Joan Crawford News

A member of television comedy royalty, Gregg Oppenheimer grew up visiting the live set of his father Jess Oppenheimer's creation I Love Lucy. Today, an expert historian on all matters Lucy, Gregg's latest theatrical venture I LOVE LUCY: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM will be having its world premiere July 12, 2018 at L.A. Theatre Works venue on the UCLA campus, the James Bridges Theater.

'My life has always been about what I ate,' said the veteran comedy writer and actor. 'What can I tell you?' In this latest theatrical production of her 1986 book, it's quite a lot, actually.

President/Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, along with Council Member Mitch O'Farrell and Board President Esteban Montemayor of Christopher Street West, kicked off Pride weekend with the annual 'Real to Reel' exhibit that shines the spotlight on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) community in television and film through the decades. This year's event also feature a special recognition with The Future of Hollywood Award presented to actress Stephanie Beatriz and the Legacy Award to TONY Award winning actress, Julie Newmar.

On May 31st, Rich Little, arguably the most famous impressionist in the world, was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during their Hollywood Hero ceremony with the Johnny Grant Award, along with Diahann Carroll (receiving the Mary Pickford Award).  

Producer Julian Schlossberg announces that Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress Renee Taylor - known to millions for her role as Fran Fine's food-obsessed mother, Sylvia, on 'The Nanny' - will return to the New York stage this summer in MY LIFE ON A DIET, an autobiographical comedy written by Ms. Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna. Originally directed by Mr. Bologna, MY LIFE ON A DIET will have its New York premiere Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 West 46 Street, between Ninth & Tenth Aves) beginning Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Dialing It UpThis quote from a live cabaret performance by Charles Busch could be referencing his play, Die! Mommie Die!, which is a parody of the kind of grotesque, overwrought melodrama that fueled the careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in the 1960's. Busch is certainly juicing up an old model, registering the conniving and backstabbing plot twists beneath a veneer of arch camp.

Bold and brassy? Yes. Loud and raucous? At times! But... Jackie Hoffman is terribly, terribly talented and self-deprecating. Let's add juicy and mirthful! In her one-woman show Memoircita!, which played three performances at LGBT's Renberg Theatre this past weekend, Hoffman doled out more dish than gay audiences could ever dream of ... about her unhappy life, checkered career, whacky view of the world, and of course not excluding working with the brilliant and condescending Jessica Lange on Feud: Bette and Joan on fxtv. Her diary Memoircita! was the highlight.

DIE, MOMMIE, DIE! is a campy noir classic that follows the devious actions of fading Hollywood star Angela Arden, played to the hilt by Drew Droege in drag. Think of Gloria Swanson in "Sunset Boulevard" and throw in a bit of Joan Crawford's attitude and you get the idea of who Angela Arden is. And let me tell you, Droege is a wonder running across the stage in high heels, always dressed to feminine perfection by costumer Allison Dillard. But Angela is trapped in an unhappy marriage and plots to kill her husband, Hollywood producer Sol Sussman (Pat Towne) in order to be with her young, and very well-hung lover Tony Parker (Andrew Carter). His endowment is a running gag throughout the play, aimed at almost every other character at some point, a bit too suggestive and sexy for young audiences.

Ryan Landry mines the Old West and Old Hollywood for his new Gold Dust Orphans springtime musical. It's a fast ride on a runaway train with more kicks than a buckin' bronco. Old Orphans and new rally around Director Robin JaVonne Smith, stepping into the big boots of the late, beloved Larry Coen, and she hits the bullseye. Don't let a team of wild horses keep you from BROKELAHOMO!

Art Directors Guild (ADG) and American Cinematheque kick off the 2018 ADG Film Society Screening Series with a A Tribute To CEDRIC GIBBONS, MGM'S Oscar®-winning Supervising Art Director, featuring a special screening of GRAND HOTEL (1932). A conversation will follow exploring the legacy of Gibbons' work and spotlighting in the Golden Age of Hollywood socialites. A short tribute film will be shown depicting the range of Gibbons extraordinary work and his enduring contributions to design and Art Deco in cinema. The ADG Film Society Series is sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter. 

GRAND HOTEL (1932) will launch the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society's 2018 screening series with a spotlight on CEDRIC GIBBONS, MGM'S Legendary Oscar®-winning Supervising Art Director with a record 11 Academy Awards® and 38 nominations, at the Aero Theatre on Sunday, April 22. Gibbons legendary film honors include Singin' In The Rain (1952), An American In Paris(1951), Pride And Prejudice (1940), The Wizard of Oz (1939) and The Great Ziegfeld (1936). He designed the iconic gold Oscar statuette and influenced the architecture of the majestic movie palaces. The annual 2018 Screening Series “Production Design: Designers On Design,”highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative collaborations, is in association with American Cinematheque and sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter. 

Though the songwriting team of Robert Wright and George Forrest is best remembered by Broadway enthusiasts for adapting the music of Edvard Grieg into SONG OF NORWAY and similarly using the melodies of Alexander Borodin to create their score for KISMET, their greatest success came when director/choreographer Tommy Tune took interest in a musical of theirs that fizzled into obscurity on its way to Broadway, then known as AT THE GRAND.

D'Arcy Drollinger presents San Francisco's living legend, Matthew Martin, as Joan Crawford in the drag parody of the 1970 British science fiction horror film, TROG!  April 20 - May 12, 2018, Friday - Sunday at 7:00 pm at Oasis, 298 Eleventh St. @Folsom.

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and the American Cinematheque are co-hosting the annual 2018 Screening Series “Production Design: Designers On Design” highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative collaborations. The monthly series will run from April through August, and the screenings will alternate between the American Cinematheque's Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood) and the Max Palevsky Theatre at the Aero (1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica) with all screenings starting at 5:30 pm. Moderating the screenings are Production Designers THOMAS A. WALSH ADG, JOHN MUTO ADG,and MICHAEL ALLEN GLOVER ADG. The screening series is sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter. For tickets, go to:www.americancinematheque.com.

Never Before Available on Digital Platforms, THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES, Premieres on iTunes and Amazon on 3/9

It has been billed as the theatrical event of the season: a fully immersive, site-specific production of a modern classic presented inside a women's vintage clothing boutique. Pinup Girl Boutique presents Archway Theatre Company's production of 'The Women' 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 6 through April 21. Tickets are $32 general, and $16 for seniors or students.

Central Works opening production of its 2018 season Bamboozled by award-winning playwright Patricia Milton, has extended through March 25th (originally scheduled to close March 18).

The sidewalk in front of Theatre 80 Saint Marks Place has been called the "East Coast Grauman's", and Fodor's Travel magazine calls it 'one of the eight things to see in the USA.' On Sunday, February 18, from 4:00-6:00pm, star of stage, screen, television and one of New York's legendary bonhomie, Joe Sirola, will add his signature and handprints to the historic sidewalk.

Central Works begins its 2018 season of new plays with Bamboozled by award-winning playwright Patricia Milton, opening with a press night on Saturday, Feb 17, and running through March 18 (previews Feb 15 & 16) at the historic Berkeley City Club. Bamboozled was developed by Ms. Milton in the Central Works Writers Workshop, and is inspired by true events. In Central Works 58th world premiere, Abby is a young appraiser touring with the show "Antiques Roadtrip." She's a black woman from L.A. traveling in the south-Shelby County, Tennessee. When she's accused of defrauding a Daughter of the Confederacy out of a fortune in Civil War heirlooms, Abby finds herself on the hook for a million dollars. Her legal team is flailing and her accuser is formidable. Should she cop a plea? Or take a long shot for justice?

In conjunction with its current production of Bad Dates, Huntington Theatre Company will host several special events and post-show conversations. Admission to onsite post-show events is free with a ticket to Bad Dates, available at www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2017-2018/bad-dates/, by phone at 617 266 0800, or in person at the Huntington Avenue Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue) and Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA (527 Tremont Street) box offices. Tickets start at $25. Performances run from January 26 through February 25, 2018 at the Avenue of the Arts / Huntington Avenue Theatre.