George Jessel News

This week's Theater Stories features the Palace Theatre! Learn about the theatre's rich history with vaudeville, the films to have made their premiere at the theatre, including Citizen Kane and others, the most recent show to be performed in the theatre, the SpongeBob musical, and much more!

Richard Skpper celebrates Barbara Carole Sickmen, today, September 21st at 5PM ET/2PM ET, Streaming LIVE through Richard Skipper Celebrates on Facebook and YouTube. 

'Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz' is now making its thrilling New Jersey premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse through October 27. The show is masterfully directed by Denis Jones and features an outstanding, versatile cast.

The reviews are in! What did the critics have to say? Don your ruby slipper! Paper Mill Playhouse's New Jersey premiere of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz is now on stage featuring a book by Marc Acito, musical adaptation & additional music by David Libby and conceived by and additional lyrics by Tina Marie Casamento.

Built in 1913 as the flagship for the big time vaudeville circuit run by E.F. Albee and Martin Beck, manager of the Western Vaudeville Managers Association, the Palace was the perfect showplace for the biggest of big time vaudeville during the last two decades of its existence.

There have only been 9 Abbots in the history of the Friars Club starting with George M. Cohan who held the position from 1907-1932. Then came: George Jessel, Milton Berle, Mike Todd, Joe E. Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, Alan King, and the current Abbot Jerry Lewis. The actor, singer, director, philanthropist and comic legend who passed away this year was saluted and given a heartfelt curtain call by The Friars last night. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out full photo coverage below!

The new musical Ben, Virginia and Me: The Liberace Musical will get its NY debut as part of the New York Musical Festival.

The new musical Ben, Virginia and Me: The Liberace Musical will get its NY debut as part of the New York Musical Festival.

The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company and Dancap Productions present THE JAZZ SINGER, a new musical adaption of Samson Raphaelson's classic story of a son's struggle between his passion for a Broadway career, and his father's plans to have him follow in his footsteps as a cantor. The production will run May 23 - June 18, 2017 at Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts.

Goodspeed is thrilled to announce the cast of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, abrand-new musical that chronicles a time before "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Easter Parade," and "A Star is Born"-a time when Judy Garland was simply, "the girl with the great big voice." Filled with many beloved songs sung by Judy Garland throughout her career, Chasing Rainbows will run September 16 - November 27 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. The show is sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts, Eversource Energy, ConnectiCare, Comcast, and Webster Bank.

This month, one of New York's most iconic hotels celebrates one of New York's most iconic artists in a unique art installation. The Algonquin Hotel Celebrates The Hirschfeld Century, will be presented in the legendary lobby of the Algonquin Hotel today, November 19, 2015 through March 31, 2016.

This month, one of New York's most iconic hotels celebrates one of New York's most iconic artists in a unique art installation. The Algonquin Hotel Celebrates The Hirschfeld Century, will be presented in the legendary lobby of the Algonquin Hotel November 19, 2015 through March 31, 2016.

Cabaret had it's beginnings in Germany, so I guess it was "Bashert" (yiddish - meant to be) that the German and Romanian Ambassadors were among those that filled the Actors Temple last night to hear acclaimed European Cabaret Star Adrienne Haan perform. As Rabbi Jill Hausman pointed out in her opening remarks, "actors have always used their talents to raise money for the historic shul".

An NYC reading for the new musical CHASING RAINBOWS - THE ROAD TO OZ has been scheduled for this week in New York City, September 8-18. BroadwayWorld has learned that the reading will feature Ruby Rakos (Frances Gumm), Euan Morton (Frank Gumm / Roger Edens), Donna Lynne Champlin (Ethel Gumm), Michael Wartella (Joe Yule), Karen Mason (Kay Koverman), and Douglass Sills (George Jessel / L.B. Mayer), with Emily Rosenfeld, Beatice Tulchin, Emma Howard, Andrea Marie Laxton, Katie Wesler, Jessica Sheridan, Kevin B. McGlynn, Ben Crawford, Tommy Bracco, Sam Strassfeld, Katie Dixon, Tessa Grady, Jonalyn Saxer, Michael Milton, and Stephen Christopher Anthony.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs today, May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Pasadena Playhouse, announced today the full cast of Vanessa Claire Stewart's STONEFACE, the fifth production of the 2013-2014 season. STONEFACE is performed June 3 to 29, 2014; the press opening is Sunday, June 8.

A star-studded musical celebration, the 4th Annual Best of Broadway & Cabaret to benefit the Actors' Temple [339 West 47th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenue], the historic theater district landmark that has been a welcoming home to show business Jews, their family, and friends, took place on November 18. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

The Best of Broadway & Cabaret come out in support of the Actors' Temple, (est. 1917) tonight, Monday, November 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The Fourth Annual Concert Fundraiser will take place at the Temple, 339 West 47th Street. This musical celebration will benefit the theater district historic landmark which has been struggling to survive in recent years.