Gene Kelly News

Pittsburgh CLO's 2009 Summer Season will showcase a mix of Broadway blockbusters, bold new shows and musical theater gems, highlighted by casts featuring some of the most critically-acclaimed and respected actors working in theater today.

Polyester shirts, halter tops, platform shoes and 10 years of groundbreaking music will be brought to life on stage in 8-TRACK, The Sounds of the 70's, playing May 21 through September 27 at the CLO Cabaret. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 3, at CLOCabaret.com, by calling (412) 456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.

Betsy Blair, the Oscar-nominated actress and teenage bride of Gene Kelly, has died in London at the age of 85, her publisher said on Thursday.

Westport Country Playhouse announces the appointment of David Kennedy as associate artistic director. He will join recently appointed Mark Lamos, artistic director, and Michael Ross, managing director, in guiding programming and production for the historic theater now entering its 79th season.

Jamie McGonnigal and Joe's Pub present the 5th incarnation of their hit series in 'FLOPZ n' CUTZ 5' on Sunday, March 15th at 9:30pm. FLOPZ n' CUTZ, the series named a 'SMASH!' by NEXT Magazine, aims to acquaint theatre enthusiasts with shows and songs that, while not quite successful in their original incarnations, still have merits that can be showcased in a concert setting.

Jamie McGonnigal and Joe's Pub are proud to present the 5th incarnation of their hit series in 'FLOPZ n' CUTZ 5' on Sunday, March 15th at 9:30pm. FLOPZ n' CUTZ, the series named a 'SMASH!' by NEXT Magazine, aims to acquaint theatre enthusiasts with shows and songs that, while not quite successful in their original incarnations, still have merits that can be showcased in a concert setting.

Five exciting productions are slated for the 2009 season, running twenty-one weeks from Memorial Day to Columbus Day Weekends.

Applications for the 2009 Woodward Internship and Apprentice Programs at Westport Country Playhouse are now being accepted, according to Debra Baron, WCP director of education. 'We are looking for interns nationwide and apprentices locally who are multi-talented and true team players,' said Ms. Baron. 'Internships and apprenticeships serve as a springboard to young people interested in theater.'

After 12 years of SRO performances in theatrical venues on five continents, actor/writer/composer David Sanborn will bring his acclaimed stage musical King David (www.kingdavidmusical.com) to New York theater audiences on April 9 for a limited engagement through June 27 at the Promise Theater, 316 East 91st Street, in Manhattan.

The Incredibly Innovative Innovators of Pittsburgh, a Pittsburgh CLO Gallery of Heroes production, kicked off its spring tour January 12, 2009, at Peabody High School. Originally developed to coincide with the Pittsburgh 250 celebration, this educational and entertaining production was extended for an additional tour by popular demand. The show is traveling to local schools, teaching students about the men, women and innovations from Pittsburgh that have helped to change the world during the last 250 years. The spring tour will run through May 15 at schools in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Green, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania and in Weirton, West Virginia. The production is presented in partnership with the Senator John Heinz History Center.

XANADU, the show the surprised and delighted Broadway, is now delighting Chicago fans by offering a 'Happy Sale' featuring $44 tickets. This is the perfect time to see the 90-minute show critics are hailing 'very funny,' 'high energy,' 'strange magic,' and 'blissfully giddy' -whether seeing it for the first time or for the fifth! Part of Broadway In Chicago 2008-2009 season, XANADU is at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut St).

Jamie McGonnigal and Joe's Pub present the 5th incarnation of their hit series in 'FLOPZ n' CUTZ 5' on Sunday, March 15th at 9:30pm. FLOPZ n' CUTZ, the series named a 'SMASH!' by NEXT Magazine, aims to acquaint theatre enthusiasts with shows and songs that, while not quite successful in their original incarnations, still have merits that can be showcased in a concert setting.

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the three new shows that will make up the 2009-2010 CLO Cabaret season, including two Cabaret premieres. Subscriptions are available online at CLOCabaret.com or by calling 412-281-2822.

Pittsburgh CLO to Hold Auditions For Summer Season 2009, Singers, dancers and character actors - ages 18 and older. Auditions for the ensemble and character roles for Pittsburgh CLO's 2009 Summer Season productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Swing!, Les Miserables, Barry Manilow's Copacabana and Into the Woods. Productions run from May 26 - August 9.

Pittsburgh CLO, with the families of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, will proudly present the 12th Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater to award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The ceremony will be held at the 2009 CLO Guild's Pink Frolic Ball on May 9, 2009, at the Omni William Penn Hotel.

Jamie McGonnigal and Joe's Pub are proud to present the 5th incarnation of their hit series in 'FLOPZ n' CUTZ 5' on Sunday, March 15th at 9:30pm. FLOPZ n' CUTZ, the series named a 'SMASH!' by NEXT Magazine, aims to acquaint theatre enthusiasts with shows and songs that, while not quite successful in their original incarnations, still have merits that can be showcased in a concert setting.

Broadway In Chicago presents Broadway's surprise hit musical XANADU at Chicago's Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. The show officially opens tonight, Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Individual and group tickets are currently on sale for this fabulously fun, out-of-this-world musical confection. This wildly funny musical delivers a surprisingly touching story about the nine magical muse-daughters of Zeus, who come to earth in 1980 (disguised in roller skates, leg warmers and Australian accents) to inspire humans to create truly great work and discover the meaning of the universe's greatest secret: the Gift of XANADU. Zeus' most important decree is they can't fall in love with any mortals! But all that changes when the young Kira (Elizabeth Stanley) meets the handsome artist Sonny (Max von Essen), who needs her help in achieving his greatest dream. It is only when Sonny teaches Kira the true meaning of inspiration, that the secret of XANADU is revealed!

Tommy Tune doesn't let his age slow him down as he continues to perform and make waves dancing on The Great White Way and all around America. On January 23 and 24 Tommy Tune performed 'Tommy Tune in Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance' at the Strathmore. Tommy Tune in Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance Featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings. With an unprecedented nine Tony Awards in four categories, Tommy Tune's credentials are impressive, but it's his effortless charm that brings audiences back again and again. 'The last genuine song-and-dance man' (Variety), Tune is top-hatted, white-tied, and tailed for this delicious evening of show standards, with the Manhattan Rhythm Kings trio providing impeccable accompaniment. On November 12, 2003, The President of The United States presented Tommy Tune with the nations' highest honor for Artistic Achievement, The National Medal of Arts. In a private ceremony in the oval office of the White House, Mr. Tune received this honor to add to his already unprecedented nine Tony Awards in four different categories plus, among other accolades, eight Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, two Astaire Awards, the American Dance Award, the Drama League Award, and the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to present Broadway's surprise hit musical XANADU at Chicago's Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place beginning Friday, January 16, 2009. The press opening is Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Individual and group tickets are currently on sale for this fabulously fun, out-of-this-world musical confection.

Westport Country Playhouse incoming artistic director Mark Lamos and managing director Michael Ross announce a new look to the 2009 season. The Playhouse will open its 79th season in April with 'Around the World in 80 Days' directed by Michael Evan Haney. 'Around the World in 80 Days' was original scheduled for a September run, but will now open the 2009 season. 'Around the World in 80 Days,' an adventure tale adapted from the book by Jules Verne and written by Mark Brown, will play April 21 through May 9. Hailed by the New Yorker as 'a riveting testament to the ingeniousness of the human imagination,' and heralded by Associated Press as 'a clever, action-packed production skillfully directed by Michael Evan Haney,' 'Around the World in 80 Days' is a wild, global adventure for the whole family about Phileas Fogg and his ever loyal man-servant Passepartout---complete with elephants, steamboats and trains. Following 'Around the World in 80 Days,' the season's second play will be 'Children,' a timeless and touching family drama by A.R. Gurney, the playwright who penned 'The Dining Room,' 'Sylvia' and 'Love Letters.' It will run May 26 through June 13. When their mysterious brother, Pokey, returns to the family's beachside vacation home, all the family plans crumble as love affairs and family secrets explode. Westport favorite John Tillinger will direct.