Joan Crawford News

If audiences today know the name of John Barrymore, it's most likely as the paternal grandfather of movie star Drew Barrymore. They may have a vague idea that he was a great actor from a family of great actors, but do they know he was also an infamous world-class drunk?

Hell in a Handbag introduces a new show that is sure to be a camp holiday classic for those who prefer a little something spicier in their stocking at Christmas.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three touring shows are playing this week, with 'Wicked' beginning next week, plus a lot at Northwestern, two spelling bees, more Halloween shows, appearances by Joan Crawford and Elaine Stritch, and more!

The National Gallery of Victoria will stage the first Australian survey of fashion's most influential photographer Edward Steichen in October. The exhibition Edward Steichen and Art Deco Fashion will feature over 200 of Steichen's original vintage photographs, drawn from the vast Condé Nast Archive through the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography, alongside more than forty stunning Art Deco fashion garments and accessories that showcase the glamour and modernity of the period.

Evolution Theatre Company soars with its final production of 2013 -- announcing the Ohio premiere of Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly, winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revue and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The show will play one preview tonight, October 16 at 8 pm and continues Thursday - Saturday, October 17 - 19 at 8 pm, Sunday, October 20 at 2 pm and Thursday - Saturday, October 24 - 26 at 8 pm.

The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes -- 8th Annual All Drag Xmas Exdrag-a-ganza -- will feature all new episodes for 12 performances only this holiday season, Dec. 5 - 22, 2013, playing Thurs. Fri. & Sat. at 8:00 pm and Sun. at 7:00 pm at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco.

Famed female impersonator Randy Roberts returns to San Francisco by popular demand with two not-to-be-missed shows in two different venues. Beginning with a limited engagement of only 12 performances of Randy's signature show RANDY ROBERTS LIVE! at the Alcove Theatre - 414 Mason St. (at Geary St.), 5th Floor, in SF 94102 - Oct. 10 - Nov. 2, 2013 (Thurs. Fri. & Sat. - 9:00 pm).

Ruthless! The Musical is a gem of a satirical comedy about the consuming drive for stardom. Suburban housewife Judy Denmark is dull as dull can be, but her daughter, Tina, is the greatest song-and-dance sensation to ever hit the third grade. She's cute. She dances. She sings. And she would do anything to get the lead role in her school play...ANYTHING! Move over Honey Boo Boo, this outrageous and hysterically funny musical hit garnered rave reviews during its Off-Broadway run in the early 90s, and is ripe for a revival in today's celebrity driven world.

Christmas Dearest tells the tale of Hollywood superstar, Joan Crawford, and the important lessons she learns one Christmas Eve. The show runs Nov. 29-Dec. 29.

The Tony-winning actress, who was last seen in Yasmina Reza's GOD OF CARNAGE in 2009, and her 'TROPHY' co-star Michaela Watkins, recently spoke with BroadwayWorld - and Harden confirmed that 'there's a couple' of projects that might just bring her back to the stage in the near future.

The Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2013-14 schedule. Check out highlights below!

Evolution Theatre Company soars with its final production of 2013 -- announcing the Ohio premiere of Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly, winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revue and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. The show will play one preview on Wednesday, October 16 at 8 pm and continues Thursday - Saturday, October 17 - 19 at 8 pm, Sunday, October 20 at 2 pm and Thursday - Saturday, October 24 - 26 at 8 pm.

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', on Sunday, September 29, at 3pm. Performers include Stephen Hanks, Fran Leonardis, and Stearns Matthews. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Zoe Gelman.

Famed female impersonator Randy Roberts returns to San Francisco by popular demand with two not-to-be-missed shows in two different venues. Beginning with a limited engagement of only 12 performances of Randy's signature show RANDY ROBERTS LIVE! at the Alcove Theatre - 414 Mason St. (at Geary St.), 5th Floor, in SF 94102 - Oct. 10 - Nov. 2, 2013 (Thurs. Fri. & Sat. - 9:00 pm).

Howard Hawks, the quintessential Hollywood director known for his mastery of many genres, will be the subject of a complete retrospective at Museum of the Moving Image from today, September 7 through November 10, 2013. The Museum will present 39 features. All of the films will be shown in 35mm-many in stunning restorations-except for Red Line 7000, which will be shown in 16mm.

Ensemble Theatre's 2014 season was launched on Aug 19 at the theatre with over 200 actors, directors, playwrights and group bookers in attendance. First up for 2014 is PROOF by David Auburn, a captivating character study about maths and the fine line between madness and genius directed by Sandra Bates with Adriano Cappelletta, Catherine McGraffin, Matilda Ridgway and Michael Ross.

Me and Jezebel, the candidly funny comedy by Elizabeth L. Fuller, is coming to Blackfriars Theatre this October in a fresh, exciting and uniquely inspired production. The show, based on the true life account of Fuller, recounts events during the summer of 1985 when the legendary Bette Davis came to stay in Fuller's family home in Connecticut for what was only to be one night, but instead turned into an entire month. After dinner with a mutual friend of Davis' at Fuller's home, and a friendly phone call from Davis herself, Elizabeth agrees to let Bette Davis reside with her during the course of a New York hotel strike.

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre will kick off its 2013-2014 Season with the ruthlessly outrageous Off-Broadway hit Ruthless! The Musical from October 9 - November 3, 2013.

Howard Hawks, the quintessential Hollywood director known for his mastery of many genres, will be the subject of a complete retrospective at Museum of the Moving Image from September 7 through November 10, 2013. The Museum will present 39 features. All of the films will be shown in 35mm-many in stunning restorations-except for Red Line 7000, which will be shown in 16mm.

Did you ever wonder what it was like to be a part of showbiz history? You know, Ethel Merman teaching you how to make martinis while Paul Newman gave you acting tips. And then, fielding all those annoying telephone calls from reporters the night your Mom won the Oscar? Welcome to the world of Luke Yankee, son of Broadway and Hollywood actress Eileen Heckart. In DIVA DISH, his one-man show playing a one night only benefit performance for the ANAHEIM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FOUNDATION at Fox Pointe Manor on September 21, 2013, that's exactly what you'll experience.