Chita Rivera News

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Roger Rees, Tom Nelis and Michelle Veintimilla will join Chita Rivera in John Kander and Fred Ebb's The Visit, which is expected to arrive on Broadway this spring. It has not yet been announced where and when the show will open, but an official announcement is imminent.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Broadway favorites Ann Morrison ("Merrily We Roll Along"), Pamela Myers ("Company") & Chip Zien ("Into The Woods") in "SONDHEIM ORIGINALS - OLD FRIENDS" on January 16 & 17, 2015. These three original Sondheim cast members share songs and stories, recalling their experiences creating their roles in these landmark musicals on Broadway. The show is conceived and directed by Grammy and Emmy Award winner, John McDaniel, as part of his second season as artistic director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Cabaret and Performance conference.

The Laguna Playhouse will present the beginning of 2015 in a most spectacular fashion with the return of superstar comedienne Rita Rudner who will be performing, RITA RUDNER: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE RITA, to start the New Year right with joy and laughter. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE RITA will perform tonight, December 31 at 7pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's IN TROUSERS - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, HAVE FAITH, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life; ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional concert appearances alongside Starobin in support of the album, as well, kicking off with a concert at Barnes & Noble next week along with a series of shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Reflecting on the various ways in which she has seen the theatre transform over the course of her career thus far, Testa also sheds some light on many of her most celebrated roles to date, including IN TROUSERS, THE RINK, XANADU, 42nd STREET, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, GUYS & DOLLS, A NEW BRAIN, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LUCKY STIFF, CHICAGO, WICKED and more. All of that, playing Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE and much, much more with one of Broadway's most reliably entertaining and endlessly inventive regulars.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

The Best in LA Theatre for 2014 (alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Leslie Uggams (Roots, Hallelujah, Baby!) will open a new window this holiday season when she stars in Jerry Herman's glorious musical MAME at the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton, Florida. Scroll down for a first look at Uggams and the company in action!

The Tony-winning Signature Theatre, which has been working for several years with Arlington County and its lenders to develop a sustainable operating model, has successfully reached a deal that will help the company continue to produce great work.

The York Theatre Company just honored Tony Award-winning collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala at Park Avenue's Racquet & Tennis Club (370 Park Avenue). Below, check out highlights from the evening, which including performances by Marin Mazzie, Ramin Karimloo, Bobby Steggert, Corey Cott, Judy Kaye, and many more!

Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce a special autism-friendly performance for its critically-acclaimed, holiday musical, Elf. Paper Mill Playhouse will offer this special autism-friendly performance of Elf today, December 23, at 1:30pm. This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities.

30 years after it opened on Broadway, musical revue Jerry's Girls will be revived in a limited two-week run at the St. James Studio, it was announced today. On sale now. Featuring songs from classic musicals including Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry's Girls brings together an all-female cast to celebrate Jerry's special gift for writing songs that capture the true spirit of the great American musical, honouring the legacy of the multi Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of some of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

Paper Mill Playhouse released a block of great seats today for its holiday musical, Elf, for the week following Christmas. Expanded availability includes performances from December 27, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf is directed by Eric Ankrim and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf runs eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through January 4, 2015. Elf has been playing to many sold-out houses since November 26. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

The Laguna Playhouse will present the beginning of 2015 in a most spectacular fashion with the return of superstar comedienne Rita Rudner who will be performing, RITA RUDNER: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE RITA, to start the New Year right with joy and laughter. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE RITA will perform on Wednesday, December 31 at 7pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce the 20-member cast for its 2015 season opener, the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and musical direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced casting for its winter comedy, Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. This touching and wickedly hysterical Tony Award-winning best play features Broadway, television and film veterans: Philippe Bowgen (Spike), Gina Daniels (Cassandra), Carolyn McCormick (Masha), Mark Nelson (Vanya), Michele Pawk (Sonia) and Jamie Ann Romero (Nina). Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will be directed by Don Stephenson. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from January 21 through February 15, 2015. The official press opening night is Sunday, January 25, at 7:00pm. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by Investors Bank.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Ellyn Marie Marsh in INAPPROPRIATE on January 3rd, 2015 at 11:30 p.m. In INAPPROPRIATE, Ellyn shares her sharp comedic wit and high belting, offering an evening of popular songs, musical theater songs, and of course, medleys - accompanied by stories of performing on Broadway and persuading her daughter to be a doctor.

According to the New York Post, John Kander and Fred Ebb's The Visit, which has been long-rumored for a Broadway run might be on its way to New York in 2015. Michael Riedel writes that book writer Terrence McNally, whose IT'S ONLY A PLAY is currently selling out the Schoenfeld Theatre, might be in the position to acquire funding from the play's producers and a theatre from the Shubert Organization.

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: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS opens in Paris, THE AMBASSADOR comes to BAM and more!