Ethel Merman News

Veteran actress, singer and comedienne Andrea Wolff will star in "Loose Screws," an original musical comedy beginning on Friday, May 6th (7PM) at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street, located in the lower level of the West Bank Cafe on Theatre Row).

This spring, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's 38th Season is right on target as it continues with the sassy classic Annie Get Your Gun.

Irving Berlin's Alexander's Ragtime Band took the musical world by storm after its publication on March 18, 1911, and remains one of the most popular songs in American music to this day.

The 2011 COLUMN Awards will have blinding star wattage appearing on their stage for this year's gala. Yesterday on a live tele/webcast the 2011 COLUMN Award nominations were announced.

92nd Street Y has announced the 2011 line-up for Lyrics & LyricistsTM, its celebrated American Songbook series. Deborah Grace Winer will return for her third season as artistic director of the series. Guest artistic directors of the season's individual concerts will be John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, David Loud, Ted Chapin, and Amanda Green; Winer will create one of the season's shows as well.

92nd Street Y has announced the 2011 line-up for Lyrics & LyricistsTM, its celebrated American Songbook series. Deborah Grace Winer will return for her third season as artistic director of the series. Guest artistic directors of the season's individual concerts will be John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, David Loud, Ted Chapin, and Amanda Green; Winer will create one of the season's shows as well.

Anything Goes is a show that I've wanted to produce for a long time now because, quite honestly, it is pure and total joy. The show is an unabashed farce with a crazy cast of characters hopping aboard the S.S. American and letting their schemes and dreams run wild. It's silly, romantic, and utterly hilarious as these characters let loose, desperately trying to solve all their troubles before the ship arrives in London. And since desperation can lead to ridiculous acts, it's a good thing that, as our wonderful director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall puts it, "What happens on the boat, stays on the boat."

Reservations are Required for all shows call 212.695.6909 NOW!

What makes a celebrity a legend? At the beginning of a career, it's talent, lots of drive and guts, great press and of course just a little bit of luck. Once on top, the celebrity must sustain over time the image that catapulted her to stardom. There's a mystique, a je ne sais quoi, that should keep the star out of reach, inaccessible. Barbra Streisand has managed to become an icon, so when a female impressionist attempts to reproduce the speech, the incredible singing voice and style, and every hand gesture and body movement - and the overall persona - that have all made la Streisand one-of-a-kind, it would seem next to impossible to ingest it all and give it back believably. Steven Brinberg is the major exception. He sings exactly like Streisand, speaks with her quiet, laid-back manner and sense of humor, and has the hand and body movements down to perfection. For an hour and a half, one is convinced that he is in the company of the legend. Simply Barbra puts Streisand in closer proximity to an audience than usual and we revel in her individual candor and quirky attitude thanks to the astounding artistry of Steven Brinberg.

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Actress/singer Rita McKenzie accomplishes something quite rare: she channels the charisma and voice of Broadway legend Ethel Merman. This is more than just capturing the essence of a character; in McKenzie's case, it is really becoming that person. She looks like Merman, sounds like her, sings like her and has all the body movements down pat. In this latest version of Ethel Merman's Broadway, that she has been doing for some 20 years, there are some delightful additions, including a 7 piece onstage orchestra, a huge video screen and several colorful costume changes. There's also more dialogue about the 4 marriages, Merman's daughter, who died under questionable circumstances, and a more casual and realistic look at the woman, whom many feared and despised, as well as adored. Dynamic McKenzie lets it all hang out and makes us feel like we are in the presence of a star and a lady.

The Great White Way seems to be buzzing lately with rumors about potential recreations of iconic characters that include that of Streisand mounting Merman's GYPSY, LuPone channeling Channing's DOLLY, and the as yet to be announced contender for Lansbury's MAME. While other's are talking the talk about these legendary characters, Rita McKenzie is walking the walk as her highly promoted 'Pre-Broadway Engagement' of ETHEL MERMAN's BROADWAY opened this weekend in Los Angeles at the historic El Portal Theatre.

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Actress/singer Rita McKenzie accomplishes something quite rare: she channels the charisma and voice of Broadway legend Ethel Merman. This is more than just capturing the essence of a character; in McKenzie's case, it is really becoming that person. She looks like Merman, sounds like her, sings like her and has all the body movements down pat. In this latest version of Ethel Merman's Broadway, that she has been doing for some 20 years, there are some delightful additions, including a 7 piece onstage orchestra, a huge video screen and several colorful costume changes. There's also more dialogue about the 4 marriages, Merman's daughter, who died under questionable circumstances, and a more casual and realistic look at the woman, whom many feared and despised, as well as adored. Dynamic McKenzie lets it all hang out and makes us feel like we are in the presence of a star and a lady.

Up on Amazon.com, Stephen Sondheim's second book, a follow up to his 'Finishing The Hat, is now available for pre-order. Entitled, 'Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes,' Amazon is taking pre-orders here. The book is scheduled for release on October 25, 2011. Here's a first look at the cover!

Rita McKenzie, one of Broadway, Hollywood and television's most versatile actresses, returns to Southern California in her internationally acclaimed tour de force show, ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY, which re-creates the life and times of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway's Golden Age.

Rita McKenzie, one of Broadway, Hollywood and television's most versatile actresses, returns to Southern California in her internationally acclaimed tour de force show, ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY, which re-creates the life and times of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway's Golden Age.

Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders for the 1954 film version of Anything Goes, starring Frank Sinatra and Ethel Merman. The film will be released on DVD on March 11, 2011.

The 27th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E.-will be dedicated to the memory of musical-comedy star and long-time Event Co-Chair Betty Garrett who died Saturday at the age of 91. ORIGINAL CAST 2, a musical celebration showcasing artists from theatre, television and cabaret performing songs they originated in musical productions, will take place for one-night-only on Saturday, April 2. Garrett, who appeared in 22 previous S.T.A.G.E events, was preparing to perform a number in this year's show from 'Something for the Boys,' in which she appeared on Broadway in 1943 with Ethel Merman. A musical retrospective honoring Garrett is now being planned as part of this year's show.

According to Amazon.com, Stephen Sondheim's second book, a follow up to his 'Finishing The Hat, is now available for pre-order. Entitled, 'Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes,' Amazon is taking pre-orders here. The book is scheduled for release on October 25, 2011.