Danny Kaye News

There are several reasons I'm looking forward to this week's Encores! concert performance of Charles Strouse (music), Lee Adams (lyrics) and Betty Comden and Adolph Green's (book) 1970 musical version of All About Eve, retiled Applause, this weekend.  Like hearing those mod Broadway rock orchestrations by the great Philip J. Lang played by a full assemblage of musicians.  And seeing that crazy segment of the title tune when the cast does a series of parodies of Fiddler On The Roof, Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly! and other classic musicals, including a challenge dance between Oklahoma! and Oh! Calcutta!  And, of course, to see the wonderful Christine Ebersole in her first major role since nabbing the Tony for Grey Gardens.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proud to produce the classic holiday story and brand NEW holiday musical, WHITE CHRISTMAS, December 4-21, 2008 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston. The all-time number one pop song and most-recorded tune in history inspired first a beloved classic film, and now a brand-new, splashy family musical as rare as Texas snow.

The producers of Russian on the Side understand that we are in midst of tough times, and in tough times, even lovers of great theatre could use a break. For a limited time only, the producers are offering 20 tickets for each performance available at the price of $20 per ticket.

There's a great pleasure in talking to veteran performers. They've been through it all and have many great stories to tell. Such was the case recently in a conversation with dancer/ singer/ actress/comedienne Mitzi Gaynor. This great lady starred in such Hollywood successes as THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS with Ethel Merman, THE JOKER IS WILD with Frank Sinatra, the re-make of ANYTHING GOES with Bing Cosby and Donald O'Connor, LES GIRLS with Gene Kelly and SOUTH PACIFIC with Rossano Brazzi. She also wowed television audiences in the 60's and 70's with a series of specials that captivated America and had schoolboys rushing home from sporting events to watch them. Without a doubt, Mitzi Gaynor was a show business phenomenon and she remains one today as she prepares for the public television airing of her new documentary called 'Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.'

BABALU-CY will now play a special schedule from September 27th thru October 12th it will playSaturday & Sunday @ 3pm. THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY PERFORMANCES IN OBSERVANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR.

Flamingo Court, the off-Broadway comedy by Luigi Creatore starring Jamie Farr (television's 'M*A*S*H,' Guys & Dolls) and Tony Award nominee Anita Gillette (Chapter Two, They're Playing Our Song), will play its final performance on Sunday, September 28th at 3:00PM after 68 performances (including 17 previews).

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

Before heading to Broadway, the incomparable Mark Nadler will bring his one-man comedy-in-music adventure, 'Russian on the Side,' to the Marines Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor) for a limited engagement beginning October 16, 2008. Tickets are on sale now at the Marines Memorial Theatre box office, by phone at 415-771-6900 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

Award-winning producers, Michael & Barbara Ross, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23rd.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party presents MICHELE LEE in 'LIGHTS, BROADWAY, ACTION!,' a concert benefiting The Actors Fund, Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:00p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

Broadway performers Jeffry Denman and Erin Crouch will be married on August 17th in NYC. Erin Virginia Crouch, the daughter of Victoria Crouch and John Crouch of Fallbrook, California will marry Jeffry Andrew Denman, the son of Marguerite Ellen Denman and Robert D. Denman of Buffalo, NY. Pastor Phil Trzynka will officiate at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Manhattan.

Award-winning producers, Michael & Barbara Ross, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23rd.

Harvey Korman died on Thursday May, 29th.

Dutch classical pianist and comedic street performer, Christiaan Oranje, resumes his weekly residence at The Green Room, 45 Bleecker.

Curt Columbus' new musical is perfectly entertaining and packs an unexpected emotional punch.

Based on the turbulent and triumphant life of Danny Kaye, this intimate musical portrayal chronicles Kaye's career and his relationships on and off the stage…

Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, and Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director) will present two of Broadway's most versatile performers, Sandy Duncan and Karen Ziemba, in a reading of the new comedy, The Real Tabasco, written by Deborah Grace Winer, formerly of Westport, on Monday, April 14, 7 p.m. The reading is part of the Playhouse's 'Funny Mondays' series, showcasing both new and classic comedies, followed by audience feedback, often with the playwright in attendance.

Do you have a favorite theatre song that didn't make it into its show's movie version? I have several.