Betty Comden News

In the 1979 revival of Oklahoma!, Christine Ebersole insisted that when it comes to men she 'cain't say no,' and this weekend she's showing City Center audiences that when it comes to performing, the same words apply.  Despite suffering musical theatre's most talked-about flu since Faith Prince played Miss Adelaide in the last revival of Guys and Dolls (Okay, so Miss Adelaide only has a cold, but you get my point.) Ms. Ebersole is nevertheless positively luminous as Margo Channing in the Encores! staged reading of Applause.

There are several reasons I'm looking forward to this week's Encores! concert performance of Charles Strouse (music), Lee Adams (lyrics) and Betty Comden and Adolph Green's (book) 1970 musical version of All About Eve, retiled Applause, this weekend.  Like hearing those mod Broadway rock orchestrations by the great Philip J. Lang played by a full assemblage of musicians.  And seeing that crazy segment of the title tune when the cast does a series of parodies of Fiddler On The Roof, Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly! and other classic musicals, including a challenge dance between Oklahoma! and Oh! Calcutta!  And, of course, to see the wonderful Christine Ebersole in her first major role since nabbing the Tony for Grey Gardens.

Reprise! Broadway's Best presents Broadway, TV and film-star Carol Burnett in Conversation with Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Sundance Theatre Program and director of Flora, the Red Menace for one-night-only on Monday, May 12, 2008 at UCLA's intimate Freud Playhouse

Amanda Green begs the musical question 'Does This Song Make My Ass Look Fat?' an evening of her elegant lyrics at The York Theater Company on Monday, March 10 at 7PM.

New York City Center Encores! celebrated the closing night of its 2008 season opener, the 1970 Tony Award-winning hit, Applause, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with Music Direction by Rob Berman. Applause played five performances, from February 7-10 at New York City Center

New York City Center Encores! celebrated the closing night of its 2008 season opener, the 1970 Tony Award-winning hit, Applause, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with Music Direction by Rob Berman. Applause played five performances, from February 7-10 at New York City Center.

New York City Center Encores! begins its 2008 season tonight with the 1970 Tony Award-winning hit, Applause, starring Christine Ebersole, Kate Burton, Mario Cantone, Tom Hewitt, Michael Park, Megan Sikora, Chip Zien and Erin Davie. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with Music Direction by Rob Berman, Applause will play five performances, from February 7-10 at New York City Center

Applause Theatre & Cinema Books celebrates the release of noted New York cultural critic Howard Kissel's new book, 'New York Theater Walks: Seven Historical Tours from Times Square to Greenwich Village and Beyond,' at the Drama Book Shop on December 19.

'Come to the Place where Dreams Are Born!' This all-new production of J.M. Barrie's classic tale is presented with great imagination and respect for the creators of this enchanting story.

The York Theatre Company announces the cast for the 16th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 12 where York will honor Broadway playwright Joseph Stein. The Award culminates York's yearlong celebration of Stein with the Fall 2006 and Fall 2007 Musicals in Mufti Series - the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.

Miss White House, the new Off-Broadway, one-woman show about a candidate trying to fulfill her dreams of becoming the President of the United States, will begin previews at the 45th Street Theatre on Friday, November 16, 2007. The official opening will be on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. The production features actress Kaitlin Stillwell.

'New York Theater Walks: Seven Historical Tours from Times Square to Greenwich Village and Beyond' by Howard Kissel is available now in paperback, published by Applause Theatre and Cinema Books.

A memorial tribute for Betty Comden, 'Great Women Salute A Great Woman: Betty Comden - in the words of Comden and Green,' was held Tuesday September 18 at 2PM, at Broadway's Majestic Theater.

The York Theatre Company will honor playwright Joseph Stein with the 2007 Oscar Hammerstein Award on Monday, November 12 at Saint Peter's Church.

Amanda Green, lyricist of High Fidelity, begs the musical question 'Does This Song Make My Ass Look Fat?' an evening of her lyrics at Birdland on Sunday September 16 at 7PM.

A memorial tribute for Betty Comden, 'Great Women Salute A Great Woman: Betty Comden - in the words of Comden and Green,' will be held Tuesday September 18 at 2PM, at Broadway's Majestic Theater.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), now in its fourth year, is a three-week event in NYC that has premiered over 90 musicals in its first three years, becoming the largest musical theatre event in America. Tickets for NYMF productions are available at www.nymf.org or by calling 212-352-3101. This year's Festival will run from September 17 through October 7 with the following schedule of events...

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) announced today the 2007 NYMF Partner Events

The cast and creators of the Broadway musical High Fidelity, recently released on CD by Ghostlight Records, will perform selections from the show at a free in-store performance and CD signing at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 1 at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Center

Her new show contains much of the familiar material that has made her every Broadway diva's worst nightmare, but what makes it work so beautifully is the range of artistry she shows as a song interpreter when the masks are lowered and it's just Christine Pedi up there.