Ann-Margret News

Portsmouth-area theater audiences will get a chance to see, feel and hear one of the most-loved and influential rock musicals of all time, when the Seacoast Repertory Theatre kicks off its summer season with The Who's Tommy.

On May 20, The Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs previewed an incredible new documentary, 'The Show Goes On', about the life and career of Broadway, Film and Television Icon Kaye Ballard to a 'more than full house'. In fact, two theatres were opened for the screening since demand far exceeded the number of seats in the main house. With her typically self-deprecating humor, Ms. Ballard proclaims herself 'The Greatest Star You Hardly Knew', and the beautifully constructed 90 minute film details her extraordinary accomplishments from Broadway's 'Carnival', 'The Golden Apple', 'Molly' and 'Pirates Of Penzance' to her stellar nightclub, film and television career including 'The Doris Day Show' and the beloved and  iconic 'Mother's In Law' with Eve Arden. It highlights the extraordinary talents of Ms. Ballard and doesn't shy away from the disappointments and challenges along the way, featuring interviews with Woody Allen, Carol Channing, Hal Prince, Carol Burnett, Michael Feinstein, Joy Behar and more. Hal Prince boldly states 'if Kaye Ballard had been cast as the mother in 'Gypsy,' 'she would have made history.' I had the chance to visit with Ms. Ballard at her home on 'Kaye Ballard Lane' in Rancho Mirage (the home formerly owned by her friend and TV director, Desi Arnaz) to talk about the film and more. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

 Returning to the Okoboji Summer Theatre Stage for his third year in a row, award-winning film and television actor Jay Huguley will star in Neil Simon's "I Oughta Be In Pictures," Simon's Broadway play, which premiered in 1980. Huguley most recently performed in the Okoboji's 60th Anniversary Production of "Boeing-Boeing," the 60s era farce comedy, last summer. 

It is the perfect time to take an exclusive backstage tour of the Ogunquit Playhouse. The legendary theatre is listed on the National Historic Register theatre and shines as one of Maine's cultural jewels and a cornerstone of America's theatrical heritage. It has produced the finest Broadway shows for 86 years, showcasing over 300 Broadway, television and film stars on its stage. Come walk in the footsteps of theatre legends guided by a group of enthusiastic docents who are eager to share the fascinating stories of the Ogunquit Playhouse.

The stars shined brightly upon Northwestern's campus the weekend before last, as alums and icons of stage and screen returned to their alma mater for this Starry Night weekend.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to be partnering once again with Rotary International to continue in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide by 2020. The annual Rotary Night is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23 for the evening performance of Smokey Joe's Cafe. The public is invited to join the fight by purchasing a ticket to the all-new revival of the sizzling song and dance show that features more than 30 of rock 'n' roll's greatest hits! A portion of every ticket purchased for that evening's performance will be donated to Rotary International. The Ogunquit Playhouse has contributed over $10,000 towards this cause through Rotary Night ticket proceeds over the past seven years.

Legacy 36 presents   'FOREVER  LINKED' starring THE LEGACY DANCERS, a line of former Rockettes in an evening that celebrates the art of precision dancing. Special Guest: MURIEL BRADSHAW, former Roxyette Directed and Choreographed by Mary Six Rupert     Saturday June 9th at 6 PM Schimmel Center at Pace University, 3 Spruce Street (accessible by subway via the A,C,2,3,4,5,J or Z to Fulton Street (William Street exit), the R to City Hall (Broadway exit), the 4,5,6 to Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn Bridge exit). By bus: the M1, M9, M15, M22, M102 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop) Tickets: $30; $15 for students & children Reservations: 212.346.1715  or  www.SchimmelCenter.org          

Bay Street Theater and Sag Harbor Center for the Arts will present a special advanced screening of the Jules Feiffer-penned film BERNARD AND HUEY on Sunday, April 29th, at 2 pm. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Oscar/Pulitzer Prize winner Feiffer, and director Dan Mirvish. General admission tickets are $15 and are on sale now at baystreet.org and at the Box Office.

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, a department within the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University, will honor legendary Broadway lighting designer, Natasha Katz, with the 2018 Apple Award on Thursday, April 19, 2018 during an invitation-only ceremony at the Fisher Theatre prior to that evening's performance of Broadway's 'School of Rock,' for which Ms. Katz designed the lighting.

The multi-Tony Award-winning, international sensation that took Broadway and the world by storm, makes its Northeast regional premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse September 5 to October 28. Jersey Boys takes audiences on an exhilarating journey behind the music of mega-stars Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Follow the incredible story of four guys bound by one dream, who worked their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Audiences around the world have gone wild over the electrifying performances of the golden greats that took these hometown boys all the way to the top of the charts: "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Dawn," "My Eyes Adored You," and many more. You're sure to leave exclaiming, "Oh, What a Night!"

Actress and Stunt Woman Janelle Tedesco packs a seriously funny punch, writing/producing/starring in the new action-comedy short film, STUNT MOM. The film showcases an ordinary Mom (Tedesco) teaching her kids the ropes of her day job -- as a professional stunt woman.

Academy Award and Golden Globe winning performer George Chakiris and acclaimed dancer, Barrie Chase have been named the honorees 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.  Emmy and Grammy nominated choreographer/director/singer Toni Basil will receive the organization's Choreographer's Award.  PDS' 31st Anniversary Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.

Fifi Bloomsbury Khier, Charlotte Breen, Anya Evans and Lucy Simmonds alternate in the central role of Tina Denmark in Joel Paley and Marvin Laird's award-winning all female character camp killer cult classic Ruthless! The Musical. They join Jason Gardiner, Lara Denning, Kim Maresca, Harriet Thorpe and Tracie Bennett, completing the full company ahead of it's strictly limited 14 week run at the Arts Theatre.

The legendary Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to produce five spectacular musicals for its upcoming season that includes an all-new production of the sizzling song and dance celebration Smokey Joe's Cafe, the U.S. premiere of the hilarious new musical Grumpy Old Men, a beautiful new production of the classic Oklahoma!, and the first regional production of the sumptuous new musical An American in Paris. Closing out the season is a surprise smash musical sensation that will run for an unprecedented 8 weeks, from September 5 through October 28, which will be announced in March.

Jason Gardiner, Lara Denning, Kim Maresca, Harriet Thorpe and Tracie Bennett join the company of Joel Paley and Marvin Laird's award-winning all female character camp killer cult classic Ruthless! The Musical for its strictly limited 14 week run at the Arts Theatre. The children alternating the role of Tina Denmark will be announced shortly.

Joel Paley and Marvin Laird's award-winning all female character camp killer cult classic Ruthless! The Musical receives its UK premi re at the Arts Theatre for a strictly limited 14 week run. The musical has played Off Broadway to critical acclaim over the past 25 years. This brand new production, directed by Richard Fitch, opens on 27 March, with previews from 16 March, and runs until 23 June. Public booking opening on 29 January.

Legends in Concert, the longest-running and most successful show in Las Vegas, will present The Ultimate Tribute to Elvis at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on February 3, 2018 at 3 pm and 8 pm. Tickets are $39-$79.

Top South Florida Broadway and cabaret performers Avery Sommers, John Lariviere, Melissa Boher Jacobson, and Michelle Petrucci will be joined by five talented stars of the future from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts to ring in - and sing in - 2018 at the PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens. There will be two performances on December 31st the first at 7 pm, and the second at 9:30 pm.

WP Theater, by special arrangement with Segal NYC Productions, presents the Off-Broadway premiere of What We're Up Against, written by Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, Seminar, NBC's 'Smash'), directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt (Dry Land, Empathitrax).