Katie Hanley

Earlier this week, company members from Grease gathered at Sardi's to celebrate the show's 50th Bradway anniversary. 

The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, February 1 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey musical GREASE from the 1972 original Broadway cast recording starring Barry Bostwick, Carole Demas, Adrienne Barbeau, Don Billett, Walter Bobbie, Jim Borrelli, James Canning, Daniel Deitch, Katie Hanley, Tom Harris, Ilene Kristen, Dorothy Leon, Timothy Meyers, Kathi Moss, Alan Paul, Joy Rinaldi, Marya Small and Garn Stephens. 

Need something new to listen to or watch? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases!

American Theater Company (ATC) opens musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season, this Sunday, June 5. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC now through July 17, 2016. The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

Culminating American Theater Company's (ATC) season-long Legacy Campaign supporting the vision of its late artistic director, PJ Paparelli, ATC will host a special performance of Xanadu, a guilty pleasure of Paparelli's, Wednesday, June 8, starting at 8 p.m. The event will feature a post-show reception and talk-back with actress Katie Hanley who, among other theater and film credits, appeared in the 1980 Universal Pictures film Xanadu, and on Broadway as 'Marty' in the original 1972 production of Grease. Hanley will be joined by native Chicagoan Jim Jacobs, co-creator of the musical Grease and ATC's Legacy Campaign chairman. Tickets are $75 for a single ticket and $125 for a pair. Proceeds from the campaign are dedicated to developing and producing new work and providing free education programming to Chicago Public High School students. American Theater Company is located at 1909 W. Byron Street, Chicago. To purchase tickets for this special Xanadu evening, please visit www.atcweb.org or call 773.409.4125.

Friday nights are taking on a new tune as Sony Movie Channel (SMC) features music-themed blockbuster films each week in March.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, which was presented Monday, December 5 and 6, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, featured performances by 17 of the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, a 40-year reunion of the original Broadway cast of Grease, a tribute to national touring companies and appearances by more than 300 actors, singers and dancers.

The opening number featured the original Broadway cast of Grease reuniting for a special 40-year anniversary tribute. Among the stars returning to the stage from one of the most popular musicals in Broadway history are Barry Bostwick (Danny), Carole Demas (Sandy), Adrienne Barbeau (Betty Rizzo), Alan Paul (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino) and Walter Bobbie (Roger). Also joining the opening number reunion are original cast members Don Billett (Vince Fontaine), James Canning (Doody), Daniel Douglas (Burger Palace Boy), Katie Hanley (Marty), Tom Harris (Eugene Florczyk ), Ilene Kristen (Patty Simcox), Joy Rinaldi (Pink Lady) and Mews Small (Frenchy). Grease, with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey, garnered seven Tony Award nominations and played 3,388 Broadway performances before closing April 13, 1980.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, which was presented Monday, December 5 and today, Tuesday, December 6 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, featured performances by 17 of the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, a 40-year reunion of the original Broadway cast of Grease, a tribute to national touring companies and appearances by more than 300 actors, singers and dancers.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, to be presented Monday, December 5 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 5 (2 PM) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 W. 42nd Street), will feature performances by 17 of the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, a 40-year reunion of the original Broadway cast of Grease, a tribute to national touring companies and appearances by more than 300 actors, singers and dancers.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, to be presented Monday, December 5 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 5 (2 PM) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 W. 42nd Street), will feature performances by 17 of the hottest Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, a 40-year reunion of the original Broadway cast of Grease, a tribute to national touring companies and appearances by more than 300 actors, singers and dancers.

The original Broadway cast of Grease will reunite next month for a special 40-year anniversary tribute during the opening number of the 23rd Annual Gypsy of the Year, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.