Elaine Stritch News

Last night, March 18, Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein opened their new Broadway collaboration, ALL ABOUT ME, at the new Henry Miller's Theatre and BroadwayWorld.com was there!

Tom Viertel, Chairman of the Board of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, has announced that Stephen Sondheim will present Harold Prince with the organization's Monte Cristo Award at a gala benefit on Monday, April 5, 2010 at Bridgewaters (11 Fulton Street, NYC).

On Monday, March 15, 2010, the New York Philharmonic celebrated Stephen Sondheim with its star-studded Spring Gala. The show was taped for future airing on PBS.

As previously reported, Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna have decided to collaborate on their upcoming show efforts and will jointly star in All About Me. The New York Times has reported today that All About Me shall run at the Golden Theater. Previews will begin on February 19 with an official opening night of March 18.

Wall to Wall Sondheim, which took place on March 19, 2005, was one of those once-in-a-lifetime events-a Woodstock for Sondheim-lovers. Sondheim himself was there for all twelve hours, culminating in a big 75th birthday cake. On Monday, March 22, in celebration of Sondheim's 80th birthday, the entire event will be remembered with a webcast at Symphony Space Live (symphonyspacelive.org).

This week we are taking a listen to two wonderful releases from Broadway and West End luminaries John Barrowman and Elaine Paige. Though both have appeared on Broadway, Barrowman in PUTTING IT TOGETHER and Paige in SUNSET BLVD as well as an acclaimed appearance in SWEENEY TODD at City Opera, they are best known for their fantastic work on the West End stage, Barrowman having created roles in MATADOR and THE FIX and Paige having a legendary career creating such impressive roles as Evita, Piaf, Grizabella in CATS, Florence in CHESS, as well as THE DROWSEY CHAPERONE and other appearances in addition to a multi-decade recording and concert career. This could not be a more prescient time to discuss either of these two powerful performers: Paige, with her excellent weekly radio show on BBC Radio, and Barrowman with an upcoming multi-episode arc on ABC's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES beginning this Sunday...

The Public Theater announced complete casting for the world premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks' THE BOOK OF GRACE, directed by James Macdonald. The complete cast will feature Amari Cheatom as Buddy, John Doman as Vet, and the previously announced Elizabeth Marvel as Grace. THE BOOK OF GRACE will begin previews on Tuesday, March 2 and run through Sunday, April 4 with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 16. All evening performances for THE BOOK OF GRACE will be at 7:30 PM, except for Saturdays at 8 PM.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, the critically acclaimed rock musical that returns to The Public after a sold-out run last spring as part of The Public's Public LAB season. A co-production with Center Theatre Group and in association with Les Freres Corbusier, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON is written and directed by Alex Timbers and features music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. Previews begin on Tuesday, March 23 and will continue through Sunday, April 25 with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 6.

"TalkOut Mondays" (after performance) continues March 15th with Bill C Davis (playwright), Tim Viola (activist, BC/EFA) and Broadway Impact co-founders: Gavin Creel (star of "Hair"), Rory O'Malley & Jenny Kanelos at the critically acclaimed hit show "The Temperamentals" by Jon Marans at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Daryl Roth, Stacy Shane and Martian Entertainment are presenting the new American play. Thomas Jay Ryan (recently on Broadway "In The Next Room") portrays Harry Hay. Michael Urie (from TV's "Ugly Betty") is Rudi Gernreich. Arnie Burton (an original cast member of Broadway's "39 Steps") joins the cast in multiple roles. Rounding out the cast of five multiple talented actors are Matthew Schneck, and Sam Breslin Wright. The critically acclaimed hit show is directed by Jonathan Silverstein. The Set & Costume design is by Clint Ramos, lighting by Josh Bradford and Daniel Kluger is the sound designer. The play is nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off-Broadway. (2 hrs 10 mins including intermission) www.thetemperamentals.com

Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien have joined the New York Philharmonic's presentation of SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert, Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents a seminar that connects playwrights to the world of commercial theater: PRACTICAL PLAYWRITING: HOW TO WRITE FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from noon-6pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Studio 2D (below W. 3rd Street), NYC.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Stacy Shane and ManUnderdog Productions have optioned the new play, 'The Sex King' by Bill C. Davis ('Mass Appeal'). The production is planned for next season and a reading will be held in the spring.

Stephen Sondheim turns 80 on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 and he will celebrate this landmark event with Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) at a special performance of Sondheim on Sondheim and star-studded tribute at Roundabout's 2010 Spring Gala: Sondheim 80.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce casting for Smokey Joe's Café. Directed by Mark S. Hoebee with choreography by Denis Jones, Smokey Joe's Café will run at the Millburn theater from April 7 through May 2, 2010. Smokey Joe's Café is proudly sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of Paper Mill Playhouse.

National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) will hold its Annual Chairman's Awards Gala and benefit on Monday, April 19 at the St. Regis New York hotel. This year, NCTF Chairman James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO of Ernst & Young, will honor Nathan Lane (returning to Broadway this season in The Addams Family), set designer Eugene Lee (Wicked) and Wells Fargo & Company. Accepting the award on behalf of Wells Fargo will be Joe Kirk, Regional President for New York and Connecticut. All net proceeds of the event will be distributed as the NCTF/WELLS FARGO FUND FOR NEW AMERICAN THEATRE.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson and Board Chairman Warren Spector officially launched the GOING PUBLIC Capital Campaign on Tuesday, March 9 at a ceremonial groundbreaking event attended by more than 150 people including, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and Board Members Gail Papp, Liev Schreiber and Sam Waterston.

Anthony Leitner, Chair of the Board of the South Orange Performing Arts Center, today announced the resignation of Ondine Landa Abramson, Executive Director of SOPAC, effective June 30, 2010.

More than 20 of cabaret's brightest stars will be honored at the 25th Annual Bistro Awards which will take place on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club. Legendary singer-dancer-actress Mitzi Gaynor, star of such films as South Pacific, Les Girls, Anything Goes, and a longtime headliner in Las Vegas and the nightclub circuit, making her first NY night club appearance in years in May at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Elaine Stritch, the uniquely sensational actress and singer and star of stage, film, and TV, will be recognized in the category of Extraordinary Cabaret Artist, noting her recent conquests of the cabaret stage.