Lucille Ball News

The Open Fist Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the first production of its 2011 Season.

The Open Fist Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the first production of its 2011 Season.

The Open Fist Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the first production of its 2011 Season.

The Laguna Playhouse (606 Laguan Canyon Rd.) present the world premieres of I LOVED LUCY from October 5th to the 31st, and DADDY LONG LEGS from November 30th to December 26th. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787 ext. 1 (group tickets ext. 229).

Junior Mendez, Luba Mason and Robert Cuccioli star in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, which was presented last night, December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund. The event was held at The Julia Miles Theatre at the Women's Project. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

The wistful ballad "That's What I Want (For Janie)," in which Wildcat describes her dreams forherself and her sister, has been restored for the Theatrical Gems production of the CyColeman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefitthe Actors Fund.

Junior Mendez, a recent Florida State graduate, has been hand-picked to star in Wildcat alongsideLuba Mason and Robert Cuccioli in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

The wistful ballad "That's What I Want (For Janie)," in which Wildcat describes her dreams forherself and her sister, has been restored for the Theatrical Gems production of the CyColeman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefitthe Actors Fund.

Thora Birch has been released from the cast of the revival of Bram Stoker's DRACULA. Previews begin Tuesday, December 14 at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street) in Manhattan. Official opening is set for January 5, 2011. Emily Bridges, Ms. Birch's understudy, steps into the role of Lucy. Ms. Bridges is the co-author of a stage adaptation of Acting: The First Six Lessons, which she wrote and performed with her father, Beau Bridges. A student at the London Dramatic Academy and Moscow Art Theatre School, she has appeared on stage in Gaslight, The Princess and the Frog, and Happy Hour and the movies Voyage of the Unicorn and The Uninvited.

Despite being a lesser-known composer to the average joe than, say, Bacharach or Mancini, Cy Coleman irrefutably built a solid, prolific career in popular music, which later led to an even more successful string of hits on the Broadway stage. In what is essentially a biographical history lesson set to his music, BROADWAY UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: A TRIBUTE TO CY COLEMAN--now performing through December 12 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Samueli Theater--combines an entertaining cabaret showcase with a truly engrossing symposium teaching Coleman 101. The show is hosted by Michael Kerker and Tony Winner David Zippel and features Broadway stars Jenifer Lewis, Jason Graae, and Tami Tappan Damiano.

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Though the Tony Award-winnng Golden Girl often denied it, a new letter has surfaced which suggests that Bea Arthur was in fact in the Marines. According to TheSmokingGun.com, Arthur was in the Marine Corps for over a two years beginning in 1943.

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli - whose brilliant career has earned her an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and four Tony Awards - will sit down with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) host Robert Osborne for PRIVATE SCREENINGS: LIZA MINNELLI, an in-depth interview special slated to premiere Saturday, Dec. 11, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). Rather than focusing on Minnelli herself, this special will take the unique approach of centering on the lives and careers of Minnelli's legendary parents, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. In conjunction with the premiere, TCM will pack two nights (Dec. 11-12) with films starring Garland, directed by Vincente Minnelli and/or starring Liza Minnelli.

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Junior Mendez, a recent Florida State graduate, has been hand-picked to star in Wildcat alongsideLuba Mason and Robert Cuccioli in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.

More vibrantly alive and dazzling than a Christmas Cracker straight from the UK is singer/actress Toni Morrell who will be appearing @ the El Portal in the Second Stage Forum Theatre from December 2 through the 31st. Her show called Remembering the Ladies lovingly pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, along with Debbie Reynolds, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, The Hitchcock Blondes, and Lucille Ball. Woa! Those are the best of the greats, and Morrell gives her audience an inside look at who these remarkable women really were and why it is so important that they be remembered.

Jenn Gambatese (All Shook Up, Tarzan) steps into the role of Janie after Allison Case had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.