Bea Arthur News

The Metropolitan Room hosts Manhattan's most exciting 'American Idol' style competition. The third annual 'Metrostar Talent Challenge' Trials begin July 12, 2010 with a grand finale on August 30th, 2010.

Producer Daryl Roth announces that following a sold out developmental run last spring, THE DIVINE SISTER, the new comedy written by and starring Charles Busch, directed by Carl Andress, will transfer to the SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) featuring the entire original company: Alison Fraser, Amy Rutberg, Jennifer Van Dyck, Jonathan Walker, and Julie Halston.

Today, we are taking a listen to five of the greatest and most deservedly classic-status cast albums of all time, with all five selections also being Tony-winning Best Musicals recently remastered, repackaged and re-released by Masterworks Broadway in time for Tony Award season which this week is finally coming to a close. In salute of Broadway now - and as it was fifty years ago when the first of these scores premiered - we take stock of what we have got, for better or worse. Surely, the strength of these shows' scores speak and sing out loud for themselves: 42nd Street, 1776, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, MAME and CITY OF ANGELS. From Herman to Coleman to Loesser and beyond we go, with a glance to the future and the all-to-recent past...

Paula Brancati, Lauren Collins, Wendy Crewson, Cynthia Dale, Andrea Martin, and Louise Pitre are officially set to be the first cast of the Toronto production of LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE. As in the initial New York staging of the play by Nora and Delia Ephron, the production will feature a company of six that rotates in four-week cycles. The next cast will be announced in the next upcoming weeks.

Betty White has released a statement about the death of former Golden Girls co-star Rue McClanahan. White says 'Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasure our relationship. It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible.'

Golden Girl and former Broadway star Rue McClanahan, has sadly passed away at 1am today, June 3rd at the age of 76 according to her manager. McClanahan, who suffered a stroke in January, is said to have had another massive stroke early this morning.

Golden Girl and former Broadway star Rue McClanahan, has sadly passed away at 1am today, June 3rd at the age of 76 according to her manager. McClanahan, who suffered a stroke in January, is said to have had another massive stroke early this morning.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.

It was an impressive crowd that gathered for the opening night of Rip Taylor's 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre on Friday May 21st, including Kathy Griffin, Julie Newmar, Rich Little, Kate Linder, Romi Dames, Bruce Vilanch, Joanne Worley, Susan Olsen, Tania Gunadi, Gary Collins, Mary Ann Mobley, Margaret O'Brien, Earl Holliman, Ruta Lee, Dick Van Patten, Nancy Dussault, Judy Tenuta, Dee Wallace, Anne Jeffreys, Alex Trebeck and many more.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.

Comedy Legend of Stage and Screen, Rip Taylor, is scheduled to introduce 'It Ain't All Confetti' at the El Portal Theatre. Rip is one of television's most recognizable personalities and 'It Ain't All Confetti' puts a humorous and revealing spotlight on a career that has spanned five remarkable decades.

The Meeting* is a monthly comedy/variety show for homosexuals and their friends. A 'gay' romp through politics, sexual and otherwise, social news, music, skits, and other important life-changing information.

THROUGH THE NIGHT, a solo play written and performed by Obie-Award winner Daniel Beaty, will open off Broadway at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue on Friday, May 7th (Previews begin on May 4th). THROUGH THE NIGHT, recently premiered as a co-production with the Crossroads Theatre (New Brunswick, NJ) and The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles to great acclaim.

The Meeting* is a monthly comedy/variety show for homosexuals and their friends. A 'gay' romp through politics, sexual and otherwise, social news, music, skits, and other important life-changing information.

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) and Bristol Riverside Theatre, in association with Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will close its new production of the award-winning musical revue Closer Than Ever directed by Richard Malty. Jr. and starring original cast members Sally Mayes and Lynne Wintersteller along with Broadway alums George Dvorksy and Sal Vivinio April 25 in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

PopEater.com is reporting that PETA has released an ad against McDonald's that features the likeness of late actress and long-time animal rights supporter Bea Arthur. Arthur, star of stage and screen, died just before her 87th birthday from cancer in April of last year.

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) and Bristol Riverside Theatre, in association with Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will present a new production of the award-winning musical revue Closer Than Ever directed by Richard Malty. Jr. and starring original cast members Sally Mayes and Lynne Wintersteller along with Broadway alums George Dvorksy and Sal Vivinio from April 16-25 (Wednesday and Thursday at 2PM; Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm; and Sunday at 3pm) in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) and Bristol Riverside Theatre, in association with Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will present a new production of the award-winning musical revue Closer Than Ever directed by Richard Malty. Jr. and starring original cast members Sally Mayes and Lynne Wintersteller along with Broadway alums George Dvorksy and Sal Vivinio from April 16-25 (Wednesday and Thursday at 2PM; Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm; and Sunday at 3pm) in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY.

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) and Bristol Riverside Theatre, in association with Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will present a new production of the award-winning musical revue Closer Than Ever directed by Richard Malty. Jr. and starring original cast members Sally Mayes and Lynne Wintersteller along with Broadway alums George Dvorsky and Sal Viviano from April 16-25 (Wednesday and Thursday at 2PM; Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm; and Sunday at 3pm) in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY

THROUGH THE NIGHT, a solo play written and performed by Obie-Award winner Daniel Beaty, will open off Broadway at The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue on Friday, May 7th (Previews begin on May 4th). THROUGH THE NIGHT, recently premiered as a co-production with the Crossroads Theatre (New Brunswick, NJ) and The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles to great acclaim.