Liza Minnelli News

Born and raised in Brazil, Paulo Szot made his opera debut 1997 and has appeared with many major opera companies throughout the world before starring in the Broadway revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theatre, earning him the Tony Award, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critic's Circle and the Theater World Awards for his portrayal of Emile De Beque. In the 2008-2009 season Mr. Szot made his New York Philharmonic debut in a concert conducted by Marvin Hamlisch appearing alongside Liza Minnelli. After making his highly acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut, he also made his Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops Orchestra. Mr. Szot has performed in the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of the American Songbook Series and, in 2010 and 2011, at the Cafe Carlyle in New York.

The Town Hall (123 West 43 Street) has signed Award-winning Jazz singer Marilyn Maye, Tony Award winner, Ben Davis (Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme), Dameka Hayes, Audelco Award Nominee for It Ain't Nothing But The Blues and Jessie Mueller, who made her Broadway debut in On a Clear Day…, to perform in THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1946 on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 8pm.

Tonight Terri White (Follies), who spent a great many years as one of New York's most exciting piano bar entertainers, will be honored with a Special Award for her Contributions to New York Nightlife.

Chris Durang launched a comic nightclub act in 1989 called CHRIS DURANG & DAWNE (John Augustine and Sherry Anderson) that came back to play clubs all over the New York area for the next eight years until they made their last public performance in January of 1996.

Liza Minnelli took a moment out of her busy schedule to speak with BWW about her upcoming concert, her favorite Broadway memories and the real story behind those 'wild nights' at the legendary Studio 54 nightclub during the 1970's.

Nederlander Presentations, Inc. has announced that the JEKYLL & HYDE will return to Broadway in Spring 2013 following a 25-week National Tour starring Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. The tour will launch at San Diego's Civic Theatre in San Diego, California on October 2, 2012.

Tony nominee Adam Pascal (currently starring in Memphis), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Addams Family, title of show), Julia Murney (Queen of the Mist/Wicked), join Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame legend Darlene Love and Broadway's Mary Testa (Queen of the Mist), Julie Halston (Anything Goes), Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon), and Seth Rudetsky for the Second Annual Broadway Belts! for PFF (Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation) Benefit on February 27, 2012 at 7:00pm at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street). For tickets visit bit.ly/broadway2012; Broadway@pulmonaryfibrosis.org or (312) 239 - 6636.

The cast of the 10th Annual Nightlife Awards reaches critical mass with the addition of Tony Nominee and Nightlife Legend KAREN AKERS and nightlife and recording sensation NELLIE McKAY. They join a cast that already includes TERRI WHITE (Follies), who spent a great many years as one of New York's most exciting piano bar entertainers and will be honored with a Special Award for her Contributions to New York Nightlife. As is always the case with The All-Performance Nightlife Awards, Terri will take the stage and sing. Heralded TV and nightclub comedian, RAY ELLIN, is on tap to perform on Monday night, as are two former Nightlife Jazz Award winners Vocalist winners, ALLAN HARRIS and KAREN OBERLIN.

Kim Kardashian joins the cast of Lifetime's critically acclaimed Sony Pictures Television series 'Drop Dead Diva' for a multiple-episode arc beginning with the season premiere. The show's fourth season is set to begin filming in February, with new episodes premiering this summer.

Today we are talking to a star of many notable films and television shows who initially surprised many viewers with his commanding presence as the voice of the Beast in Disney's classic animated film BEAUTY & THE BEAST, now back in theaters for its twentieth anniversary (in 3D) - the one and only Robby Benson. In addition to telling us all about his impressions of and experiences working on BEAUTY & THE BEAST and what he thinks of the new 3D movie experience, he also shares his affection for co-stars Angela Lansbury and Paige O'Hara - both having been previous InDepth InterView participants, as well - and what the storied legacy of the film means to him. Also, Benson discusses his talented family, including his rock star wife, Karla DeVito, and their daughter, a star-on-the-rise in her own right, Lyric (her Benson-produced debut album, LYRIC'S LOVE LIGHT REVOLUTION, is available here) and details the many hats he wears as an actor, director, producer, author, singer and recording artist. Plus, recollections on ICE CASTLES and its haunting Marvin Hamlisch theme, directing FRIENDS and EVENING SHADE, his vivid memories of performing in OLIVER!, THE ROTHSCHILDS, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE on Broadway and a discussion of his own semi-auto-biographical musical, OPEN HEART, and, of course, what it was like being suggested by Francis Ford Coppola to George Lucas for a role in STAR WARS - and much, much more!

Carolyn Griffin has announced that MetroStage will be presenting the premiere of a new musical, Josephine Tonight, with book and lyrics by Sherman Yellen, and music by Wally Harper, Jan. 26-Mar. 18, 2012.

Carolyn Griffin has announced that MetroStage will be presenting the premiere of a new musical, Josephine Tonight, with book and lyrics by Sherman Yellen, and music by Wally Harper, Jan. 26-Mar. 18, 2012.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

KIM SMITH, the acclaimed international performer called 'all decadence and sly appeal' by Back Stage, will bring his critically-acclaimed concert 'Misfit' back to New York for one night only. 'Misfit' premiered in March 2011 at New York's Laurie Beechman Theatre, and performed at Café Sabarsky and Duane Park Supper Club throughout the year. The next performance of 'Misfit' will take place at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street at 9th Avenue) on Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 PM. Tickets are $15, with an additional $15 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 695-6909 or visit www.beechmantheatre.com.

The Los Angeles Times confirmed today that the Hollywood Bowl's summer musical will be none other than THE PRODUCERS!

The cast of the 10th Annual Nightlife Awards continues to grow with one stellar performer after another added to the bill. Terri White (Follies), who spent a great many years as one of New York's most exciting piano bar entertainers, will be honored with a Special Award for her Contributions to New York Nightlife. As is always the case with The All-Performance Nightlife Awards, Terri will take the stage to sing. A guest star joining the cast is the heralded TV and nightclub comedian, Ray Ellin. Also returning to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Nightlife Awards by performing are two former Nightlife Jazz Vocalist winners, Allan Harris and Karen Oberlin.

Today we are honoring the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, which went on to win in the categories of Best Song and Best Score for Broadway's own Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - Disney's tale as old as time; the much-beloved and cherished BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Based on the French fairytale of its namesake, BEAUTY & THE BEAST was a landmark achievement in animated film and proved that Disney's previous animation renaissance mega-hit THE LITTLE MERMAID - also penned by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - was much more than merely a fluke. A new age of animated film treated totally seriously by critics and audiences alike allowed for Disney to continue on with even more success in the following years with even bigger family-friendly hits like ALADDIN and THE LION KING. Yet, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is the most elegant and enrapturing of all Disney animated films from the last century and just may be the very finest of all their animated features that came to pass during that era of renewed interest in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Featuring the vocal talents of legendary stage and screen star Angela Lansbury - check out our extensive InDepth InterView for a few recollections about that experience here - as well as Broadway's own Paige O'Hara and TV/film notable Robby Benson - both of whom will be featured in extensive InDepth InterViews right here on BroadwayWorld next week. Beginning with a prologue and opening song sequence - "Belle" - to rank among the very best not only in film, but stage musicals, as well, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is a rich French country meal topped off by a dizzying array of aural, visual, emotional, comedic and dramatic treats. 'Belle' is merely the starter bread - or, should I say, pain. So, today, we pay tribute to BEAUTY & THE BEAST as it roars back to movie theaters nationwide, now in a diligently-recreated and astonishingly imagined brand new 3D realization. Before you go see all the stunning sights and sounds of the film itself, whether sampling the 3D version in your home 3D studio or out at the Cineplex, here we have some of the finest musical moments to delight in from the storied history of the immensely successful Disney classic in all three of its versions - original animated film, Broadway stage musical and 3D movie experience.

Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame legend Darlene Love and Broadway's Mary Testa join Julie Halston, Andrew Rannells, and Seth Rudetsky for the Second Annual Broadway Belts! for PFF (Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation) Benefit on February 27, 2012 at 7:00pm at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street). For tickets visit bit.ly/broadway2012 or (312) 239 - 6636.