Walter Painter

What do Madonna, Michael Jackson and Stephen Sondheim have in common? Choreographer extraordinaire Vincent Paterson! Vincent new book Icons and Instincts: Choreographing and Directing Entertainment’s Biggest Stars has just been released and Vincent will be appearing at Book Soup September 23, 2022, to sign copies of it.

One Performance Only! This Sunday, November 3, 2019! Long ago but not far away at all, there were many TV Variety Shows, Award Ceremonies, Music Centers and Theatre abounding with live Musical Performances, all with massive budgets; and dancers in this town, Los Angeles, made a darn good living, albeit having to work their asses off to do so, but it was a good and plentiful, fulfilling life. Besides myself, there was a plethora of working, professional dancers who ended up bonding together pretty easily, as a dancer's life is one of a nomad, or gypsy, going from one job to another, but in doing so, finding kindred spirits and lifelong connections. Jay Johnson, husband of one of these dancers and artistically gifted himself, was part of the artistic community, as was his wife, Sandi, and, typical with dancers, became close friends and comrades with other dancers, choreographers, and like-minded performers. As Jay was earning international fame as a ventriloquist, actor and comedian, and starring on the hit TV Series 'Soap,' us dancers were slaving away, happy to be able to make a living doing what we loved. Jay is best known for his role on ' Soap' as Chuck Campbell, a ventriloquist who believed his puppet Bob was real and demanded everyone treat Bob as human.

Award-winning choreographer MANDY MOORE and award-winning director/choreographer WALTER PAINTER join the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) on Monday, September 24 from 7 to 8 pm at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles as part of SDCF's ongoing One-on-One Conversation series. The series returns to Los Angeles for another in-depth discussion with prominent artists, following its May conversation with the creative team of Soft Power at CTG. SDCF Executive Director David Roberts will moderate.

It has been reported that Hollywood choreographer to the stars of the Golden Age, Miriam Nelson passed away this week at age 98, at her home in Beverly Hills.

Disney's Classic Film and subsequent Broadway Musical are not easy to recreate and to do justice to as well, both to the animated film version and the original stage production. Five Star Theatricals has opened this past weekend at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/Kavli Theatre with a most lavish, charming and authentic version! I had the opportunity to speak with the Choreographer, Cheryl Baxter, of this delightful musical, and learned what it takes to be able to tackle this type of exciting but daunting project. I was not at all surprised to learn that it takes a careers'-worth of experience and dedication to be at this level.

Actress Cindy Marinangel will star in next month's World Premiere of Marlene, a new one-woman play about German actress, singer, patriot and feminist Marlene Dietrich, at the New York Theatre Festival's Winterfest 2018.

After a triumphant series of concerts at Feinstein's/54 Below, the one and only Tony Danza is returning with his cabaret show Standards and Stories. Tony will be performing six shows,  February 24 & 25, March 17, 18 & 31 and April 1 at 7pm. He was kind enough to take some time out of his sunny day in Los Angeles to speak to me about the upcoming series and things currently going on in his career.

The Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) Gypsy Awards Luncheon honoring actress/singer/dancer Carol Lawrence, along with famed choreographers Alan Johnson, Miriam Nelson and Walter Painter, was held on March 29, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Scroll down for photos from the event!

Actress/Singer/Dancer Carol Lawrence has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Miss Lawrence will be honored on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed choreographers Alan Johnson, Miriam Nelson and Walter Painter will receive special PDS Choreography Awards, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

The dancers, musicians and singers of Forever Flamenco have been delighting Fountain Theatre audiences for over two decades with the intensity, precision and exhilaration for which flamenco is known. Now Forever Flamenco returns to the outdoor stage at the Ford Theatres with this passionate expression of Spanish culture. A roster of internationally renowned flamenco artists will pay tribute to Los Angeles flamenco pioneer Roberto Amaral tonight, Aug. 9 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

The dancers, musicians and singers of Forever Flamenco have been delighting Fountain Theatre audiences for over two decades with the intensity, precision and exhilaration for which flamenco is known. Now Forever Flamenco returns to the outdoor stage at the Ford Theatres with this passionate expression of Spanish culture. A roster of internationally renowned flamenco artists will pay tribute to Los Angeles flamenco pioneer Roberto Amaral on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

Certainly those of us who frequent any Jewish deli in Los Angeles will recognize these characters. Playwright Sam Bobrick admits some of the events in the play's 12 sketches actually happened to him, some to his friends, and some to people he just happened to be sitting next to at lunch. After working in the entertainment business for over 50 years, he's not sure which is which.

The opening night performance of L.A. Deli, a new comedy by Sam Bobrick, will benefit The Nancy Painter Home for Mothers with Children. L.A. Deli, helmed by award-winning director Walter Painter, will open Saturday, March 22 at 8pm at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre in West Hollywood. The limited engagement is set to run through April 27 only.

L.A. Deli, a new comedy by Sam Bobrick, has been set for the Marilyn Monroe Theatre in West Hollywood, helmed by award-winning director Walter Painter. L.A. Deli will play two preview performances on Friday, March 21 at 8pm and Saturday, March 22 at 3pm, with opening set for Saturday, March 22 at 8pm. The limited engagement will run through April 27 only.

Saying the name ANN-MARGRET is like an instant Rorschach Test or Word Association game and it's no wonder, as this woman who came to America from another country (Sweden) has surely achieved what is perceived as 'The American Dream' with a uniquely unparalleled career.

Pia Zadora, Golden Globe winner, Grammy nominee, and ShoWest winner is returning to the New York stage after an extended run in the demanding role of motherhood. The renowned singer and actor now gets back to her first love: on stage, singing with all her heart and entertaining her audiences. Check out photos from her opening night concert below!

Golden Globe winner, Grammy nominee, ShowWest winner, accomplished singer, film and Broadway star Pia Zadora will perform at the Suncoast Showroom Saturday, February 23.

Zadora's 75 minute show was created by three time Emmy Award winning director and choreographer Walter Painter, Emmy nominated Academy Award writer Jon Macks, with Peabody Award and Tony winner Larry Grossman and it features the greatest songs of the 'Great American Songbook' and pure non-stop entertainment. She will also wow the audience visually, with gowns and stage costumes designed by the legendary Bob Mackie.

Diminutive 5' Pia Zadora makes a come back with new act. 'I'm nowhere in my career right now...' Zadora shares, '...except singing.' Zadora combined forces with three-time Emmy-winning director/choreographer Walter Painter and Emmy-nominated writer Jon Macks to create this seamless, steamlined 75-minute act, receiving an exclusive booking at the Rrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko, San Francisco.

After more than a half-century of creating some of the world's most memorable songs, The Sherman Brothers are still going strong. Now octogenarians, Robert B. Sherman has lived in London where he continues songwriting and is actively writing novels and gallery quality paintings. Richard M. Sherman, who lives in Beverly Hills, says his life is writing songs.