Bob Merrill News

Two major revivals of sorts are occurring at The Historic Rialto Theatre at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave in South Pasadena, Calif.

Just one more chance to join IRA LEE COLLINGS as he celebrates his 80th birthday with his show Simply, Ira Lee (A Gay Geezer Celebration Through the Looking Glass..warts and all at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC on Monday, October 17th at 7 PM.  Ira Lee first presented this show this spring and is revisiting it with some additional surprises.  He is joined by Musical Director John M. Cook on piano. 

Singer IRA LEE COLLINGS returns to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC on Monday, October 10th and 17th at 7 PM to continue celebrating his 80th birthday with his show Simply, Ira Lee (A Gay Geezer Celebration Through the Looking Glass..warts and all).

While full rehearsals are currently underway at multiple locations - including The Community Room of The South Pasadena Public Library, the new non-Equity professional theatre group of the Greater Pasadena Area, THE CONUNDRUM THEATRE COMPANY, has announced its complete cast of its Inaugural Production of 'FUNNY GIRL' the classic, Tony-nominated, Oscar-winning musical theatre hit that made the gifted Barbara Streisand into an international stage and screen star.

CARNIVAL is a musical that originally appeared on Broadway in 1961, with a book by Michael Stewart and music and lyrics by Bob Merrill. You may better know Merrill as the writer of the lyrics for Funny Girl. It is based on the 1953 MGM film Lili. The show is seldom produced; outside of the original production's National Tour; only a handful of productions have been done professionally, and one of those was a staged concert version. The main reason is the difficulty of the music. I am pleased to report that not only does the Summer Stock Austin production handle the score beautifully, the entire production is a dazzling, magical delight.

The new London Cast Recording of FUNNY GIRL is now available.

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS heat up the Los Angeles County Arboretum on August 20th with an evening solely devoted to one of America's most beloved musical icons for Cole Porter Night.

Two major revivals of sorts are occurring at The Historic Rialto Theatre at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave in South Pasadena, Calif.

In her A-line black and white polka dot dress with petticoats, a lively (and lithe!) Maureen Taylor delivered an entertaining tribute to lyricist Bob Merrill at the Metropolitan Room (on July 13). Originally directed by Peter Napolitano when the show debuted in 2008-09, Taylor Made is the latest installment of Producer/Promoter Stephen Hanks' outstanding New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, which almost always lives up to its name.

Sheridan Smith brings her unique vocals and phenomenal performance as Fanny Brice to the London cast recording of the critically-acclaimed West End production of Funny Girl, to be released on Decca Records on 5th August.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sheridan Smith has taken a leave of absence from Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre due to 'stress and exhaustion.' Today, producers have confirmed that the actress will return to the West End production tonight in the role of Fanny Brice. Natasha J. Barnes has subbed for Smith since the end of May.

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents a new production of FUNNY GIRL, starring Broadway's Shoshana Bean in the lead role of Fanny Brice. FUNNY GIRL opened Tuesday, June 7 and plays through Sunday, June 19, 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

It's a lot to ask of a leading lady to make audiences forget Barbra Streisand in the role that catapulted her to stardom. That's one of the reasons why FUNNY GIRL, the musical that forever linked Streisand to the title character Fanny Brice, has never been revived on Broadway. Well, look no more, producers. If ever there was an actress who could fill Streisand's shoes and make FUNNY GIRL her own, it's the star who's currently electrifying audiences in the role at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly: Shoshnna Bean.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sheridan Smith has taken a leave of absence from Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre due to 'stress and exhaustion.'

The last of a six-part, decade-by-decade video series sampling the legendary artist's performances of musical theatre classics.

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) presents a new production of FUNNY GIRL, starring Broadway's Shoshana Bean in the lead role of Fanny Brice. FUNNY GIRL opened last night, Tuesday, June 7 and plays through Sunday, June 19, 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) will soon stage a sparkling new production of FUNNY GIRL, starring Broadway's Shoshana Bean in the lead role of Fanny Brice. FUNNY GIRL began performances last night, June 7 and plays through Sunday, June 19, 2016. Below, watch as Bean performs the show's finale for the first time!

Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) will soon stage a sparkling new production of FUNNY GIRL, starring Broadway's Shoshana Bean in the lead role of Fanny Brice. FUNNY GIRL starts performances tonight, Tuesday, June 7 and plays through Sunday, June 19, 2016. Check out a first look at rehearsals below!

With a host of summer offerings in Austin, here are the Austin Editorial staff's Top Seven Picks for summer theatre excitement:

Ken Mackenzie-Forbes, Artistic Director today announced the full cast for Funny Girl. Opening The Production Company's 2016 Season on 23 July in the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne, Funny Girl features a cast of thirty and an orchestra of twenty-seven.