Judy Garland News

Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has today announced details of casting for five star-studded new shows touring to the venue in Spring 2016 which include a new UK tour of End of the Rainbow starring Loose Women's Lisa Maxwell, the UK stage premiere of Jackie The Musical starring Janet Dibley and a new touring production of the laugh-out-loud comedy, Menopause the Musical starring Irish pop icon Linda Nolan and Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison.

This week at FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Neil Bartram: 'New Songs for a New Year'; Broadway Is A Drag: Celebrating Drag Queens for BC/EFA; Lorna Luft at 54 Below; 54 Sings Kiss Me Kate; and Melba Moore: I Got Love.

Questionable life advice, musical theatre tunes, a few boxes of wine and approximately seven to ten belly laughs await audiences at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre on January 6th, when actress and blogger Bligh Voth hosts a launch party and live taping of her new podcast, AVOCADOS ARE FOR RICH PEOPLE.

An impressive line-up of Australian talent has been assembled for the new production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, opening at Melbourne's Princess Theatre from tonight, December 29th. Followed by a Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre from March 24th 2016.

getTV will air THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW'S CHRISTMAS episode today, December 24th at 5PM and tomorrow, December 25 at 3:00AM and 1:00PM.

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin tonight, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Hines in action below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Christmas weekend's big news: MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE begins tonight at New World Stages, and be sure to check back with us for Broadway's holiday weekend schedule and '12 Days' countdown!

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

To honor and spotlight the distinguished achievements in the American circus arts, Circus Now together with the Big Apple Circus, in association with Executive Producer and Director Jonathan S. Cerullo, JSC Theatricals, is proud to present the 2nd Annual Celebration of American Circus at the Big Top at Lincoln Center on January 5, 2016 at 8pm. Part ceremony, part performance, the Celebration of American Circus will honor four artists and/or organizations that have been prominent in the circus arts landscape in America, while spotlighting the thriving state of the circus arts across the nation, and will feature Emcee Thom Wall, with performances from a variety of breath-taking acts.  Tickets start at $25 and are available online at www.circusnow.org/CELEBRATE2016.

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart. MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed byJeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin Wednesday, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th.

BWW:UK reviewer Natalie O'Donoghue lists her best and worst theatre experiences of 2015!

Producers Daniel Nardicio and Andy Brattain will honor Edith Piaf, the iconic French songstress on her actual 100th Birthday with PIAF: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION with stars from Broadway, London's West End, Jazz, Cabaret and Rock 'n' Roll.

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart. MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed byJeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin Wednesday, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th.

Despite reports to the contrary, Bradley Cooper insisted that Beyonce will not star in the highly anticipated remake of A STAR IS BORN.

Happy Birthday, Tammy Blanchard! Blanchard was nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for her performance in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING and is best known for her portrayal of the young Judy Garland in 'Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows' (Emmy Award, Golden Globe and AFI nominations). Her Broadway credits include Gypsy (Tony nomination, Theatre World Award). She was most recently seen in the film Moneyball. Blanchard's other film credits include The Good Shepherd, Bella, Cadillac Records and Rabbit Hole, and she recently completed The Music Never Stopped, Certainty, Union Square and Burning Blue. Her television credits include 'A Gifted Man', 'We Were the Mulvaneys,' 'Sybil,' 'Living Proof,' 'Amish Grace,' 'The Good Wife,' 'Law & Order: SVU', 'Guiding Light', and the original Lifetime TV movie, 'Of Two Minds.'

ELOISE creator Hilary Knight caught up with Evelyn Rudie who created the role of ELOISE in 1956 on television's 'Playhouse 90.' It brought her critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination at age six-the first time a child actress was so honored. Evelyn is now the director of the acclaimed off-Broadway hit, 2 ACROSS, which stars Andrea McArdle. Below, check out a picture of Knight, Rudie, and McArdle posing at the 2 ACROSS opening night!

JSP Records is proud to announce it will release in early 2016 JUDY GARLAND SINGS HAROLD ARLEN, a 2-CD box set devoted to Harold Arlen (1905-1986) tunes Judy Garland (1922-1969) performed in the studio, on screen, on the radio, and on stage between 1938 and 1968. Four tracks are new to CD.

A hit in the West End and on Broadway, End of the Rainbow will return in 2016, touring the UK in a brand new production opening at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester in February starring Lisa Maxwell as Judy Garland.

Celebrate Sinatra's birth centennial with the timeless music of the legendary team, Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra! Famed big band singer Bryan Anthony and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, directed by his son, Christopher Riddle, will transport the audience back to a magical and beloved era in music!