Linda Lenzi - Page 36

Sir Ian McKellen hosted the 10th Anniversary of the 'Only Make Believe' benefit at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on November 2nd.

Finian's Rainbow began previews at Broadway's ST. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, on Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, and celebrated Opening Night, last night, Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm. BroadwayWorld.com was there as the first night party began and the cast and famous fans arrived!

The Drama League and its friends held a special cocktail reception for 'Mr. Broadway' himself, Stewart F. Lane as he discussed producing for today's theatre. The event was followed by a signing of Mr. Lane's new DVD titled 'Let's Put on a Show!' which is an informed and witty guide on producing which covers everything from raising money to creating an audience.

Rebecca Luker has been a Broadway favorite since she stepped in as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in 1988. She is currently starring in Mary Poppins for which she earned a 2007 Tony Award® nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Other Broadway credits include Show Boat (Tony® nomination), The Music Man (Tony® nomination), Nine, the most recent revival of The Sound of Music, and The Secret Garden. Ms. Luker recently performed to sold-out audiences at her critically acclaimed American Songbook Series of solo concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Her recordings include Leaving Home (PSClassics.com), Anything Goes: Rebecca Luker Sings Cole Porter, Aria, Aria 2 and Aria 3 (Koch records), The Boys From Syracuse, Wonderful Town, Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Showstoppers, Jerome Kern Treasury, and Brigadoon.

'Extra' host and former A CHORUS LINE star Mario Lopez and his sister, Marissa Lopez Wong, have written a children's book that celebrates the imagination of children. Lopez celebrated the release on October 16th at the Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on Broadway.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW star Kate Baldwin celebrated the release of her debut album 'Let's See What Happens' on October 19th at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain on 152 West 52nd Street.

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, officially opened last, Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, began previews Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

The Town Hall, Broadway's landmark concert venue, presented the fifth annual Broadway Cabaret Festival, October 16th- 18th. This three-concert series, created, written an hosted by Scott Siegel, took place this weekend and included A Tribute to David Merrick, staring Corbin Bleu of High School Musical, on Friday October 16th at 8pm, All of Me staring Linda Eder on Saturday October 17th at 8pm and Broadway Originals on Sunday October 18th at 3pm.

Bye Bye Birdie celebrated Opening Night, yesterday evening, Thursday, October 15th at the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street). Bye Bye Birdie stars John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin & Nolan Gerard Funk with Jayne Houdyshell, Dee Hoty, Matt Doyle, Jake Evan Schwencke and Alllie Trimm.

Conductor Steven Reineke began his tenure as Music Director of The New York Pops when the orchestra opened its 27th season at Carnegie Hall on Friday, October 9 at 8:00PM. The opening night of The New York Pops' season featured the Emmy-winning comedian, singer and television personality Wayne Brady in a tribute to two American icons: Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sam Cooke.

The Broadway Boys, a gathering of some of the best tenor voices on the Broadway stage are headed into the recording studio on October 1 to record their debut album. Produced by Michael McElroy, the CD is schedule to be available at concerts by late November. PS Classics will release the CD in stores in early winter. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there as the 'Boys' laid down their tracks!

LOVE, LOSS and WHAT I WORE, an intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, is making its world premiere for a 12-week run at New York's Westside Theatre. The play celebrated its official Opening Night yesterday evening, Thursday, October 1st.

THE HAPPY EMBALMER -- a World-Premiere new musical with book, music and lyrics by Mark Noonan and Nick Oddy, directed and choreographed by Kelly Devine -- is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival, starting October 6, 2009 at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, btw 9th and 10th Avenues) in New York City.

'True Colors Cabaret,' a new monthly cabaret show, hit Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, 'the nightclub of New York,' on, Monday, September 28. The next show will be Monday, October 26, featuring Lauper and HAIR star Gavin Creel. All of the net proceeds from 'True Colors Cabaret' support the True Colors Fund and Broadway Impact.

From Beverly Hills to Berlin; from Miami to Melbourne; from big screens to home screens, Warner Bros. Entertainment has for the past year been celebrating the 70th anniversary of an iconic American classic, The Wizard of Oz, with a slate of spectacular festivities spanning the globe. This September, the celebration culminates in New York City with a series of sparkling events.

The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction held yesterday Sunday, September 27 raised a grand total of $403,929 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA).

The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction held yesterday Sunday, September 27 raised a grand total of $403,929 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). Since its debut in 1987, which then raised $12,000, the 23 editions of The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction have raised a grand total of $8,161,752 for BC/EFA. BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the celebrity filled action!

Eric Rosen kicks off his second season as Kansas City Rep's artistic director with an audacious production of INTO THE WOODS (September 18 - October 4). The Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine is being staged by Broadway director Moisés Kaufman, who will take the audience on a wild trip into the darker side of the woods, where they will experience a different version of familiar fairy tale characters. Choreography is by Daniel Pelzig. The show also features extensive puppetry created by Kansas City's puppet master Paul Mesner.

The healing power of music and the helping power of musicians came together on September 9th when acclaimed four-time Grammy Award winning musician Michael Feinstein headlined the 9th Annual Music Has Power Awards benefit, with two-time Tony-Award winning actress and singer Christine Ebersole, at Feinstein's at Loews Regency - The Nightclub of New York.

Saycon Sengbloh featuring Kojo Modibo Sun rocked Joe's Pub on Sunday, August 30th with a thrilling concert full of passionate song.