Charles Nelson News

The New York cabaret scene has found itself a new star, whether or not anyone was asking for it. Broadway album designer and social media demagog Robbie Rozelle, who has previously created solo shows for Melissa Errico and Kate Baldwin, decided it was finally Robbie's Turn and brought us SONGS FROM INSIDE MY LOCKER. When he regally ascended to the stage at Feinstein's/54 Below on June 9 as though he were the goddamn mayor's wife, it became immediately evident that this was a man set to lay it all out there for the enjoyment of the masses.

What do you do when rents rise astronomically?

When Jerry Herman was pegged by producer Gerard Oestreicher to write the score for a Broadway musical set in the fledgling State of Israel, he was a 28-year-old composer/lyricist mostly known for writing clever lyrics and snazzy tunes for Greenwich Village topical reviews like NIGHTCAP and PARADE. But now, instead of writing for hip, downtown performers like Charles Nelson Reilly and Dody Goodman, he'd be penning a romantic score for opera stars Mimi Benzell and Robert Weede, with special comic relief material for Yiddish Theatre legend Molly Picon.

Today, January 27, Julio invites actor Paul Linke, who will be discussing his autobiographical one-person play, It's Time, currently running at Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. The production ends January 29, prior to moving to another facility. 

According to Deadline, Dick Gautier, star of BYE BYE BIRDIE and television's GET SMART, passed away on January 13. He was 85. Gautier's wife, Tess Thompson, reportedly announced the actor's passing with a brief Facebook post.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Washington, DC, Chicago, Orlando and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include THE SECRET GARDEN in DC, THE FUNDAMENTALS in Chicago, and PYGMALION in Orlando, just to name a few.

BWW Review: The Rip Nelson Holiday Spectacular

Hell in a Handbag's favorite bitter television has-been returns - and just in time for the holidays! 

A very good production of one of the greatest musicals of all time.

To celebrate his second consecutive win at the Greenwich Village Film Festival on October 26th, 2016, award-winning filmmaker RICK McKAY (Broadway: The Golden Age, Broadway: BEYOND the Golden Age, A&E Biography, PBS's City Arts and Egg: The Arts Show), releases a six-minute sample of his 2015 winning short film, 'Greenwich Village: A World Apart'. The never-before-seen footage can be seen below or on YouTube at:https://youtu.be/i2-wjVAqwsA

Michael Alden Productions presents the New York premiere of NOT THAT JEWISH, written and performed by Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated writer and comedian Monica Piper (Writer of Roseanne, Mad About You, Rugrats) and directed by Mark Waldrop (Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly, Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends).

IT'S TIME originates from Paul Linke's true story Time Flies When You're Alive,an HBO Showcase (Ace Award nominee). This remarkable journey, directed by Edward Edwards, celebrates the paths we choose in life and the resilience of a young family, once broken, living in Los Angeles. Award winning writer/performer Paul Linke's new chapter gives audiences a look at how a once lost young man found his way to a success future, by taking a chance and grabbing at the opportunities and strength that he saw around him.

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the Theatre Todays line-up for the 2016-2017 Chicago theatre season including world premiere productions of Carroll Gardens (16th Street Theater), A Life Extra Ordinary (The Gift Theatre), Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes (The Hypocrites), The Rip Nelson Holiday Spectacular (Hell in a Handbag Productions), Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth (Lookingglass Theatre Company), The Wolf at the End of the Block (Teatro Vista), The Snare (Jackalope Theatre Company), Linda Vista (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), and Relativity (Northlight Theatre). Additional information for each event is available at http://bit.ly/theatrethursdays.

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the Theatre Thursdays line-up for the 2016-2017 Chicago theatre season including world premiere productions of Carroll Gardens (16th Street Theater), A Life Extra Ordinary (The Gift Theatre), Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes (The Hypocrites), The Rip Nelson Holiday Spectacular (Hell in a Handbag Productions), Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth (Lookingglass Theatre Company), The Wolf at the End of the Block (Teatro Vista), The Snare (Jackalope Theatre Company), Linda Vista (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), and Relativity (Northlight Theatre). Additional information for each event is available at http://bit.ly/theatrethursdays.

Michael Alden Productions presents the New York premiere of NOT THAT JEWISH, written and performed by Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated writer and comedian Monica Piper (Writer of Roseanne, Mad About You, Rugrats) and directed by Mark Waldrop (Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly, Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends).

Despite firm denials from both press rep Rick Miramontez and producer Scott Rudin, as well as the star's age (95), the NY Post's Cindy Adams insists she has heard rumors that Carol Channing could be up for playing the matinee 'Dolly'

TMD PRODUCTIONS is thrilled to announce a special return engagement of its critically acclaimed premiere production of ELECTRICITY, written by Terry Ray, produced by Michael Darner and directed by Steven Rosenbaum.

TMD PRODUCTIONS is thrilled to announce a special return engagement of its critically acclaimed premiere production of ELECTRICITY, written by Terry Ray, produced by Michael Darner and directed by Steven Rosenbaum.

You don't need to be gay to play, but it sure does help! GAY FOR PLAY GAME SHOW STARRING RUPAUL the all-new, over-the-top game show hosted by RuPaul premieres Monday, April 11 at 10PM ET/PT on Logo.

TMD PRODUCTIONS will present the World Premiere of ELECTRICITY, written by Terry Ray, produced by Michael Darner and directed by Steven Rosenbaum.  ELECTRICITY will preview on Thursday, April 21 at 8pm; will open on Friday, April 22 at 8pm and run through Sunday, May 22 at the Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Blvd. in Studio City.