Phyllis Diller News

There's a new Dolly coming to town. As BroadwayWorld reported last week, Bette Midler will indeed return to Broadway in one of the most cherished shows in musical theater history when she takes on the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, and according to Page Six, she'll make bank doing it.

Producer David Merrick brought in a parade of stars to follow Carol Channing, but there was one that got away.

KINKY BOOTS has been touring North America for a while now and audiences have fallen in love with its story and the music that makes it unique. Currently in the role of George, Jim Bullock recently shared with Broadway World his show business history and how he came to play George in this great show.

BroadwayWorld has heard from Carol Channing, our amazing readers, and more since Bette Midler was announced for the role of 'Dolly Gallagher Levi' in the Broadway return of one of the most cherished shows in musical theater history, HELLO, DOLLY! And now the diva herself has chimed in on coming back to the Great White Way in an interview with The New York Times.

There's a new Dolly coming to town, but how does the original star feel about it? BroadwayWorld has just checked in with Carol Channing, who is thrilled about this morning's news. Channing said, 'Bette will be brilliant! Dolly is the kind of character that everyone should be blessed to play. Dolly is an institution- the American musical equivalent to Hamlet.'

Long rumored, and first reported last night by BroadwayWorld after the star teased the news on Twitter, it's now Official! Producer Scott Rudin announced this morning that Bette Midler will indeed return to Broadway in one of the most cherished shows in musical theater history when she takes on the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Michael Stewart's (book) and Jerry Herman's (music and lyrics) masterpiece, Hello, Dolly!.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF offers an evening of dancing and live theater to patrons attending the Theater's production of Mark St. Germain's Dancing Lessons on January 22, 2016. The one-of-a-kind introductory dance class led by Keith Wilson, Orlando Shakes' Spamalot Dance Captain, will take place prior to the evening's $25 Under 35 performance. No partner is required. Ticket holders of any age are invited to add on the pre-show entertainment package for just $20 (per person). Add-on packages may be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or by emailing boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org. Limited number of spaces available and activity subject to change.

The West End transfer of GUYS & DOLLS opened at the Savoy Theatre on January 6, for a limited run through March 12. Sophie Thompson and Jamie Parker reprise their roles as Miss Adelaide and Sky Masterson, with David Haig as Nathan Detroit and Siubhan Harrison as Sarah Brown. Let's see what the critics had to say:

With a career that began at age 3 on stage in vaudeville, at age 5 had her own national radio show on NBC and still working (primarily in voice over) today, Miss Marie, now has the longest active career in entertainment

Sippin On Fire will be presented at Stage 72 at 158 West 72nd Street (bet Broadway-Columbus Ave) Today, November 13th at 9:00 p.m. Sippin' On Fire is a hot cabaret of five handsome, talented, versatile NYC-based performers --Ryan K. Bailer, Francesc Esteve, Matt Maretz, Conor McGee and Ryan Mulgrew.  They give the audience a feast for the ears and eyes. With piano, bass, drums and guitar accompaniment, the show has been conceived by with musical direction by Phil Hall.  This is a show based on pop music with some Broadway thrown as well as many songs, familiar--which gives each of the five guys to showcase their unique style and talent as well as sexiest interpretation to the stage.

Sippin On Fire will be presented at Stage 72 at 158 West 72nd Street (bet Broadway-Columbus Ave) next Friday, November 13th at 9:00 p.m. Sippin' On Fire is a hot cabaret of five handsome, talented, versatile NYC-based performers --Ryan K. Bailer, Francesc Esteve, Matt Maretz, Conor McGee and Ryan Mulgrew.

PRAIRIE-OKE!, the musical mash-up parody that rocked Los Angeles, returns for three weekends only to the Cavern Club Theater.

PRAIRIE-OKE!, the musical mash-up parody that rocked Los Angeles, returns for three weekends only to the Cavern Club Theater.

Following a successful 6 month Off-Broadway run, Brandon Duncan will premiere MY BIG HEART: ON at The Prince Theatre (The Producers' Club 358 W. 44th st.) for a limited eight show run November 12th thru November 15th. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the theatre before each performance, or in advance online by visiting www.BrownPaperTickets.com and searching MY BIG HEART: ON.

Sippin On Fire will be presented at Stage 72 at 158 West 72nd Street (bet Broadway-Columbus Ave) Friday, November 13th at 9:00 p.m. Sippin' On Fire is a hot cabaret of five handsome, talented, versatile NYC-based performers --Ryan K. Bailer, Francesc Esteve, Matt Maretz, Conor McGee and Ryan Mulgrew.  They give the audience a feast for the ears and eyes. With piano, bass, drums and guitar accompaniment, the show has been conceived by with musical direction by Phil Hall.  This is a show based on pop music with some Broadway thrown as well as many songs, familiar--which gives each of the five guys to showcase their unique style and talent as well as sexiest interpretation to the stage.

Producers Matthew Herrmann and Vickie Mendoza are thrilled to announce, Alison Arngrim will appear in two performances of PRAIRIE-OKE!, November 6 & 7, 2015.

Three Cat Productions is excited to announce its third full season, three world premieres of new works by Chicago playwrights, produced in partnership with the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Cultural Center at 6205 N. Sheridan Road. The 2015/16 season kicks off in fall with Death in a Beulah, a play by Barbara Wells, about three 'transplants,' or African Americans who have escaped to the queer-friendly North Side. For the holidays, Three Cat presents Holiday Stories, nine playwrights explore what it means to be an outsider on the biggest, most commercial, and most televised event of the year! . Playwrights include David Bald, Hope Hommersand, Susan Lieberman, Paul Moulton, Paul Pasulka, Lisa Scott, Fouad Teymour, Helen Valenta, and Joe Weintraub. The season concludes in spring with the newly revised musical revue, At Mister Kelly's, about the history and music of Chicago's Rush Street's legendary night club with original music and lyrics by Gary Gimmestad. Tickets are now on sale at threecatproductions.com.

'To be a woman, taking that stage alone, with just your mouth and a microphone, it is a feminist statement.'

Kathleen Madigan's 'Madigan Again' tour is coming to Paramount Theatre today, Oct. 3 at 8 pm.

In 1964, HELLO DOLLY opened on Broadway, starring a relatively unknown, 43-year-old Carol Channing as the lead. Reviving the show in 1978, 1981, and 1995, Channing's personality is almost synonymous with the title character. With the demanding role requiring someone with a true star quality, many celebrities have tackled the bold character (including Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller, Ethel Merman…and, of course, Barbara Streisand). It is no surprise that Arlington Player's has gambled on a local small-town-star as the headliner in their current production.