Richie Ridge News

Tony-winner and Grammy nominee Lena Hall returned to Cafe Carlyle with Oh! You Pretty Things, last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The all-new show acts as a love letter to Lena's rock & roll spirit guides, the pantheon of misfits and rebels who inspired us to transcend by transforming themselves. This intimate journey through Lena's personal love life will reveal how pivotal these artists have been in helping her navigate her relationships, shining like beacons and helping her shape her voice and her identity, again and again. At Cafe Carlyle, Lena Hall is joined by a band including Justin Craig, Watt White and Brian Fishler. Oh! You Pretty Things is directed by Stephen Amato. The engagement runs through June 25th.

Broadway legend Chita Rivera made her Cafe Carlyle just last night with An Evening of My Favorite Songs, an engagement that was postponed earlier this year due to an injury. Now she's ready to take the stage for a two-week engagement, through April 30. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside her first performance below!

Just last night, Feinstein's/54 Below presented the debut of Jennifer Diamond, currently co-starring in the smash hit musical RUTHLESS!. Jennifer's new show IT'S MY FIRST TIME (PLEASE BE GENTLE) was directed by Broadway veteran Richard Jay-Alexander. The two first worked together on LES MISERABLES and a number of benefits and Jay-Alexander found her uniquely talented and versatile enough to put a special spin on a debut act for her, recounting her arrival in the business, her story as an up-and-coming actress and all the good (and bad) that goes with it.

Abingdon Theatre Company just celebrated its 2015-2016 Season with ABINGDON: REFLECTIONS OF STARLIGHT, last night, October 26 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street in Manhattan). Richard Jay-Alexander, best known for directing Barbra Streisand and other artists in concert, directed the event, honoring Tony Award-winning costume designer Jane Greenwood, who designed Abingdon's acclaimed production of Hellman v. McCarthy; Abingdon Theatre Company's Vice Chair and former Managing Director, Heather Henderson; and one of New York's most prominent lawyers in entertainment, Mark Sendroff.

Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! – featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance – the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common:  they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60.  They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by Broadway World's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico),  Lillian Colon (RCMH's first Puerto Rican Rockette) Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.

Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! – featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance – the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common:  they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60.  They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by Broadway World's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico),  Lillian Colon (RCMH's first Puerto Rican Rockette) Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.

Dancers Over 40 celebrates diversity in dance with Can't Stop the Music! Can't Stop the Dance! Diversity All Around Us! - featuring DO40 Advisory Board member Jerry Mitchell's new musical comedy, Gotta Dance - the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who have three things in common:  they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60.  They battle pain, prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans at a national basketball team's half time show. That panel will be moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richie Ridge. Also featured, a celebration of African-American, Hispanic and Asian artists including DO40 member Gus Solomon jr's dance company Paradigm, and members of his company, Carmen de Lavallade, Sarita Allen, Hope Clarke and Karen Brown (Dance Theater of Harlem, Complexions, Ailey, Dunham Companies), as well as Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson (Dance Theater of Harlem, Ailey, NYCB), Gemze de Lappe (Agnes de Mille) Gail Reese (Ailey, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Agnes de Mille) Fernando Carrillo (Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico),  Solomon Dumas (Garth Fagan, Ronald K. Brown, Ailey II), Jill Williams (The Clark Center), Complexions Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Baayork Lee and the National Asian Arts Project.

Christian Borle, FUN HOME's Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, Max Von Essen and many more gathered last nightfor the Tony Awards Creative Arts Nominees Reception, and BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the night!

BroadwayWorld's Richie Ridge was there after the curtain went down and you can check out what the full gang had to say on opening night below! 

Show business' brightest stars memorialized one of their own yesterday, at A Tribute to Polly Bergen, at the American Airlines Theatre (227 W. 42nd Street). An Emmy Award-winning actress and singer, Ms. Bergen's career spanned more than six decades in films, TV, Broadway musicals and concerts. She passed away from natural causes September 20 at age 84. A Tribute to Polly Bergen, produced by Rex Reed and Michael Alden with creative consultant Deborah Grace Winer, celebrated her life and career with a star studded lineup of participants. They included Christine Andreas, Harry Belafonte, Arlene Dahl, Raul Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Gregory Harrison, Judith Ivey, Chris Matthews, Phyllis Newman, Kelli O'Hara and cast members from the 2001 revival of Follies.

Glamorous names and faces will walk a short red carpet to take the stage at the 5th Annual Joey Awards Ceremony on March 8th, 8pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and international music superstar Jennifer Nettles is making her Broadway debut as 'Roxie Hart' in Chicago. Nettles joins the Broadway company for a limited eight-week engagement running Monday, February 2 through Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) She will be joined by Broadway star Carly Hughes who makes her debut in the iconic role of jazz slayer Velma Kelly. The duo just met the press and BroadwayWorld's Richie Ridge was there to chat with both about joining the show and to bring you a special performance preview!

Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look backstage!

Marilyn doesn't have to sing "I Love Being Here With You" in New York City anymore. She always would motion for a response after the lyric "I wanna hear you call my name" and the audience would always shout out MARILYN. That song was not in her show. There's no need for MM to ask for recognition in this town. If you don't know that MARILYN means Marilyn Maye you are not a New Yorker. Personally, if I ask someone "when are you seeing Marilyn" and then get a confused look, I immediately know I'm talking to someone who doesn't get it.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 30, 2014 - Sunday, November 30, 2014.

After making the announcement, both Sting and lead producer Jeffrey Seller sat down with BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge to give us the full scoop on how this came about, what to expect & more!

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to the producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to Christopher Walken.

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to Allison Williams.

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to Christian Borle and Kelli O'Hara.