Melissa Manchester News

CHRIS ISAAK HOLIDAY SHOW, December 16, 2013, Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts. Take a moment from the holiday rush to enjoy the music of Chris Isaak. A music sensation, his sultry voice dominated charts in the 1980s and 90s with songs interwoven into our culture including 'Wicked Game' and 'Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing.' Isaak was nominated for 2 Grammy awards. He will entertain with his greatest hits and include Yule favorites in his own style!

Thom Fogarty will direct the Premeire of THE CAROLE BAYER SAGER PROJECT: ALBUM ONE, which will be presented January 17th and 18th in two different venues, presented by 360REPCO. Performance stars Crystal Rona Peterson as "Carole" and Jenny Selig and Micah Bucey as "The Carolettes", with Musical Direction by Michael Conley. The entire evening was was created and directed Thom Fogarty.

This holiday season, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of our favorite shows playing across the country. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and treat your family to some of our theatrical favorites, now playing nationwide.

The new documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution. The film had its New York City premiere last night, and attendees included:Quincy Jones, David Zippel, Annaleigh Ashford, Baayork Lee & more. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet to chat with all of them about their friend and collaborator. Check out what they had to say below!

Last night, 92Y celebrated songwriting legend Mike Stoller on the occasion of his 80th year with An 80th Birthday Celebration, a one-night-only Lyrics & Lyricists Special Event hosted by Paul Shaffer and directed and written by Randy Johnson (director/writer of A Night withJanis Joplin). Performers included: legendary vocal group The Coasters, along with artists Karen Akers,Mary Bridget Davies, Corky Hale, Maria Elena Infantino,Sally Kellerman, Bettye Lavette, Melissa Manchester, Billy Stritch, Tommy Tune and Steve Tyrell. Backed by Tyrell's band, the artists performed some of the greatest songs written by Stoller with his longtime lyricist partner Jerry Leiber and others. Check out photos from the special event below!

The new documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution. The film had its New York City premiere last night, and attendees included: Quincy Jones, David Zippel, Annaleigh Ashford, Baayork Lee & more. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos below!

A VIP screening of the new American Masters documentary, Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is set for The Paley Center for Media today, December 9th at 6:15 PM. The new documentary is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution.

Members of Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) produced a short video parody (below) with a nod to the viral success of retailer Kmart's Joe Boxer holiday ad.

The 'American Masters' documentary 'Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love' premieres Dec. 27 on PBS. Below, watch three new film extras, featuring interviews with Leslie Uggams, Christopher Walken, Raul Esparza, Kelli O'Hara, Kevin Cole and more!

A VIP screening of the new American Masters documentary, Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love is set for The Paley Center for Media on Monday, December 9th at 6:15 PM. The new documentary is the American Masters series' Season 27 finale, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and available on DVD January 14, 2014 via PBS Distribution.

With exclusive access to Hamlisch's personal archival treasure trove and complete cooperation from his family, Dramatic Forces and THIRTEEN's American Masters explore his prolific life and career in the series' Season 27 finale, Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love, premiering nationally Friday, December 27, 2013, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Jim Caruso'S CAST PARTY will return to the West Coast for two nights, tonight and Saturday, November 22 and 23, 2013 at 7:30pm. The 'extreme open mic' will take place at Spaghettini (3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA).

The 'American Masters' documentary 'Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love' premieres Dec. 27 on PBS. Below, watch an exclusive trailer featuring musician-composer Hamlisch, Barbra Streisand, and others!

A host of major music stars contribute tasty recipes and fond food recollections to the new celebrity cookbook with portions of proceeds going to charity, BLESS THIS TABLE by Teri Diamond and Jaymes Foster.

The 24th Annual LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2013 season, were presented on Sunday, November 3 at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Thirty-five awards were bestowed upon 13 different Southern California theatre companies. Leading the pack with 12 was Center Theatre Group (seven for The Nether at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; three for Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Mark Taper Forum; one for The Scottsboro Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre; and one for The Royale at the Kirk Douglas Theatre). CTG was followed by 3-D Theatricals with five awards (four for Parade and one for Shrek the Musical). The Chance Theater and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts took home three awards each (including Best Season for La Mirada); Circle X Theatre Company, the Fountain Theatre, and the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble tied with two each. Check out a look back at the red carpet arrivals, award ceremony, and more below!

The 24th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2013 season, were presented on Sunday, November 3 at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Thirty-five awards were bestowed upon 13 different Southern California theatre companies. Leading the pack with 12 was Center Theatre Group (seven for The Nether at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; three for Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Mark Taper Forum; one for The Scottsboro Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre; and one for The Royale at the Kirk Douglas Theatre). CTG was followed by 3-D Theatricals with five awards (four for Parade and one for Shrek the Musical). The Chance Theater and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts took home three awards each (including Best Season for La Mirada); Circle X Theatre Company, the Fountain Theatre, and the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble tied with two each.

On December 9, 2013 92Y celebrates songwriting legend Mike Stoller on the occasion of his 80th year with An 80th Birthday Celebration, a one-night-only Lyrics & Lyricists Special Event hosted by Paul Shaffer and directed and written by Randy Johnson (director/writer of A Night with Janis Joplin). Confirmed artists performing expected and unexpected interpretations from Stoller's genre-spanning career in blues, R&B, rock 'n' roll and jazz include legendary vocal group The Coasters, along with artists Karen Akers, Mary Bridget Davies, Corky Hale, Maria Elena Infantino, Sally Kellerman, Bettye LaVette, Melissa Manchester, Billy Stritch, Tommy Tune and Steve Tyrell. Backed by Tyrell's band, the artists perform some of the greatest songs written by Stoller with his longtime lyricist partner Jerry Leiber and others. Leiber will be the subject of a special tribute during the evening. Stoller is planning to be in attendance for the celebration.

Composer, conductor, genius, mensch: Marvin Hamlisch (June 2, 1944 Aug. 6, 2012) earned four Grammys, four Emmys, three Oscars, three Golden Globes, a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize before his untimely death, making him one of only two PEGOT winners ever.

Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony winners, as well as just about every former child star gathered to help PROTECT help abused children by placing their signature on a bike donated by Margaret Cho that will be auctioned in November.

"If he weren't such a superb musician, Peter Nero might be easy to dismiss as a mere great entertainer" (Philadelphia Inquirer). Harris Center at Folsom Lake College welcomes the legendary Peter Nero to Stage One for two separate programs over two nights with bassist Michael Barnett. Hailed as one of the premier interpreters of Gershwin, will perform The Gershwin Project, and Classic Connections, an evening dedicated to showing how jazz and classical standards are more closely related than people might think.