Martin Short News

Katie Brayben will play the title role in the West End production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musicalopening at the Aldwych Theatre in February next year. Alan Morrissey will play King's husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, with Lorna Want as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, King's mother, and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner. London previews beginning on 10 February 2015 and with the show currently booking to 13 June 2015. Press night will now take place on 24 February at 7pm. Final casting will be announced shortly.

This weekend, 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.

Andrew Alexander, Executive Producer & CEO of The Second City, Inc., will be honored for his contributions to Chicago's cultural life by the Chicago alumni association of Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious national academic society, at its Annual Dinner and Scholarship Benefit on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 6:30p. The event will be held at The Casino (195 E. Delaware Place) and is open to the public. Tickets and additional information are available at www.pbkaca.org.

Skip E. Lowe, the comic, raconteur and perennial TV host whose weekly public access cable program has been airing in Los Angeles, New York and other major markets for more than 35 years--the longest in television history--and is generally credited as the inspiration for the Martin Short character “Jiminy Glick,” died in his home at Kingsley Manor Apartments in Hollywood on Monday, Sept. 22. He was 85 and had been suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments, though he never smoked, but blamed years of working as a comic in smoke-infested nightclubs. Lowe had conducted more than 6,000 interviews, often two a week, with guests that included Orson Welles and Bette Davis.

Every year, a galaxy of stars join Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks to support the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch your favorite stars in an irreverent, impromptu reading of one of Shakespeare's comedies with musical accompaniment from the world's musical stars. This year's edition was held last night, September 22, and featured legendary musician Paul Simon. Below, check out photo coverage from the event, featuring appearances by Wilson, Colin Hanks, Martin Short, and more!

Due to popular demand, The Public Theater has extended Bridget Everett's critically acclaimed ROCK BOTTOM at Joe's Pub to Thursday, October 16. Created by Bridget Everett, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz, and Matt Ray, and directed by Scott Wittman, this shockingly funny and moving new show began performances on September 9 and was originally slated to close on October 11. ROCK BOTTOM was originally commissioned as part of the Joe's Pub 2013 New York Voices series.

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.

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!

David Burnham, a favorite with the Garner audience, was just cast and will open an exciting show in Vegas. This is an incredible opportunity for Burnham, but prevents him from kicking off the Broadway Voices season in December.

The fifth annual Broadway Voices season is bringing a fun-filled season of Broadway stars to Garner Performing Arts Center.

This weekend, September 5, 6 and 7, the multi-talented singer, actor and comedian Jason Alexander will make his Houston Symphony debut with An Evening of Comedy & Song, led by Principal POPS Conductor Michael Krajewski.

Canada has given us some of comedy's finest including Seth Rogan, Pamela Anderson, Mike Myers and Martin Short and now thanks to Netflix-- they're giving us the most infectious and outrageous Canadian online television series Trailer Park Boys! Your favorite batch of Sunnyvale Trailer Park residents “Ricky”, “Julian” and “Bubbles” will now be available to watch in the States, with an all-new season of outrageous and off-the-wall comedy to keep your stomach in knots from laughter.

The Lucy Desi Museum & Center for Comedy, Chautauqua Striders, and the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena are proud to announce that comedy legend Bob Newhart will be the featured performer of the 2014 Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K weekend. Newhart will be showcased October 11th in a night of comedy at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Lucille Ball's hometown of Jamestown, NY. Tickets for Bob Newhart will be available for purchase on Wednesday, August 27th online at www.lucyrace.com or by calling the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts box office at (716)484-7070.

Film and stage legend and two-time Tony Award winner Lauren Bacall, passed away last week (first reported by TMZ) at the age of 89. The legendary actress suffered a massive stroke and died at home (New York City's famous Dakota Building) according to a family member. BroadwayWorld remembers the legend below.

It's been over a week since the world lost entertainment legend Robin Williams, who passed away last Monday. The beloved actor and comedian was 63 years old. Below, BroadwayWorld remembers Robin.

On September 5, 6 and 7, the multi-talented singer, actor and comedian Jason Alexander will make his Houston Symphony debut with An Evening of Comedy & Song, led by Principal POPS Conductor Michael Krajewski. While best known for his iconic portrayal of "George Costanza" in the ground-breaking hit TV show Seinfeld, Alexander returns to his Tony Award-winning roots for a night of music and laughs as he reminisces about his remarkable and versatile career on the stage and screen. Bringing his singular brand of entertainment, Alexander kicks off the 2014-15 POPS Season by performing such Broadway hits as "Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, "Trouble" from The Music Man, "Magic To Do/Corner of the Sky" from Pippin and "Shiksa Goddess" from The Last Five Years as well as three new musical medleys. This concert is made possible in part through the support of Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall and BBVA Compass.

On September 5, 6 and 7, the multi-talented singer, actor and comedian Jason Alexander will make his Houston Symphony debut with An Evening of Comedy & Song, led by Principal POPS Conductor Michael Krajewski. While best known for his iconic portrayal of "George Costanza" in the ground-breaking hit TV show Seinfeld, Alexander returns to his Tony Award-winning roots for a night of music and laughs as he reminisces about his remarkable and versatile career on the stage and screen. Bringing his singular brand of entertainment, Alexander kicks off the 2014-15 POPS Season by performing such Broadway hits as "Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, "Trouble" from The Music Man, "Magic To Do/Corner of the Sky" from Pippin and "Shiksa Goddess" from The Last Five Years as well as three new musical medleys. This concert is made possible in part through the support of Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall and BBVA Compass.

Join award winning actress Andrea Martin as she discusses her new memoir, Andrea Martin's Lady Parts with good friend Nathan Lane - a not-to-be missed conversation on the triumphs and challenges, both professional and personal of a lifetime in show business, including lots of laugher along the way.