Elaine Stritch News

Broadway fans found everything from rare opening night gifts to classic original Playbills, met their favorite stars and bid on once-in-a-life-time experiences to push the grand total raised Sunday, September 21, 2014, at the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction to an all-time high of $713,986, for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The cliche with actors is that they all 'really just want to direct,' and while there is little doubt that Rita Wilson would probably be great at that too, her career has seen her seamlessly bounce between roles as an actress, producer, and singer and back again. Always looking to conquer another professional hurdle, Wilson is set to follow in the footsteps of the late Elaine Stritch, and set up shop at the famed Cafe Carlyle in New York's Upper East Side for two weeks, starting this Wednesday.

BroadwayWorld.com reported yesterday the sad news that actress, singer and stage veteran Polly Bergen died today at her home in Connecticut, at 84 of natural causes. The star was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing. Today, we take a look back at photos of the star, taken by BWW's Walter McBride.

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 opening night of LOVE LETTERS, Barbra Streisand on Jimmy Fallon, the American Theatre Wing's Annual Gala honoring Dame Angela Lansbury, and more!

Broadway and West End producer Judith Ann Abrams has been involved with multiple ground-breaking and multi-award-winning shows in the last 15 years. But when talking to her, it is clear that her passion really lies in a crazy dream she had at age 23 that gained her notoriety in the Broadway community: the Pixie Judy Troupe.

On Friday night, September 12, director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel presented an all-star Broadway cast in 'Rise, Rise, Rise' a tribute to the late Elaine Stritch at 54 Below, singing the songs that made Stritch famous and told the stories that made her infamous. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the concert below!

Last night, September 12 (9:30pm), director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel presented an all-star Broadway cast in 'Rise, Rise, Rise' a tribute to the late Elaine Stritch at 54 Below, singing the songs that made Stritch famous and told the stories that made her infamous. Check out pre-show photos below!

American Conservatory Theater, in association with The Commonwealth Club of Northern California, will present John Lahr in Conversation with Carey Perloff on the occasion of the release of his newest biography, "TENNESSEE WILLIAMS: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh" on Monday, October 6 at 7 p.m. at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco).

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Happy Days by Samuel Beckett, directed by Andrei Belgrader and featuring Brooke Adams and Tony Shalhoub. Opening night is tonight, September 13, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the September panel, An Introduction to TRU: Free-for-Everyone Seasonal Kick-off plus Networking Meet-and-Greet on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 7:30pm at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, Mainstage Theatre, NYC. Doors open at 7pm for networking and refreshments, presentations and roundtable introductions start at 7:30pm (come prepared with your best half-minute summary of who you are, and what you need).

Few legends come along as brassy and powerful as Elaine Stritch, and so it's time to 'Rise, Rise, Rise' in tribute to her. Tonight, September 12 (9:30pm), director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel will present an all star Broadway cast singing the songs that made Stritch famous and telling the stories that made her infamous. So, come to 54 Below for an evening of great music, memories, food and of course cocktails.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: LOVE LETTERS begins previews Saturday, off-Broadway gets crowded with shows tonight, including STALKING THE BOGEYMAN, Broadway celebs get together to tribute Elaine Stritch this evening, and THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN hits the stage in Denver!

The biggest day of the year for Broadway fans will include unique showbiz treasures, the opportunity to meet your favorite cast members and the chance to bid on exclusive backstage experiences as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction (#bwayflea).

Urban Momfare has been selected to extend its run at the FringeNYC Encore Series after a critically acclaimed run at the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival in August. Book by Pamela Weiler Grayson and Alice Jankell, music and lyrics by Pamela Weiler Grayson, directed by Alice Jankell and musical direction by Clare Cooper. Urban Momfare is being produced by Emerging Artists Theatre Company (EAT). A workshop performance of the musical was previously presented at EAT's New Work Series in March of 2013.

The Shakespeare Guild's 2014-15 season will open with a conversation that will launch the U.S. author tour for a biography that actress Helen Mirren calls 'a masterpiece about a genius.' Only John Lahr, she says, 'with his perceptions about the theater, about writers, about poetry, and about people, could have written this book.' John Lahr will discuss his acclaimed biography of Tennessee Williams on Wednesday, September 24, at 6 p.m. at The Players.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, September 7, 2014 - Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Marilyn Maye, 54 Below Sings Elaine Stritch, 54 Sings Big River, String of Pearls, Lauren Pritchard.

Ben Rimalower's addiction to spending beyond his means has driven him to extreme lengths all his life. In BAD WITH MONEY he charts his sometimes hilarious, sometimes harrowing struggle to overcome his problem-or get rich trying. Written and performed by Ben Rimalower and directed by Aaron Mark, BAD WITH MONEY premieres at The Duplex (61 Christopher Street at Seventh Avenue) from tonight, September 4 through November 6.

This September and October 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.