Miss West News

'Broad: A term originated in the 1930s meaning woman. Less respectable than 'lady,' but much more respectable than 'bitch.' Broad: An independent, aggressive, assertive woman, usually in show business. Broads sing loud, are sarcastic, and are in your face. Broads are generally moderately attractive or better, never seen without their best dresses and perfect makeup, and they know how to compete and win in a man's world.' This is how Lesli Margherita began her one-woman show at Birdland Jazz on July 25, the second of a two-performance return engagement at the club. Reading from a music stand so as not to mince words, Margherita recited the dictionary definition of her show's eponymous moniker, because if nothing else, through Broad, Margherita wanted to make sure her audience understood one thing: Broads like her will never be deterred.

PAGEANT, when it originally opened in 1991, was almost ground breaking. The idea of doing a musical parody of a beauty pageant performed by men in drag was fresh… and a little bit crazy in all the good ways. However, twenty five years later, in 2016, the concept creaks in a world where we have RuPaul's Drag Race and traditional beauty pageants have been relegated to cable channels few people watch.

If you decide to attend Circuit Playhouse's production of PAGEANT in the next few weeks, and if you find yourself blushing at some of the eyebrow-raising humor, there's no need for alarm: Pink cheeks will blend right in, as the stage, many of the dresses and gowns, and much of the make-up are redolent with that color. However, the musical tends more toward the 'purple' at times, with innuendo, knowing looks, and pregnant pauses. Nonetheless, Robert Longbottom's lightweight little satire (with Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell and Frank Kelly and Music by Albert Evans) is a relatively harmless (and highly enjoyable) outing.

Pageant is back at The Circuit Playhouse by popular demand! This laugh-a-minute musical experience is like no beauty pageant you've ever seen before, as six beautiful woMEN vie for the title of Miss Glamouresse. Watch these handsome contestants compete in swimsuit, talent, gown, and spokesmodel categories. Judges are selected from the audience, so no two performances are the same!

The creators of the hit comedy show GAY CAMP are returning with a one-night-only cabaret titled THE GAY CAMP CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, playing at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre tonight, December 11 at 7pm.

The creators of the hit comedy show GAY CAMP are returning with a one-night-only cabaret titled THE GAY CAMP CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, playing at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre on Friday, December 11 at 7pm.

Newnan Theatre Company is carrying on with its Halloween 'Month of Terror' schedule by presenting Steven Deitz's Dracula, opening tonight, October 22, and running thru Nov. 1.

Newnan Theatre Company is carrying on with its Halloween "Month of Terror" schedule by presenting Steven Deitz's Dracula, opening October 22 and running thru Nov. 1. NTC is doing a special Halloween Night presentation beginning at 10 pm and ending after midnight of All Hallow's Eve, so everyone can do their trick-or-treating and then come see the show.

MusicalFare Theatre, Western New York's most awarded and only professional musical theatre company, presents the 2nd production of its 2015-2016 Season, PAGEANT: THE MUSICAL.  An all-time favorite MusicalFare production returns to the stage! 

MusicalFare launches its 2015-2016 Subscription Season of Musicals.

This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Jeremy Jordan at 54 Below; Pageant: The Original Cast Recording Launch Concert; The Music of Paul Gordon: Featuring Sarah Stiles, Jeremy Kushnier, and More; Lauren Worsham: Corsets and Combat Boots; and Tony Yazbeck in 'The Floor Above Me.'

The first ever cast recording of the critically-acclaimed musical PAGEANT will be released today, June 22, 2015, digitally and on compact disc via select outlets. The cast of the recent revival - nominated for a 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical Revival - will reunite to launch the Original Cast Recording at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) tonight, June 22, 2015, at 9:30pm.

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" opens at Raleigh Little Theatre on Friday. The 1998 rock musical by John Cameron Mitchell replaces the originally scheduled production of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" in RLT's City Series. Directed by Jesse R. Gephart, the play features Chris Maxwell as Hedwig and Lydia D. Kinton as Yitzhak.

MusicalFare is very proud to announce its 2015-2016 Subscription Season of Musicals. We've put together a line-up of classics, comedies and award winning musicals that will give you a new experience every time you come to the theatre. Between them, our five shows have won 18 Tony Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize!

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will open its much-anticipated 2015 Season with six unique contestants vying for Miss Glamouresse in PAGEANT, a musical comedy beauty contest.

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will open its much-anticipated 2015 Season with six unique contestants vying for Miss Glamouresse in PAGEANT, a musical comedy beauty contest. Opening at Lyric's Plaza Theatre January 28 and running through February 15, PAGEANT's contestants experience the thrill of success and the agony of defeat every night as each audience chooses their own winner. After successful runs of this show in 2004 and 2006, Lyric is excited to bring this crowd pleaser back to Oklahoma City.

Time is running out!

Only two days remain to help crowd-fund the proposed cast recording of Off-Broadway musical PAGEANT.

Cygnet Theatre Season 12 got off to a rollicking start with the return of audience favorite and off-Broadway hit, Pageant, just in time for summer fun. James Vasquez directed and choreographed this hilarious mash-up of a beauty pageant and a drag musical that let's audience members decide who is crowned the winner. The talented and funny David McBean returned as Miss Deep South and Phil Johnson reprised his role as the wacky master of ceremonies. With Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and Frank Kelly (The Texas Chainsaw Musical) and Music by Albert Evans, this crowd pleasing romp about beauty contestants ran over the summer. BroadwayWorld has a look back at photos from the show below!