Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Photo Flash: Alan Cumming, Lily Tomlin, Laura Bell Bundy and More Celebrate Carol Channing's 95th Birthday

By:

The inimitable Carol Channing was feted in style on Saturday night as the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California presented Carol Channing's 95th Birthday! In Celebration of a Broadway Legend. The star-studded performance was produced and directed by Chad Hilligus, with music direction and orchestrations by Steven Baker and choreography by Charlie Williams. Scroll down for a photo of Channing surrounded by friends on the big day!

Seated in the front row of the beautiful McCallum Theatre, Miss Channing was treated to a retrospective of her incomparable career featuring live performances, video clips and video tributes. The presenters appearing live on stage to share their affection and recollections included: Lucie Arnaz, Alan Cumming, Florence Henderson, Gavin MacLeod (who read a message from President Barack Obama) and Lily Tomlin. Memorable performances from Miss Channing's extensive career songbook were delivered by Laura Bell Bundy ("I'm Just a Little Girl from Little Rock"/"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes); Anika Noni Rose ("Jazz Baby" from Thoroughly Modern Millie); Eden Espinosa ("You Haven't Lived Until You've Played the Palace" from Showgirl); Thomas Lauderdale and Storm Large of Pink Martini ("Calypso Pete" from Show Girl); Tom Wopat ("Razzle Dazzle" from Chicago) and a show-stopping performance by 92-year-old Carole Cook ("Before the Parade Passes By" from Hello, Dolly!) which received a standing ovation from the sold-out audience.

The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of Hello, Dolly! featuring eight Broadway dancers (Brandon Cournay, Adam Fleming, Marty Lawson, Gary Milner, Adam Perry, Keven Quillon, Ryan Steele and Robbie Roby), along with the entire cast and 28-piece orchestra. As a microphone was brought into the audience, Miss Channing herself sang along with the cast on the last few bars to the delight of everyone in the house.

Video tributes came from: Julie Andrews, Barbara Walters, Angela Lansbury, Whoopi Goldberg, Lee Roy Reams, Brooke Shields, Melissa Manchester, Valerie Harper, Kaye Ballard, Betty White, Kristin Chenoweth, Carol Burnett, Leeza Gibbons and former President Bill Clinton, as well as from the Broadway casts of She Loves Me, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Wicked, An American in Paris, Fun Home, The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Spring Awakening, Matilda, Kinky Boots and The King and I.

In conjunction with the performance, the McCallum Theatre has established The Carol Channing Fund for the Arts to honor the legendary star's passionate advocacy for the arts and education through the arts. The Fund will help make it possible for the McCallum Theatre to continue to provide important education and outreach programs to students and educators in California's Coachella Valley at the very highest level of excellence. For information or to make a contribution, go to www.mccallumtheatre.com.

Photo Flash: Alan Cumming, Lily Tomlin, Laura Bell Bundy and More Celebrate Carol Channing's 95th Birthday Image
Star-studded salute in Palm Desert, Calif., celebrates Carol Channing's 95th birthday.





Need more Los Angeles Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


The Most Happy Fella in Los Angeles The Most Happy Fella
North Coast Repertory Theatre (6/03-6/28)
A Haunting Revue II in Los Angeles A Haunting Revue II
Impro Theatre (6/06-6/26) PHOTOS
Bus People – A Hilarious & Optimistic Take on L.A. Public Transit in Los Angeles Bus People – A Hilarious & Optimistic Take on L.A. Public Transit
The Actors Company (6/06-6/28)
MISS MAGNOLIA BEAUMONT GOES TO PROVINCETOWN in Los Angeles MISS MAGNOLIA BEAUMONT GOES TO PROVINCETOWN
Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre (6/17-6/28) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad in Los Angeles Mike Blaha: Pivotal Nomad
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/24)
My Life is a Sonnet in Los Angeles My Life is a Sonnet
Broadwater Studio (6/07-6/27)
STRAITJACKET SIRENS in Los Angeles STRAITJACKET SIRENS
The Three Clubs (6/01-6/30)
The Show Has Been Cancelled (Due to the End of The World) in Los Angeles The Show Has Been Cancelled (Due to the End of The World)
Broadwater Second Stage (6/16-6/27)
Dancing Queens! A Mamma Mia Drag Musical Parody in Los Angeles Dancing Queens! A Mamma Mia Drag Musical Parody
Hamburger Mary's (6/20-8/22)
Tristan and Yseult in Los Angeles Tristan and Yseult
Electric Company Theatre (6/02-6/24)