Joanna Gleason News

TDF, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone, which is celebrating 50 years of service to audiences and the performing arts community in 2018, has announced it will be honoring Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright TONY KUSHNER at its 50th Anniversary Gala on Monday, June 18 at Manhattan's historic Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street, NYC). Mr. Kushner's masterwork, Angels in America, is currently receiving its first Broadway revival with the National Theatre production at the Neil Simon Theatre.

A new Shakespeare festival emphasizing inclusivity and diversity is being launched by New York Shakespeare Exchange (NYSX) this spring. Running from April 23 through May 19, the 1st annual Shakespeare for Everyone Festival will have as its centerpiece the world premieres of eight new short plays in heightened language by a group of authors who identify with social, ethnic or gender-based communities with limited exposure to Shakespeare's work.

The California Desert Chorale presents AN AMERICAN SONGFEST March 18 and 25, an eclectic offering including music form the Broadway smash hit 'Hamilton'. I caught up with Artistic Director Tim Bruneau as he was prepearing for this very special concert to talk all things Chorale and more. Her are a few excerpts from that conversation:

In The Wings Productions, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tanya Glassman and Executive Producer Adam Glassman, is proud to present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's award-winning musical Into the Woods from March 16 through 25 at Snug Harbor's historic Music Hall.

The acclaimed Second Act Series, which has presented an array of lesser-heardmusicals in concert, will present the beloved musical comedy Nunsense on Monday, March 19th. The one-night-only concert reading will star an array of former Nunsense cast members, including Helen Hayes Award-winner Patti Mariano (Original Broadway Cast of The Music Man, Godpsell, I Had A Ball, The Full Monty, 42nd Street) and Tari Kelly (Groundhog Day, Something Rotten!, Anything Goes).

Connecticut women attend Voices Festival in DC; Playwright Initiative at Ivoryton; International Women's Day Readings at Westport

Westport Country Playhouse will host the second annual 'Letters to Our Daughters,' a free-of-charge event to celebrate International Women's Day, on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m. A diverse group of 13 women, including Tony Award winners Joanna Gleason and Judith Ivey, and 'This Is Us' series regular Susan Kelechi Watson, will read essays and poems written by female authors on global women's issues.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of 'Better Late,' a romantic comedy by Larry Gelbart, on Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m. Gelbart was a creator and producer of the television series 'M*A*S*H,' and a co-writer of the film 'Tootsie' and the Broadway musicals 'City of Angels' and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.'

It Takes Two...well, almost two...... glorious hours to look back on the career of Broadway's favorite neurotic, Chip Zien. One of entertainment's most recognizable character actors sits down with Rob and Kevin to discuss his collaborations with Stephen Sondheim, Bill Finn, James Lapine, and what it was like to create such roles as FALSETTOS Marvin and Dr. Mendel, and INTO THE WOODS' The Baker.

Come spend a moment in the woods with one of Broadway's finest artists, Joanna Gleason, who not only won a Tony Award for her magnificent portrayal of The Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS, but also starred in such Broadway hits as I LOVE MY WIFE, SOCIAL SECURITY, and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.

Casa Ma ana Theatre continues its 2017-18 Broadway Season presented by Frank Kent Cadillac with Jekyll & Hyde, March 3-11. Tickets are on sale now. An evocative and sweeping musical tale of the epic battle between good and evil, Jekyll & Hyde is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story about a brilliant doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart. Featuring a thrilling score of pop-rock hits from Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde tells the saga of these counterparts one, a doctor, passionate and romantic; the other, a terrifying madman and the two women in love with him, unknowing of each other or his dark secret. This show is suitable for mature audiences.

Singer-songwriter Aaron David Gleason has just released his new video for 'The Last To Die In Battle.' The video features Julia Campanelli, Tatyana Kot, Bill Weeden and many more! Follow a Richard III-inspired tale as a group of actors prepare for their latest play, with a Shakespeare-appropriate plot twist.

Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center's famed acoustics will be put to the test when PREformances with Allison Charney fills the celebrated New York City concert hall with the sound of music on October 16 at 1PM.

Monty Hall, popular television producer and master of ceremonies who brought the word Zonk into the American lexicon with his venerable series Let's Make a Deal, died Saturday at the age of 96.

The New York Times reports that TV presenter Monty Hall has passed away at age 96. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Broadway and screen actress Joanna Gleason.

Joanna Gleason, Andrea McArdle, Brad Oscar, Laura Osnes and Karen Ziemba will star in the 2017 Best in Shows, a star-studded cabaret evening benefitting the Humane Society of New York, on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 7 pm at Feinstein's/ 54 Below.

“Hamilton” Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Jonathan Groff has stepped in to headline Westport Country Playhouse's 2017 Gala on Saturday evening, September 9. Groff will replace previously announced Matthew Morrison who is no longer available to perform at this year's Gala due to a scheduling conflict.

Casa Mañana Theatre kicks off its 2017-18 Broadway Season presented by Frank Kent Cadillac with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, September 9-17. Tickets are on sale now.

'Hamilton' Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Jonathan Groff has stepped in to headline Westport Country Playhouse's 2017 Gala on Saturday evening, September 9. Groff will replace previously announced Matthew Morrison who is no longer available to perform at this year's Gala due to a scheduling conflict.

July is heating up on Monday nights with Stage Fright. Upcoming guest of the popular broadway talk show are Glee star Alex Newell on July 3, Tony winner LaChanze on July 10th, Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Matilda) July 17, J Harrison (Kinky Boots) July 24, and Lilli Cooper and Eddie Cooper on July 31st.