Mary Jo Catlett News

The 27th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E.-will be dedicated to the memory of musical-comedy star and long-time Event Co-Chair Betty Garrett who died Saturday at the age of 91. ORIGINAL CAST 2, a musical celebration showcasing artists from theatre, television and cabaret performing songs they originated in musical productions, will take place for one-night-only on Saturday, April 2. Garrett, who appeared in 22 previous S.T.A.G.E events, was preparing to perform a number in this year's show from 'Something for the Boys,' in which she appeared on Broadway in 1943 with Ethel Merman. A musical retrospective honoring Garrett is now being planned as part of this year's show.

To be frank, John van Druten's works, which include I Am a Camera and The Voice of the Turtle, as well as Bell, Book and Candle, may be considered dated, because sadly plays are no longer written with such style and wit. And who dotes on love and just being human in the 21st century? There's no time; it's unheard of! The Colony Theatre in Burbank proudly presents van Druten's amusing and cherished play about witchcraft, that may very well have inspired TV's Bewitched, with a delightful cast under Richard Israel's nourishing direction.

To be frank, John van Druten's works, which include I Am a Camera and The Voice of the Turtle, as well as Bell, Book and Candle, may be considered dated, because sadly plays are no longer written with such style and wit. And who dotes on love and just being human in the 21st century? There's no time; it's unheard of! The Colony Theatre in Burbank proudly presents van Druten's amusing and cherished play about witchcraft, that may very well have inspired TV's Bewitched, with a delightful cast under Richard Israel's nourishing direction.

The Colony Theatre Company is thrilled to present its third and most magical production of its 36th season, BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE, written by John van Druten and directed by Richard Israel (Merrily We Roll Along), making his Colony Theatre directorial debut.

The Colony Theatre Company is thrilled to present its third and most magical production of its 36th season, BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE, written by John van Druten and directed by Richard Israel (Merrily We Roll Along), making his Colony Theatre directorial debut.

Friends, family, and colleagues will gather on Sunday, March 14 at 3:00pm at the Colony Theatre in Burbank to celebrate the life of Lars Hansen. A major force in Southern California's theatre scene for nearly 30 years, Hansen died on January 31 at his Palm Springs home after a battle with liver cancer. He was 60.

The Suite Life of Zach and Cody's Kim Rhodes will Host this one night only event as a number of celebrated Broadway veterans including Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, Jason Graae, Ilene Graff, Sam Harris, as well as students from Creative Planet School of the Arts (www.cpsoa.org) will be joining Carol Channing as they gather together for a one night only event at UCLA's Royce Hall for the purpose of raising money and awareness with regard to the need for arts in the public school system. Exposure to the arts in school, builds self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. And, ultimately these things create better, safer schools for our children. 'You and I don't need to save the arts. We need to help the arts save our children,' says Carol.

If theatergoers were to be polled about what they felt was the most memorable scene in musical comedy, most would probably cite the moment when the curtains part atop the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant and Dolly Gallagher Levi appears in her red Freddy Wittop gown and begins her descent to 'rejoin the human race.'

The Grammy nominated, Ilene Graff and her husband, ASCAP Award-winning composer Ben Lanzarone, gave sold out audiences at Los Angeles' Cabaret at the Castle a night to remember.

The Suite Life of Zach and Cody's Kim Rhodes will Host this one night only event as a number of celebrated Broadway veterans including Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, Jason Graae, Ilene Graff, Sam Harris, as well as students from Creative Planet School of the Arts (www.cpsoa.org) will be joining Carol Channing as they gather together for a one night only event at UCLA's Royce Hall for the purpose of raising money and awareness with regard to the need for arts in the public school system. Exposure to the arts in school, builds self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. And, ultimately these things create better, safer schools for our children. 'You and I don't need to save the arts. We need to help the arts save our children,' says Carol.

On Sunday, Sept 6th, the Altadena Community Church (ACC) was honored and pleased to present Miss Carol Channing in a very special, one-night-only, benefit concert. Channing graciously offered to lend her support when she learned that the 70-year-old landmark church was in dire need of a new roof and repairs to their original stained glass windows.

'Bravo! A complete and total home run!!! Dori topped herself,? says Joan Van Ark. Dori Three-time Tony-winning Broadway producer Dori Berinstein has added another hit to her already extensive film and television producing and directing career with ?Gotta Dance.?

Jay Leno once coined the phrase Plaidheads, referring to fans (such as himself) of the hit stage production, Forever Plaid. Well on July 9th, Plaidheads nation wide gathered to celebrate the screening of one of Off-Broadway's most popular and critically acclaimed musicals, as it made its first appearance on the big screen in the Forever Plaid 20th Anniversary Special event on Thursday, July 9th. Select members from the original ?Forever Plaid?cast with narration provied by David Hyde Pierce for the pre-taped anniversary performance, as they introduce the event live from the red carpet at Los Angeles' Club Nokia to fans in 500 movie theaters across the country and Canada, followed by a specially-taped 20th Anniversary performance of ?Forever Plaid.? Audiences across the country experienced a memorable evening, combining the 20th Anniversary event classic production with new and interactive twists, including a first-ever live, coast-to-coast in-theater sing-a-long with ?The Plaids.?

Gay men and showtunes? Who knew? It could happen. In fact, it did, as the Tony Award and Two-Time Grammy Award-Winning actress and ultimate DREAMGIRL, Jennifer Holliday, joined the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles in a very special engagement consisting of both classic and recent musical numbers that have defined the boards of the Great White Way.

The 25th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E-will present THE BROTHERS GERSHWIN-GEORGE & IRA as its silver anniversary event on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills. S.T.A.G.E. is the world's longest continuously running AIDS benefit. Net proceeds from the annual event benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an organization now in its 26th year of providing direct services and HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout Los Angeles County.

On Sat & Sun, March 21 & 22 - The 25th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.) Honoring Michael Kearns will present two tribute concerts entitled 'The Brothers Gershwin: George & Ira' to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles.

On Sat & Sun, March 21 & 22 - The 25th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.) Honoring Michael Kearns will present two tribute concerts entitled 'The Brothers Gershwin: George & Ira' to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles.

The 25th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E-will present THE BROTHERS GERSHWIN-GEORGE & IRA as its silver anniversary event on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills. S.T.A.G.E. is the world's longest continuously running AIDS benefit. Net proceeds from the annual event benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an organization now in its 26th year of providing direct services and HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout Los Angeles County.

The Ovation Award Winning Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities and James A. Blackman, Executive Producer present the Broadway hit musical The Full Monty with words and lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Terrence McNally. The production opens for previews on Feb. 11,12,13 and the Gala Opening Press Night is Saturday, February 14. The Full Monty is directed by Dan Mojica with choreography by Karen Nowicki and musical direction by Dennis Castellano. The cast of 20 includes Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional stars Mary Jo Catlett, Misty Cotton, Dave Barrus, Danny Stiles, John Bisom, Michelle Duffy, Harrison White, David Carey Foster, Evan Dye. The ensemble includes Leland Burnett, Chris Ciccarelli, Jordon Delp, Stephanie Burkett-Gerson, Jessica Gisin, Tricia Kelly, Constance Lopez, Mike Motroni, August Stoten, Rob Thompson. In this version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie. The musical had its world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. After 35 previews, the Broadway production, directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, opened on October 26, 2000 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, where it ran for 770 performances. The show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and 12 Drama Desk Awards.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 16 at the El Portal Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the El Portal's management. The theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood. Tickets are $40; $5 off if purchased in advance via PayPal. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a catered reception (with no-host bar) and silent auction. The show commences at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the Awards show can be reserved from the LADCC's website, at www.ladramacriticscircle.com