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Rita Gardner

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Rita Gardner STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Rosie

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2002
Cora Swanson (Understudy)

Esther Crampton (Understudy)

[New York]
Reading, 2001
Other Roles

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1997
Mama/Elder Jane

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Kitty Fremont (Understudy)

[Broadway]
1969
Elaine Navazio (Standby) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1965
Daisy Gamble (Standby)

Melinda (Standby)

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1964
Sister Mister

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Janine Nicolet [Replacement]

[Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1963
Linda English

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1962
Sally Nathan

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1960
Luisa [The Girl]


Rita Gardner Movies

[2002]The Perfect You Woman #1

[2003]Marci X Woman at Auction

[2006]The Good Student Marge Whitman

[2007]P.S. I Love You Elderly Woman

[2013]Tiger Lily Road Betty McCann

[2013]Chasing Taste Mildred

[2020]Shiva Baby Mrs. Bronstein


Rita Gardner TV Shows

At Home with Amy Sedaris Older Woman, Widow

Law & Order Jury Foreperson, Second Judge, Mrs. Torrens

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mrs. Donoho, Neighbor, Doris Harrington

Rita Gardner Videos

Rita Gardner News

Review: Sexy Song Cycles Sound Swell In Central Park As Matthew Puckett Presents his SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN at 54 Below

In the end, SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN is an absolutely gorgeous song cycle paean to everyone’s fave bit of Manhattan greenery - Central Park

Review: A Tribute To “Luisa” By The Friends Of THE FANTASTICKS' First Girl In 54 CELEBRATES RITA GARDNER at 54 Below

Rita Gardner was not only a part of THE FANTASTICKS' history, she is one of the reasons it became historic in the first place.

Yazbeck & Della Penna's DEAD OUTLAW, LANGSTON IN HARLEM, and More to Play 54 Below in May

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and expand the art of the cabaret, honor the music of Broadway, and provide an unparalleled experience to diverse communities.

Lorna Dallas Returns To NYC Stage With GLAMOROUS NIGHTS AND RAINY DAYS at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Award winner Lorna Dallas is making a welcome return to the New York Stage in Barry Kleinbort/Christopher Denny helmed new musical cabaret.

Lorna Dallas to Bring GLAMOROUS NIGHTS AND RAINY DAYS to The Laurie Beechman Theatre

The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present Lorna Dallas in her latest musical feast, “Glamorous Nights and Rainy Days,” in a two-night engagement - Saturday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 17 - both shows at 7pm.

JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW Comes To 54 Below This June

54 BELOW presents JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW on Tuesday June 13th, 2023 at 7pm. Harnar and Rybeck made their cabaret debuts together at Palsson's Supper Club (now The Triad) on June 13th, 1983.

Liz Callaway Announces Spring 2023 Concert Dates

Liz Callaway is hitting the road! The Broadway songstress has just announced a series of upcoming concert dates that include a very special appearance at BroadwayWorld's 20th Anniversary Concert (May 21) and even more accross the country.

Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, Melissa Errico & More to Celebrate Rita Gardner at 54 Below

Broadway stars Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, and more are joining the cast of 54 Celebrates Rita Gardner on May 1st at 7:00pm.

Therese Lee to Bring RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET to Don't Tell Mama in April

THERESE LEE  will return to New York for an encore performance of  RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET which has received the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Autobiographical Show.

ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE to be Presented at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Light the candles! Get the ice out! The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present a special – one night only! – performance of Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile.

Feature: Eight Days Of Jewish Artists In Cabaret And Concert - Day Six

For the eight days of Hanukkah Broadway World is looking at eight Jewish artists from the industry. Day six shines bright on Alex Rybeck

Ann Kittredge to Perform at The Laurie Beechman Theatre and The New York Cabaret Convention in October

Ann Kittredge will return to The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street – between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Sunday, October 23rd at 7pm with her Musical Director Christopher Denny (piano), Sean Harkness (guitar), Mary Ann McSweeney (bass), Rex Benincasa(drums) and special guests Robbie Kondor and Steve Ross.

RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET Returns to Don't Tell Mama

THERESE LEE  returns to New York for an encore performance of her new show, RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET.  In it, she recalls her days in Los Angeles as an entertainment reporter too broke to own a car, and shares what her interactions with some of Hollywood's biggest stars during that time did to change her life forever. 

Rita Gardner, Original Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS, Passes Away at 87

Rita Gardner, who starred as Luisa in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks, has passed away at the age of 87 from leukemia, according to friend and collegue Alex Rybeck.

Chicago Cabaret Professionals Announce Annual Gala

After two years of producing their annual galas online, due to the pandemic, Chicago Cabaret Professionals will hold their 2022 Gala in-person at Epiphany Center for the Arts on Monday, October 17. 

Linda Kahn to Perform SAY YES at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in September

Linda Kahn is returning to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with her critically acclaimed solo cabaret debut show, “Say Yes!” on Sunday, September 18 at 4 pm and Saturday, October 22 at 7 pm. The show was previously performed at The Triad Theater last November and The Laurie Beechman Theatre in February and May. 

Linda Kahn To Reprise SAY YES! at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Linda Kahn will return to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in her Jeff Harnar-helmed solo show debut SAY YES! for two dates in September and October.

Therese Lee to Present Encore Performance of RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET at Don't Tell Mama in September

THERESE LEE will return to New York on September 17 for an encore performance of her new show, RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET.  In it, she recalls her days in Los Angeles as an entertainment reporter too broke to own a car, and shares what her interactions with some of Hollywood's biggest stars during that time did to change her life forever. 

Encore Engagement of ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE is Coming to Feinstein's/54 Below

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present a special encore engagement of Ann Talman: 'Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile” for two (2) performances – Tuesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 14 both at 7:00pm This is her 54 Below return engagement following her March 31st sold out debut.

Jeff Harnar's New Album I KNOW THINGS NOW: MY LIFE IN SONDHEIM'S WORDS is Out Today

PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American Popular Song, has announced the release of the new album from award-winning nightclub and concert artist JEFF HARNAR – I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim’s Words on CD and digital formats.

Rita Gardner FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Rita Gardner has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

Rita Gardner has not appeared in the West End

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