Dorothy Loudon News

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

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. Based on the 1955 novel Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis, this Tony Award-nominated classic is filled with irresistible songs including 'Open a New Window,' 'We Need a Little Christmas,' 'Bosom Buddies' and 'If He Walked into My Life.' The book is by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.

Andrea McArdle talks with BroadwayWorld about 4 GIRLS 4: A CHRISTMAS TOGETHER , a star vehicle with Maureen McGovern, Donna McKechnie, and Faith Prince driving into Boston next week for one night at The Wilbur Theatre. A modernization of the original show which starred Rosemary Clooney, this version presents four fabulous musical stars who each take a turn performing their signature material and some music of the season, with Music Direction by John McDaniel.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nominations are announced, Lyric presents 'Porgy' and 'Carousel,' 'Camelot' opens, 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Annie' return, 'Annie' and 'Ani' hit screens, parodies of 'Guffman,' the Merman/Mormon thing, Rudolph and Tupperware, and a suburban 'Garden!'

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Today we are talking to a two-time Emmy Award-winning stage and screen star who counts a modern-day TV icon among her most memorable roles, none other than nefarious and outrageous Sue Sylvester on FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE, the versatile Jane Lynch. Shedding light on her hosting duties for the upcoming GLBT equality charity event UPRISING OF LOVE, set to star Sting, Billy Porter and Patti LuPone, Lynch opens up about the importance of the cause and why she was drawn to participating in the show next week. Additionally, Lynch shares stories from her early theatre days - including performing in an amateur production of UPRISING OF LOVE co-producer Stephen Schwartz's own musical GODSPELL. Plus, Lynch recounts her experiences performing material from beloved family-friendly musical ANNIE on GLEE - with the world premiere of "Little Girls" having been hosted right here on BroadwayWorld - as well as her reflections on starring as Miss Hannigan in the most recent Broadway revival of the popular show. Of course, Lynch shares a brief but tantalizing preview of what viewers and gleeks alike can expect from the final season of GLEE, now back where it all began at McKinley High in Lima, Ohio. All of that, new information on her upcoming onscreen reunion with GLEE co-star Matthew Morrison and much, much more!

BroadwayWorld.com continues our exclusive content series, in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, which delves into the library's unparalleled archives, and resources. Below, check out a piece by Diana Bertolini (Processing Archivist for the Archives Unit at The New York Public Library) on Dorothy Loudon and the Model of Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop:

Lucy Knows Love (NYC style) is the latest comedy web series to be launched from STAGE17.tv. The series is written by and starring Broadway's Susan Louise O'Connor (Blithe Spirit) as Lucy Saunders. Single gal turned married lady takes her Dayton, OH talk show to streets of NYC helping random strangers with what she knows best-LOVE. It's Lucy Knows Love (NYC Style) and boy is she fantastic. With her canny ability to assess the problems of even strangers on the street, there is nothing stopping Lucy from working her magic on the love-troubled souls in the greatest city in the world. Click below to watch the first episode - 'Big Shit' - with Sarah Bisman (Bronwyn Freed on Law & Order: SVU) and Diana Oh (Lincoln Center, Goodspeed Opera House). Lucy may know love, but what if it's only one-sided?

Today we are talking to a remarkably accomplished writer and director who has amassed numerous top entertainment trophies over the course of his long and distinguished career, including multiple Emmy Awards, Tony Awards and even a Grammy - the uniquely talented Martin Charnin. Sharing his thoughts on the forthcoming big screen adaptation of his hit musical property ANNIE as well as previewing what we can expect from the forthcoming 2014-2015 national tour, Charnin also reflects on the original production of the classic Depression-era musical and analyzes why it remains a continual cultural touchstone for generations new and old while also looking ahead to a potential Broadway production of the sequel, written with original composer Charles Strouse, ANNIE WARBUCKS. Also, Charnin touches upon his time as a member of the original cast of iconic musical WEST SIDE STORY and recounts working alongside legends such as Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents and more. Additionally, Charnin sheds some light on his illustrious string of collaborations with recently deceased composer Mary Rodgers Guettel, ranging from more than 50 songs written as a team to a string of special TV musicals as well as working together on the stage musicals HOT SPOT and THE MADWOMAN OF CENTRAL PARK WEST. Besides of all of that, Charnin also looks back to his heyday as a TV variety special helmer, having created award-winning tributes to a slew of Broadway's best composers and lyricists including George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter and many more. Plus, Charnin shares his thoughts on GLEE, how show business has changed, the possible future life for TWO BY TWO and much, much more in this wide-ranging chat with a major Broadway notable.

A collection of rarely seen and absorbing photos depicting the original Broadway and first revival production of multi-Tony Award-winning modern musical masterpiece SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET are now available to view courtesy of the New York Public Library For The Performing Arts.

Internationally adored musical ANNIE is set to hit the silver screen in an all-new movie musical adaptation later this year, but one of the show's creators has utilized the BroadwayWorld message board to share some thoughts on the two distinctly different iterations of the stage sequel to the original musical via a fascinating new post.

The Wild Root Company, a New York City-based production endeavor committed to cultivating new works from emerging playwrights and screenwriters, will present two free industry readings of Topher Payne's timely new comedy PERFECT ARRANGEMENT today, June 19, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at The Creative Center at Manhattan Theatre Club. Linda Lombardi, who helmed the play's critically acclaimed, sold-out world premiere at The Source Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2013, will direct. The Wild Root Company will produce the readings in association with Sean Hudock, Rocco Natale and Thatcher Stevens.

The Wild Root Company, a New York City-based production endeavor committed to cultivating new works from emerging playwrights and screenwriters, will present two free industry readings of Topher Payne's timely new comedy PERFECT ARRANGEMENTon Thursday June 19, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at The Creative Center at Manhattan Theatre Club. Linda Lombardi, who helmed the play's critically acclaimed, sold-out world premiere at The Source Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2013, will direct. The Wild Root Company will produce the readings in association with Sean Hudock, Rocco Natale and Thatcher Stevens.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the 2014 Play Reading Series on Monday, June 9, Monday, June 16, and Monday, June 23 at 7pm at the Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, NYC. Tickets are free and may be reserved by emailing TRUStaff1@gmail.com or phoning the TRU message line at 212-714-7628. For more information visit http://truonline.org/TRUPlays.htm.

First presented in 1945, the prestigious Theatre World Awards, founded by John Willis, the Editor-in-Chief of both Theatre World and its companion volume, Screen World, are the oldest awards given for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the big night, where he chatted with all of this year's winners and presenters. Check out what they had to say below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include the winners room at the Drama Desk Awards, the 2014 Tony nominees on the Empire State Building, the naming of Duke Ellington Way, and more!

The Theatre World Awards are presented annually at the end of the theatre season to six actors and six actresses for their significant, reviewable, debut performances in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production. The ceremony is a private, invitation-only event followed by a party to celebrate the new honorees and welcome them to the Theatre World 'family.' In what has become a highly entertaining and often touching tradition, 12 previous winners serve as the presenters, and often relive moments from past ceremonies and share wonderful stories rarely heard at other theatrical awards. Check out potos from insode this year's ceremony below!

The Theatre World Awards took place last night, June 2, at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. 2014 Honorees for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance included: Paul Chahidi, Nick Cordero, Bryan Cranston, Mary Bridget Davies, Sarah Greene, Rebecca Hall, Ramin Karimloo, Zachary Levi, Chris O'Dowd, Sophie Okonedo, Emerson Steele, and Lauren Worsham. The 2014 Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater Winner went to Celia Keenan-Bolger for her performance as Laura in The Glass Menagerie and the 2014 John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Winner went to Christopher Plummer.

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.

The Theatre World Awards has announced the roster of presenters for the 70th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that include DeAdre Aziza, Dylan Baker, Len Cariou, Tovah Feldshuh, Trent Kowalik, Jefferson Mays, John McMartin, and Zachary Quinto, with special performances by Mr. Cariou and Rob McClure, Monday evening, June 2, 2014 beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Circle in the Square (West 50th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue), home of the current Broadway revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.