Elaine Stritch News

Bianca Del Rio is sitting on a tour bus, laughing. 'You'd be surprised what you can get away with in drag. Trust me, I'm proof!'

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced today the cast and creative team of the world premiere production of the new musical The Sting, based on the 1973 film, and with book by Bob Martin, music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann & Greg Kotis with Harry Connick, Jr.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Liz Diamond, March 16-April 7, at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 22. Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 is a co-production with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, where it will play April 25-May 20.

When the subject of New York City Center Encores! comes up among musical theatre enthusiasts, the conversation almost invariably steers to what shows they should be presenting in their series of concerts. Although several of their productions, like the mega-hit revival of CHICAGO, have transferred, a night out at Encores! is, to many, most satisfying when they revive shows that, although significant in one way or another, are unlikely to find themselves back on Broadway.

Kicking off the Encores! season is Hey, Look Me Over!, an original production from the Tony- honored series responsible for bringing classic American musicals back to life since 1994. To celebrate Encores! at 25, Viertel and Encores! Music Director Rob Berman created Hey, Look Me Over!---a collection of opening numbers, grand finales, and other excerpts from beloved shows that have not yet found a berth on the City Center stage. They include: All American, George M!, Greenwillow, Jamaica, Mack & Mabel, Milk and Honey, Sail Away, and Wildcat.

With great excitement, Seattle Repertory Theatre presents its world premiere production of the new comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. The story from playwright David Grimm (Measure for Pleasure; The Miracle at Naples) follows a group of Scandinavian immigrants working to put on the world premiere of Ghosts, a new play by the revered and controversial Norwegian dramatist of the time, Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen in Chicago was commissioned and developed by Seattle Rep through the organization's 'The Other Season,' program, and will run February 2 - March 4, 2018 (opening night is Wednesday, February 7, 2018) in the Leo K. Theatre. Tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206.443.2222 and online at seattlerep.org.

Today we celebrate the life and career of the late legend Elaine Stritch, who would have been 93 year-old today. 

Broadway legend Elaine Stritch was born on February 2, 1925. In 2013, she celebrated her 88th birthday on Theater Talk with musical director Rob Bowman and actor Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, along with co-hosts Susan Haskins and Michael Riedel. Had Stritch not died in 2014, she would have been 93 today.

Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award winner Andre De Shields and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan are among the artists who will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala on Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Award tradition, the evening will feature performances by all of the winners.

Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award winner Andre De Shields and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan are among the artists who will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala on Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Award tradition, the evening will feature performances by all of the winners.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the reading of Carolina Rising, part of the TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series, on February 5, 2018 at 7pm at The Actors Temple Theater, 339 W. 47th Street, NYC. A 'Dollars and Sense' talkback on the future development of the presented work will be held after the performance. Admission is free.  Please RSVP at least a day in advance (or much sooner) by calling 212-714-7628, or e-mailingTRUVoicesSeries@gmail.com.

BroadwayWorld is sad to share the news today that legendary filmmaker Rick McKay has passed away earlier this week. A longtime friend of the web site, and constant presence in the theatre world, McKay has long been at work on two sequels to his 2004 hit film, Broadway: The Golden Age.

ELECTRICITY, the hit LGBT comedy/drama starring stars TERRY RAY ("My Sister is So Gay") & MEL ENGLAND ("Best Day Ever") returns to Palm Springs with upcoming show dates: February 6-8 & 26-28 & April 9-11, 2018.

With great excitement, Seattle Repertory Theatre presents its world premiere production of the new comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. The story from playwright David Grimm (Measure for Pleasure; The Miracle at Naples) follows a group of Scandinavian immigrants working to put on the world premiere of Ghosts, a new play by the revered and controversial Norwegian dramatist of the time, Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen in Chicago was commissioned and developed by Seattle Rep through the organization's 'The Other Season,' program, and will run February 2 - March 4, 2018 (opening night is Wednesday, February 7, 2018) in the Leo K. Theatre. Tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206.443.2222 and online at seattlerep.org.  

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature HAMLET, CABARET, CHICAGO, and More!

TOOTSIE's story is hitting the stage! Scott Sanders Productions announced today that the world premiere of the new comedy musical, TOOTSIE, will play a pre-Broadway engagement this fall at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL) from September 11 October 14. TOOTSIE will come to Broadway in spring 2019.

Ben Rimalower will celebrate the recent release of his plays PATTI ISSUES and BAD WITH MONEY by Roven Records on Audible.com with a special performance of PATTI ISSUES at The Green Room 42 on Sunday, January 28. In Patti Issues, Rimalower explores the ways his lifelong obsession (and eventual working friendship) with Patti LuPone helped him navigate a tumultuous relationship with his volatile father. Since premiering in 2012, Patti Issues has garnered a tremendous amount of great press and word-of-mouth from attendees such as Tony Kushner, Alan Cumming, Laurie Metcalf and Ms. LuPone herself, who said, The show's fantastic. It's really wonderful. I was moved. Patti Issues is directed by Aaron Mark (Empanada Loca with Daphne Rubin-Vega, Squeamish With Alison Fraser).

Pigs Do Fly Productions Seeks Actors Over 50 for a Brand New Play. Send head shot and resume to pigsdoflyproductions@gmail.com

VIVIAN REED, the two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and concert artist called remarkable and ferocious by The New York Times and a force of nature by The New York Post, continues to honor entertainment icon Lena Horne in a special centennial celebration at Feinstein's / 54 Below. For two more shows February 7 and March 7 Reed offers high-energy, fearless renditions of Lena classics such as Stormy Weather, The Lady is a Tramp, A Fine Romance, I've Grown Accustomed to His Face and On A Wonderful Day Like Today. She is accompanied by an all-star quartet featuring Conductor William Foster McDaniel on piano, Calvin Jones on bass, Damon DueWhite on drums and Don Tipton on guitar. Earlier this season, Vivian received the Mabel Mercer Award from the Mabel Mercer Foundation at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Ordway Center for Performing Arts announced today that producer and director Rod Kaats will assume the position of Producing Artistic Director beginning February 1, 2018. Mr. Kaats succeeds James A. Rocco, who stepped down from the Ordway last year.