George Burns News

Impressionist JEFF TRACTA wowed the audience to a standing ovation at the $1,500-a-head black tie Alfred E. Mann Foundation gala emceed by the two-time Emmy Award-winning JAY LENO, Sunday October 13, 2013, at the Robinsons May lot, 9900 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills, raising over $1 million for charity with over 400 people in attendance, thanks, in part, to Tracta's compelling performance, 'A Journey Through Pop Culture,' featuring more than 50 spot-on impressions.

Treehouse Comedy Celebrating 30 Years Of Comedy in Connecticut and the Klein have announced their first BIG-TIME comedy concert event on Thursday October 4th at 8:00.

Saying the name ANN-MARGRET is like an instant Rorschach Test or Word Association game and it's no wonder, as this woman who came to America from another country (Sweden) has surely achieved what is perceived as 'The American Dream' with a uniquely unparalleled career.

The NYC Cabaret Festival 2013 is under way and excited to present some exciting shows guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. From now through October 6, in addition to traditional cabaret singers and musicians - and a few not-so-traditional - NYCCF2013 is full of a full range of comedy shows for all tastes.

Show time is Friday, October 18 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $30 & $25 and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office,453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www.statetheatre.org.

John Cleese has done it. Bob Costas has done it. Oprah has not-yet, though she may want to. Now local celebrities and personalities are going to do it. And they will henceforth and forevermore be known as The Voice of God. At least in Delaware County, where Monty Python's 'Spamalot' is at The Media Theatre September 25 - November 3, 2013.

The legendary Carl Reiner stopped by Conan last night - and during his visit, he fulfilled one of his life-long dreams: performing a little bit of opera on live national television. Check out Reiner's brief rendition of PAGLIACCI below!

When talented studio and recording musicians who also love jazz combine their talents a kind of synergy happens based on a deep understanding of music that results in a spontaneous musical conversation. This is the case when JazzTime swings the jazz standards at Vicky's. Don Shelton vocalized with the Hi-Lo's and Singers Unlimited and is amazing on clarinet, sax and flute. He recently played with Barbara Cook and the LA Phil. He worked with Clare Fischer in sessions for Prince, Michael Jackson and Robert Palmer, plus the Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Quintet and Bob Florence band. Tom Keenlyside's sax and flute playing have been featured at major jazz festivals and with many of the biggest names in the music business: Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme and Tom Jones. He has been inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. Drummer Allen Goodman brings years of experience from NY's supper clubs to Carnegie Hall to NBC TV as a performer and studio drummer, as well as accompanying singers such as Dinah Shore, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, Liza Minnelli, Vikki Carr, Bobby Troup, Billie Holiday & others. Larry Holloway, the Desert's go-to bassist, brings depth of experience and a unique approach to bass as exemplified by virtuoso bassist Red Mitchell and, in fact, was the first recipient of the 'Red Mitchell Scholarship Award.' Regular pianists such as Josh Nelson, Barney McClure, Chip Smith, Andy Langham, Joe Bagg, Jeff Colella and others bring their distinctive musical gifts to the group.

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening Say Goodnight Gracie on Friday, September 20 at Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road. The show runs through Sunday, November 3. This one-man bio play by Rupert Holmes celebrates the live, love and laughter of George Burns and Gracie Allen. In order to join his beloved wife in heaven, George must give the performance of his life. He looks back on his impoverished youth in New York, the day he met Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen, their chemistry and comic timing, their marriage and rise to the pinnacles of vaudeville, movies, radio and television, and his solo career after her death. Say Goodnight Gracie was nominated for a 2003 Tony Award for best play, and won the 2003-04 National Broadway Theatre Award for best play.

Jerry Weinthraub is set to launch his second book to his 2011 memoir, When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead.

Sally-Jane Heit will return for her 4th Annual Benefit Performance at the Guthrie Center on August 17 at 7:00pm. This year she'll bring something entirely new to the stage, or entirely old depending how you look at it; Vaudeville - A Valentine to an Old Theatre Art Form. Sally-Jane fell in love with vaudeville when, as a young child her mother would bring her to vaudeville performances performed between the movies at theatres in New York. By the time she embarked on her long career in theatre, television, and movies, vaudeville was dead. She says, 'Before it was eaten alive by television, Vaudeville was the place anyone with a dream could test their wings.'

Treehouse Comedy Celebrating 30 Years Of Comedy in Connecticut and the Klein have announced their first BIG-TIME comedy concert event on Thursday October 4th at 8:00.

South Whidbey welcomes its newest festival, the inaugural PianoFest Northwest. The festival opens at WICA this week, July 19-21, 2013 Modeled after our world famous DjangoFest Northwest, and catering to music lovers who appreciate piano music that ranges from classical to contemporary, this event headlines three music talents, each unique to their genre.

George Burns, Walter Matthau and Steve McQueen topline July's Reel 13 on THIRTEEN!

Emmy Award winning actor/comedian Dana Carvey reunites with fellow 'Saturday Night Live' alumnus Jon Lovitz for the World Premiere of the new 'Lovitz or Leavitz' Vodcast series in front of a live audience today, June 29 at The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club & Podcast Theatre, located in the Universal City Walk entertainment complex at Universal City, California. The 'Loveitz or Leavitz' show tapes on Saturday nights in their brand new state of the art studio at the comedian's popular comedy club and airs as a Vodcast the following day on the newly launched Jon Lovitz Vodcast Network. Currently in negotiations to go live streaming.