Jack Haley News

This reviewer was thrilled to be able to get a glimpse into the amazing world of Michael Feinstein.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 25, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Cassandra and Kiel Klaphake, the visionary forces behind Arizona Broadway Theatre, have delivered a winner with their refreshingly revisited production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, directed by Ken Urso and featuring Jasmine Bassham as Dorothy. Runs through July 11.

The Candlelight Dinner Theatre, the only dinner theater in Delaware, offers a topsy-turvy murder mystery to go along with your dinner & drinks.

What did our critic think of THE WIZARD OF OZ at CM Performing Arts Center? As soon as CM Performing Arts Center's live orchestra struck up the first few chords of 'The Wizard of Oz's' iconic overture, a wave of nostalgia hummed throughout the Noel S Ruiz Theatre. Multiple generations filled the house at the opening weekend matinee. Children, parents, grandparents, and children at heart visibly delighted in the stellar stagecraft, vibrant costumery, and charming performances featured in CM's Season 49 finale.

Comedy legend and The Dick Van Dyke Show creator Carl Reiner has passed away at 98. His assistant Judy Nagy confirmed to Variety that he died of natural causes on Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills.

Comedy legend and The Dick Van Dyke Show creator Carl Reiner has passed away at 98. His assistant Judy Nagy confirmed to Variety that he died of natural causes on Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills.

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

Today, BroadwayWorld remembers Carol Lynley with a look back in our photo archives.

Montalvo Arts Center invites movie-lovers to sit under the stars and enjoy classic movies with Sunset Cinemas. Part of its Summer Nights Series, the free screenings of The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and Jaws will take place on the front lawn of Montalvo, where guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or low chair to set up. Beer, wine, and snacks will also be available for purchase on-site.

Julien's Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house, held its two-day marquee Hollywood auction event, LEGENDS June 13-14, 2019 at The Standard Oil Building in Beverly Hills in front of a buzzing crowd of collectors and fans bidding live on the floor, online and on the phone across the globe.

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center's Rising Stars youth performing arts program will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of MGM's classic, "The Wizard of Oz," with six performances on Sunday May 5 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM; Saturday, May 11 at 2:00 and 7:00 PM, and Sunday, May 12 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM.

To Dad With Love: A Tribute to Buddy Ebsenwritten & performed by Kiki EbsenTheatre West12, 13, 14 ONLYCLOSED A one person show in honor of a parent is from experience full of  vengeful loathing or in reverse complete adulation. My father raped and abused me as a girl; I cannot bear the torment any longer...or   My father led an exemplary life; it is not easy to live up to his high standards. Many fall in the middle...my dad did have his flaws but persevered with stamina and an unforgettably joyous spirit. The latter is the case with Buddy Ebsen. His daughter Kiki Ebsen looks back fondly and peppers her fascinating anecdotes  with the music of her father's era, as well as a myriad of photos and film clips from his checkered film career and more successful TV shows. To Dad with Love, A Tribute to Buddy Ebsen played Theatre West this past weekend to packed enthusiastic houses.

Built in 1913 as the flagship for the big time vaudeville circuit run by E.F. Albee and Martin Beck, manager of the Western Vaudeville Managers Association, the Palace was the perfect showplace for the biggest of big time vaudeville during the last two decades of its existence.

'The Wizard Of Oz' as produced by Kansas City's 'Theater League' in the cavernous outdoor concert venue now called Providence Hospital Amphitheater

The Grand, in Ellsworth is holding a week long celebration for its 80th birthday!

Profiles in History is proud to announce the dates of Love, Liza: The Auction. The 3 day auction will be July 30th, 31st & August 1st, in Los Angeles. 

Sarasota Opera's Da Capo Society, the only young patrons group, ages 21 - 45, dedicated to a single arts organization in Sarasota, will host The Wizard of Oz themed costume contest Thursday, June 7th at 6pm to celebrate the launch of the new season of "Classic Movies at the Opera House." Launched in 2017, the "Classic Movies at the Opera House" series will occur twice monthly starting Thursday, June 7 and will include timeless films designed to be enjoyed on the big screen in the elegance of the Opera House. Each presentation will begin at 7:30pm.

Sarasota Opera is pleased to announce the line-up for the 2018 season of 'HD at the Opera House' and "Classic Movies at the Opera House".  This weekly series of filmed performances has allowed Sarasota Opera to expand its programming from the fall and winter season to year-around. The 2018 "HD at the Opera House" series will open on Sunday, May 20th and run through September 30th and will include presentations of Ballet and Theater from some of the world's most famous venues and companies including the Royal Opera House; Teatro alla Scala in Milan; Royal Shakespeare Company; Vienna State Opera; and the Royal Ballet. Each presentation will begin at 1:30pm.

'Ride to Heaven: An Existential Theme Park Mystery,' a documentary film with elements of retro Americana and the history of Old Hollywood, will be available on demand through Time Warner Cable starting April 1, 2016. This coincides with the 55th anniversary of the planned opening of the Disney inspired theme park called Bible Storyland. 'Ride to Heaven' is a quirky documentary film that follows a Los Angeles art dealer, Harvey Jordan, on his obsessive decade long quest to uncover the mystery of an ill-fated theme park designed by Disney creatives and backed by Jack Haley (Tin Man 'The Wizard of Oz'). The 220-acre park was to open April, 1961 in Southern California and intended to compete with Disneyland. The theme park blended the imagination of an Ex Disney VP (Nat Winecoff) and a Disney animator (Bruce Bushman) with themes from biblical times. The park was to feature Rides to Heaven and Hell, Chariot Races and eateries selling lion burgers. (Hear a reading of the 1960 Press Release at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zst8ekmOOm0) 'We are very pleased to have our film available to a much wider audience that will surely enjoy this story that includes elements of Disney, The Wizard of Oz, Hollywood films and Yo-Yo's,' said Harvey Jordan, the film's main character. 'You will have to see it for yourself to understand the common link between all these cultural icons. I'm sure you will be drawn into the mystery just like I was.' Stephanie Hubbard, the film's director, is a Los Angeles-based author and award winning documentary film editor & producer whose work has shown on PBS, the Discovery Channel, and History Channel. Her latest production was the short film 'Improv Death Ice Age.' 'Creating Ride to Heaven,' says Hubbard, 'was a personal self discovery that mirrored Harvey's existential journey as he faced life's travails against the backdrop of the enveloping vision of Bible Storyland Theme Park. My love of films of the 1950's came in handy - films like 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Ten Commandments' were pivotal to the development of the park. Exploring the politics of religion was also a fascinating aspect for me.' 'Ride to Heaven' includes interviews with Charles Phoenix (pop culture humorist), Rev. Malcolm Boyd (author, prominent theologian), Buddy Bregman (producer for Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland) as well as many scholars and experts on theme park history. The film's co-star, Debi Derryberry, is a prolific film & TV Voice Actor (Jimmy Neutron, Speedy Alka Seltzer, Disney & Pixar films.) 'Ride to Heaven: An Existential Theme Park Mystery' distributed by Cargo Film & Releasing, 611 Broadway, Suite # 630, New York, NY 10012, (212) 995-8139, www.cargofilm-releasing.com. An extended version of this film, with extras, is available on DVD thru the website. This film, previously released as 'Bible Storyland, The Movie' has screened at numerous Film Festivals and named Best Documentary at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. Website: www.RideToHeaven.com 'A marvelous Drama, wrapped in a Comedy, folded around a Documentary, twisted into a Detective story and squeezed into a Valentine.' - Chris Epting, Pop Culture Author 'A real investigative eye-opener and fun to watch!' - Huell Howser, Host/Producer of 'California's Gold'