Ethel Merman News

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is very pleased to continue our celebrated series, SCREENING SONDHEIM, featuring screenings of celebrated Sondheim productions.

Broadway's back on the radio as PROUD-FM picks up FRONT ROW CENTRE!

The Drama Desk winner talks about Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, going back to college and Elizabeth Rex.

Gateway Playhouse (215 South Country Rd, Bellport, NY 11713), Long Island's premiere professional Equity musical theatre, announces its 59th season = a 'block-buster' season with something for everyone!

The Off-Broadway musical FABULOUS DIVAS OF BROADWAY will play its last 2 weeks, with final performances taking place Saturday, April 19 (at 2&8PM) at St. Luke's Theatre.

Jamie McGonnigal and Joe's Pub are proud to present the 4th incarnation of their hit series in 'It's a Bird…It's a Plane…It's FLOPZ n' CUTZ 4!' on Sunday, April 6th at 9:30pm.

The thing that always strikes me about Euan Morton, from his New York debut in Taboo to his Obie-winning stint in Measure For Pleasure and various other plays, musicals, concerts and cabarets, is that the guy seems incapable of expressing a dishonest emotion.  While some performers may dazzle you with their creativity or their exceptional craft, Morton draws you in with a comforting safety that makes artistry out of sincerity.  He opens his four-week run at The Oak Room (through March 29th), titled Here and Now, with Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's 'Pure Imagination,' glowing with a naturally boyish earnestness and a gentle smile.

1959 was a heck of a good year for Broadway overtures.  The majestic trumpet fanfare and lowdown bump and grind of Gypsy's is generally regarded as the best in musical theatre, but there was also the rousingly rhythmic curtain-raiser to Fiorello! and, my personal favorite, Philip J. Lang's beautiful interpretation of Bob Merrill's music for Take Me Along, which touches on so many moods of the show while continually building the toe-tapping climax of The catchy title tune.

Direct from Los Angeles, where it enjoyed an acclaimed and extended 5-month run at Open Stage West, the musical Fabulous Divas of Broadway, starring Alan Palmer, made its New York premiere at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street) February 13, with an Opening Night set for Wednesday evening, February 27.

Now that the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is history, and before the Tony Awards season sneaks up on us, it might be a good time to do a little investigating into the relationship between the category that both award shows recognize-Best Musical, of course.

For her new show, Joan Curto (After Dark Award Winner for Outstanding Cabaret Artist) has chosen the songs of two stars who defined the American musical theater. 'Brassy, Sassy & Classy: The Songs of Ethel Merman and Mary Martin,' provides a showcase for Curto's classic, sultry styling and emotional versatility, at the Metropolitan Room on April 6.

Tony Danza and Bebe Neuwirth have joined the 2008 line-up of star-studded talent at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

On Monday night Christine Pedi will be receiving a New York Nightlife Award for Great Dames, her 2007 salute to notable ladies of the stage and screen. But as award-worthy as that cabaret show was, her latest, Now I Have Everything: The Lyrics of Sheldon Harnick, is even better. This is a master class in musical theatre acting and a heck of an entertaining night out.

Center Theatre Group's latest musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, has a central message, and it is rather simple, f@$k theatrical conventions. Thanks to the progressive nature of recent offerings including Spring Awakening and the soon to open Passing Strange, Broadway has been breaking away from tradition with rock music infiltrating the stage and concert style staging springing up...

On Friday January 18, 'The After Party' welcomed Arbender Robinson of The Little Mermaid and 2002 Miss Fire Island Ariel Sinclair to the weekly bash at the West Bank Café

Jerry Herman pulls the stops out in this in-depth and heartfelt conversation about his incredible career. You have seen the PBS documentary, now hear Jerry in his own words enlighten us on his remarkable life and music.

Direct from Los Angeles, where it enjoyed an acclaimed and extended 5-month run at Open Stage West, the musical Alan Palmer's Fabulous Divas of Broadway will have its New York premiere this Spring at St. Luke's Theatre to begin previews Wednesday matinee, February 13, with an Opening Night set for Wednesday evening, February 27.

Reached by telephone in Florida on the day after Christmas, Jerry Herman had just taken his morning swim and was enjoying the balmy weather. 'It's beautiful here. You know you take your chances with the weather this time of the year even in Miami, but it's just been beautiful.' After doing considerable reading about the composer and enjoying a lengthy conversation with him, it is quite apparent that much of this man's life has indeed been quite beautiful.

Maggie Graham has decided to 'haul out the holly' and add a new holiday music segment to her acclaimed one-woman show 'Carol Channeling.' The show plays Saturdays at 9PM, through December 29, at the Triad