Ruta Lee News

Lily Tomlin, Joanne Worley, Carole Cook, Bruce Vilanch along with filmmaker and multi TONY-winning Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein all gathered on one stage to salute a star, an icon and a legend - Ms. Carol Channing. On Wednesday night, the Paley Center featured these incredible talents as well as gathering many more in the audience for the Los Angeles premiere screening of 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.' The panel members, who also appear in the critically acclaimed documentary, gathered with other friends, colleagues and fans of the woman who has been dubbed, and deservingly so, 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre.' Seen among those in attendance were a who's who of TONY, OSCAR, EMMY & GOLDEN GLOBE award winners including George Chakiris, Charles Fox, Davis Gaines, Ilene Graff, Tippi Hedren, Michael Learned, Kate Linder, Julie Newmar, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Rose Marie, Richard Skipper, Barbara Van Orden, Dee Wallace and co-producer, B. Harlan Boll, to enjoy a film that also featured such noted industry greats as Loni Anderson, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Bob Mackie, Margaret O'Brien, Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Barbara Walters and many more.

It was an eclectic representation Hollywood talent that gathered on Thursday at the Egyptian theatre. From Broadway hits like "Grease" and "Peter Pan" to films such as "Westside Story" and "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" as well as cast members of many TV classics from "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "My Three Sons," "Bewitched," "Happy Days" and "The Waltons" to "Y&R" and "Hanna Montana" were present as Red Line Tours proudly unveiled their new series of collectible souvenir tickets designed by world-renowned artist, Andre Miripolsky. What do all these individuals share in common? Answer - A love for Hollywood History and its preservation.

'Next stop, Carmel CA,' announced Betty Buckley as she wrapped a truly spectacular cabaret concert entitled 'AH MEN! The Boys of Broadway' in the historic lobby of the Pantages Theatre. The sold out benefit for The Actors Fund featured 'Many of my favorite songs that I would otherwise never be able to sing on Broadway ... because they were written for men.' Arrangements that included 'I Can See,' 'My Defenses Are Down,' and both the 'Jet Song' and 'Maria' from WESTSIDE STORY, as well as 'Luck Be A Lady,' 'Hey There,' 'Come Back to Me,' and a SWEENY TODD medley. Ms. Buckley introduced a new arrangement that received with wild enthusiasm from the patrons, entitled 'A Hymn to Her' and dedicated to the question, 'Why can't women play famous Broadway roles written for men?' Among the men Buckley credited with influencing her most were the brilliant Russ Tamblyn, the graceful Fred Astaire and the very sexy Gene Kelly. Among those in attendance were colleagues and friends such as Ruta Lee, Alley Mills, Orson Bean, Juliet Mills, Maxwell Caulfield, and fellow TV Mom Marion Ross, among other industry notables like Tony Hoover (Hollywood Red-Line Tours owner), B. Harlan Boll (Publicist/Author/Producer), Patricia Kelly (wife of the late Gene Kelly) and the evening's producers John Bowab and Martin Wiviott.

'Who would have thought that a young boy from Weymouth would become part of such a large family of vagabonds,' remarked Hal Holbrook about the actors and industry professionals that gathered to honor him at the 15th annual TONY Award party in Los Angeles. 'Not all of us have been lucky enough to make a steady income from this profession we love so much. It's nice to know an organization such as the Actors Fund exists to watch our backs, while we concentrate on using our craft to make the world a richer place to live,' added Holbrook just after friend and colleague, Sean Penn, presented the accomplished thespian with the Julie Harris Award. Penn, who directed Holbrook in 'Into The Wild,' said 'Hal always got it in the first take, but you wanted him to do it again, just so you could watch him work.'

On January 16, 1964 theatergoers at the St. James Theatre first experienced what was to become perhaps the most memorable scene in musical comedy, when the curtains part atop the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant and Dolly Levi appears in her red Freddy Wittop gown to begin her descent to 'rejoin the human race.' Forty-seven years (not to mention over 5,000 performances) later and 3,000 miles away, patrons of the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles were able to revisit a little bit of theatrical history as Jerry Herman's first Dolly, Ms. Carol Channing, again entered through parting red curtains and took the stage wearing her original 1964 gown in celebration of her 90th birthday.

Living Legend Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Hollywood icon Carrie Fisher, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday, talking about mental health. Thalians President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, along with event chairs Kira & Bob Lorsch, are currently preparing for the upcoming Thalians 55th Gala at the Playboy Mansion, Saturday, April 30, 2011.

On Wednesday, December 1st, the Broadway Smash Hit WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere!

The WEST SIDE STORY tour is playing at the Pantages Theatre in LA through December 19th.

Photos from the gala opening night of Cinderella a modern musical in the style of a British panto at the El Portal Theater on November 27, 2010 in North Hollywood, California.

Casa Mañana is excited to bring back Fort Worth favorite Ruta Lee to star in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, October 23 - 31 at Casa Mañana Theatre. Don't miss the themed costume party following the 7:00 p.m. October 31st performance.

Casa Mañana is excited to bring back Fort Worth favorite Ruta Lee to star in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, October 23 - 31 at Casa Mañana Theatre. Don't miss the themed costume party following the 7:00 p.m. October 31st performance.

Weddington Street Productions proudly presents DEBBIE REYNOLDS: Alive & Fabulous, starring the legendary Debbie Reynolds with Musical Director Joey Singer. The award-winning actress whose career spans six decades, brings her one-woman show to the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in North Hollywood for nine performances only September 23- October 3, 2010. This will be her 3rd consecutive engagement at the NOHO landmark.

Casa Mañana is excited to bring back Fort Worth favorite Ruta Lee to star in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, October 23 - 31 at Casa Mañana Theatre. Don't miss the themed costume party following the 7:00 p.m. October 31st performance.

Debbie Reynolds, Miss Burbank, returns to her roots in this rare Los Angeles appearance of Debbie Reynolds: Alive & Fabulous, with a gala celebrating the 55th annual Thalians Red Carpet Celebrity Benefit with special guests Nigel Lythgoe, Sharon Lawrence, Ruta Lee, Patty McCormack, Anne Jeffreys, Joe Tremaine, Mitzi Gaynor, George Chakiris, Abbey Dalton, Richard Herd and many more.

Weddington Street Productions proudly presents DEBBIE REYNOLDS: Alive & Fabulous, starring the legendary Debbie Reynolds with Musical Director Joey Singer. The award-winning actress whose career spans six decades, brings her one-woman show to the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in North Hollywood for nine performances only September 23- October 3, 2010. This will be her 3rd consecutive engagement at the NOHO landmark.

Debbie Reynolds, Miss Burbank, returns to her roots in this rare Los Angeles appearance of Debbie Reynolds: Alive & Fabulous, with a gala celebrating the 55th annual Thalians Red Carpet Celebrity Benefit with special guests Nigel Lythgoe, Sharon Lawrence, Ruta Lee, Patty McCormack, Anne Jeffreys, Joe Tremaine, Mitzi Gaynor, George Chakiris, Abbey Dalton, Richard Herd and many more.

On Sunday, August 29, Michael Lanning performed his 'Other Folks Songs' concert with Jeremy Schonfeld, Jessica Grove and Dan Cooney in New York City. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the concert and brings you photo coverage below.

Casa Mañana is excited to announce that single tickets for the 2010-2011 Broadway season at Casa Mañana Theatre go on sale Friday, August 6.

Weddington Street Productions proudly presents DEBBIE REYNOLDS: Alive & Fabulous, starring the legendary Debbie Reynolds with Musical Director Joey Singer. The award-winning actress whose career spans six decades, brings her one-woman show to the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in North Hollywood for nine performances only September 23- October 3, 2010. This will be her 3rd consecutive engagement at the NOHO landmark.

Casa Mañana is excited to announce that single tickets for the 2010-2011 Broadway season at Casa Mañana Theatre go on sale Friday, August 6.