Liza Minnelli News

Following the news this week of the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, we are taking a look back at some of her most memorable screen appearances over the years, beginning with LASSIE COME HOME and NATIONAL VELVET, and ranging from Vincente Minnelli's loveable comedies FATHER OF THE BRIDE and its equal sequel FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND, to her unforgettable dramatic performance in A PLACE IN THE SUN, to the series of legendary pictures produced alongside her (sometime) husband and (always) love of her life Richard Burton, in roles ranging from Antony and Cleopatra in, of course, CLEOPATRA, to BOOM! Based on Tennessee Williams' THE MILK TRAIN DOESN'T STOP HERE ANYMORE - with a screenplay by Williams himself (his sole screen adaptation) - and one of the greatest films in cinematic history, based on one of the most important plays of the latter half of the twentieth century: Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? That's not even mentioning her iconic performance in Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER - plus, BUTTERFIELD 8 (her first Oscar win), A PLACE IN THE SUN and GIANT. Who knows, there may even be time for a little FLINSTONES action, as well! Here we have a surefire spangled salute to one of the last great stars Broadway and Hollywood has known.

Although for the better part of five decades, John Kander has been known as part of the writing duo Kander and Ebb, he's now working on a new set of one-act shows with a new collaborator: 32-year-old Gregory Pierce.

Times Square's landmark concert venue, will present one of America's classic singer-songwriters, DON McLEAN on Friday, March 25th at 8PM. McLean is forever associated with his classic hits 'American Pie' and 'Vincent (Starry Starry Night)'. Since first hitting the charts in 1971, he has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records world-wide and, in 2004, was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Dame ElizaBeth Taylor has passed away this morning at the age of 79 due to heart failure. According to ABC News, all four of her children were with her when she passed.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A benefit for Japanese disaster relief, the Paramount Theatre's season, Donny and Marie for Christmas, Porchlight and Billy Stritch at Mayne Stage, 'A Chorus Line,' 'Always, Patsy Cline' and other suburban productions, 'The Magic Flute' in English, more....

The Town Hall's critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year's®11th Season continues with The Broadway Musicals of 1932, a year that brought us famous shows by musical theater icons such as Kern and Hammerstein (Music in the Air), Irving Berlin, (Face the Music), Cole Porter (Gay Divorce) and Dietz and Schwarz (Flying Colors), among others. Produced by The Town Hall, The Broadway Musicals of 1932 was created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. Siegel took the audience on a musical travelogue, exploring the history of the Great White Way and providing social anecdotes while showcasing the beloved hits and lesser-known gems from the golden age of Broadway. The show was directed by Scott Coulter and choreographed by Jeffry Denman, who both performed in the show as well. Ross Patterson was the musical director. BroadwayWorld was on hand as usual and brings you photo coverage below!

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the smash-hit Broadway Musical Urinetown, featuring Broadway star Andrea McArdle, April 14 - 17 & 27 - 30, 2011 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the Storrs campus.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced it will honor Grammy Award-winning singer Ricky Martin and Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by RÖKK Vodka.

Winthrop Playmakers proudly presents LIZA LOTT LIVE! starring Provincetown's smash hit solo act of 2010, LIZA LOTT (aka Matty Laurenza) on Friday, March 18, 2011 Featuring all live singing and hilarious stand up comedy coming out of the mouth of a life-sized bratz doll from the wrong side of the tracks, raunchy offensive commentary with all live vocals!

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2011 Special Recognitions, to be presented along with its five competitive production and performance awards at The 77th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 20, 2011 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway).

Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre has announced the artistic team behind the upcoming world premiere of the musical comedy And the Curtain Rises (formerly known as Wheatley's Folly), which begins performances on Thursday, March 17, 2011. And the Curtain Rises marks the third production presented as part of Signature's groundbreaking American Musical Voices Project, the largest commissioning program for new musicals in the country, following Michael John LaChiusa's Giant in 2009 and Ricky Ian Gordon's Sycamore Trees last year.

Internationally renowned singer, recording artist, and humanitarian Dionne Warwick and the legendary musical theatre performer Carol Channing will be honored, along with 16 other members of the New York cabaret and jazz community, at the 26th Annual Bistro Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, April 26 at Gotham Comedy Club, located at 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues).

ollowing its most lucrative successful January/February ever, Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA says 'We are blessed to have enjoyed the most lucrative beginning of any year since our 2006 opening. This success is largely due to the unprecedented advance sales of our annual 6-week musical theatre talent competition LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011, and a series of spectacular debuts by such outstanding Broadway/Nightclub headliners as Nita Whitaker, Jason Graae, Maxine Lapiduss, and Suzanne Petrela. Notable Southland Musical Directors such as James Lent, Nelson Kole, John Boswell, and Michael Orland (of American Idol) also contributed to our 2011 kickoff.'

New York's Cafe Carlyle comes to life in San Francisco when Bay Area Cabaret presents the winners of New York's coveted Nightlife Award, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey (Tommy, Sunday in the Park with George).

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, ‘This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Some never before seen photos of stage and screen legend Liza MInnelli have been made available. Revealing moments from her 19th birrthday and rehearsals from FLORA THE RED MENACE, check out the vintage images of Minelli here.

Laura Matula is amazing, talented, fascinating, intriguing - and so much more. Seriously, there are so many words to describe her that you find yourself stymied by the multi-layered and multi-dimensional being that is she. That is until the celebrity biographers come a-calling or the producers start planning the film treatment of her astounding and compelling life story.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, is pleased to welcome back the Romulo Larrea Tango Ensemble for the world premiere of TANGOS FROM GARDEL TO PIAZZOLLA on Friday, April 29th at 8:00PM.

Winthrop Playmakers proudly presents LIZA LOTT LIVE! starring Provincetown's smash hit solo act of 2010, LIZA LOTT (aka Matty Laurenza) on Friday, March 18, 2011 Featuring all live singing and hilarious stand up comedy coming out of the mouth of a life-sized bratz doll from the wrong side of the tracks, raunchy offensive commentary with all live vocals!

Last night I had the honor of interviewing two-time Emmy-winning comedy queen and Broadway's newest leading lady Kathy Griffin about her new show KATHY GRIFFIN WANTS A TONY, which opens at the Belasco Theater this Friday, as well as all her other exciting endeavors coming up soon. Next week, Kathy will be all over the entertainment landscape, with her Sarah Palin-esque turn as a red state Regionals judge in red on Tuesday's GLEE and later that week marks the premiere of her new Bravo comedy special KATHY GRIFFIN: 50 AND NOT PREGNANT - the first of four she will presenting on the network in the coming months. All of this in addition to her Broadway debut. Commenting on everyone from Julie Andrews to Charlie Sheen to Sarah Palin and Scarlett Johansson, Griffin's quick wit and razor-sharp astuteness makes her a convivially caustic and endearing subject - and perhaps the funniest, as well. See why she is soon to be the toast of Broadway - plus, find out her favorite cast album of all time; a selection she shares with Stephen Sondheim, no less - and a whole lot more in this exciting, exclusive conversation only on BroadwayWorld!