Sharon Gless News

Philadelphia QFest closed its 15th year with the much-praised premiere of The Big Gay Musical and a packed closing night event on the 33rd floor of the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia. Both the screening and the party served as the grand finale for twelve days full of critically acclaimed movies, celebrity appearances, awards ceremonies, outdoors screenings, and festive parties.

The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's awards. They are - 2009 Gay Icon Award: Sharon Gless; the 2009 Rising Star Award: H.P. Mendoza; the 2009 Artistic Achievement Award: Chad Allen; and the 2009 Barbara Gittings Award: Dr. Dee Mosbacher. Each honoree will be present to accept his or her award at one of four special ceremonies during the 15th Anniversary of Philadelphia QFest, July 9 - 20, 2009.

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

So far at this evening's Emmy Awards, theater stars Jeremy Piven, Dianne Wiest, Laura Linney, Dame Eileen Atkins and Zeljko Ivanek are among the winners.

Eurydice, a bold, slyly comic, visually fascinating take on the classic Orpheus myth by Sarah Ruhl, is enjoying an ambitious revival by Victory Gardens Theater, to open the 35th season at Chicago's #1 presenter of new plays.

FRINGE ENCORE SERIES will present SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL I AM: the return of Jackie Susann for five additional performances, September 11-16 at the SoHo Playhouse.

Off the Cuff (UK) & King William Productions will present SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL I AM: the return of Jackie Susann, this August, as part of the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival.

BroadwayWorld.com's TV host Haviland Stillwell is moonlighting for BroadwayWorld.com, covering the latest R Family Vacation cruise! 'Spring Break on the Mexican Riviera' is the cruise line's first trip to Mexico! For more information on R Family Vacations, including details on their upcoming Summer Cruise, click here!

L.A. Theatre Works, with a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, records four new plays and begins new radio program focusing on Science-themed plays.

Chita Rivera's tour of her autobiographical Broadway musical The Dancer's Life is off to a flying start, with rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences

Camera and laptop in hand, BroadwayWorld Artistic Director Jamie McGonnigal gives an inside look on the entertainment, the fun and the surprises on r family vacations' second cruise.

Sponsored by furniture designers Mitchell Gold, Cyndi Lauper and a number of unnamed Broadway performs will entertain passengers on the R Family Vacation's 2nd annual cruise on the Norwegian Dawn, which departs on July 10th

BroadwayWorld.com photographer Linda Lenzi covers Broadway & other celebs 'Around the Town' including the cast of Queer as Folk, Al Franken, Michelle Branch, Meredith Vieira, and more...