Gene Kelly News

With today being Halloween, we thought it was a perfect time to re-run one of our most popular interviews EVER, a very special chat with the original 'man behind the mask' of the Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced that 18 local young performers have been chosen to star as the 2008-2009 Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars. These talented youngsters have appeared in numerous productions for Pittsburgh CLO, the Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Pittsburgh CLO Academy has announced that Broadway veterans Michael McGurk and Gina Philistine will teach a master class for students at the Academy's annual Musical Theater Extravaganza from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2.

Fashion icon Mr. Richard Blackwell passed away at 4:15pm on Sunday, October 19, 2008 in Los Angeles of complications due to an intestinal infection.

The Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC) announced that its 51st season, beginning in the fall of 2009, will be highlighted by the Northern California premiere of the recent Broadway hit CURTAINS and three other major musicals, one in concert.

For the first time, Pittsburgh CLO will present Broadway phenomenon Les Misérables as part of a spectacular 2009 Summer Season lineup that also includes the previously announced Pittsburgh premiere of Legally Blonde The Musical.

There's a great pleasure in talking to veteran performers. They've been through it all and have many great stories to tell. Such was the case recently in a conversation with dancer/ singer/ actress/comedienne Mitzi Gaynor. This great lady starred in such Hollywood successes as THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS with Ethel Merman, THE JOKER IS WILD with Frank Sinatra, the re-make of ANYTHING GOES with Bing Cosby and Donald O'Connor, LES GIRLS with Gene Kelly and SOUTH PACIFIC with Rossano Brazzi. She also wowed television audiences in the 60's and 70's with a series of specials that captivated America and had schoolboys rushing home from sporting events to watch them. Without a doubt, Mitzi Gaynor was a show business phenomenon and she remains one today as she prepares for the public television airing of her new documentary called 'Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.'

BABALU-CY will now play a special schedule from September 27th thru October 12th it will playSaturday & Sunday @ 3pm. THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY PERFORMANCES IN OBSERVANCE OF ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR.

XANADU in Chicago will star Elizabeth Stanley as 'Kira' (played in the film version by Olivia Newton-John), Max Von Essen as 'Sonny,' Sharon Wilkins and Joanna Glushak as the evil Muses 'Melpomene' and 'Calliope,' respectively, and Larry Marshal as 'Danny' (played in the film version by Gene Kelly). XANADU's cast also features Tallia Brinson, Amy Goldberger, Vince Rodriguez III, Jason Michael Snow, Kristofer Stock, JB Wing and Chicagoland-natives Julius Thomas III and Tiffany Topol.

Tony-winner Michael Crawford's official web site is listing much news about the star including the upcoming November 11 release of The Fantastic World of Michael Crawford on DVD and a reported one-man show in the works.The stars most recent concerts have included the addition of new songs, video material and biographical bits as of late as the first tastes of what's said to be a brand-new show.

Pittsburgh CLO and Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, in partnership with The ASCAP Foundation and Academy® and Grammy Award® -winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, are pleased to announce that the new musical, Bubble Boy, has been selected for presentation as part of the Pittsburgh CLO/Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama New Works Program.

Casting is announced for the anticipated Chicago and Midwest premiere of the surprise hit Broadway musical XANADU at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. Performances are scheduled to begin January 16, 2009 and individual tickets are now on sale.

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

Award-winning producers, Michael & Barbara Ross, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theater, beginning August 23rd.

Pittsburgh CLO is bringing back The Gong Show for one night only, in homage to the television classic that recently returned on Comedy Central. Hosted by CLO's own Jason Coll, the performance starts at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, at the Cabaret Theater. Tickets cost just $5 at the door.

Pittsburgh CLO is bringing back The Gong Show for one night only, in homage to the television classic that recently returned on Comedy Central. Hosted by CLO's own Jason Coll, the performance starts at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, at the Cabaret Theater. Tickets cost just $5 at the door.

You've seen their fast-tapping, high-kicking antics at the Benedum Center this summer. Now, join the 2008 Pittsburgh CLO Ensemble as its members step into the spotlight at 10:30 p.m. August 14, at the CLO Cabaret at Theater Square for a one-night-only engagement. Tickets cost just $5 and are available at the door.

Award-winning producers, MICHAEL & BARBARA ROSS, will present the 2008 Back Stage Bistro Award Winning GREG PURNHAGEN in BABALU-CY - the art of Desi Arnaz, Off-Broadway, at the Actors Temple Theatre, beginning August 23rd, with the opening set for Wednesday, September 17th.

The new production of Lerner and Loewe's BRIGADOON, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford and scheduled to play in Boston this fall, prior to a Broadway opening, has been postponed. The delay is due to the lack of an appropriate Broadway theatre in Spring, 2009.

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA announced today that they will an award title the Shuler Hensley award for excellence in high school musical theater.