Judy Garland News

The story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" has gone through many incarnations over the years: An American fairytale, a Broadway extravaganza, one of the first technicolor MGM movie musicals, and the 1989 West End holiday musical. Now, complete with dancing Munchkins and flying monkeys, Sierra Rep is delighted to present The Wizard of Oz this summer at the Historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Park. The book is by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It has additional background music by Herbert Stothart. It is based on the novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film version written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf. This production will be co-directed by Scott Viets and Jerry Lee, who previously teamed up for Holiday Jukebox and The Robber Bridegroom. The production sponsor is DSN Outdoor.

The evening was dedicated to the late Frank Ford, the founder of the Cabaret Festival.

Lily Tomlin, upon accepting her award, remarked 'My partner Jane and I are honored and want to thank you for this award. It is amazing to see this whole outpouring for the LGBT community. Jane, couldnt be here tonight, but asked that I share her remarks 'We love the thought of being called Trail-Blazers. It makes us feel current and something out of Marvel Comics.'  Neither of us has a good sense of direction, so we thought being called trail-blazers implies that we somehow new where we were going. So thank you for thinking of us as trail-blazers, rather than as museum pieces.  Of course, there were times, Im afraid, we got lost on that trail and were more bewildered than blazing.  We are still blazing, but we have had to cool down a bit. After all, we need to take care not to add to global warming.'

Judy Garland LIVE, In Concert! Starring Peter Mac as Judy Garland has been extended in NYC in a loving tribute -no need to wait for the film biopic starring Renee Zellwegger.

Internationally renowned playwright Peter Quilter will have his latest theatrical accomplishment BESTSELLER world premiering at the International City Theatre (ICT) in Long Beach beginning June 12, 2019. Writer of such successful shows as END OF THE RAINBOW on Judy Garland and GLORIOUS! on Florence Foster Jenkins, amongst others, BESTSELLER centers on a writers retreat housing an eclectic bunch of writers with writers block. Peter agreed to correspond with me from his home in the Canary Islands.

Hailed as 'Chicago's Cabaret Queen' by the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, WGN Radio, Daily Herald and Skyline Newspapers, the legendary Denise Tomasello marks her return to BoysTown, continuing the 30-year love affair between Denise and her gay audiences that made her Chicago's Queen of Cabaret.

Hailed as 'Chicago's Cabaret Queen' by the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, WGN Radio, Daily Herald and Skyline Newspapers, the legendary Denise Tomasello marks her return to BoysTown, continuing the 30-year love affair between Denise and her gay audiences that made her Chicago's Queen of Cabaret.

As we roll into summer, Underbelly Festival Southbank 2019 today announces its final raft of shows including its last headliner and a multitude of blockbuster variety, circus, cabaret, comedy and music.

STAGES St. Louis opens its 33rd Season with the Midwest Premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ. Join STAGES May 31 through June 30 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood for the story of Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen in this incredible show featuring hits like 'I Love You, I Honestly Love You', 'Don't Cry Out Loud', 'I Go To Rio', and more!

Farmers Alley Theatre presents the Five Time Tony Winning Musical, FUN HOME, running June 7-23 at our original location in downtown Kalamazoo.

This summer Goodspeed Musicals will produce the heartwarming new musical Because of Winn Dixie. This touching tale based on the award-winning novel by Kate DiCamillo will run June 28 - September 1 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

For her 4th CD release, vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti wanted to do an album like her vocal heroes Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, and Nat “King” Cole did back in the day; that is, with a big orchestra and legendary arrangers on the podium in an iconic Hollywood recording studio. Ms. Foti says, “This is the most expansive project I have ever done, and at the same time, it's the most intimate and personal. I recorded at Capitol Records with a full orchestra, singing some of the most endearing, sentimental songs ever written, all for my loved ones. This album is a full-production tear-jerker!”

Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy winning composer Gabriel Yared is going to be Tom Needham's exclusive guest this Thursday at 6 pm on WUSB's THE SOUNDS OF FILM. Gabriel is most well-known for his scores for 'The English Patient,' 'Cold Mountain,' 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' and 'The Lives of Others.' Later this year, Gabriel Yared is going to be receiving the distinguished Max Steiner Award in the City of Music, Vienna.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present singer Natalie Douglas with another one of her "Tributes!" On Monday, May 20, Natalie celebrated the music and magic of the one and only Elvis Presley.

After a hugely successful sold out run last year, CASA 0101 Theater is proud to present the fifth season of BROWN & OUT FEST, A Festival of 11 World Premiere Short Plays and One Original Short Transgender Film Celebrating the LBGTQ LatinXperience.

Having performed Blanc de Blanc in the Hippodrome Casino for several months a few years ago, I jumped at the chance of creating a new work within this amazing space at Lola's Underground Casino.

In celebration of both Gay Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of Noel Coward's knighthood, Robert Rodi looks back on the British icon's legendary career, trailblazing style, enduring influence-and above all his songs. Coward's songs have been covered by artists from Judy Garland to Rufus Wainwright, and rival Cole Porter's for emotional range and irresistible melody.

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD - who appeared on Broadway in the entire run of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots - will return to JOE'S PUB with CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! in a special celebration of 2019 World Pride 'The Rainbow Show' on Monday, June 24 at 9:30 PM. The night features a special performance recreating Whitney's appearance at 1999's Pride Dance and her live covers of tunes by the divas who inspired her and keep the LGBTQ community dancing (including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Judy Garland).

Just a warning to those who think that Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill is a musical revue of Billie Holiday's greatest hits. Lanie Robertson's work is a very heavy play with music featuring brilliant Deidrie Henry front and center baring her soul in one of Holiday's last performances in 1959 before her death. Incredible musicians Abdul Hamid Royal as musical director and as Jimmy Powers at the ivories and James Leary on bass add immense flavor to the evening, currently onstage under the outstanding direction of Gregg T. Daniel, at the Garry Marshall Theatre through June 2 only.

Richmond Triangle Players brings its 2019-20 season to a close with the Central Virginia premiere of the musical Grey Gardens, opening Friday June 14, 2019, at 8 pm, following two low-priced previews on Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13 at 8 pm. The production will run through Saturday, July 13.