Betty Buckley News

One of the New York nightclub and cabaret scene's most talented couple--Vocalist/Actress Nina Hennessey and Drummer Ray Marchica--have been booked by Birdland, New York's premier jazz club, for a special show on August 2 at 6 pm (doors open at 5 pm). The married musical team has put together a stellar band for this set of jazzy standards, including Sean Harkness on guitar, Tom Hubbard on bass, and Bob Quaranta on piano. The show will also feature Award-Winning vocalist Marissa Mulder as a special guest. To purchase tickets, go to: www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/919343

Abingdon Theatre Company launches its 2015-2016 Season of new plays beginning this fall with the world premiere of CUT THROAT by JB Reich. Directed by Drama Desk nominee Mark Waldrop (NEWSical The Musical, When Pigs Fly), CUT THROAT is set to begin previews October 2 at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opened last night, July 27, 2015, at theWestside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed by James Lecesne, will have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos below!

Tony winner Betty Buckley stars alongside Drama Desk winner Rachel York and Tony nominee Howard McGillin in Bay Street Theater's summer production of GREY GARDENS, running August 4-30. Buckley had her wig fitting today, and you can check out her fabulous gray locks below, plus a sneak peek at she and Rachel York in rehearsal!

Last week, I selected ten top picks for a major headliner to star as Norma Desmond in a potential future stage and/or screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD in honor of both the show's anniversary of its West End opening and recent news that Glenn Close is considering a return to her Tony-winning role in an upcoming revival. As a result of that column, BroadwayWorld readers took the title of this column to heart and sounded off on some of their ideal choices for a leading lady with major star quality to tackle the unforgettable role in a future production - and, what fabulous choices they are! Among the reader submissions, Ilene Argento posited, 'If not Patti Lupone, maybe Meryl Streep (with some more singing lessons!), but it should be Patti (although Patti plus ALW will probably never happen again).' while Brian Lipensky wrote, 'Glenn Close can still play her. That said, Meryl Streep can pull it off. We know she can sing and play characters with psychological problems. Susan Sarandon also. Maybe even Emma Thompson.' Furthermore, Jonathan Caplan offered, 'ANNIE LENNOX. Period. Well, if it can't be Elaine Paige, then absolutely, Annie Lennox. I said this before the musical ever opened, and I stand by it....ANNIE LENNOX!!!!!!' whereas David Macaluso relayed, 'Seriously. With a good director, in a film. LIZA! she could be AMAZING.' Other suggestions sure to inspire discussion included Cher, Lady Gaga, Ruthie Henshall, Donna Murphy and even Caitlyn Jenner. So, without further ado, here are ten more delectable choices for a new Norma Desmond for 2015.

Tony nominee Howard McGillin, just coming off of GIGI on Broadway, will join Tony winner Betty Buckley and Drama Desk winner Rachel York in Bay Street Theater's summer production of GREY GARDENS, running August 4-30. McGillin will take on the role of George Gould Strong in the musical, which Michael Wilson will direct.  Check out a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

With breaking news arising late last week of Glenn Close being considered for a return to her Tony Award-winning role in Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD as well as the show's anniversary of its original West End world premiere opening on July 12, now is an absolutely opportune time to turn back the clock to 1993 and see what precisely makes SUNSET BOULEVARD so spectacular - and muse on some of the major talent that could bring the type of big-time attention that would warrant a major revival of the musical, whether on Broadway, the West End or even the silver screen. Given that the original Billy Wilder film was penned with Gloria Swanson in mind and ultimately became a roman a clef of sorts for the unique star as well as considering the sordid history of original lead Patti LuPone and her odyssey in starring in the show, not to mention the victorious and memorable highs achieved by the leading ladies who have headlined the show - which, post-Close, included Betty Buckley, Rita Moreno, Diahann Carroll, Elaine Paige and more - the role is ripe for a star of epic proportions to introduce one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most acclaimed musicals to a new generation. And, the time is now. The possibilities are virtually endless, but here are some particularly delectable ideas as we begin to consider who would be absolutely ideal for a new Norma Desmond fit for 2015.

Inside a new production of a recent Broadway cult favorite and the history behind it!

The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley.

I always say that the mark of a good story can make us alter the way we think. In attending the East Coast premiere of Five Presidents at the Bay Street Theatre, by way of the Arizona Theatre Company and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, I actually found myself sympathizing, if slightly, for people that I, frankly, don't like… politicians.

Tony winner Betty Buckley's back might be broken, but that won't stop her from taking the stage in GREY GARDENS at Bay Street Theater this August.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Ashman & Menken's classic LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS returns to the stage tonight!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Patti LuPone returns to the stage in SHOWS FOR DAYS, high school stars step into the spotlight and more!

The company of GREY GARDENS continues to grow.

Ten letters and card written to veteran publicist /author Walter Newkirk (memoraBEALEia, Letters of Little Edie Beale, The Secret Life of Walter Newkirk) will be auctioned by Julien's Auctions today and tomorrow, June 26 and June 27.

Today, Betty Buckley, Van Patten's co-star on EIGHT IS ENOUGH shared her thoughts with BWW on the passing of her friend

The original Broadway version of Kander and Ebb's Tony-nominated musical THE VISIT closes today, June 14, 2015. The Visit began performances at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) on Thursday, March 26 and officially opened on Thursday, April 23. Below, take a look back at the show's journey to Broadway!

Over twenty years since its creation, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of the 1950 film, SUNSET BOULEVARD, receives its first Houston-produced run in Bayou City Theatrics' innovative, new production.

Tony Award winner, Theater Hall of Fame member and legendary Broadway star Betty Buckley returns to Denver June 15-19 for the fourth consecutive year to teach her Song Interpretation & Monologue Workshop.

Murder, musical mayhem and a madcap mystery will be on stage when Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the killer musical MURDER FOR TWO, running tonight, June 6-28 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).