, November 16, and in celebration, BroadwayWorld has rounded up a selection of her performances over the years. Click below to watch!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced their zesty line-up of impressive talent for the month of December 2013. Featuring: Michael Feinstein, Stacey Kent, Jazz Stories with Eddie Gomez, Kenny Barron, Al Foster, Wallace Roney, Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Cabaret, Cheyenne Jackson, Donna McKechnie, Frank Wildhorn & Friends with Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Jane Monheit and more, A Swinging Birdland Christmas, Native Soul, Victoria Shaw, Natalie Toro, Shoshana Bush, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!