Patti Page News

When Director and Co-Choreographer Jordan Nichols first saw and enjoyed MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL, he knew that he just had to stage a production in the city itself; as polished and entertaining as it was, it needed just a little something . . . 'an infusion of Memphis grit.' In Playhouse on the Square's powerful, pulsating production of the musical, he has achieved just that. Memphians are very proud and protective of their musical heritage, and though originators Joe DiPietro and David Bryan have not attempted to portray real persons and events, their knowledge of the early 'rock and roll' era and its personalities has resulted in a satisfying approximation. Having few musical gifts outside a kazoo, I could nonetheless play 'Six Degrees of Elvis Presley' with some confidence: My third cousin was Bill Black, bassist for Elvis Presley in those early days; and my first cousin's brother-in-law was cult rockabilly musician Charlie Feathers ('Tongue-tied Jill'). I remember enjoying disc jockey Dewey Phillips (on whom MEMPHIS protagonist 'Huey Calhoun' is based) and his outsized personality, and anyone with any knowledge of Sun Studios and the early careers of Jerry Lee Lewis (who shocked an older generation with his marriage to a younger cousin), Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley know that these artists came from humble ('cracker,' in the play) beginnings. These icons always acknowledged their debt to black gospel and blues musicians. All of that, together with racism and interracial relationships, surfaces in MEMPHIS.

James Gavin, author of the definitive cabaret history Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of New York Cabaret as well as acclaimed biographies of Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, and Lena Horne, will be honored at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd St. on May 17, as part of its This Is Your Night series of tributes to cabaret movers and shakers.

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, has announcde dinner, dancing and all-star performances with The Birth of the Great American Songbook, Saturday, May 21, in the legendary Empire Room, on the lobby level of the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St.

Shows are opening (Carolyn German unveils her latest, Go From Here, and Nashville Ballet revives Carmina Burana, both this weekend), shows are closing (your last chance to catch The Taffetas at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre before they go the way of The Plaids is this weekend) and The Miss Firecracker Contest is back onstage at Donelson's Larry Keeton Theatre for the second of three weekends. Obviously, the 2016 theater season continues to reveal itself at a breakneck pace, giving audiences a veritable buffet of offerings from which to choose.

Shows are opening, shows are closing and Fiddler on the Roof is back onstage for Actors Pointe Theatre Company while Tom Sawyer takes a bow at Springhouse Theatre in Smyrna! Obviously, the 2016 theater season continues to reveal itself at a breakneck pace, giving audiences a veritable buffet of offerings from which to choose.

There's nothing quite so entertaining - and nothing goes down more easily after a trip to the groaning board at Nashville's iconic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre - than a musical revue that is sure to whisk you away to yesterday. Not the day before today, necessarily, but 'yesterday' as in a sentimental journey back to a time when life was somehow more innocent and somehow less complicated than what we experience in the day-to-day of 2016.

Flipside: The Patti Page Musical has teamed with internationally respected theater management firm to send the story of Patti Page Story on the road. The musical will make a stop at the Marcus Center's Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall on April 8-10 as part of the Off Broadway at the Marcus Center series. This series is sponsored by the Envoy Restaurant and Lounge. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 22 at the Marcus Center Box Office. Patrons can purchase tickets in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, by phone at 414-273-7206 or online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups 10 or more can purchase tickets by calling 414-273-7121 x210.

Luigi Creatore, who with his cousin Hugo Peretti wrote and produced iconic hits for such stars as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Perry Como, Sarah Vaughan, Della Reese, Jimmie Rodgers, Patti Page and many others, including the Tokens' “Lion Sleeps Tonight,” Presley's “Can't Help Falling in Love” and “Wild in the Country,” and Cook's “Another Saturday Night” and “Twistin' the Night Away,” died of pneumonia at a Boca Raton hospice on Sunday, Dec. 13. He was 93.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is launching the annual Adults at Leisure Shows in mid-December and running through early April. Presented in Dreyfoos Hall, this affordable series offers convenient show times, captivating entertainers and options ranging from sultry soloists to Broadway highlights.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is launching the annual Adults at Leisure Shows in mid-December and running through early April. Presented in Dreyfoos Hall, this affordable series offers convenient show times, captivating entertainers and options ranging from sultry soloists to Broadway highlights.

Tonight, September 12, 2015 at 8:00 PM, Ray Stevens will return home to Branson at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts announces the Marcus Center Presents and Off Broadway series for the 2015/16 season which is sponsored by Envoy. Flex packages will be available through the Marcus Center Box Office starting on Thursday, August 27.

On an all-new THEATER TALK, journalist Ben Yagoda discusses the history of the record industry in his new book, The B Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of Great American Song (Riverhead Books), and Margot Harley, Co-Founder and Producing Director of The Acting Company, shares rich stories of the company's history upon her retirement after 43 years of inspired artistic leadership.

On September 12, 2015 at 8:00 PM, Ray Stevens will return home to Branson at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.

Classic cool and retro glam fill the air as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University marks the 100th birthday of legendary singer and entertainer Frank Sinatra with 'His Way -- Sinatra's Centennial Celebration,' starring Chicago's own Ron Hawking. The musical tribute comes to the Auditorium, tonight, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Classic cool and retro glam fill the air as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University marks the 100th birthday of legendary singer and entertainer Frank Sinatra with "His Way -- Sinatra's Centennial Celebration," starring Chicago's own Ron Hawking. The musical tribute comes to the Auditorium, Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. T

Amanda Cohen is not a newcomer to the bright lights of worldwide concert stages. Her new CD "A New Standard" is a cross-over project that she has dreamt about for years and its unveiling is an exciting musical adventure.