Ethel Merman News

Following sell-out seasons in New York and Sydney, the international multi-award-winningmusical star of stage and screen Caroline O'Connor returns to the UK in her one-womanshow Caroline O'Connor: The Showgirl Within, for a strictly limited season at the GarrickTheatre in London's West End from Monday 27 September to Sunday 3 October 2010.

A record, near-capacity audience leapt to its feet at the Opening Night of Jerry Herman's 8-time Tony Award-nominated musical, MACK & MABEL, on Friday, September 24, at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ. This rollicking and romantic delight by the Tony Award-winning composer of La Cage Aux Folles, Hello, Dolly! and Mame runs through Sunday, October 17, 2010.

Rising Action Theatre opens its new Season at its new location at the Sunshine Cathedral campus with Fit To Be Tied by Nicky Silver, an off-beat comedy about a fabulously wealthy but desperately lonely man who lives a solitary life for many years. When he meets the great love of his life, Boyd, a young runaway with no family who is working as an angel at Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, Arloc invites him up for a drink. When Boyd readies to leave, Arloc is terrified that his last chance for happiness will slip away, so he ties him up. At that moment, Arloc's mother, Nessa, descends upon him with problems of her own.

Gary Naylor doesn't cry for Argentina, but doesn't cheer either.

Eric Hafen, Artistic Director of the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, proudly launches his 2010-2011 'Stage & Screen' Season with Jerry Herman's most-beloved musical, Mack & Mabel, running on the Bickford Mainstage from Thursday, September 23, through Sunday, October 17.

The Nancy Goldberg International Center and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs will present the world premiere of Bernhardt on Broadway, a one-woman musical about Sarah Bernhardt, who was arguably the most famous actress who ever lived.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Sutton Foster, the Broadway Playhouse, 'Rock Of Ages,' 'Glee,' 'She Loves Me,' 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,' Patti LuPone, more....

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel opens the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra season with three performances September 24th through September 26th. Ms. Menzel will perform a diverse repertoire of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from Wicked and Rent) as well as songs from her album, I Stand.

There is no mistaking what Ethel Merman brought to Broadway. A gifted comedienne, an accomplished actress, and a hurricane of a personality, Merman commanded attention from every stage she stood on with pure gumption and that incredibly booming voice. You may say the same thing about Rita McKenzie, the woman who bravely steps into Merman's persona for a one-woman tribute show titled (appropriately enough) 'ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY,' her hit off-Broadway musical tribute now playing at the Laguna Playhouse through September 19.

The Music Theatre of Connecticut 2010/11 MainStage Season will open with award-winning cabaret performer Klea Blackhurst, direct from New York in 'Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman.' Klea Blackhurst - hailed as an 'improbably terrific young performer' by the New York Times - will bring her critically acclaimed show, 'Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman' to Music Theatre of Connecticut for a limited engagement with performances beginning October 8. Since its original New York debut in 2001, this knock-out show continues to take the country by storm with Klea delivering bright new interpretations of Merman's signature songs such as 'I Got Rhythm, ' 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' and 'There's No Business Like Show Business,' as well as rarely-performed obscurities including 'Just A Moment Ago,' 'I've Still Got My Health,' and 'World Take Me Back.'

The Town Hall, New York City's landmark concert venue (123 West 43rd Street), will honor Tony ® and Emmy ® Award winning theatre legend Elaine Stritch, (who is currently starring in A Little Night Music) and Merryl H. Tisch, (Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents) with The Town Hall 'Friend of the Arts' Award on Sunday, October 17th, 2010.

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, Sutton Foster is returning to San Diego for one night only at the historic and intimate BALBOA THEATRE, Friday October 1, 2010. Now guests have an oppertunity to save $10 on tickets by using the code 'SFBW' at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/82668/1472172?&camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_bsdref.

Musical Theatre West has announced that Andrea McArdle, Broadway's original Annie, will star as Miss Hannigan in its upcoming production of ANNIE at the beautiful 1070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. ANNIE previews October 29th and runs October 30th through November 14th. Musical Theatre West Artistic Director/Producer Steven Glaudini directs with musical direction by Daniel Thomas and choreography by Roger Castellano.

San Diego Theatres continues to offer a wide range of the best entertainment for their audiences with the announcement of a full 2010-2011 BALBOA THEATRE SEASON! Following the initial 2010 presentations of Video Games Live and 'An Evening with' Mary Chapin Carpenter and Craig Shoemaker will be the previously announced Bellydance Superstars' BOMBAY BELLYWOOD on Sunday, October 3; 4TROOPS on Thursday, October 7; and DRUMLINE LIVE on Wednesday, October 13.

BROADWAY BY THE BAY, the Peninsula's premier musical theatre company, is proud to present its 2011 season at its new home at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City.

Ginger Rogers danced her way into our hearts in the arms of Fred Astaire, setting the gold standard for grace and elegance on the silver screen. In her surprising true-life story, we follow her from the vaudeville stage at the age of 15 through her ascension to Hollywood goddess. BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS tells the story of this legendary dancer, singer and actress through the music of some of the 20th century's greatest composers and with plenty of dance numbers worthy of the Hollywood icon. BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS plays in Tucson at the Temple of Music and Art from September 10 through October 2. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from October 7 through October 24. The Tucson media sponsors for the 2010-2011 season are Tucson Lifestyle, KGUN9 and MIX-FM. Arizona Theatre Company's season sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser.

92nd Street Y announces that the Tony Award-winning Broadway star Phyllis Newman will step in as artistic director and host for the Lyrics & LyricistsTM show 'Carried Away: Being Comden and Green' on May 21-23

Kingsborough Performing Arts Center's 2010-2011 season of Music, Dance, Theatre, Literature, and Family shows is now on sale and with a new season brings a new executive director and a new vision for Kingsborough's oceanfront performing arts center.

Two legendary ladies of stage and screen are headed to Laguna Beach this September for exclusive limited engagements at The Laguna Playhouse. First to arrive is ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY September 8 - 19. Then it's time for Cloris Leachman in CLORIS: A ONE WOMAN SHOW September 23 - 27.

Legendary Mitzi Gaynor is currently on a limited tour of the latest incarnation of her Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle and now in her 70s, Gaynor continues to spread love, warmth and happpiness wherever she appears. Such was the case in Escondido Labor Day weekend, where she gave five sold out performances at the Lawrence Welk Resort Theater.