Chita Rivera News

The world premiere production of the brand new musical comedy Bullets Over Broadway, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath for the 1994 film, will begin preview performances tomorrow, March 11 and officially open Thursday, April 10, 2014 at The St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). The new musical will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Scroll down to learn more about the Bullets Over Broadway company, and watch interviews with the cast!

Award winning actress and dancer, Leslie Caron, has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society (PDS) annual Gypsy Award Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Ms. Caron will be honored on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed dancers/choreographers Dee Dee Wood and the late Marc Breaux will receive a special PDS Choreography Award, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre and Producer Mark Cortale are producing a night of 'Broadway @ Le Petit' starring legendary two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera in two shows on Saturday, April 19. Ms. Rivera will be joined by Sirius XM Radio's Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host for an evening of unforgettable music and conversation. Broadway @ Le Petit is made possible by the generous support of the New Orleans Hotel Collection. Mark Cortale is producing Chita Rivera as the finale of the concert series that was previously held at NOCCA.

Quickly becoming one of the most eagerly watched talents, Broadway/jazz singer Morgan James has been lauded by major critics as one of the most exciting new vocalists of this century. Ms. James will perform 7:30pm, Sunday, April 6, as part of Bay Area Cabaret's series at the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street.

Richard Ridge, lead correspondent for Broadway World, will host the 45th Anniversary Gala for Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, on Monday, March 31st, 2014 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is veteran Broadway virtuoso Maurice Hines.

The Public Theater will begin previews for the New York premiere of A SECOND CHANCE on Tuesday, March 18. Directed by Jonathan Butterell with book, music, and lyrics by Ted Shen, this new musical will run through Sunday, April 13 in the Shiva Theater, with an official press opening on Sunday, March 30.

Today, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the nation's oldest AIDS service organization, announces the sensational news that its annual dinner gala will be hosted by the award-winning actress, singer and dancer, Chita Rivera, and held at Cipriani 42nd Street, on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. A revered Broadway legend, Ms. Rivera is not a stranger to GMHC. In 2004, she starred in GMHC's benefit concert, 'Showstoppers,' featuring 20 Broadway stars performing their signature numbers at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Tony Monaco's one-man musical, The Road to Damascus, leads to Los Angeles just in time for Easter and Passover. Inspired by the dramatic conversion of Rabbi Saul of Tarsus - the man who turned from murderer to saint (the Apostle Paul) - and the persecution of Jesus' followers after His crucifixion, Monaco's historical portrayal incorporates music, song and dance with Biblical themes, bringing to life this world-changing story in a characterization that shows why biographers refer to the Apostle Paul as 'The man who shook the world.'

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, opening tonight, March 4, 2014, and playing through March 30. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

BLUE MAN GROUP returns to Washington for one week only at the National Theatre, May 6 though 11.

Just last night, the original Broadway cast of West Side Story visited Carol Lawrence at her current gig, 'Handle with Care' at the Westside Theater. Chita Rivera (who played Anita) and Carol Lawrence (who played Maria) come together again 57 years after the original Tony winning musical hit the great white way in 1957. Check out photos from the reunion below!

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir begins an Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) tonight, February 28th, with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.

'Submissions Only,' Broadway's favorite webseries, is back with its highly anticipated third season on Monday, March 3. Tune in exclusively to BroadwayWorld.com any time between 9 PM -10 PM that evening to view the first episode of Season 3. Starting Tuesday, March 4th, at 10 AM, the premiere episode will be available on demand to watch on BroadwayWorld.com at any time. The following seven episodes will premiere every other Monday at 9 PM and will also be available for on-demand viewing beginning the next day.

After a high-profile launch of Broadway@ The Stroudsmoor with superstar Audra McDonald in December, the Pocono's renowned Stroudsmoor Country Inn welcomes original "Evita" Patti LuPone on March 16 at 4:00 PM. Ms. LuPone is appeared this season on FX TV's American Horror Story: Coven and HBO's Girls. Broadway@ The Stroudsmoor is hosted again by Sirius/XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky. What differentiates this concert series from any other perhaps, is the seamless mix of intimate behind-the-scenes stories from Broadway's biggest stars - prompted by the encyclopedic-minded Rudetsky's probing, funny, revealing questions - and their stellar singing of unique repertoire. The performance is presented by the Pocono Community Theater in association with Mark Cortale. For tickets please visit The Stroudsmoor Country Inn's ticketing page or call 800-838-3006. For special lodging offers when attending An Evening with Patti LuPone at The Stroudsmoor, please call 570-421-6431 Ext. 453.

The final Talk Back in the series at Harold Pinter's acclaimed production of NO MAN'S LAND takes place Thursday, February 27 with Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Billy Crudup, Shuler Hensley and moderator Richard Ridge. After the performance of NO MAN'S LAND, Ridge and the actors will discuss Harold Pinter's play and answer audience questions about the production and the acclaimed repertory season. The ticketed audience for each performance is welcome to stay, free of charge, for the talk back. A ticket is required for the performance.

Special guests Dot-Marie Jones (GLEE) and Tony winner Julie Newmar (Batman) will join Oxford University Press, as they announce the release of the book NOTHING LIKE A DAME: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GREAT WOMEN OF MUSICAL THEATER by Eddie Shapiro at 6 p.m. on March 26 at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove/Farmers Market (189 The Grove Drive, Suite K 30, Los Angeles, Calif.).

Broadway legend, Barbara Cook, will be honored with The Julie Harris Award for Artistic Achievement at The Actors Fund's 18th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party on June 8th, 2014.

Megan Mullally is a two-time Emmy-winning star of TV's Will & Grace, and star of Broadway's Young Frankenstein. Tonight, February 22 she debuts Broadway@ The Broad: Megan Mullally, her live music and comedy concert special, in Santa Monica, CA's - for two shows only.

Direct from its triumphant 2012 Broadway run, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is coming to Riverdale! Riverdale Repertory Company presents the daffy Tony Award-winning musical comedy for six performances only, from today, February 22 to March 2, 2014.