Gene Kelly News

Today in 1976, the second Broadway revival of Pal Joey opened at the Circle in the SquareTheatre, where it ran for 73 performances. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. The 1976 cast featured: Christopher Chadman (Joey), Harold Gary (Mike), Terri Treas (Kid), Janie Sell (Gladys), and Gail Benedict (Gail).

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) and The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) are excited to announce the Houston premiere of Xanadu as the 2013 summer conservatory production. The comical, roller skating musical based on the Universal Pictures film which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, is about following your dreams despite the limitation others set for you. Xanadu rolls onto the Zilkha Hall stage at the Hobby Center for Performing Arts, September 13 - 14, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek below!

The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the July and August lineup for Family Films with screenings of several of the most beloved Hollywood musical's of 40s and 50s starring classic silver screen icons, led by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland!

The National High School Musical Theater Awards (NHSMTA) is pleased to announce that 62 finalists selected from tens of thousands of students will compete for the coveted Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress, scholarships and other honors at an event on Broadway to be hosted by the Tony Award-nominated stars of Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, Laura Osnes (Cinderella) and Santino Fontana (the Prince). The fifth annual performance showcase featuring dynamic ensemble and solo performances exclusively from the musical theater cannon will take place on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Minskoff Theatre (200 W. 45th St).

The National Symphony Orchestra today announced its 2013 line-up of performances at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Eleven performances will take place between June 26 and August 3, 2013. Emil de Cou, in his ninth season as NSO@Wolf Trap Festival Conductor, hosts 10 of the performances and conducts four, including the opening and closing performances in the series.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and TriStan Wilson Managing Director, presents the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town now through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening was last night, June 16 at 5pm. The show just held a post show talk-back with Amanda Green and William Finn and you can check out photos from the event below!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and Tristan Wilson Managing Director, presents the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town now through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening is Sunday, June 16 at 5pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a love-struck comedy taking the Benedum stage tonight, June 11-16, 2013. Audiences are sure to be delighted by the antics of seven brothers and 'wannabe' brides living under one roof in 19th century Oregon. Noted Broadway performers including Pittsburgh CLO alumni George Dvorsky and Mamie Parris will take the lead as Adam and Milly, along with an incredibly talented Pittsburgh CLO cast.

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 July 20 and 21.

Michigan Philharmonic Presents 2013 2014 Season

Porchlight's 19th Season begins with the Chicago premiere of Double Trouble, book, music and lyrics by brothers Bob Walton and Jim Walton, direction and choreography by Matthew Crowle, music direction by Linda Madonia and starring brothers Adrian Aguilar and Alexander Aguilar, August 31 - October 6, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

Diablo Ballet and The Lafayette Library & Learning Center bring back the popular, summer Dance on Film series beginning tonight, June 6th 6:30 PM, with the 1954 musical movie classic Brigadoon.

Xanadu, Produced by WaterTower Theatre at the Addison Theatre and Conference Center will play the Main Stage from July 26 - August 18, 2013.

Leslie B. Cutler, who directed of hundreds of productions over a 50 year period at the storied Kenley Players in Ohio and other stock venues and is widely believed to have directed more stars onstage than anyone else in show business, died of congestive heart failure at the St.Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan on Saturday, May 18th, 2013. He was 93.

Cortland Repertory Theatre kicks off their 42nd season at the Little York Pavilion in Preble with the theatre's premiere production of Agatha Christie's mystery, The Unexpected Guest. Performances will run from tonight, June 5th - 15th with evening performances at 7:30 PM. Matinees are available on June 7th, 9th and 12th at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office's new location at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.

Today we are talking to an inordinately talented triple-threat performer who made his name on Broadway in some landmark productions, such as the original multi-Tony Award-winning HAIRSPRAY and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, in addition to his peerless work in Lincoln Center's lauded SOUTH PACIFIC revival, who now is best known to audiences around the world for his headlining role on FOX's mega-hit musical dramedy series GLEE - the charismatic Matthew Morrison. Sharing stories from his Broadway days as well as looking ahead to the new season of GLEE airing in September, Morrison paints a vivid picture of his musical theatre career thus far and touches upon his experiences in the aforementioned musicals on the Great White Way as well as THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, A NAKED GIRL ON THE APPIAN WAY and more, detailing his ascent from chorus boy to superstar. More importantly, Morrison offers us the complete 411 on his new solo album, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, discussing its conception, recording, production, and, now, its release - as well as elaborating on working with legendary producer Phil Ramone on it and the song selection process itself. Furthermore, Morrison reveals the most influential artists and performers to him and how that inspiration formed the basis for WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, both the album itself as well as his current concert tour in promotion of it - arriving in NYC at 54 Below this weekend, as a matter of fact - and his PBS special, airing this month. Additionally, Morrison candidly comments on some characters he would enjoy essaying in the future (hint: a demon barber of Fleet Street), reflects on his favorite GLEE moments to date, recounts wild ROCKY HORROR antics involving rock star Sebastian Bach - and much, much more!

Historian and executor of the Gene Kelly Estate, Patricia Ward Kelly, will present her fascinating solo show GENE KELLY: THE LEGACY tonight, June 1 at Chapman University's Memorial Hall in Orange County, CA - an encore presentation of the two sold-out shows Kelly introduced at the Academy Of Motion Pictures at Lincoln Center in NYC last July.

MeLu Communications Group announces the release of 'American Mambo'... the exciting new CD by Lucio Fernandez a.k.a. 'The Cuban Kid'. A feel good production... from dance tracks, to boleros, to hard driving ballads... this is 'American Mambo'.