Bette Midler News

Grammy and Emmy award winner John McDaniel celebrates his St. Louis roots, debuting his new show, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, featuring special guests Mary Beth Black and Cindy Degnan. The show will take place on Friday, December 20th, at 7 PM at the Kranzberg Arts Center, N. Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63103.

Just a few months ago, Michael Riedel reported that Bette Midler has been approached for a revival, for which she seemingly passed, telling interviewers that she didn't see herself wanting to carry an entire musical for 8 shows a week. Now, it might be Kristin Chenoweth's turn. Riedel wrote that 'Kristin Chenoweth has said she'd love to play Dolly Levi in 'Hello, Dolly!' in about 10 years. But her wish may come true a lot sooner. I hear she's in discussions to star in a multimillion-dollar Broadway revival within the next two years.' He goes on to note that lined up as director and choreographer is Warren Carlyle (Cotton Club Parade, A Christmas Story, Chaplin, Follies & More.)

Legendary entertainer Bette Midler stopped by last night's TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO on NBC to talk about her solo show, I'LL EAT YOU LAST: A CHAT WITH SUE MENGERS, coming to the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles for a three-week run beginning December 3rd.

The newest show in the Walnut Street Theatre's Independent Studio on 3 is SOPHIE TUCKER: THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS. On a basic level, the show is a musical revue, but it is so much more than that. The show features songs sung by Sophie Tucker, but it will make you laugh, warm your heart, and make you want to learn more about Sophie Tucker. SOPHIE TUCKER at the Walnut Street Theatre will delight audiences with her unique act and bold voice.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2013-2014 Independence Studio on 3 season opens with a bang as the 'first broad' of American Theatre takes the stage in Sophie Tucker: The Last of the Red Hot Mamas. Directed by Richard Hopkins, who is a co-creator of the show, the production opens tonight, November 21st and continues through December 29th in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Cabaret and Broadway favorites Jeff Harnar, Linda Hart, Nicolas King and Jennifer Sheehan in 'COME FLY WITH ME' tonight, November 21, 2013.

Walnut Street Theatre's President and Producing Artistic Director Bernard Havard has announced the 2013-2014 Independence Studio on 3 season, noting 'the plays I've selected are a dramatic blend of new work and American classics. It's the most ambitious season yet for our intimate theatre. Several of the shows have larger casts and more challenging scenic elements, which will be exciting to see our creative designers bring to life. I'm thrilled to share our upcoming season with Philadelphia audiences.'

Top names in casting from Hollywood and the U.K. will appear in person at screenings of the new documentary “Casting By” at Arena Cinema in Hollywood.

A parental advisory warning preceded this week's GLEE and it went the distance in justifying it via spicy and sexy takes on twerking, 'Blurred Lines' and other pop culture quirks - tattoos included. But, as always, GLEE puts the 'werk' in twerk.

Guys, you know I've been thinking - you know what Glee needs more of? Continuity, Klaine, and Katy Perry are all great things to say, but you know what Glee REALLY needs more of? TWERKING! Come on, just what we all want to see is our Gleeks twerk the night away. ..I know, I know - I'm a genius. Well, apparently Ryan Murphy and crew have heard my genius idea, and are giving us what we ALL want to see. Tonight, it's a twerking good time, Gleeks - and you ain't even ready. Twerking has taken control of the McKinley hallways, and New Directions is getting themselves set up to twerk the competition away with some twerking tutorials for those who lack the twerking ability. Rachel makes a change and cuts her hair, which does not sit well with her director, but despite the hair cut, Rachel kills it in the rehearsal room with her co-star singing 'You Are Woman, I Am Man'. After the number, the director is knocked out by how the hair cut enhances Rachel's performance. Score one for Ms. Berry! A bathroom revolution breaks out at McKinley thanks to Unique, while Rachel reveals her new do is a wig, and challenges Kurt to break out of his mundane routine and live a little. Who knew La Berry was such a rebel rouser? Kurt gives into Rachel's probing and they decide to break out the alcohol and let loose. Oh boy, another Berry Trainwreck Extravaganza?

Celebrate the holidays with one of pop music's iconic voices when Darlene Love performs at Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 8 pm. Tickets are $59-39.

Billy Crystal returned to Broadway last night to kick off a 9-week-only limited engagement of his Tony Award-winning, record-breaking play 700 Sundays. The final performance will be Sunday, January 5, 2014 at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the star-studded theatre arrivals below!

The LA Times reports today that the going rate for the best seats in the house for Bette Midler's Los Angeles engagement of her hit Broadway show I'LL EAT YOU LAST: A CHAT WITH SUE MENGERS is just over $400, including fees. The Geffen Playhouse opened individual ticket sales last Friday, November 8, with prices ranging from $87 to $397. The cheapeast are already sold out.

Joe's Pub at The Public previously announced a special concert tonight, November 9 at 9:00 PM to benefit its New York Voices commissioning series and to celebrate 15 years of presenting the best in live music and performance nightly

The brilliant Trevor Ashley returns in triumphant style to Sydney's vibrant new entertainment venue, The Star Event Centre performing STAR STRUCK for one night only tonight, 8 November.

Ghostlight Records will release Beautiful Dreamer, the debut solo album from rising Broadway and vocal star DONNA VIVINO, in stores and via online outlets December 10, 2013. Beautiful Dreamer weaves 13 diverse songs into a thematically-cohesive collection from Broadway, Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley. Jerry Vivino - the veteran New York musician and longtime member of the Conan O'Brien house band - leads the disc's all-star jazz quartet and serves as producer. Taking a break from performing on Broadway in the smash hit Wicked, Donna will star Off Broadway inStars of David - a new song cycle celebrating Jewish identity, based on the bestselling book, with original music by the theater's top songwriters - fromNovember 13 to December 15. To pre-order Beautiful Dreamer, please visit www.sh-k-boom.com/donnavivino-beautifuldreamer.html.

Il Divo, the record-breaking classical crossover group who has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide, releases their 6 th studio album A Musical Affair, on Syco/Columbia Records on November 5th. The album release will raise the curtains on a limited run of live Broadway performances at The Marquis Theater with special guest, Heather Headley, beginning tonight, November 7, 2013.

Billy Crystal returns to Broadway tonight to kick off a 9-week-only limited engagement of his Tony Award-winning, record-breaking play 700 SUNDAYS. Opening night is set for Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) and the final performance will be Sunday, January 5, 2014. 700 SUNDAYS is performed and written by Mr. Crystal with additional content byAlan Zweibel and direction by Des McAnuff.

The Kinsey Sicks, America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, are celebrating their 20th anniversary on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Castro Theatre (429 Castro Street, San Francisco). The evening will feature the San Francisco premiere of their new musical comedy, America's Next Top Bachelor Housewife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone Wild!, as well as guest appearances and a sashay down memory lane, all in glorious 4-part harmony. Tickets are $40 and $25 and are available for purchase now at www.CityBoxOffice.com or by phone at 415-392-4400.

Joe's Pub has announced its lineup for this week, November 4-10, 2013, featuring Son Lux, Griffin House, Turnpike Troubadours, Polkabjorn & Kleine Heine, Ed Kowalczyk, Words & Music by Dan Wilson Co-Presented with WFUV, Mark Olson, The Hot Sardines, Never Sleep Alone, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Joe's Pub 15th Anniversary Celebration featuring Bridgett Everett: Rock Bottom a Night to Benefit New York Voices, Nora York: Water Water Everywhere / Nay Any Drop to Drink, and The Joey Arias Experience. Details below!