David Merrick News

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will begin performances this Saturday at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival. This new production will also restore an Elmer Bernstein-Carolyn Leigh cabaret favorite to the show: 'Shakespeare Lied'.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones (www.HowNowDowJones.com) starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will be presented at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones (www.HowNowDowJones.com) starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will be presented at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will begin performances this Saturday at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival. This new production will also restore an Elmer Bernstein-Carolyn Leigh cabaret favorite to the show: 'Shakespeare Lied'.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones (www.HowNowDowJones.com) starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will be presented at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.

This fall, The Town Hall, New York City's landmark concert venue (123 West 43rd Street), launches the new season with their celebration of Broadway's best. The Town Hall presents its acclaimed Broadway Cabaret Festival which runs October 16 - 18, 2009. The three-concert series that takes place over one weekend is written and hosted for The Town Hall by Scott Siegel. The festival showcases the talents of award-winning Broadway veterans and new stars in a celebration of the Great White Way.

Producers Philip Morgaman, Emily Miller and Frankie Grande announce the kickoff of a yearlong celebration of prolific playwright and director Garson Kanin beginning July 30th with Dreyfus in Rehearsal. The play, originally written by Jean-Claude Grumberg and adapted by Kanin, marks the first production honoring the late playwright. Additionally, the yearlong tribute will include readings of Kanin's The Rat Race and Peccadillo.

Producers Philip Morgaman, Emily Miller and Frankie Grande announce the kickoff of a yearlong celebration of prolific playwright and director Garson Kanin beginning July 30th with Dreyfus in Rehearsal. The play, originally written by Jean-Claude Grumberg and adapted by Kanin, marks the first production honoring the late playwright. Additionally, the yearlong tribute will include readings of Kanin's The Rat Race and Peccadillo.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones (www.HowNowDowJones.com) starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will be presented at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.

Among the many topics discussed on Sunday June 21st at the Magic Castle's Inner Circle gathering featuring the comedic icon Phyllis Diller, was how she was one of the long and impressive list of Dolly's such as Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman to perform at the St James Theatre in Jerry Herman's HELLO DOLLY! 'David Merrick wanted either George Burns or Jack Benny to do Dolly in drag, but couldn't get them so he settled for me,' says Ms. Diller, whom everyone referred to as Madam. 'Can you imagine? It would still be running on Broadway today!'

UnsungMusicalsCo. is proud to announce the development of a new production of How Now, Dow Jones (www.HowNowDowJones.com) starring Sarah Litzsinger (Beauty and the Beast), Colin Hanlon (Rent) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart). With book by Max Shulman, music by Academy Award winner Elmer Bernstein and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Carolyn Leigh, this newly revised version will be presented as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival.

Variety reports the sad news that legendary PR executive Lee Solters died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 89.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Brian Stokes Mitchell Sings Broadway, a program especially created for Reprise. It will have one performance only on Monday, May 11 at 8 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Brian Stokes Mitchell Sings Broadway, a program especially created for Reprise. It will have one performance only on Monday, May 11 at 8 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Theatre Jacksonville presents Happily Red 2009 Hello, Dolly! In Concert With Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart. Based on the Play 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009 8:00PM Sponsored by Pacer International Starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans and featuring Sarah Boone, Michael Lipp, Juan Unzueta Directed by Jean Tait Musical Director: Eugene Gwozdz Choral Director: Rachel Clifton At Theatre Jacksonville's Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207 BOX OFFICE: 904.396.4425 Tickets: $60 (includes Champagne and Valentine treats at Intermission) VIP Tickets: $100 (includes 6 PM pre-show cocktail reception at Stellers Gallery)

Theatre Jacksonville presents Happily Red 2009 Hello, Dolly! In Concert With Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart. Based on the Play 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009 8:00PM Sponsored by Pacer International Starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans and featuring Sarah Boone, Michael Lipp, Juan Unzueta Directed by Jean Tait Musical Director: Eugene Gwozdz Choral Director: Rachel Clifton At Theatre Jacksonville's Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207 BOX OFFICE: 904.396.4425 Tickets: $60 (includes Champagne and Valentine treats at Intermission) VIP Tickets: $100 (includes 6 PM pre-show cocktail reception at Stellers Gallery)

The Roundtable Ensemble (Kelly Ann Moore, Artistic Director and Joshua P. Weiss, Managing Director), now in its 10th season, will present the New York premiere of Linda Escalera Baggs' award-winning play 'SILENT HEROES,' inspired by a true story, and directed by Rosemary Andress. 'SILENT HEROES' will be presented at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor (bet. 8th and 9th Aves). Performances will begin on January 8, and the official opening performance was Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. Performances will run through Saturday, January 24. Set shortly after the end of the Vietnam War, the wives of six Marine Corps aviators have gathered in the night after hearing that one of the base's jet fighters has crashed. The Corps has offered no comfort or information, but the women know that one of their husbands isn't coming home. 'SILENT HEROES' deals with women's rights, race relations, family, war and peace, and the tenuous social structure that enables military wives to cope with the constant fear that their husbands' lives, and their futures, could end suddenly. It won Best Play at FutureFest (Dayton, OH), at the Firehouse Theatre Festival of New American Plays (Richmond, VA), and at the Pittsburgh New Play Festival. TheaterMania's Peter Filichia was one of the judges at FutureFest and wrote this in his column: 'While I was watching Linda Escalera Bagg's Silent Heroes, I thought 'Hmm...this playwright has not only written six fat parts for women but also at least two parts that could very well win Tony Awards for the actresses playing them.' 'SILENT HEROES' was also honored with the Source Literary Prize in Washington, D.C. Linda Escalera Baggs is a Virginia-based playwright whose plays have been produced across the U.S.A. In addition to her award-winning Silent Heroes her full length plays include Harps & Harmonicas and Word War, and her one-acts and short plays include: Parting Words, The August Jinx, Welcome to Florida, Who's Margaret, and Dress Blues. Baggs is the daughter of a Marine colonel.

The Roundtable Ensemble (Kelly Ann Moore, Artistic Director and Joshua P. Weiss, Managing Director), now in its 10th season, will present the New York premiere of Linda Escalera Baggs' award-winning play 'SILENT HEROES,' inspired by a true story, and directed by Rosemary Andress. 'SILENT HEROES' will be presented at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor (bet. 8th and 9th Aves). Performances will begin on January 8, and the official opening performance will be Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. Performances will run through Saturday, January 24.

WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that world-renowned director Trevor Nunn is rumoured to be planning a stage adaptation of the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's for the West End stage.

Tony-Winner, Film Veteran, Raconteur, and Beatles Intimate Tells All (or most) in Three Free Performances of Victor Spinetti: A Very Private Diary at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts-January 5, 8, and 10