Gene Kelly News

MeLu Communications Group announces the release of 'American Mambo'... the exciting new CD by Lucio Fernandez a.k.a. 'The Cuban Kid'. A feel good production... from dance tracks, to boleros, to hard driving ballads... this is 'American Mambo'.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a love-struck comedy taking the Benedum stage June 11-16, 2013. Audiences are sure to be delighted by the antics of seven brothers and 'wannabe' brides living under one roof in 19th century Oregon. Noted Broadway performers including Pittsburgh CLO alumni George Dvorsky and Mamie Parris will take the lead as Adam and Milly, along with an incredibly talented Pittsburgh CLO cast.

Historian and executor of the Gene Kelly Estate, Patricia Ward Kelly, will present her fascinating solo show GENE KELLY: THE LEGACY on June 1 at Chapman University's Memorial Hall in Orange County, CA - an encore presentation of the two sold-out shows Kelly introduced at the Academy Of Motion Pictures at Lincoln Center in NYC last July.

Cortland Repertory Theatre kicks off their 42nd season at the Little York Pavilion in Preble with the theatre's premiere production of Agatha Christie's mystery, The Unexpected Guest. Performances will run from June 5th - 15th with evening performances at 7:30 PM. Matinees are available on June 7th, 9th and 12th at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office's new location at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.

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.

A sold-out crowd gathered at the Benedum Center as Pittsburgh CLO and the University of Pittsburgh honored Allegheny County's finest high school performers at the 23rd Annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

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.

Pittsburgh CLO presents the Stephen Sondheim celebration, Side By Side By Sondheim, which will run tonight, May 23 through August 18 at the CLO Cabaret.

Broadway Workshop, New York's top youth theatre program brought the Broadway musical XANADU, back to New York this past weekend. Broadway Workshop's production marked the first NYC staging of Xanadu since the 2007 Broadway production. Performances took place The Baruch Performing Arts Center and ran May 17th through May 19th. Scroll down for photos of the cast in action!

We've got a MUST WATCH reminder for Monday night - American Masters Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, the newest film in the American Masters series, will premiere nationally Monday, May 20 at 9pm ET/PT on PBS(check local listings), and will be released on DVD by Shout! Factory on May 21.

Widely proclaimed to be the greatest movie musical of all time, 'Singin' in the Rain,' with its Academy Award-nominated score, lovable characters, priceless dialogue and memorable songs, is the perfect choice for Pacific Symphony Pops' upcoming presentation of 'A Symphonic Night at the Movies.' A beautifully restored version of the 1952 American classic plays above the stage as the orchestra performs Nacio Herb Brown and lyricist Arthur Freed's music live and in synch with the film.

Today, we're thrilled to feature Richard Strimer currently playing Gene Kelly in Chicago's Theatre at the Center's WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING!

Now through June 2, 2013, at the Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (and not as far away as you might think) is a new play that gives us an interesting look into the making of one of the most enduring work of art produced by Hollywood in its Golden Age of Movie Musicals, the 1952 classic MGM film, "Singin' in the Rain."

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 on Thursday, May 23 with an 8 p.m. curtain. Opening night will be preceded by two preview performances on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 22 at 8 p.m. The show runs through June 16, 2013 in Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre located in The FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Jon Peterson will revive Song Man, Dance Man tonight, May 7 at 7:00 at Stage 72 at The Triad, 158 west 72nd Street near Broadway.

Diablo Ballet and The Lafayette Library & Learning Center bring back the popular, summer Dance on Film series beginning Thursday, June 6th 6:30 PM, with the 1954 musical movie classic Brigadoon.

Barrington Stage Company has announced principal casting for the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town from June 12 through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening is Sunday, June 16 at 5pm.

Today we are talking to a legendary triple-threat performer who over the course of her unique career has become one of a select few in show business to have attained the entertainment quadruple crown - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, that is; commonly referred to as the EGOT - the exceptionally gifted Rita Moreno. Exploring many aspects of her revealing and absorbing new autobiography RITA MORENO: A MEMOIR, Moreno opens up about her unique and boundary-breaking career in Hollywood and on Broadway, having appearing in three of the greatest movie musicals of all time - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE KING & I and WEST SIDE STORY - as well as in the Mike Nichols classic CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, in addition to an impressive list of TV and theatre credits. Additionally, Moreno reveals her insights into the creative process itself and the strides she made in the industry as the first Latin American actress to win an Academy Award. Plus, memories of starring in Terrence McNally's THE RITZ on Broadway and its subsequent film adaptation, as well as a rich recounting of her time starring in the original West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD as the one and only screen icon Norma Desmond. Also, Moreno reveals plans to revisit her one woman show from which sprung her stupendous new book, titled LIFE WITHOUT MAKE-UP, as well as shares her thoughts on Broadway today, remarks upon favorite recent films, shows and performers as well as offers an update on her new family-friendly film MICKEY DEUCE and touched upon her current small-screen role in HAPPILY DIVORCED - and much, much more!

As previously announced, John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur. Also starring will be Michelle Ragusa as The Lady of the Lake, Kevin Cahoon as Historian, John Scherer as Sir Robin, David Hibbard as Patsy, Chris Hoch as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Tally Sessions as Dennis' Mother/Sir Bedevere. Joining them will be broadcast legend Bob Costas as The Voice of God.