Elaine Stritch News

Today, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC's new ladies, Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch met the press in anticipation of their July 13th debut in Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production at the Walter Kerr Theatre, which is currently on hiatus. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photocall.

This past weekend, Elaine Stritch performed her 'Singin' Sondheim' cabaret in West Hartford, CT. As reported by the Hartford Courant, the A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC-bound star was simultaneously in private rehearsals with director Trevor Nunn. According to the report, Stritch and Peters were in New York working on scenes with Nunn, who then rode to Hartford with Stritch to continue discussions over the two-hour car ride. They continued work at the Roberts Theatre, the same space Stritch performed 'Singin' Sondheim' that evening. Jeremy Cohen, associate artistic director of Hartford Stage, is quoted as saying that watching Stritch and Nunn 'was like [being] a kid in a candy shop ... He's definitely an actor's director and listening them talk about Sondheim was incredible. It's as if they had been working together for decades because they spoke in the common vocabulary of Sondheim.'

Today, I am sharing with you Part II of my exclusive InDepth InterView with legendary Broadway star Donna McKechnie who is perhaps best known as the genius director-choreographer Michael Bennett's muse and primary interpreter as well as the originator and inspiration for the character of Cassie in A CHORUS LINE - for which she won Best Actress In A Musical at the 1976 Tony Awards - in addition to her many roles on Broadway and the West End, as well as all over the country on tours of every kind over the years. In Part II of this comprehensive chat we discuss her new show with Kaye Ballard and Liliane Montevecci that kicks off next year titled BROADWAY LADIES, working with choreographers Jerome Robbins and Ron Field, Bennett's thoughts on Leonard Bernstein, Robbins and ON THE TOWN, what Robbins work meant to Bennett growing up, what Gwen Verdon's work meant to her, her thoughts on punk rock and amplification in the theatre as well as working with Rock Hudson, Dick Van Dyke and, of course, Bennett himself.

Outrageous situations lead to hilarious complications in the legendary musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opening on the Main Stage at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Friday, June 25. With previews June 23 and 24, Forum continues through July 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $53.

Experience a night of laughs, mystery and drama when Pittsburgh CLO presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Curtains, June 22 - 27 at the Benedum Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The legendary writing team of Kander and Ebb delivers another hit with this hilarious musical whodunit.

Stacy Shane and ManUnderdog Productions will have on Monday, June 21st a reading of the new play, 'The Sex King' by Bill C. Davis ('Mass Appeal') with David Morse and Julia Stiles at The Clurman Theatre (Theatre Row). It will be directed by Jonathan Silverstein, the director of this seasons 'The Temperamentals.' and 'I Never Sang For My Father.' The production is planned for next season. Mr. Shane is the original producer of the critically acclaimed and award-winning new American play, 'The Tempermanetals.'

The 2010 Summer Gala will honor Lincoln Center Theater Executive Producer and former Public Theater Associate Producer Bernard Gersten and Bank of America. The Gala will be held on Monday, June 21 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and will include a dinner under the stars, a performance of The Merchant of Venice featuring Al Pacino as Shylock and a party afterward at the Belvedere Castle.

Tony, Grammy & Golden Globe Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony & Emmy Award winner Elaine Stritch will return to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning masterpiece A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tony Award-winner Trevor Nunn.

Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that the critically acclaimed rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON will play its 100th performance on Saturday, June 19 at 9:30 p.m. By the time the show closes at the end of June, it will be the second highest grossing show in The Public Theater's downtown history.

Filipino musical theatre star Sheila Francisco ('South Pacific'- UK , 'High School Musical On Stage' - Manila) does another star turn by portraying the cynical role of Jeanette Burmeister in Pangdemonium's inaugural production of Broadway hit 'The Full Monty' at the Drama Center Theatre in Singapore, with performances from June 18 to July 4, 2010.

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of ‘S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical, which runs June 17 through September 5 at the CLO Cabaret. Tickets are available at CLOCabaret.com or by calling 412-456-6666.

Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that the critically acclaimed rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON will play its 100th performance on Saturday, June 19 at 9:30 p.m. By the time the show closes at the end of June, it will be the second highest grossing show in The Public Theater's downtown history.

Tony Award-winner Barbara Cook, currently starring in Broadway's SONDHEIM ON SONDEHIM, will take the Mahaiwe stage on Sunday, August 15 at 7PM. Elaine Stritch was previously announced to perform, but has postponed her concert to take part in Broadway's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC revival with Bernadette Peters. Patrons who already have tickets to see Elaine Stritch may choose to see Barbara Cook or request a refund at the box office at 413-528-0100.

Stacy Shane and ManUnderdog Productions will have on Monday, June 21st a reading of the new play, 'The Sex King' by Bill C. Davis ('Mass Appeal') with David Morse and Julia Stiles at The Clurman Theatre (Theatre Row). It will be directed by Jonathan Silverstein, the director of this seasons 'The Temperamentals.' and 'I Never Sang For My Father.' The production is planned for next season. Mr. Shane is the original producer of the critically acclaimed and award-winning new American play, 'The Tempermanetals.'

Filipino musical theatre star Sheila Francisco ('South Pacific'- UK , 'High School Musical On Stage' - Manila) does another star turn by portraying the cynical role of Jeanette Burmeister in Pangdemonium's inaugural production of Broadway hit 'The Full Monty' at the Drama Center Theatre in Singapore, with performances from June 18 to July 4, 2010.

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the directors of the upcoming reading series 2010 TRU Voices New Plays Reading Series, which will celebrate women in theater with plays all written, produced and directed by women.

Beginning Saturday, June 12, L.A. Theatre Works Radio Theatre Series will air Cakewalk. Broadway legend Elaine Stritch and Oscar nominee Bruce Davison star in Peter Feibleman's memory play about his tumultuous May-December relationship with literary legend Lillian Hellman.

Experience a night of laughs, mystery and drama when Pittsburgh CLO presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Curtains, June 22 - 27 at the Benedum Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The legendary writing team of Kander and Ebb delivers another hit with this hilarious musical whodunit.

Outrageous situations lead to hilarious complications in the legendary musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum opening on the Main Stage at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Friday, June 25. With previews June 23 and 24, Forum continues through July 11. Ticket prices range from $25 to $53.