Joanne Worley News

Rita McKenzie, one of Broadway, Hollywood and television's most versatile actresses, returns to Southern California in her internationally acclaimed tour de force show, ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY, which re-creates the life and times of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway's Golden Age.

From the Cast of ANYTHING GOES and SPIDER-MAN, to the Ladies of THE VIEW, Raul Esparza, Barbra Streisand, Alan Menken, Bernadette Peters, Susan Boyle, Kelsey Grammer, GLEE and everyone in between...it's the BroadwayWorld.com 2011 Valentine's Day Special! Its Biggest Ever!

The year 1921 was a busy one. Albert Einstein was lecturing in New York about his new Theory of Relativity, Charlie Chaplin's movie The Kid was released, Babe Ruth became the all time HR champ with #120, New York's Walter Kerr Theater opened, Turkey made peace with Armenia, President Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie received its premiere on the Great White Way and on January 31st in California, Broadway legend Carol Channing was born. That's right. This inimical Broadway personality is celebrating her 90th birthday these days!

The Kennedy Center production of Barrio Grrrl! begins a national tour on Saturday, January 22, 2011 as part of the Center's 18th Theater for Young Audiences on Tour series for young people and their families. The three-month tour of school and public performances will travel to 17 cities in 13 states from January 22, 2011 to April 16, 2011.

Join Emcee Bruce Vilanch, Davis Gaines and former HELLO DOLLY!, DOLLY's Carole Cook, JoAnne Worley and evening's host Phyllis Diller and others as they come together to honor Broadway's original DOLLY with memories, humorous storytelling and, of course, several of her signature tunes. An unplugged evening that follows a simple format, as the Los Angeles theatrical community features three time TONY Award-winner CAROL CHANNING on center stage to celebrate her 90th birthday with one of their highly acclaimed concert series entitled MUSICAL MONDAYS - A series of Cabaret events in the lobby of the historic Pantages Theatre. Produced by John Bowab and Martin Wiviott, the intimate concerts has featured some of theatre's finest performers including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melissa Manchester, Peter Gallagher, Valarie Pettiford, Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner, Sam Harris and Stephen Schwartz. Proceeds from this evenings benefit will go towards The Dr. Channing/ Kullijian Foundation for the Arts and The Actors Fund's comprehensive programs and services.

The Kennedy Center production of Barrio Grrrl! begins a national tour on Saturday, January 22, 2011 as part of the Center's 18th Theater for Young Audiences on Tour series for young people and their families. The three-month tour of school and public performances will travel to 17 cities in 13 states from January 22, 2011 to April 16, 2011.

On Thursday, January 6th, the Broadway Smash Hit HAIR celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere! Celebrities from the worlds of Broadway, film and television 'Let The Sunshine In' on the red carpet at the Pantages Theatre.

Rita McKenzie, one of Broadway, Hollywood and television's most versatile actresses, returns to Southern California in her internationally acclaimed tour de force show, ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY, which re-creates the life and times of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway's Golden Age.

Host JIM CARUSO and musical director/pianist BILLY STRITCH are delighted to announce their return to THE MAGIC CASTLE for TWO nights, Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 and 9.

Peter Mayer, Billboard charting composer and guitarist from Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer, Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 85 member choir of Unity of New York, will present their 10th anniversary concert of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Peter Mayer whose music has topped the charts created, 'Stars and Promises' with his brother Jim Mayer 10 years ago. This is a celebration of that anniversary and introduces into it Spiritus, the close harmony vocal ensemble whose self titled album was recently released and Voices in Unity the Unity of New York choir whose musical diversity includes selections ranging from Gospel to Broadway and Pop to Jazz.

Songwriter Peter Mayer, lead guitarist of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, with musical guests Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 80 member choir of Unity of New York, will present the tenth anniversary presentation of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM.

Host JIM CARUSO and musical director/pianist BILLY STRITCH are delighted to announce their return to THE MAGIC CASTLE for TWO nights, Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 and 9.

On Wednesday, December 1st, the Broadway Smash Hit WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere!

Cabaret at the Castle has proven there is indeed a market for cabaret in Los Angeles over the last month, with crowds flocking to performances by Sharon McNight in 'RED HOT MAMA,' Jake Broder in 'HIS HIPNESS LORD BUCKLEY,' and Edward Sayegh's 'A NIGHT OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 2.'

Host JIM CARUSO and musical director/pianist BILLY STRITCH are delighted to announce their return to THE MAGIC CASTLE for TWO nights, Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 and 9.

Election Day Special Event Premieres THE SARAH PALIN ELECTION DAY MUSICAL SPECTACULAR! Tuesday, November 2 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre also featuring Levi Johnston & Christine O'Donnell

SHINE! The Horatio Alger Musical with a Book by Richard Seff; Music by Roger Dean Anderson and Lyrics by Lee Goldsmith has been honored with 2010 NYMY Awards For Excellence: EXCELLENCE IN OVERALL DESIGN - Shine! Michael Bottari & Ron Case; OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE - Andy Mientus, Shine!; and Honorable Mention: Peter Flynn, Shine! For Direction. The production was a Critics Pick from BackStage. SHINE! was presented by Other Side Productions (Peter Mercurio, Chuck Blasius - Co-Artistic Directors) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at The Theater at St. Clements. Directed by Peter Flynn with choreography Devanand Janki; set and costume design by Michael Bottari & Ronald Case and the lighting design by Jeff Croiter. Greg Anthony served as the music supervisor, arranger, orchestrator; Annbritt duChateau was the music director and the associate musical directors were Danny Percefull and Sue Anschultz. A multi-talented cast of 19 made this one of the largest of the festival productions. The principals were: Andy Mientus (Richard Hunter); Michael Halling (Luke Gerrish); Meggie Cansler (Stacia Jane Hauser); Jimmy Ray Bennett (Gideon Chapin); William Ryall (Silas Snobden); Stanton Nash (Higgins); Philip Chaffin (Allen Carlisle); Tyler Merna (Rob Carlisle); Dan Lawler (Foswell); Evan Jay Newman (Mickey Maguire) and Katherine McGrath (Mrs. Mooney). The Ensemble included: Jason Mills, Cheo Bourne, Todd Horman, Robert Mintz, Rachell Coloff, Jessica Vosk, Joy Hermalyn and Melissa Rain Anderson.

Peter Mayer, Billboard charting composer and guitarist from Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer, Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 85 member choir of Unity of New York, will present their 10th anniversary concert of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Peter Mayer whose music has topped the charts created, 'Stars and Promises' with his brother Jim Mayer 10 years ago. This is a celebration of that anniversary and introduces into it Spiritus, the close harmony vocal ensemble whose self titled album was recently released and Voices in Unity the Unity of New York choir whose musical diversity includes selections ranging from Gospel to Broadway and Pop to Jazz.

Songwriter Peter Mayer, lead guitarist of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, with musical guests Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 80 member choir of Unity of New York, will present the tenth anniversary presentation of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM.

Election Day Special Event Premieres THE SARAH PALIN ELECTION DAY MUSICAL SPECTACULAR! Tuesday, November 2 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre also featuring Levi Johnston & Christine O'Donnell