Judy Garland News

Justin Sayre and The Meeting* - known for a signature blend of outrageous comedy, politics, culture and everything in between - were named among the Top nightclub shows of 2013 by Time Out New York, and received the 2012 Bistro Award for 'Comedy Artistry' and a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance. Each month, the I.O.S gathers to honor an artist or a cultural work that is iconic to the gay community. Justin Sayre, the show's creator, writer and host, serves as the Chairman of the Board of the International Order of Sodomites and brings his singular wit to essential business of the day through such regular features such as 'Letters to the Chairman' and 'New Rulings from the Board.'

Today we are talking to a multi-talented creative force who has had a hand in crafting a wide range of memorable and vivid characters over the course of his career as both a screenwriter and a director - the earnest and energetic Richard LaGravenese. Detailing the finer points of his forthcoming stage-to-screen iteration of Jason Robert Brown's beloved cult musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, LaGravenese traces the development of the project from his earliest inspiration through to the final finished film, now awaiting distribution. Additionally, LaGravenese opens up about the casting process and reformatting of the piece for the cinematic medium, as well as previews some of the standout moments we can anticipate when the film is finally released - musical, dramatic, stylistic and otherwise. Besides all about THE LAST FIVE YEARS, LaGravenese also discusses his screenplay for the recent rapturously-received HBO Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra and reacts to its international success, as well as shares thoughts on the cast and the script as it was realized on film by director Steven Soderbergh. Plus, LaGravenese offers us the exclusive 411 on his upcoming currently untitled CW TV series, directed by Taylor Hackford, and sheds some light on his contributions to Angelina Jole's new film UNBROKEN, as well as previews his forthcoming WE TV project coming up later this year, too. All of that, a look back at P.S. I LOVE YOU and more in this expansive conversation with a noted modern entertainment master.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will continue its engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Sunday, April 20 at 7:00 PM with a celebration of the lauded actor, writer and director John Cameron Mitchell just in time for the Broadway debut of his celebrated musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. After a highly-successful season at 54 Below, The Meeting* has returned to its downtown roots this year with shows through May. The Meeting* has been called 'delicious and delightfully droll' by The New York Post, and 'hilarious and sardonic' by The Village Voice. A recent story for Slate.com called the evening 'so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight.' The April show will feature special guests to be announced.

Bay Area Cabaret concludes its Tenth Anniversary Season by presenting the award winning Karen Mason in her new show, 'SECRET OF THE ANCIENT DIVAS.' A performer who has mastered both playing starring roles on the Broadway stage as well as projecting her own presence in intimate cabaret settings, Ms. Mason now comes to San Francisco for a performance in homage to her personal idols, including iconic singers Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, and Peggy Lee. Ms. Mason will perform at the historic Venetian Room of The Fairmont San Francisco, 5pm, Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2013-2014 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with the Olivier Award-winner for Best Comedy, THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE. Written by Jim Cartwright, and directed by Dan Olmstead, the production opens tomorrow, March 27th and continues through April 13th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3. Show times are Tuesdays-Sunday evenings at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm. Scroll down to see some photos from the production!

Award-winning biographical musical rollercaster, Somewhere Under The Rainbow: The Liza Minnelli Story, is to get it's eagerly awaited London premiere at the Landor Theatre from Monday 12 - Saturday 17 May.

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) will celebrate its annual Gala tonight, March 27, 2014 at BB King's Blues Club in Times Square, hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, and multiple MAC Award winner, Terese Genecco. The gala will be produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President.

It's been almost a decade since the Pittsburgh-born Billy Porter released a solo album, and since then much has changed for the award-winning artist, who grew up singing in the Pentecostal church. Perhaps best known for his Tony Award-winning role as 'Lola' in the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, Porter's musical background is based in gospel, soul and R&B. He released his first solo album, Untitled, on A&M Records, and a second album, At The Corner of Broadway + Soul, on Sh-K-Boom Records. On April 15, 2014, Porter releases his debut on Concord Records, Billy's Back on Broadway. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive first listen to the album's featured track 'I'm Not My Father's Son' from KINKY BOOTS!

Internationally renowned Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland expert John Fricke will visit Oakland University for a lively and engaging talk from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1 in Oakland Center Banquet Room A. The author, entertainer and historian has written several books on the iconic film and actress, including 'The Wonderful World of Oz: An Illustrated History of the American Classic,' released in 2013.

The legendary Liza Minnelli will perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight, March 25, 2014, making her debut performance at the iconic venue. This special, one-night-only performance features Minnelli and her band performing songs from throughout her groundbreaking career. This performance is part of a short West Coast tour.

The Arvada Center will open the regional premiere of End of the Rainbow directed by Rod A. Lansberry today, March 25 running through April 13 in the Main Stage Theater.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Olivier Award-winning actress Tracie Bennett will lead a West End cast in The WestEnders; The World's Most Popular Musicals in Concert, a brand new gala concert which will tour the UK for 8 dates only, opening at Princess Theatre Torquay on Wednesday 9 April 2014.

Judy Ann Moulton, BroadwayWorld.com Critics Choice Award Winner for Best Theatrical Event of 2010 for 'Judy Sings Judy: A Concert of Timeless Judy Garland Classics,' will perform her newest cabaret show 'From Crayons to Perfume' at Egan's Ballard Jam House on Saturday, March 22 at 7:00pm. The show will include songs from the 60's and 70's about life and love made famous by Connie Francis, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, Carole King, Helen Reddy, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Melissa Manchester, Lulu, and more!

Since its highly successful Broadway debut 80 years ago, Anything Goes has been revived multiple times and now receives a world premiere symphonic version with Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and an all-star Broadway cast, Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, as part of the ISO's Printing Partners Pops Series at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th St., 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events:

The British are coming to Monmouth for Theater at Monmouth's 45th season. The British Invasion, running from June 28 through September 28, 2014, features a line-up of plays from England's greatest playwrights.