Ethel Merman News

Today in 1946, Annie Get Your Gun opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1147 performances. Annie Get Your Gun is a musical with lyrics and music written by Irving Berlin and a book by Herbert Fields and his sister Dorothy Fields. The story is a fictionalized version of the life of Annie Oakley (1860-1926), who was a sharpshooter from Ohio, and her husband, Frank Butler. Songs that became hits include 'There's No Business Like Show Business', 'Doin' What Comes Natur'lly', 'You Can't Get a Man with a Gun', 'They Say It's Wonderful', and 'Anything You Can Do.'

Merman's Apprentice, a new musical fable with Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole (Inventing Mary Martin, After the Fair, The Night of the Hunter, The Road to Qatar!) and Music by David Evans (Birds of Paradise, Children's Letters to God) has been chosen to be the opening show as part of London's Landor Theatre's 'From Page to Stage Festival' today, February 11th and 12th at 7:30pm.

On Saturday evening, March 1st at 7:30pm Pace University will present American Showstoppers, with the 13 piece Fred Barton Orchestra, AN EVENING OF JERRY HERMAN. The evening is directed and choreographed by Scott Thompson and produced, orchestrated and hosted by Fred Barton.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Andrea McArdle returns to 54 Below with an all new show that celebrates the power and magic of performing "that great role." Lovers and liars, heroes and villains, elegant ladies and outrageous broads, there is nothing that excites the imagination more than watching a classic character come to vivid life on stage. In DREAM ROLES, Andrea brings her soaring vocals to some of the theatre's greatest roles, the roles she's loved, the role's she's played and the roles she's always dreamed of performing. DREAM ROLES also showcases the dynamic melodies of Broadway musical masters, Sondheim, Herman, Strouse, and more. Join Andrea as she pulls back the curtain, and turns up the spotlight on her greatest theatrical inspirations…along with a few surprises, after all, it's all about DREAM ROLES this time!

Natalie Wood's portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee and Rosalind Russell (in Ethel Merman's original role) as an overbearing mother, in the big screen adaptation of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical Gypsy, lead the pack of movies in February on Reel 13.

Recognizable stage and screen star Anita Gillette returns to the West Coast with her solo show AFTER ALL this Friday with a gig scheduled for Feinstein's At The Nikko.

Merman's Apprentice, a new musical fable with Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole (Inventing Mary Martin, After the Fair, The Night of the Hunter, The Road to Qatar!) and Music by David Evans (Birds of Paradise, Children's Letters to God) has been chosen to be the opening show as part of London's Landor Theatre's 'From Page to Stage Festival' on February 11th and 12th at 7:30pm. There will be an additional presentation for industry professionals on Feb. 13th at 2:30pm at The Concert Artistes' Association at 20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP.

Natalie Wood's portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee and Rosalind Russell (in Ethel Merman's original role) as an overbearing mother, in the big screen adaptation of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical Gypsy, lead the pack of movies in February on Reel 13.

Aria Entertainment is delighted to announce first casting today for the second annual From Page To Stage Festival, a season of new musical theatre at the Landor Theatre from Monday 10 February to Sunday 9 March 2014. Full casting is now confirmed for the Season's three showcase readings of Merman's Apprentice, Claus The Musical and The Return of the Soldier, as well as the repertory cast for three Showcase Nights of musicals in development. Final casting for the two Headline Musicals Before The Night Is Through and The Mistress Cycle will be announced next week.

How many people can count among their closest friends Ethel Merman (the Queen of Broadway), Mother Teresa (beatified by the Vatican in October, 2003), Lee Lehman, (wife of Robert Lehman, head of Lehman Brothers), Pierre Cardin (legendary couturier and major show-business force in Europe), and many others? Well, Tony Cointreau, a scion of the French liqueur family, can. His new memoir, Ethel Merman, Mother Teresa... and Me, will be released on February 15th (the 30th anniversary of Ethel Merman's death). The book is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Fifty years after HELLO, DOLLY! opened on Broadway, Carol Channing returns to New York for one night only.

The company of Beautiful just celebrated their January 12 opening night on Broadway with the famed Gypsy Robe ritual. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you exclusive photo coverage below!

The Majestic Theatre's production of the FORBIDDEN BROADWAY revue brought warm approval on a cold, wet night from an audience happy to pole fun at Disney, Mackintosh, and Mormons

'This broadcast and webcast event was the perfect way to spread the word about Andres' Inaugural Season to an even broader audience and build upon the momentum generated from our Centennial Season,' said Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO Mark C. Hanson. 'It symbolizes our commitment to innovation, community partnerships, and becoming more relevant to even more Houstonians. We're grateful to Houston Public Media for collaborating on this important and exciting announcement.'

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon announces WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE, a gala fundraising evening with special guest, star of NBC's Smash, and Sean Saves the World, Megan Hilty, 6pm, Thursday, February 27 at Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave, San Francisco. In addition to the 'smashing' talents of Broadway and television star Megan Hilty, the evening will include cocktails, dinner, a brief live auction, and a 'MoonGlow Cabaret' with clarion-voiced chanteuse Klea Blackhurst and other Moon performers. Guests are invited to dress in cocktail attire with a dash of red. For tickets ($375 - $7500) the public may contact 42nd Street Moon at (415) 255-8207 or for more information visit 42ndstmoon.org.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

This January and February at 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

As always, Connecticut's professional theaters offerered a bountiful selection of excellent theater in 2013. It's hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the year's standouts from the theaters I cover for BroadwayWorld.com:

Sherrie Edelen shines in iconic role as Momma Rose in GYPSY which due to popular demand has been extended to January 26, 2014.

Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual 'A Swinging Birdland Christmas' celebration at Birdland Jazz Club. To celebrate the holidays, Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch will perform swinging arrangements of beloved seasonal specials like 'Christmas Waltz,' Kay Thompson's 'Holiday Season,' 'Sleigh Ride,' and 'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm' among other favorites. The singers will be joined by Steve Doyle on bass and Carmen Intorre on drums.