Jack Lemmon News

Celebrating its 50th anniversary of saluting the greatest talents in world cinema, The Chicago International Film Festival will honor Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Kline with a Career Achievement Award on Saturday, June 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware, at a special Summer Gala celebration.

Due to popular demand, the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, will be extended from June 25 through July 20 at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. After a brief hiatus starting June 8, the production that has been called 'A very classy solo tribute!' (Chicago Tribune); 'An honest, loving 'living memoir'!' (Chicago Sun-Times); and "An affectionate and all-together absorbing tribute!" (TimeOut Chicago) will return to Chicago for this strictly limited engagement.

Academy Award® winner, singer, dancer, writer and activist Shirley MacLaine makes her Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut in her remarkable one-woman show, sharing personal stories, photos and film clips from her illustrious Hollywood career and fascinating personal life on Saturday, September 20 at 8 p.m. in the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. During An Evening with Shirley MacLaine, the celebrated artist will use her trademark wit and candid spirituality to discuss everything from her childhood to her early show business career to hanging out with The Rat Pack, JFK and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. MacLaine will also open her program to a question and answer session with the audience.

Tony award-winning actor/performer Hal Linden returns to the New York stage for six performances with his 'Hal Linden Live in Concert' cabaret style, big-band classics inspired live show at Manhattan's Cafe Carlyle - 35 East 76th Street, NY, NY 10075 - now though May 24th. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you coverage from last night's show!

The Laguna Playhouse in association with Hershey Felder, Samantha F. Voxakis and Susan & Moses Libitzky will present Hershey Felder's newest production, the West Coast premiere of Chris Lemmon starring as his father Jack Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a play with music about a world famous dad and his son, written and directed by audience favorite Hershey Felder. JACK LEMMON RETURNS will perform for two weeks only beginning Wednesday, June 11 (with a press opening scheduled for Thursday, June 12) and run through Sunday, June 22 at the Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach.

The newest addition to the Godzilla film franchise is being released this Friday, just in time to celebrate the 60th Anniversary. The cast, led by Tony front-runner Bryan Cranston, features Oscar winner Juliette Binoche, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and of course a giant lizard and a number of other monsters.

59E59 Theaters will launch the new 5A Season with the New York premiere of THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE, adapted and directed by Hershey Felder, based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival (Grand Central Publishing, 2003) by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Produced by Geffen Playhouse in association with Eighty-Eight Entertainment and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE begins performances on Friday, July 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 24. Opening Night is Tuesday, July 22 at 7 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7 PM; Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM & 7 PM. Single tickets, which go one sale to 59E59 Members on May 19 and to the general public on May 27, are $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

It's been rumored, talked about, discussed and we've been reporting on it for what feels like forever -- and now, it's official! Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that it will present Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth as 'Lily Garland' and Golden Globe & SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher as 'Oscar Jaffe' in a new Broadway production of the classic musical ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY features music by Cy Coleman and book & lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder presents the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a new play with music. The production opened last night, Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.).

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and last season's smash hit Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane) will present the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in Jack Lemmon Returns, a new play with music. The production opens on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.). Scroll down for some photos from the production!

Marguerite Monnot's music and Andre Popp's orchestrations provide a rare and succulent taste of 1950s Parisian authenticity.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the 2014 Comedy Club, sponsored by Saunders & Associates. The fun begins on June 2 and will continue on most Monday nights at 8 pm through August. All dates are available online at www.baystreet.org or by stopping by or calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

On May 18th, at Middletown's own Elks Theatre, the filmmakers, alongside, THE SAVE THE ELKS! Campaign will premiere the short alongside the renowned film THE CHINA SYNDROME (1979) as a free double feature. THE CHINA SYNDROME, a movie starring Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda, and Michael Douglas, follows a trio of reporters that uncover a conspiracy at a nuclear plant, only to be caught in a meltdown. Besides being critically acclaimed, it is renowned for being released just 12 days prior the Three Mile Island incident. Scroll down for a sneak peek at both films!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Welcome to the '60s, with 'How To Succeed,' 'Motown,' 'Cabaret' and 'Hair,' plus tributes to Jack Lemmon and the Carpenters, the upcoming 'Jersey Boys' film, 'Option Up!,' that one-night 'Parade' concert and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: the 2014 Drama Desk Award nominees reception is today, plus Encores! IRMA LA DOUCE opens tonight at the City Center!

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and last season's smash hit Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane) will present the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a new play with music. The production will preview tonight, May 2 and open on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.).

Shining a spotlight on one of the greatest actors alive, today we celebrate the stunning stage and screen career of actor, director and patron of the arts Kevin Spacey.

Last night I had the particular privilege of discussing the intricacies and intrigue of William Shakespeare's legendary history play RICHARD III with one of the greatest actors of our age and a true patron of the arts - two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey. Discussing the finer points of his characterization of the hunchback antihero, Spacey paints a vivid portrait of his experiences in reteaming with his AMERICAN BEAUTY collaborator, director Sam Mendes, on bringing a truly 21st century take on the classic play to the stage - and then bringing the production all the way from the hallowed ground of Spacey's own The Old Vic in London, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City to a whirlwind worldwide tour spanning the globe. NOW, a compelling new documentary following the project from rehearsal through to opening night and ensuing world tour is set to be released next month and is highlighted by the fly-on-the-wall intimacy and access it provides viewers, as well as offering copious performance footage of Spacey and company in action onstage. Additionally, Spacey and I address and analyze the undeniable connections between RICHARD III and his super-successful Netflix dramatic series HOUSE OF CARDS, touching upon not only the dramatic parallels, but the lucky sequence of events that made the entire endeavor possible in the first place. After all, Frank Underwood is the modern Richard III in many ways - bloodlust, ambition, ego, humor and darkness included; but, also, the humanity. Plus, Spacey expresses his enthusiasm for starting work on Season Three of the series now that they have been granted Maryland filming tax breaks once again, which was holding up production until this week. Besides all of that, Spacey also clues us in on his future endeavors of interest, mentioning his spate of recent musical performances and his desire to pursue a musical role once again sometime soon following his acclaimed turn as Bobby Darin in musical biopic BEYOND THE SEA. FOLLIES, perhaps?! A wide-ranging conversation with a stage and screen mega-star like none other awaits in today's special spotlight.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein and last season's smash hit Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane) will present the World Premiere of Chris Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a new play with music. The production will preview May 2 and open on Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The production is written and directed by Hershey Felder and based on the true story of the legendary Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts, Some Like it Hot, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple) and his relationship with his son, actor and musician Chris Lemmon (Duet, That's Life, Lena's Holiday, etc.).

World premieres, brand new shows and classic songbook - the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET spreads its wings across London in May. Celebrating all things songbook, the LFOC will play at eight venues in the Capital from TUESDAY 6 MAY to THURSDAY 22 MAY 2014.