Ben Orlando

'Others, who did not know him, can write obituaries about David Cassidy. I want to share some personal remembrances. I knew him, I liked him, I am saddened by his loss. I was glad that David chose me to ghost-write his autobiography, 'C'Mon Get Happy' (by David Cassidy with Chip Deffaa, published by Warner Books). And writing that book with him was an intense experience. He was open, candid, frank, and a fantastic storyteller. He had a seemingly endless supply of self-deprecating stories to tell, which I appreciated. He shared everything with me, with the understanding that we could decide later what to put into the book, and what to keep private. I liked his openness.

Ben Orlando AKA drag performer Summer Orlando stars in The Wizard of Oz, the first male actor to ever play the role of Dorothy in an officially licensed production of the show in the world. Scroll down for a first look!

Consumers who love The Wizard of Oz will especially like this fully licensed adaption of the timeless classic performed live and on stage at The Hole In The Wall Theater in New Britain from July 7th thru the 9th 2007. The show will be sung live and the adaption has a twist where the Lead Role of Dorothy is being played for the first time by a Male Actor, Ben Orlando. Ben Orlando, AKA Summer Orlando is a well-known Drag Performer in the State of Connecticut. The show hopes to break down stereotypes surrounding traditional drag performances in a family friendly setting.

Consumers who love The Wizard of Oz will especially like this fully licensed adaption of the timeless classic performed live and on stage at The Hole In The Wall Theater in New Britain from July 7th thru the 9th 2007. The show will be sung live and the adaption has a twist where the Lead Role of Dorothy is being played for the first time by a Male Actor, Ben Orlando. Ben Orlando, AKA Summer Orlando is a well-known Drag Performer in the State of Connecticut. The show hopes to break down stereotypes surrounding traditional drag performances in a family friendly setting.

Steele Spring Stage Rights officially publishes ASCAP Award-winner Chip Deffaa's musical play 'Irving Berlin's America'--which successfully premiered in 2014 at the 13th Street Repertory Theater in New York City--on Monday, April 20th. The 13th Street Rep will celebrate the publication on 5 pm Sunday, April 19th.

Audiences attending the musical comedy 'Theater Boys' at the 13th Street Repertory Theater might notice a camera or two--or three!--filming this week. Brian Gari is shooting an archival video of the entire two-hour show; Sam Donnenberg continues on-location shooting for his documentary about the making of the show, 'For the Theater'; and award-winning independent filmmaker Max Galassi, from Newtown, Connecticut, will be shooting a short film in connection with the show.

Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith -- 'the Grande Dame of Dish' -- has won countless honors, including an Emmy Award, in her long career. But she's never before been depicted on the stage. In 'Theater Boys' -- the new musical comedy by ASCAP Award-winner Chip Deffaa, now playing at the 13th Street Repertory Theater -- she's not only a character in the show, she's the subject of a whole song about her, a rousing fast-boogie simply titled 'Liz Smith.' That song will also be heard on the show's cast album (sung by Ricky Schroder and the ensemble), being released today, October 18th.

When ASCAP Award-winning playwright/director Chip Deffaa's 'The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue' has its world premiere at the 13th Street Repertory Theater on November 9th, it will be the second new show about Berlin to play the theater this year.

Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith -- "the Grande Dame of Dish" -- has won countless honors, including an Emmy Award, in her long career. But she's never before been depicted on the stage. In "Theater Boys" -- the new musical comedy by ASCAP Award-winner Chip Deffaa, now playing at the 13th Street Repertory Theater -- she's not only a character in the show, she's the subject of a whole song about her, a rousing fast-boogie simply titled "Liz Smith." That song will also be heard on the show's cast album (sung by Ricky Schroder and the ensemble), being released October 18th.

Most playwrights would be happy to have one script of theirs produced in New York in a year. "Theater Boys"--which opens tomorrow, September 21st at the 13th Street Repertory Theater--is the third show by ASCAP award-winning writer/director Chip Deffaa to open this year.

The 13th Street Repertory Theater will offer talkbacks--in which audience members can ask any questions they like of the actors, playwright, and choreographers-after select performances of ASCAP award-winner Chip Deffaa's new musical comedy, "Theater Boys." The show-about actors auditioning for a gay musical--opens Sunday, September 21st. Talkbacks will held after the following performances: Sunday, September 21st at 3 p.m; Thursday, September 25th at 7 pm; Sunday, September 28th at 3 p.m.; Thursday, October 2nd at 7 pm; Sunday, October 5th at 3 p.m.; Thursday, Oct 9th at 7 pm; Sunday, October 12th at 3 p.m; Thursday October 16th at 7 p.m.; Thursday, October 23rd at 7 pm; Sunday, October 26th at 3 pm.

It's the biggest, most ambitious undertaking in years for the historic 13th Street Repertory Theater, at 50 West 13th Street, NYC. On September 21st, they'll be launching ASCAP award-winner Chip Deffaa's new musical comedy "Theater Boys"-and also, during the run, the cast album for the show.

Casting has just been announced for the 13th Street Rep's forthcoming production of ASCAP Award-winning playwright/director Chip Deffaa's new show "The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue." The show, which opens November 9th, will be the third production of Deffaa's to play this year at the 13th Street Theater (50 W. 13th Street, NYC, www.13thstreetrep.org); the others are Deffaa's "One Night with Fanny Brice" and "Theater Boys," playing in repertory at the theater this fall.

Casting has just been announced for the 13th Street Rep's forthcoming production of ASCAP Award-winning playwright/director Chip Deffaa's new show "The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue." The show, which opens November 9th, will be the third production of Deffaa's to play this year at the 13th Street Theater.

Casting has just been announced for the 13th Street Rep's production of ASCAP Award-winning playwright Chip Deffaa's new musical comedy 'Theater Boys.' The show, which opens September 21st, will run in repertory this fall at the 13th Street Repertory Theater (50 W. 13th Street, NYC,,www.13thstreetrep.org), along with Deffaa's musical play 'One Night with Fanny Brice' (starring Chloe Brooks), and Israel Horovotz's 'Line' (now in its 40th year at the theater), which is New York's longest-running production. A cast album for 'Theater Boys'--now in the works--will be released in October. And the Rep, according to founder/artistic director Edith O'Hara, has plans to present two additional shows by Deffaa, following 'Theater Boys.'

Casting has just been announced for the 13th Street Rep's production of ASCAP Award-winning playwright Chip Deffaa's new musical comedy 'Theater Boys.' The show, which opens September 21st, will run in repertory this Fall at the 13th Street Theater