Fred Astaire News

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents the hilarious new play WILD WITH HAPPY written by and starring award-winning playwright Colman Domingo. The production plays previews tonight, June 5 to Friday, June 7, 2013, with a press opening on Saturday, June 8, 2013. WILD WITH HAPPY will close on Sunday, June 30, 2013.

Gavin Lee talks Poppins,cabins and Streep...

The 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards are taking place this evening, June 3 at 7:30pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

Today we are talking to an inordinately talented triple-threat performer who made his name on Broadway in some landmark productions, such as the original multi-Tony Award-winning HAIRSPRAY and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, in addition to his peerless work in Lincoln Center's lauded SOUTH PACIFIC revival, who now is best known to audiences around the world for his headlining role on FOX's mega-hit musical dramedy series GLEE - the charismatic Matthew Morrison. Sharing stories from his Broadway days as well as looking ahead to the new season of GLEE airing in September, Morrison paints a vivid picture of his musical theatre career thus far and touches upon his experiences in the aforementioned musicals on the Great White Way as well as THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, A NAKED GIRL ON THE APPIAN WAY and more, detailing his ascent from chorus boy to superstar. More importantly, Morrison offers us the complete 411 on his new solo album, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, discussing its conception, recording, production, and, now, its release - as well as elaborating on working with legendary producer Phil Ramone on it and the song selection process itself. Furthermore, Morrison reveals the most influential artists and performers to him and how that inspiration formed the basis for WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, both the album itself as well as his current concert tour in promotion of it - arriving in NYC at 54 Below this weekend, as a matter of fact - and his PBS special, airing this month. Additionally, Morrison candidly comments on some characters he would enjoy essaying in the future (hint: a demon barber of Fleet Street), reflects on his favorite GLEE moments to date, recounts wild ROCKY HORROR antics involving rock star Sebastian Bach - and much, much more!

Robert Markus, Paul Nolan and Jeremy Kushnier star in Des McAnuff's new Stratford Festival rock musical, The Who's Tommy, opening May 30 at the Avon Theatre in Ontario and running through October 19.

The Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) is proud to announce an evening of Broadway Magic with Tony Award Winning Actress Donna McKechnie and Tony Award Nominated Actor Malcolm Gets. Featuring their favorite Broadway show tunes, Ms. McKechnie and Mr. Gets will guide the audience through individual stories from their days in the chorus into the present.

For decades Bobby McFerrin has broken all the rules. Now the 10-time Grammy winner is back with a new album release, spirityouall, bringing bluesy, feel-good performance of new works to Philadelphia on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Verizon Hall.

The Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to present film great Leslie Caron (An American In Paris, Gigi, Fanny) in a comic and heartfelt valentine to the human condition, SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). Additional exciting casting news to be announced shortly! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Tuesday, November 26 and will open on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Tony Award-winners Susan Stroman, Bebe Neuwirth, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Marshall and Karen Ziemba are set to present at the 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards taking place on Monday, June 3 at 7:30pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Also set to present at the awards are Mary Testa, Christiane Noll, Harry Belafonte, Rex Reed, Michael Riedel, Anna Bergman, Lee Roy Reams, Dancing with the Stars' Tony Dovolani, Carson Kressley and Countess Lu Ann de Lesseps.

A few minutes into Thoroughly Modern Millie, now playing in a delightful production at the Georgetown Place, the likable ensemble and the optimistic title character sing, "Everything today is thoroughly modern. Check your personality." A personality check may be in order for any person who doesn't enjoy this madcap musical. When life gets us down and virtually anything on the evening news is incredibly depressing, it's nice to see a show with a heroine like Millie, a girl who tells us that with some guts, a pinch of wit, a dash of humor, and a healthy swig of booze, the world is our oyster.

Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts (SBCPA), in partnership with the Santa Barbara Symphony, is proud to present My Fair Lady in Concert on Sunday, June 16 at 3:00 pm at the historic Granada Theatre. This special performance comes to Santa Barbara directly from one of the country's leading centers for the performing arts, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., with a world-class cast under the talented direction of Tony Award nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The famous original score will be performed by the Santa Barbara Symphony, under the direction of James Moore.

Extending this season's hot streak of productions that make bold artistic statements, Asolo Repertory Theatre will present Noah Racey's Pulse. A song and dance celebration that harkens back to the golden age of hoofing, Pulse is written, conceived, and choreographed by Broadway song and dance man Noah Racey in collaboration with Broadway director and two-time Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun. Pulse opens tonight, May 23 with an 8 p.m. curtain. The show runs through June 16, 2013 in Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre located in The FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Fans of ABC's hit romance reality series 'The Bachelorette' will be able to submit questions and receive real-time responses from the Bachelorette herself, Desiree Hartsock, who will be up on Twitter at @DesHartsock during the East Coast broadcast of this season's premiere, MONDAY, MAY 27, from 8:00-10:01 p.m., ET.

We ask the tough questions of the lady stepping into Ginger Rogers's shoes...

Today we are talking to a five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer celebrated for her stupendous work on CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT, THE FROGS, THOU SHALT NOT, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and many more - the master musicals director Susan Stroman. In discussing a vast array of topics, Stroman and I touch upon many of her past projects as well as look ahead to her current and future endeavors - that is: the forthcoming Broadway bow of the new musical BIG FISH, starring Norbert Leo Butz, as well as the world premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER next year. Most importantly, Stroman shines a light on her enduring artistic partnership with Mel Brooks in bringing to life the screen-to-stage musical adaptations of both THE PRODUCERS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, with BLAZING SADDLES on the way - their rich collaboration also being highlighted in this week's AMERICAN MASTERS tribute to Mel Brooks on PBS. Additionally, Stroman reflects on some of her lesser-known entities and casts a light on some of her foremost influences as well as candidly discusses her specialty work for a bevy of major stars - such as at SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL in 1992 - and the finer points of working with Stephen Sondheim and Nathan Lane on Sondheim's most recent original Broadway musical, THE FROGS. Plus, Stroman shares first details of her upcoming collaboration with comedy master Woody Allen on the musical stage adaptation of Allen's Academy Award-winning BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and also offers the 411 on the upcoming Los Angeles and West End productions of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - including the real-life role the musical has played in the pardoning of the originally accused nine just last month. Stroman also comments on her work with Hal Prince on the career revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY, opening in Japan in 2015, and also touches upon her ongoing desire to pursue a film adaptation of her multi-Tony Award-winning and genre-redefining 2000 Best Musical, CONTACT. All of that and much, much awaits in this wide-ranging conversation!

It is easy to understand why Betty Buckley has been called the 'Voice of Broadway'. To begin, she has an astounding instrument with an incredible range. She can belt out the lyrics from 'Come Back to Me' from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and then in the next breath bring her voice down to almost a whisper, like a prayer, in essaying 'Maria' from West Side Story. Secondly, she is a dynamic actress who feels the story the song is telling. Most of all, through living this material, there's great soul, a deep sense of humanity lurking beneath. I have always said it takes a great actress to be a great singer. Betty Buckley is most definitely among the small group of Broadway divas who consistently hit the mark. Her unique contribution is an unparalleled grace and class which emanate from every phrase she utters.

In an homage to Broadway great Jerome Robbins, the NYC has performed three short Robbins compositions: 'Interplay', 'Fancy Free', and 'I'm Old Fashioned'. The results aren't perfect, but Robbins's unique talents are finely displayed.

Two college veterans are friendly trumpet rivals looking for spots in Artie's Shaw's big band in this hilarious musical comedy, SECOND CHORUS (1940), available in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack today, May 14 from Film Chest on the HD Cinema Classics label.

The ninth edition of the female version of ABC's popular romance reality series, "The Bachelorette," premieres on MONDAY, ?MAY 27 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Nominees have been announced for the 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards taking place on Monday, June 3 at 7:30pm at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Select tickets are also now available to the public priced at $425, $200 & $75; tickets can currently be purchased online at www.FredandAdeleAstaireAwards.com. Yesterday the nomineees celebrated at Lillie's Times Square and you can check out photos from the special occasion below!