Bette Midler News

Pioneer Theatre Company presents Oliver!, the award-winning musical by Lionel Bart inspired by the orphan's tale, Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens. Oliver! runs December 2 to December 17, 2016.

The first was the 1988 original film, the second was the 2002 Broadway musical, the third was its 2007 film adaptation, and then the 2016 live television production on NBC. As a Welcome to the 60's, let's go back to beginning to learn the history of the property itself.

HB Studio, one of New York's most venerable institutions for theater training and practice, is hosting a series of community conversations on race, racism, and social equity: 'BLIND SPOT: Speaking of Race,' organized and facilitated by actor/educator Russell G. Jones.

Beloved jazz songbird Somi returns with a special new work-in-progress called Dreaming Zenzile, detailing the life of legendary activist and singer Miriam Makeba. Dreaming Zenzile is directed by Liesl Tommy, whose most recent works include Eclipsed (at The Public and on Broadway) and Party People (The Public), and stars Somi.   

Laguna Playhouse has announced the third annual New Year's Eve return of superstar comedienne Rita Rudner, in her bubbly and sparkling show, RITA RUDNER: 9PM IS THE NEW MIDNIGHT! 

Today's big news: A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL opens tonight on Broadway!

Beloved jazz songbird Somi returns with a special new work-in-progress called Dreaming Zenzile, detailing the life of legendary activist and singer Miriam Makeba. Dreaming Zenzile is directed by Liesl Tommy, whose most recent works include Eclipsed (at The Public and on Broadway) and Party People (The Public), and stars Somi.   

The critically acclaimed, 7 piece band, Amy Lynn & The Honey Men return with some holiday cheer. Lead singer Amy Lynn Hamlin went back into the studio with The Honey Men to put a jazzy, big band spin on the Christmas classic, 'O Holy Night.'

Hosted by Sirius XM Radio Star Seth Rudetsky whom the New York Times dubbed "The Mayor of Broadway," this unique series returns this winter to The Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Parker Playhouse with three new concert dates for the 2016-17 season produced by Mark Cortale. Kicking off the season is Broadway's Gavin Creel, Olivier Award Winning star "The Book of Mormon and star of "She Loves Me" performing on December 30 at 8:00 PM, immediately prior to his return to Broadway where he will co-star with Bette Midler in "Hello Dolly!." He is followed by Matthew Morrison, who has been nominated for a Tony Award for "Light in the Piazza" and Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for his starring role in the hit TV series "Glee" on February 17, 2017 at 8:00 PM, and comedy legend Andrea Martin, star of TV's SCTV and two-time Tony Award winner for the Broadway revival of "Pippin" and "My Favorite Year," on April 1, 2017 at 8:00 PM. 

Following its recent critically acclaimed premier at the North Carolina Stage Company this past May, BNW DEVELOPMENTAL, LLC will present a private developmental reading of BRAVE NEW WORLD: THE MUSICAL in Midtown Manhattan early December 2016.   

Peggy Sarlin, who's written for Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, and Disney, will bring her blues-infused original songs to The Metropolitan Room on December 7 at 7 PM.

As BWW previously reported , Broadway's Idina Menzel will star in a reboot of Garry Marshall's 1988 tear-jerker BEACHES for Lifetime. The FROZEN star will take on the role of CC, originated by Bette Midler in the film, and will perform the iconic songs 'Wind Beneath My Wings' and 'The GLORY of Love.' In addition, Menzel will record several other songs specifically for the project, which will be produced by Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan. The TV film is set to premiere in 2017.

Boston Gay Men's Chorus (BGMC) will present Jingle All the Way, a holiday concert of traditional carols reimagined, beloved classic Christmas songs, and contemporary works from Grammy-winning composer Craig Hella Johnson and others -- all wrapped up in BGMC's signature blend of class and camp.

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse in Spring 2017, and see Bette Midler in 'Hello, Dolly!'

HB Studio, one of New York's most venerable institutions for theater training and practice, is shaking things up this year for their annual benefit. This year HB Studio is bringing attention back to its roots, and back to the process of making great theater. Instead of one big benefit bash honoring esteemed alumni and colleagues (such as Fritz Weaver, Austin Pendleton, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Eric Bentley and David Hyde Pierce, Amanda Peet and Lee Grant, Tony Walton and Katie Finneran, Alfred Molina), HB will be hosting a series of intimate benefit performances featuring notable HB alumni and friends, exclusively produced in the HB Playwrights Theater. First up for the exciting 2016-17 season is:

Classic Disney tunes are given the big-band jazz treatment on this new release, featuring artists such as Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Stacey Kent, Jamie Cullum and more. Released on Verve today

Classic Disney tunes are given the big-band jazz treatment on this new release, featuring artists such as Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Stacey Kent, Jamie Cullum and more.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents Oliver!, the award-winning musical by Lionel Bart inspired by the orphan's tale, Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens. Oliver! runs December 2 to December 17, 2016.

Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro's tour will stop at Kleinhans Music Hall on at 8 p.m. Nov. 17. Last year, Shimabukuro performed the US Mainland premiere of Byron Yasui's Ukulele Concerto with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to great acclaim and positive audience response. 

The stars will continue to shine on New Orleans this season. Broadway's Gavin Creel, Olivier Award Winning star "The Book of Mormon and star of "She Loves Me" will perform on December 15, 2016 at 7:30 PM.  Creel will perform with Sirius XM Radio host Seth Rudetsky at the piano, prior to his return to Broadway where he will co-star with Bette Midler in the Broadway revival of "Hello Dolly!"