Barbara Van Orden News

From a cable TV show to a prestigious award show, producer/host Kathy Bee believes that this is a perfect way to kick-off the Touching Lives resurgence is by celebrating and saying "Thank You" to past guests and other extraordinary people, for their generosity, caring and unwavering devotion to improving the lives of their fellow man "People Helping People."

From a cable TV show to a prestigious award show, producer/host Kathy Bee believes that this is a perfect way to kick-off the Touching Lives resurgence is by celebrating and saying "Thank You" to past guests and other extraordinary people, for their generosity, caring and unwavering devotion to improving the lives of their fellow man "People Helping People."

Connie Stevens, Romi Dames, Dee Wallace, Barbara Van Orden, Kate Linder, Ruta Lee, Ilene Graff, Michael Ironside, Patricia Kara, Thaao Pengilis, and the Greece Consul General and Elizabeth Fotiadou, among others were on hand for the opening night of 'ONASSIS' starring Anthony Skordi at The Stella Adler Theatre. See photos from the production and opening night reception below!

Shoshana Bean joins the cast of 'A Magical Night On Broadway' at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage tonight, September 8 at 8:00 pm. 'A Magical Night On Broadway" is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadway's most celebrated musicals including "Chicago," "Wicked," "Hairspray," "A Chorus Line," "The Lion King" and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channing's American Glee Club - a young song and dance group representing America's public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.

Shoshana Bean joins the cast of 'A Magical Night On Broadway' at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage on Saturday, September 8 at 8:00 pm. 'A Magical Night On Broadway" is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadway's most celebrated musicals including "Chicago," "Wicked," "Hairspray," "A Chorus Line," "The Lion King" and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channing's American Glee Club - a young song and dance group representing America's public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.

On Sunday August 26, singer/actress Ilene Graff brought her heavenly show First You Dream to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to a packed house of ardent fans and celebrated LA friends.

On Thursday, August 2, The California Women's Conference (CWC) launched their plans for this years highly anticipated conference on September 23rd & 24th at the Hotel Maya/Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Long Beach. Among those in attendance were Marcia Cross, Frances Fisher, Tippi Hedren, Sharon Lawrence, Morgan Brittany, Kate Linder, Erin Murphy, Romi Dames, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Geri Jewell, Lee Purcell, Mother Love, Barbara Van Orden and Mary McDonough, Kami Cotler and Judy Norton of The Waltons fame.

The recent nationwide appearances, from New York to Los Angeles, by singer and actress Barbara Van Orden and author Patty Farmer, on behalf of her critically acclaimed book "The Persian Room Presents" has spawned a collaboration on a new book, currently under the working title of 'Playboy On Stage.'

Today, June 27th, The Santa Monica Library will host a signing with author, Patty Farmer, and special guest Barbrara Van Orden for 'THE PERSIAN ROOM PRESENTS.' Portions of the book sales benefit Childhelp.

On June 27th, The Santa Monica Library will host a signing with author, Patty Farmer, and special guest Barbrara Van Orden for 'THE PERSIAN ROOM PRESENTS.' Portions of the book sales benefit Childhelp.

This year the "Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement" was presented to Jason Alexander, "A man worthy of the tribute for both his illustrious career and for his support of The Fund over the years," said The Fund's President and CEO, Joe Benincasa. See below for photos from the event!

The Actors Fund just offered TONY Award VIP's a kick-off reception in advance of their highly anticipated annual Tony Awards Gala Viewing Party to be held on Sunday, June 10 at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles (http://www.actorsfund.org/performances-and-events/tonyparty2012). Check out photos from the celebration below!

Patrons were treated to a classic trip down memory lane this week as four leading ladies of the legendary Persian Room New York came together for a book signing. Lainie Zazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden gathered at Barnes and Noble in California's The Grove to celebrate the release of Patty Farmer's new book "The Persian Room Presents." Anecdotes involving audience celebrity sightings included Barbara Streisand (by Stevens), Milton Berle (by Van Orden), Jack Jones and his thighs (by Lee) and a mob king who struck her while performing (by Kazan). See photos of the leading ladies at the event below!

Leading Ladies of NY's Famous Persian Room, Lainie Kazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden join author, Patty Farmer for a Q&A and sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance, played host, on Sunday, April 22nd, to an evening of theatre, music and celebrity readings, that raised thousands in emergency funds to be sent to remaining Holocaust Survivors. An evening written by TV comedy director, Zane Buzby, and produced by Conan Berkley, Zane Buzby and Frances Fisher, used true stories of Holocaust Survivors, in the own words, that were read by such noted artists as Ed Asner, Frances Fisher, Elliott Gould, Valerie Harper, Lainie Kazan, Randal Keith, Arnold McCuller, Alan Rosenberg and Brenda Russell. Additional readings were given by Rabbi Moshe J. Kushman and Consul General of Israel, David Siegel. See photos from the event below!

Leading Ladies of NY's Famous Persian Room, Lainie Kazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden join author, Patty Farmer for a Q&A and sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

Continuing its six year reign as the most popular and award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, dedicated to presenting the best of Broadway performers and nightclub artists dedicated to the Great American Songbook, Sterling's Upstairs had its Grand Opening Sunday, April 1st at The Federal Bar and Restaurant in North Hollywood's trendy NoHo Arts District. Sterling's presented Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland production of Take Me Along: The Songs of Bob Merrill as its premiere offering. The six member cast starred musical theatre stars Julie Garnye and Juliana Hansen, Broadway's Melody Hollis and Kristofer McNeely, and musical theatre star Jeffrey Christopher Todd, with Special Guest... Broadway, film, TV, concert and recording star Lainie Kazan. Christy Crowel served as the evening's Musical Director, with Shelly Markham serving as Musical Director for Lainie Kazan. Bruce Kimmel conceived, produced and directed Take Me Along, with Adryan Russ on board as Associate Producer.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,800 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services.

The Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel itself featured headliners including Liza Minnelli, Dolores Hope, Eartha Kit, Carol Channing, Diahann Carroll, Andy Williams, Lainie Kazan, Patti Page, and the Chairman of the Board/Ole Blue Eyes - Frank Sinatra, not to mention literary icons such as Eloise (courtesy of Hilary Knight). This week, representatives of Persian Room's history from the 1940's to the 1970's gathered to remember, admire and respect its legacy including Marge Champion, Tommy Tune, Barbara Van Orden, Carol Lawrence, Leslie Uggams, Eve Plumb and more to celebrate the launch of Patty Farmer's new book, 'The Persian Room Presents,' released by Vantage Press. See the photos below!