George Burns News

Stages' PETE N' KEELY is a dark comedy that hearkens back to a bygone era when men were gentlemen and women were ladies. A time when Billie Holiday wore impeccably designed silk dresses and garlands in her hair on the stage then exited to a life of heroin addiction, incarceration and abusive romantic relationships. Those were the days.

The 18th Long Island Al Jolson Festival coming up on August 16 is a whole-day affair featuring film presentations, lectures, memorabilia displays and sales, and a performance--'The Heart of Al Jolson'--by singer and Staten Island native Tony Babino (photo below), who can sing Jolson songs like, well, you ain't heard nothin' yet. The other day, like clockwork, I received my yearly invitation to attend from Oceanside, LI resident Jan Hernstat, who for the past 10 years has been the President of the 62-year-old International Al Jolson Society (which was formed in early 1950, a few months before Jolson died), an organization with a worldwide membership hovering around 1,000. I am proud to say that for 30 years, I've been one of them. I'm even prouder to say that I've been an Al Jolson fanatic for much longer. Here's my story about how it happened.

The State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, PA, announces its 88th Season. Tickets for the new season will go on sale to State Theatre Members on Thursday, August 5th, to the public on Tuesday, August 19th.

THE SUNSHINE BOYS by Neil Simon, the second show of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series at Connecticut Repertory Theatre is onstage tonight, June 19-29 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater, Storrs. The Neil Simon penned comedy is led by Broadway and Television veterans Jerry Adler as Willie Clark and Richard Kline as Al Lewis. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

THE SUNSHINE BOYS by Neil Simon, the second show of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series at Connecticut Repertory Theatre is onstage June 19-29 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater, Storrs. The Neil Simon penned comedy is led by Broadway and Television veterans Jerry Adler as Willie Clark and Richard Kline as Al Lewis.

The multi-disciplinary Astra Arts Festival will present guests with three outstanding theatre performances at its inaugural event this July; 'Say Goodnight Gracie,' 'Hard Travelin' with Woody,' and 'Vincent.'

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will simulcast Dr. Maya Angelou's private memorial service in celebration of her legacy being held at Wake Forest University, North Carolina today, June 7 at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT on OWN.

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced the ten actors who will participate in the 2014 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program, a widely acclaimed national program to serve the future of American theatre. July 13-20, the Lunt-Fontanne Fellows will join Master Teacher David Hyde Pierce for an intensive, weeklong master class and immersion experience at Ten Chimneys, the National Historic Landmark estate of theatre legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin.

Singer/songwriter Ruth Carlin returns to the Laurie Beechman Theater this spring with an illuminating exploration of the eclectic repertoire of iconic folkie turned cabaret favorite, Judy Collins. 'A Light in the Window - Songs of Judy Collins.' Performances are tonight, May 17th at 7:30pm and June 12th at 7pm.

Brochu won multiple awards for 'Zero Hour' and returned this year with an autobiographical tribute to character actors, 'Character Man'.

On April 27, 2014 a private reading of the upcoming musical adaptation of BRAVE NEW WORLD took place in an undisclosed Midtown Manhattan venue.

Singer/songwriter Ruth Carlin returns to the Laurie Beechman Theater this spring with an illuminating exploration of the eclectic repertoire of iconic folkie turned cabaret favorite, Judy Collins. 'A Light in the Window - Songs of Judy Collins.' Performances are May 17th at 7:30pm and June 12th at 7pm. The show will be directed by Scott Barnes, with accompaniment by Carlin's Musical Director, Paul Greenwood, on Piano, Dick Sarpola on bass and John Redsecker on drums. The Laurie Beechman Theater is at Westbank Cafe, 407 W. 42nd St. NYC. For reservations, call: (212) 695-6909.

Grammy and Emmy Winner JOHN McDANIEL and Tony Nominee BILL RUSSELL have joined the creative team of BRAVE NEW WORLD: THE MUSICAL, currently in development, as Co-Composer and Lyricist. They join a team that already includes Ben Andron as Book Writer, Jonnie Rockwell as Co-Composer, and Tony Nominated Director, Sheryl Kaller. John McDaniel is also attached as Music Director.

A State Theatre Fan Favorite, Bobby Collins is the #1 most played and requested comedian on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio. The 'most natural comedian working today,' according to the New York Times, returns to the State Theatre tonight, March 21st.

There's a wide variety of events at the Mayo Performing Arts Center April 16-19. The lineup features the British boys choir Libera (April 16); Rich Little's Jimmy Stewart and Friends (April 17), Scooby Doo Live! (April 18) and comedian Kathy Griffin (April 19). Tickets are available for all performances.

Tony Award-winning Rupert Holmes will headline the second annual master class benefit event for the New York-based non-profit theatre company New York Theatre Barn called A Conversation with Rupert Holmes: From Platinum Piña Coladas to Tony-winning Playwright on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 2pm at the SVA Theatre in New York City. All proceeds will support New York Theatre Barn's convention-defying process for new musical development and its ongoing operations. This event follows on the heels of 2013's sold-out benefit event starring living legend Barry Manilow, and will be hosted by The New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel.

The New York Times reports that theatre critic and writer Martin Gottfried passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2014, due to complications of pneumonia. He was 80.

A State Theatre Fan Favorite, Bobby Collins is the #1 most played and requested comedian on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio. The 'most natural comedian working today,' according to the New York Times, returns to the State Theatre on Friday, March 21st.

Comedy 103.1 and Z2 Entertainment present Jeff Ross at the Boulder Theater tonight, February 5th, 2014 at 8 PM.

Recognizable stage and screen star Anita Gillette returns to the West Coast with her solo show AFTER ALL this Friday with a gig scheduled for Feinstein's At The Nikko.