Mae West, Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel Barrymore and Helen Keller are perhaps among the best known women to appear on vaudeville stages. Each came to vaudeville by a different path and with a different offering: Mae West entered vaudeville with a song and dance routine when she was 13 years old. Ethel Barrymore dropped in on the Palace Theater to present one-act plays. Sarah Bernhardt was being celebrated by the British for her fifty years on the dramatic stage when she agreed to appear in the U.S. Helen Keller appeared on the stages of first-class vaudeville houses with her teacher, Anne Sullivan, telling about how she overcame the handicaps of blindness and deafness.
Many other women followed their own paths to become vaudeville headliners. This book tells the stories of 80 who were among the top vaudeville acts in the late 19th century and early 20th century, when entertainment was often live variety shows in theaters across the country. Singers, singer-comediennes, comediennes, dancers, sister acts, actresses, male impersonators and novelty acts are covered as separate categories. Biographies of the performers in each category appear in order of the date they entered vaudeville, an arrangement that allows the reader to trace the history of vaudeville itself. A final section concentrates on the headliners’ heritage, taking a broad look at the group according to ethnic background, socioeconomic background, family life, and other factors, including what happened to them after vaudeville died.
To mark the sixth year of the Singles Day Vinyl Series, Urban Outfitters has opened preorders for a new 7' vinyl release of the two new singles. It will be released on November 21.
Rob Rokicki, composer of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, will release a new theatrical rock single titled “Lincoln” on November 14, 2025.
Music stores across the country will host official listening parties to celebrate the release of the soundtrack of Wicked: For Good on November 21, 22 and 23.
Anthony Nunziata has released his debut holiday collection Christmas & You on vinyl, CD, and digital and streaming platforms. The songs were all co-written by Nunziata and some of the top Country and pop hitmakers.
Center Stage Recrods has released Into the Sun: World Premiere Recording in streaming and digital formats. Into the Sun is the new musical drama that features book, music and lyrics by Michael Gubser.
BroadwayWorld has the exclusive first listen to “D.O.A.,” performed by Paisley Billings and company, from the upcoming The Lightning Thief: Original London Cast Recording.
Ghostlight Records will release Deathless: Original Studio Cast Recording – new indie-folk musical by Zack Zadek – featuring Jeremy Jordan and more. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to the track 'The License Plate Game'.
CENTER STAGE RECORDS will host a special online Listening Party for the new album The Lightning Thief: Original London Cast Recording. The event will be hosted by Max Harwood and Samantha Mbolekwa, joined by their fellow original London cast members.
Known for his stage presence in Rock of Ages Hollywood alongside Frankie Grande and Nick Cordero, Broadway performer and recording artist Ian Ward steps into a new chapter with the release of his latest single, 'Ocean Eyes.' L
Stevie Holland has released the music video for “Talk to Your Tomatoes,” the tile track to her just-released new album. Written by Stevie Holland and Gary William Friedman, the song and video are a swinging, zany, and veggie-gardening loving trip.
The Americas, the 10-part NBC series narrated by Tom Hanks, will arrive on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on November 18. The release also includes an exclusive bonus feature, taking viewers behind the scenes with an in-depth documentary.
Bloomsbury Methuen Drama published An Alchemy of Living Culture: Collected Writings on Double Edge Theatre, an anthology gathering decades of Stacy Klein's visionary reflections, interviews, speeches, and essays.
With the release of WE LIVE IN CAIRO (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording), The Lazours reflect on the show’s evolution, the collaboration behind the album’s sound, and how their upcoming musicals extend their artistic conversations.
Jackie Burns delivers “Shotgun,” the first single from the upcoming musical Hard Road to Heaven. Now streaming on all platforms, the track blends Broadway drama with an authentic country sound. Listen here!
Award-winning Broadway and jazz vocalist Darius de Haas has released his new holiday album Let Me Carry You This Christmas, now available digitally via Concord Theatricals Recordings.
The original off-Broadway cast recording of “Welcome to The Big Dipper,” staged by The York Theatre Company, is available now! Learn more and listen here!
STEVIE HOLLAND – the acclaimed jazz vocalist and songwriter – returns with her new album Talk to Your Tomatoes, which is currently available on CD and in digital and streaming platforms. Listen here!
CENTER STAGE RECORDS has released We Live in Cairo: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording in streaming and digital formats now. Learn more and listen here!
The new album from Phillip Officer – who originated the role of the “Geek” in the Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated musical Side Show – is out tomorrow. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to a track here!
Bronco Billy – The Musical, Recorded live in performance during its 2024 run at London’s Charing Cross Theatre, will release an album. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive listen to 'I’m Gonna Be Strong' here.
Amnon Kabatchnik has penned a new in his award-winning reference series. Kabatchnik's latest, Bloody Broadway: Plays of Menace, Murder, and Mystery, Volume I (BearManor Media) is now available.
CENTER STAGE RECORDS will release The Lightning Thief: Original London Cast Recording in streaming and digital formats. Learn more about the recording here!
Joël René Scoville and Jenna Gillespie Byrd have released the concept album for their original musical 2&1: A Harlem Love Story with Loose Morals. Learn more!
CENTER STAGE RECORDS will release We Live in Cairo: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording in streaming and digital formats this week. Learn more about the album here!
Apollo Publishers will release Making Rent: The Story Behind the Music that Changed Broadway in January. Learn more about the book, and about the author Tim Weil here!
Brainstorm Records has released the new single “I’ll Be Here” – featuring Broadway sensation Julie Benko – from The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul, the new musical by Christie Baugher. Listen here!
Producers Gary Grossman, Bronco Billy Partners, and Yellow Sound Label have announced the upcoming release of Bronco Billy – The Musical (Live Original London Cast Recording), captured during its acclaimed 2024 run at London’s Charing Cross Theatre.
With the holiday season just around the corner, BroadwayWorld caught up with Scott and Mark Hoying to discuss their new children's book Fa La La Family, its accompanying album, Dancing with the Stars, and more.