Judy Garland News

Comedy in many varieties will be the common refrain of the 8th annual Origin's 1st Irish Festival running from September 2 to October 4. In all seven mainstage productions seen in competition (4 US premieres, 3 world premieres), plus seven special events out-of-competition will make up the five-week, month-long festival.

Lorna Luft has shared on her official Facebook page that she has undergone mastectomy surgery and is recovering well. 

Do you remember classic pop/rock songs of the 1970s such as 'Do It Again,' 'My Old School,' and 'Reeling In the Years?' If those tunes are swirling around in your head it's because they were big hits of the period by the iconic rock group Steely Dan. The founding member of that great band, guitarist extraordinaire Denny Dias, will take the stage at New York's popular jazz club IRIDIUM this week, August 6 and 7 for Denny Dias & Friends, a show that will celebrate the music of Steely Dan and showcase a few of his Denny's original songs. Joining Denny will be two special guests: Celebrated pianist/composer/music director Yaron Gershovsky and popular singer Lisa Jason as the show's lead vocalist. Performances of Denny Dias & Friends will be at 8 pm and 10 pm each night. Tickets are $30 per show (with a $15 food and drink minimum) and can be purchased at http://theiridium.com/reservations/ or by calling 212-582-2121.

TheatreZone artistic director Mark Danni today announced that Linda Carp and Lisa Campbell have been elected to the Board of Directors at the non-profit professional Equity theatre group, effective immediately.

The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews tonight, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has today announced full details of the shows to feature in its Autumn 2015 Season which include the U.K premiere of Crush, a new musical-comedy by Maureen Chadwick and a new stage adaptation of Iain Seraillier's The Silver Sword.

Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Melissa Manchester has done it all.  Her first singing job, as a solo singer/pianist in the clubs of New York, is where she met Bette Midler.  She was hired as a back-up singer for Bette, as one of the famous, “Harlettes,” and six months later, she had her own recording contract!

With his unmistakable tenor voice, legendary songwriting skills and bass guitar chops to boot, Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music.

As one glorious concert ends, another rehearsal process has begun in full swing! Our cast of 'Fantastical Family Fun Night' has been at it rehearsing all week! This show has some goodies in it such as a fantastic tap routine to Step in Time, a groovy Jackson Five Medley, and I get to sing some Disney! Heaven! The arrangement is 'When you Wish Upon a Star' as a quartet which I think will be so beautiful under the stars in Jack London State Park. I also love the chance to have an excuse to sing to the stars and make my own wishes for things to come. When is the last time you wished on a star? In New York City, you never see any stars. Sonoma's night skies glitter nightly.

In acknowledgement of the many exciting news items this week pertaining to THE WIZ, it is the topic of today's tribute.

BBC Culture today released a comprehensive new poll of the 100 Greatest American Films of all time. Among the esteemed list is the 1952 film SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, at No. 7, and THE WIZARD OF OZ, coming in #34 on the list.

The St. James Studio is delighted to announce 16 events taking place over ten days in November as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2015. The St. James has been involved with the festival every year since the studio opened in October 2012, each year presenting more events than the last. Collaborating with established producers JBGB Events, Fane Management and Word Theatre, the St. James is proud to present a broad programme of lunchtime, evening and late night performances, catering for all tastes and bringing the finest artists to the St. James Studio stage.

A summer tradition returns to Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre when the family musical, The Wizard of Oz takes the stage.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, along with Beaver Productions, is proud to welcome acclaimed jazz singer Melody Gardot on Friday, October 9 at the Merriam Theater.  Tickets go on-sale Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, or online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).  Gardot is considered a jazz chanteuse who hails from the Greater Philadelphia area where she used to perform free concerts at the Kimmel Center before her career skyrocketed.             

Caitlin Jackson gives a Jeff-worthy performance as Bette Midler in BETTE LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS

Milford Arts Council, in association with Pantochino Productions Inc. has announced a new entertainment series, Nite Spot Nights, debuting this Fall at the Center for the Arts on Railroad Avenue in Downtown Milford.

JSP Records has just unveiled the cover art (left), designed by Andrew Aitken of Aitken Design, and track list of the upcoming JUDY GARLAND: THE BEST OF LOST TRACKS 1929-1959.

Presented by International Theatre Producer David King the tour of the spectacular PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ arrives at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from the 27th July -  29th August. PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ is currently wowing audiences on tour across the UK with it's spectacular song and dance performances as this stunning production re-creates the glamour of Hollywood.

Two decades ago, cabaret was mesmerized by the sudden presence of a phenomenal male vocalist by the name of Tom Andersen, who quickly found himself not merely an overnight sensation in the clubs of New York and other major cities across the nation but throughout the globe. Part of his attraction was that, whereas most light baritones will strain and strive to hit notes in the highest register possible, to Andersen it came as naturally as simply drawing a breath; he was a theatrical tenor in the truest sense. And he may well now have an heir apparent in the form of Seth Sikes, who burst onto the scene on June 10 with a striking Judy Garland tribute show at 54 Below on what would have been the legendary lady's 93rd birthday.