Bette Midler News

Two-time Oscar-nominated actress and multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Bette Midler will perform for the first time on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

This week at Joe's Pub at The Public, February 17-26, will feature performances by: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, Cabaret Awards, Erin Markey, Fly: A Musical Tribute to Damon Intrabartolo, The Return of Radiant Baby, Stephanie McKay, Bridget Everett, Dom La Nena & Piers Faccini and Dawn Landes. Scroll down for details!

Due to popular demand Virginia's Signature Theatre announces that the world premiere musical Beaches is now extended through March 30, 2014. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Tthe incomparable Bette Midler sits down with host David Steinberg on INSIDE COMEDY, sharing stories about her start in comedy, meeting Barry Manilow for the first time, and a memorable audition for The Tonight Show.

The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre will present the regional professional premiers of this "new classic" - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens on Friday, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

TIL DIVORCE DO US PART: THE MUSICAL, which began previews on Friday, February 7th will be giving Valentine's presents to the entire audience tonight, February 14th at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street- in Union Square).

Grammy Award-nominated singer and renowned interpreter of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein, returns to Carnegie Hall with a special concert featuring a variety of love songs in celebration of Valentine's Day, tonight, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. He is joined by special guests Laura Osnes (Broadway's Cinderella, and Maria in Carnegie Hall's The Sound of Music) andJulian Ovenden (Season Four of PBS's Downton Abbey, the West End's Finding Neverland, and as John F. Kennedy in the 'Bombshell' production on NBC's Smash).

Legendary comedic writer Bruce Vilanch is a last minute addition to this year's North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival. He is set to share 60 minutes of comedic stories on the Arts Center Mainstage at 9:30 p.m. tonight, February 12. Tickets cost $16 in advance and $20 at the door. The Arts Center is located at 300-G East Main St. Tickets and more information can be found at www.nccomedyarts.com.

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will starMara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'A Bunch of Kids', featuring Davi!

Tonight, February 10, David Steinberg sits down with actor Jonah Hill who talks about growing up as a cinephile, working with Martin Scorsese, and his shaky start when he first began doing stand-up. Get a sneak peek below!

TIL DIVORCE DO US PART: THE MUSICAL, which begins previews on Friday, February 7th will be giving Valentine's presents to the entire audience on Friday, February 14th at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street- in Union Square). The producers of the show felt that everyone deserves to feel loved and appreciated. After all, the musical comedy is based on the real-life story of a woman who wrote this show while going through her own divorce from a Broadway producer, who left her for a much younger woman.

On Monday, February 10, David Steinberg sits down with actor Jonah Hill who talks about growing up as a cinephile, working with Martin Scorsese, and his shaky start when he first began doing stand-up.

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women will star Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song 'Extraordinary', featuring Umphress and Davi!

Just in time for our Oscar indulgence, Bruce Kimmel joined the bandwagon of Oscar tantalizers by presenting his monthy Kritzerland show, this month entitled Kritzerland Goes to the Movies, at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in tribute to Academy Award worthy music: songs that won an Oscar, songs that were nominated and those that were not but should have been. Monday February 3 was a fun evening with fantastic Shelly Markham at the piano as musical director and six stellar performers including John Sloman, Shannon Warne, Dennis Kyle, Lisa Livesay, Emma Degerstedt and young songstress Brennley Brown. Also on hand for our pleasure were special guest star composer and three-time Academy Award winner Richard Sherman and actress/song stylist Andrea Marcovicci.

This winter a five alarm fire will sizzle in New York City, when Live Nation presents the highly anticipated New York City debut of the hard hitting theatrical concert BURLESQUE TO BROADWAY starring Quinn Lemley playing for four nights at the Gramercy Theatre tonight, February 5 and February 6, 7 and 8, 2014.

Acclaimed singer and actress Ali Harper starts today at Rangi Ruru Girls' School as Artist-in-Residence.

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir begins an Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) February 28th, with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.

Birdland Jazz Club announces its February 2014 schedule, featuring: 4 Generations of Miles with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams & Sonny Fortune; Reflections of Monk with Tom Harrell, Greg Osby, Melissa Aldana, Aaron Goldberg, Ben Allison & Matt Wilson; Quest with Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Ron McClure & Billy Hart; Joey DeFrancesco Organ Trio; Cyrille Aimee; Barbara Carroll; Christina Bianco's Birthday Bash; Jay Leonhart Duo; Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne; Anne Tofflemire; Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Emmy winning actor/comedian Bruce Vilanch joins several Broadway Veterans and the students of Musical Theatre University in their very first fully-staged musical production, HAIRSPRAY, which will be presented for three performances, tonight, January 31 through February 2, at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School.

Emmy winning actor/comedian Bruce Vilanch joins several Broadway Veterans and the students of Musical Theatre University in their very first fully-staged musical production, HAIRSPRAY, which will be presented for three performances, January 31 through February 2, at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School. Vilanch will reprise his critically acclaimed turn as Edna Turnblad in the Tony Award winning musical, based on the cult film by John Waters, alongside Broadway actors Sal Mistretta, Lisa Robinson and Gwen Stewart, and featuring the talented, young Musical Theatre University students.