Phyllis Diller News

Klea Blackhurst talks about her career, Jerry Herman and starring in HELLO, DOLLY! at the Goodspeed Opera House

Since bursting onto the scene in 1997 with the jazzy 'Sympathique' (beloved for its slacker-anthem lyrics 'Je ne veux pas travailler'), Portland ensemble Pink Martini has made its mark with an upbeat multilingual repertoire of pop, classical, jazz and big band. Fronted by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, the band has performed with more than 50 orchestras, and collaborated with a wild array of artists, from Rufus Wainwright, Carol Channing and Chavela Vargas to Japanese icon Saori Yuki, filmmaker Gus Van Sant and the cast of SESAME STREET. Singer Storm Large will be performing in Boise.

Last appearing at Foxwoods Resort Casino in September 2012, the hilarious comedy veteran, Kathleen Madigan, will return for one standup performance on Friday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.

After its workshop production at the York Theatre in NYC in Nov. 2011, Chance - A Musical Play about Love, Risk & Getting it Right -will be having the its world premiere staging at The Alcove Theatre in SF, beginning tonight, July 5, and running through July 28, 2013.

Since bursting onto the scene in 1997 with the jazzy 'Sympathique' (beloved for its slacker-anthem lyrics 'Je ne veux pas travailler'), Portland ensemble Pink Martini has made its mark with an upbeat multilingual repertoire of pop, classical, jazz and big band. Fronted by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, the band has performed with more than 50 orchestras, and collaborated with a wild array of artists, from Rufus Wainwright, Carol Channing and Chavela Vargas to Japanese icon Saori Yuki, filmmaker Gus Van Sant and the cast of SESAME STREET. Singer Storm Large will be performing in Boise.

Americans love their TV villians. They wore black hats with ominous mustaches in the early westerns, while Alexis Colby wore Nolan Miller gowns on 'Dynasty' and 'Glee's' coach, Sue Sylvester, dawns a tracksuit to terrify students. However, history's #1 TV Bitch (according to Vanity Fair), weaseled her way into hearts world-wide wearing petticoats and a curly blonde wig - Nellie Oleson of the hit series 'Little House on the Prairie.' You are invited to join the actress who brought 'Nasty Nellie' to life for millions of viewers every week and for years to follow in syndication, Alison Arngrim, as she gives audiences a reality check on 'the facts of life' like no one else has ever done before in CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH.

NUNSENSE, the award-winning and hilarious Off-Broadway hit musical comedy, plays the historic stage at Bill Hanney's Theatre by the Sea from May 29 thru June 16. Tickets are on sale now by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI 02879. Press night is planned for May 31 at 8pm.

Join us for The Lusty Month of May, a musical theater performance by The PhilHallmonics of songs celebrating the time reawakening of sex, love and desire at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY (at 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue) tonight, May 13th, 2013 at 6:00 PM.

After its workshop production at the York Theatre in NYC in Nov. 2011, Chance - A Musical Play about Love, Risk & Getting it Right -will be having the its world premiere staging at The Alcove Theatre in SF. July 5 -28, 2013.

Bay Street Theatre begins the 2013 Mainstage Season with Lend Me a Tenor (May 28 - June 23). This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy started rehearsals this week in New York City under the direction of Don Stephenson. The cast includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek. Ticket prices are $59.50 and $69.50. For more information call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or buy online at www.baystreet.org.

Join us for The Lusty Month of May, a musical theater performance by The PhilHallmonics of songs celebrating the time reawakening of sex, love and desire at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY (at 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue) onMonday, May 13th, 2013 at 6:00 PM.

Milt Larsen, creator of the world renowned Magic Castle in Hollywood, California will be inducted into the coveted Pacific Pioneer Broadcaster's Diamond Circle at a luncheon in the Empire Room of the Sportsmans Lodge in Studio City on May 10, 2013. This very special honor recognizes a member of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters who has made a significant contribution to broadcasting.

Phyllis Diller, the legendary actress and comedian, makes an appearance on the May 1st episode of Bravo's "Dukes of Melrose." In her last television appearance ever, the comedic genius opens up her home to "…Melrose" star Cameron Silver to give a rare glimpse inside her home and closet.

PBS announces 'Carol Burnett Night,' Tuesday, April 9, 2013, featuring two shows that chronicle the longtime success of a beloved television comedy star. An encore of the 90-minute AMERICAN MASTERS 'Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character' leads the night, followed by a 30-minute encore edition of the PBS series PIONEERS OF TELEVISION, called 'Carol Burnett and the Funny Ladies' - in which iconic TV stars discuss Burnett's legacy and her influence on contemporary comedy stars.

Today we are talking to a veritable legend in her own time - arguably the most influential and recognizable female stand-up comedian of all time, the one and only Joan Rivers. Opening up and revealing her trademark, impossible-to-top wit all the while, Rivers and I discuss many aspects of her life and career, with a particular focus on her many current projects - most importantly, the third season of her smash hit reality series JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST? on WE TV. What will happen when Joan, Melissa and company visit Colonial Williamsburg? What illicitness will they discover on Willie Nelson's former tour bus? Will Joan get arrested for protesting her book being banned at a big retailer? Answers to these questions all will be arrived up on Saturday. In addition to all about JOAN & MELISSA Season Three and the current series-high ratings run of FASHION POLICE, Rivers and I take a look back at many of the remarkable figures she has encountered and worked with over the course of her career - among them: Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Woody Allen and many more - and she generously shares candid backstage stories and remembrances as only she can. Of paramount interest to theatre fans may be the announcement of a revival of her one-woman play SALLY MARR… AND HER ESCORTS, which she will be reviving in a special weekly pop-up theatre space on Broadway later this year. Also, as if all of that were not enough, Joan gives us the 411 on her new uncensored web series, IN BED WITH JOAN, as well as her cute new pet lover's web project, MY FAT PET. Plus, her fashion forecast for 2013 and best current trends, favorite films of awards season, thoughts on Broadway today and her picks for the best shows to see as well as much, much more awaits in this career-spanning conversation!

In conjunction with The Berkshire Festival of Women Writers, Alison Larkin presents an evening of Anglo-American comedy on March 9 at 7:30pm at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge.

The Mirage Hotel & Casino and comedian Ron White welcomes the addition of Kathleen Madigan to 'Ron White's Comedy Salute from Vegas' tonight, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Terry Fator Theatre. Madigan, best known for appearing on NBC's 'Last Comic Standing,' recently launched her Showtime special 'Gone Madigan.' Other accolades include winning the American Comedy Award and the Phyllis Diller Award for 'Best Female Comedian.'

The Mirage Hotel & Casino and comedian Ron White welcomes the addition of Kathleen Madigan to 'Ron White's Comedy Salute from Vegas' Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Terry Fator Theatre. Madigan, best known for appearing on NBC's 'Last Comic Standing,' recently launched her Showtime special 'Gone Madigan.' Other accolades include winning the American Comedy Award and the Phyllis Diller Award for 'Best Female Comedian.'