Chita Rivera News

The original producers of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, Broadway's longest running musical revue, announced today that the show will return to New York this summer following a limited engagement at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse. Preview performances will begin at New York's Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street) on July 6 and opening night is set for July 22. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 12 through telecharge.com and the box office will open on June 25. Casting is to be announced.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will conclude their star-studded third season with Let's Misbehave: Cole Porter After Dark at the Orchestra's new home, Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street SW) on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00 PM. Let's Misbehave will feature guest stars Betty Who (the pop star making her orchestra debut), Liz Callaway (Tony Award nominee, voice of Disney's Princess Jasmine and Anastasia), Ali Ewoldt ((Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), Helen Hayes Awards Winner), Vishal Vaidya (Groundhog Day on Broadway), and Mo Rocca ('CBS Sunday Morning,' NPR's 'Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!'). Conductor Luke Frazier will lead a 20-piece orchestra in an evening directed by Kelly Crandall d'Amboise. Tickets are on sale now at www.TheAmericanPops.org.

 Laura Benanti is a Tony Award winner for "Gypsy" and star on Broadway in "She Loves Me!", as well as on TV's "Nashville" and frequent guest on "Late Night with Stephen Colbert" as Melania Trump. On Saturday, March 17 she will join the popular concert series Broadway @ the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, with Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host and presented by Mark Cortale.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces an extension for Jackie Unveiled and the addition of a second show for Broadway @ The Wallis -- Chita Rivera with Seth Rudetsky.

I had the distinct honor of speaking with Broadway Legend Tommy Tune about his upcoming collaboration with the enchanting Chita Rivera coming to MAYO Morristown Performing Arts Center on March 24th at 8pm. CHITA & TUNE: JUST IN TIME is a unique concert event that pairs two of Broadway's most revered legends. Chita Rivera and Tommy Tune collectively have won 12 Tony Awards and this iconic Broadway coupling is guaranteed to razzle dazzle audiences everywhere. The stars will showcase the artistry and history that has made them stars of the Great White Way and beyond. The duo will be accompanied by a trio of superb Broadway musicians.

The McCallum Theatre presents Cabaret for seven performances, Wednesday, March 28, through Sunday, April 1. The Saturday March 31 performance at 2:00pm is presented through the generosity of Robert and Sharlene Britz. Based on Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony Award-winning production, Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall's (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Cabaret has been hailed by all the critics as a divine, dangerous and decadent entertainment.

I get so many great opportunities to chat with the legends, and under normal circumstances, I try to hold it together. Holding my Broadway fan boy energy at a safe distance, while maintaining a professional and coherent conversation with probing questions is something that I try to balance with every interview that I do. However, when you are in the room with 2x Tony Award Winning actress, singer, dancer, Chita Rivera, AND 2x Tony and Emmy Award Winning, dancer, actress, singer, Bebe Neuwirth, the balancing act is soooooooooo hard.

According to Variety, NBC has again delayed production of BYE BYE BIRDIE LIVE, starring Jennifer Lopez until 2019 at the earliest because of Lopez's schedule.

Earlier this week, Feinstein's/54 Below welcomed stars from some of its upcoming shows- two-time Tony Award-winner Chita Rivera (March 6-22); two-time Tony and Emmy Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth (March 28-31); Christiane Noll with writer, host and creator Deborah Grace Winer (March 27), and The Book of Mormon's Donell James Foreman (March 19). Below, watch as the full gang gives us a sneak peek of what's to come!

As we approach the middle of the season, and the new musicals and plays start previews in preparation for Tony Award considerations, Broadway Enthusiast and fellow Theater Ambassador, William Cortez-Statham, joins me to talk about the music that is available so far this season: SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, THE BAND'S VISIT, and ONCE ON THE ISLAND.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. Highlights this week include:

Disney Theatrical Productions and Frozen have partnered with The Actors Fund to celebrate International Women's Day with two special events: "Women's Day on Broadway: Celebrating Stories By, For & About Women," a free symposium that will take place at The St. James Theatre and a special performance of Frozen to benefit The Actors Fund and its Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative. The events aim to highlight the importance of a continued investment in the encouragement and mentorship of women that is crucial to establishing and maintaining gender equality in the Broadway community.

What do Jay-Z, Kobe Bryant, Archie Bunker, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ed Koch, Bart Simpson, Bruce Campbell, Bonnie and Clyde, and J-Lo have in common?  The answer: Charles Strouse (and his hit songs)!

Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit choreography incubator supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced that former New York City Ballet principal dancer, and Tony Award nominee, Robert Fairchild, will join Loni Landon and Ray Mercer as guest choreographers for the company's Spring 2018 Cycle. The Lab is set to begin on Feb. 26, and will culminate with a Gala performance on April 2 at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

FROZEN had its first preview last night, February 22 at the St. James Theater! Starring Patti Murin and Caissie Levy as beloved Disney heroines Anna and Elsa, the musical is set for a March 22 opening. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Record-breaking 6-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald has thrilled audiences in starring roles on Broadway in 'The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess,' Carousel' and 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill,' on television in 'The Good Wife' and NBC's live telecast of 'The Sound of Music,' and on concert stages around the world. On Sunday, March 11, 2018, this bonafide living legend will perform one night only for the acclaimed Broadway concert series at the Broward Center's Au-Rene Theater.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey.

Known as the 'power couple' of the Portuguese Musical Theatre industry for several years, Sissi Martins and Ruben Madureira open up about their memories, insecurities, hopes and dreams... And remind us that 'Love is love is love...'

Conhecidos como o 'power couple' do Teatro Musical em Portugal, Sissi Martins e Ruben Madureira revelam as suas insegurancas, memorias, esperancas e sonhos... E vem lembrar-nos de que 'Love is Love is Love...' ('Amor e sempre Amor...')