Judy Garland News

A comprehensive new volume tracing the legacy and lore of classic movie musical THE WIZARD OF OZ courtesy of LIFE hits the shelves today.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 22 - September 28, featuring Bud Powell Birthday Celebration, Jamie deRoy & Friends, Barbara Carroll, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, and more!

Here at BroadwayWorld.com, we could not be more excited about the upcoming September 16 release of the highly anticipated latest album, PARTNERS, from Broadway's greatest export, Barbra Streisand. In honor of the album's 12 brand new duets, we are counting down with 12 days of Barbra! To pre-order the album, click here for Amazon.com, iTunes.com or to order direct. Today we are focusing our attention on the starry collection of collaborators on the new album from the recording icon.

On September 26, 27 and 28, guest conductor Steven Reineke and the wickedly funny singer/comedian Nicole Parker of MADtv and Broadway's Wicked join the Houston Symphony to take you on a fantastical journey through the themes and anthems of your favorite hit TV shows from the last 50 years. Be it the nostalgia of The Muppet Show Overture, the emotional intensity of themes from Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones, the original anthem of "Don't Forget Me/Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash, or the fun of a game show medley, TV's Greatest Hits will hit all the high notes in a salute to music of the small screen. Additionally, Parker truly shines in a tribute to iconic variety show performances like Carol Burnett and Judy Garland. Parker's comedic style, improvisational background and vocal skills make for an unforgettable night of audience participation in sing alongs and an on-stage game show. This concert is made possible in part through the support of Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall and BBVA Compass.

In 1940s New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Based on a true story, Glorious! is Peter Quilter's hilarious, Olivier-nominated comedy that invites us into the world of this New York socialite of great passion, considerable wealth and zero talent who fancied herself an opera diva. Richard Israel directs a four-week run at International City Theatre, opening Oct. 10.

On September 26, 27 and 28, guest conductor Steven Reineke and the wickedly funny singer/comedian Nicole Parker of MADtv and Broadway's Wicked join the Houston Symphony to take you on a fantastical journey through the themes and anthems of your favorite hit TV shows from the last 50 years. Be it the nostalgia of The Muppet Show Overture, the emotional intensity of themes from Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones, the original anthem of "Don't Forget Me/Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash, or the fun of a game show medley, TV's Greatest Hits will hit all the high notes in a salute to music of the small screen. Additionally, Parker truly shines in a tribute to iconic variety show performances like Carol Burnett and Judy Garland. Parker's comedic style, improvisational background and vocal skills make for an unforgettable night of audience participation in sing alongs and an on-stage game show. This concert is made possible in part through the support of Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall and BBVA Compass.

Today we are talking to a two-time Emmy Award-winning stage and screen star who counts a modern-day TV icon among her most memorable roles, none other than nefarious and outrageous Sue Sylvester on FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE, the versatile Jane Lynch. Shedding light on her hosting duties for the upcoming GLBT equality charity event UPRISING OF LOVE, set to star Sting, Billy Porter and Patti LuPone, Lynch opens up about the importance of the cause and why she was drawn to participating in the show next week. Additionally, Lynch shares stories from her early theatre days - including performing in an amateur production of UPRISING OF LOVE co-producer Stephen Schwartz's own musical GODSPELL. Plus, Lynch recounts her experiences performing material from beloved family-friendly musical ANNIE on GLEE - with the world premiere of "Little Girls" having been hosted right here on BroadwayWorld - as well as her reflections on starring as Miss Hannigan in the most recent Broadway revival of the popular show. Of course, Lynch shares a brief but tantalizing preview of what viewers and gleeks alike can expect from the final season of GLEE, now back where it all began at McKinley High in Lima, Ohio. All of that, new information on her upcoming onscreen reunion with GLEE co-star Matthew Morrison and much, much more!

Referred by Ella Fitzgerald as 'the greatest white female singer in the world', by Johnny Carson as the 'Super Singer' and said to have a voice that is '...robust and steady, her stamina seemingly inexhaustible...' by the NY Times, Marilyn is a jazz legend known and loved by all. Check out photos from her Birdland return below!

There's a new couple in town. The musical Theatre Project and Kent State's Musical Theatre program are joining forces to do a staged reading/sing-through of the musical 'Babes in Arms.'

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on Sunday, September 14 at 9:30 PM for the launch of its landmark 6th season. The September show will include a tribute to the beloved soul diva Amy Winehouse, featuring special guests Kenny Mellman, Jessica Vosk, Xavier Rice and Mark Aaron James. Tracy Stark serves as the show's Music Director.

This fall, WQXR, New York City's classical music station and CARNEGIE HALL will once again bring concerts from the renowned concert hall to national and international audiences through live and recorded broadcasts and webcasts of 12 concerts from the 2014-15 season.

The Musical Theater Project, Kent State University and Beck Center for the Arts will present Rodgers and Hart's classic musical comedy 'Babes In Arms' in concert for two performances: Thursday, September 18, at 8pm on Beck Center's Mackey Main Stage and Sunday, September 21, at 2pm at Kent State University's E. Turner Stump Theatre.

An NYC reading for the new musical CHASING RAINBOWS - THE ROAD TO OZ has been scheduled for this week in New York City, September 8-18. BroadwayWorld has learned that the reading will feature Ruby Rakos (Frances Gumm), Euan Morton (Frank Gumm / Roger Edens), Donna Lynne Champlin (Ethel Gumm), Michael Wartella (Joe Yule), Karen Mason (Kay Koverman), and Douglass Sills (George Jessel / L.B. Mayer), with Emily Rosenfeld, Beatice Tulchin, Emma Howard, Andrea Marie Laxton, Katie Wesler, Jessica Sheridan, Kevin B. McGlynn, Ben Crawford, Tommy Bracco, Sam Strassfeld, Katie Dixon, Tessa Grady, Jonalyn Saxer, Michael Milton, and Stephen Christopher Anthony.

Judy Ann and her 8-piece band led by Jim Fisher will bring to life the classic Judy Garland catalog of songs for one show only at7:00pm on Monday, September 8, 2014 at Boxley's Jazz Club & Restaurant in North Bend, Washington (http://www.boxleysplace.com/web/directions.html). Tickets available at http://www.valleycenterstage.org/index.html or by calling 425-831-5667.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Marilyn Maye, 54 Below Sings Elaine Stritch, 54 Sings Big River, String of Pearls, Lauren Pritchard.

After a successful inaugural season, The Rainbow Theatre Project has announced their second season of three evenings of staged readings, two fully-staged productions, a co-production and a cabaret that highlight, reflect and embrace the LGBTQ experience. The company's first season was comprised of five staged readings of early and contemporary works from the LGBTQ theatrical canon, including a concert version of recent Off-Broadway musical sensation YANK!.

Why do some actors make it and others don't? Ken Womble sets out to find the answer to this question, one that has fascinated and tormented him for years, in his new book, INSIDE ACT: How Ten Actors Made it and How You Can Too (Hansen Publishing Group, 373 pages, $24.99). To celebrate the release, BroadwayWorld will be featuring chapter previews from the new book. Today, hear from Gary Beach!

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is proud to announce that tickets for their 2014 holiday production of Meet Me in St. Louis, which will be presented at their state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, from December 3-28, will go on sale to the public today, September 2.

This September and October 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 8 - September 14, featuring Marilyn Maye, Christian McBride Trio, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, Natalie Douglas, and more!