Judy Garland News

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation presents Musical Theatre Guild's GIRL CRAZY in the Janet & Ray Scherr Forum Theatre at 3:00 p.m. today, June 16, 2013. This performance will conclude the Musical Theatre Guild's 17th season.

Today we are talking to an exceptionally accomplished actress known for her many leading and featured roles in a number of illustrious musical theatre properties - among them, part of the original Broadway casts of FALSETTOS, CITY OF ANGELS, PARADE, LESTAT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SCANDALOUS and many more - the gifted and genuine Carolee Carmello. Discussing many aspects of originating roles in those aforementioned shows as well as her replacement gigs in everything from KISS ME, KATE to SISTER ACT and MAMMA MIA!, Carmello sheds some light on her process in bringing such a striking series of characters to life onstage eight times a week, including creating roles Off-Broadway in ELEGIES, HELLO AGAIN and JOHN & JEN. Additionally, Carmello shares stories from the set of NBC's musical drama series SMASH as well as comments on other potential roles she would like to pursue someday. Most importantly, Carmello previews her highly anticipated performance at this Monday night's NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS and comments upon her affection for the iconic Ms. Garland. Plus, Carmello shares behind-the-scenes stories involving many of her notable collaborators and inspirations such as William Finn, Stephen Sondheim, Kathie Lee Gifford and she also expresses enthusiasm for her upcoming turn in the new musical TUCK EVERLASTING, set to premiere later this season. All of that, early Broadway and touring memories from CHESS, LES MISERABLES, CITY OF ANGELS, observations on the newly-released SCANDALOUS cast recording and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation.

Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall tonight, June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of 'Cinema Sundays' at The Charles Theater, will moderate. Please see below for complete program details.

Three legends of American music, who each contributed to a different aspect of the American Songbook. Judy Garland was the queen of Broadway and film; Patsy Cline was the most successful country music star of her time and Billie Holliday was the lady who sang the blues.

Lincoln Center Theater has announced four productions to be produced in the Vivian Beaumont and Mitzi E. Newhouse Theaters during the 2013-2014 season: the world premiere ofDomesticated, a new play by Bruce Norris, featuring Laurie Metcalf, directed by Anna D. Shapiro beginning performances Thursday, October 10 in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater; a new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, featuring Ethan Hawke in the title role, directed by Jack O'Brien, beginning performances Thursday, October 24 in the Vivian Beaumont Theater; Act One, adapted and directed by James Lapine from the autobiography by Moss Hart, beginning performances Thursday, March 20 in the Beaumont; and the world premiere of The City of Conversation, a new play by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes, beginning performances Thursday, April 10 in the Newhouse. In addition to these four productions, LCT3, Lincoln Center Theater's initiative to produce the work of new artists and to engage new audiences, will produce a season of three plays, to be announced, in the Claire Tow Theater.

Danielle Grabianowski, the award-winning singing actress whose performances have been likened to 'Barbra Streisand at the Bon Soir and Bette Midler at the Continental Baths' (Village Voice) makes a return to the club scene in an eclectic, impromptu set of standards, stories and pop tunes. She will perform two shows at The Duplex on Wednesdays, June 19 and August 28 at 7:00 PM. Grabianowski was last seen as the jazz singer Josephine Grant in the award-winning Off-Broadway sensation, Sleep No More. The evening will also feature longtime collaborator and fellow Buffalo, NY nativeNate Buccieri on piano.

Profiles in History, run by Joe Maddalena, is proud to announce their July 10th, 'Rare Books & Manuscripts Auction,' in Los Angeles. Highlights from the upcoming auction are detailed below. An absolutely historic Alexander Graham Bell aviation archive on his quest for manned flight. This archive includes a 217-page handwritten and extra-illustrated laboratory journal and over 950 photographs documenting his early experiments with tetrahedral kites in his pursuit of manned flight.

The third annual "Night of A Thousand Judys" - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - has added Maude Maggart (Entertainment Weekly's "Must List"), Tituss Burgess ("30 Rock," Jersey Boys), Rachel Shukert (Starstruck), John Early ("30 Rock") and Becca Blackwell (Untitled Feminist Show) to the lineup of talent for the show on Monday, June 17. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in New York). "Night of A Thousand Judys" will honor the legendary singer and actress Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her storied career. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the show at 8:00 PM. The show is written and hosted by Justin Sayre and Lance Horneserves as music director, with choreography by Jason Wise and costumes by Sean Barrett.

The Show Goes On Productions (TSGO) is proud to present another theatrical concert in its ROCK TONIC Series, July 3rd, 2013 at 8:00pm EST. QUEEN OF THE BEATNIKS: THE SONGS OF JUDY HENSKE, written and performed by MEREDITH DIMENNA under the musical direction of JASON BINNICK will be at The Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd Street, at Park Avenue. Doors and kitchen open at 7:30. Tickets are $15 and available at www.showgoesonproductions.com, 646-380-8749.

Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of "Cinema Sundays" at The Charles Theater, will moderate.

Stephen Oremus has won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Orchestration for KINKY BOOTS.

Today we are concluding BroadwayWorld's 2013 Tony Awards Clip Countdown with a special spotlight focused on Broadway's favorite leading lady, who continues to provide inspiration for divas new and old nearly fifty years after her Broadway debut, the one and only Liza Minnelli.

Rachel Rai and Claire McEvoy, aided and abetted by accompanist Aaron Nash at the piano, presented Tears on My Pillow: Cry Another Day, a sequel to their earlier hit show, Tears on My Pillow: Cry Harder, that was presented at the 2013 Adelaide Fringe and completely sold out.

The timeless classic family musical The Wizard of Oz, based on the beloved 1939 film starring Judy Garland, kicks off the 2013 Music Circus season with an extended run at the Wells Fargo Pavilion from June 21 - 30. Filled with favorite songs like 'Over the Rainbow' and 'We're Off to See the Wizard,' fans of all ages will once again be delighted as they follow Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion on an enchanting adventure along the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. The Music Circus production will be the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the musical, which was first presented at the Barbican Centre in London in 1988 and is based closely on the classic film.

In a journey through an iconic time in music and movie history, Bill Fayne and Friends will perform 'The Golden Age of Movies' at the Suncoast Showroom July 20 and 21.

Esther Williams, who starred in more than two dozen MGM 'aquamusicals' during the 1940s and '50s died today in her sleep in Beverly Hills. She was 91.

Berkeley Playhouse closes its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning musical THE WIZ. Kimberly Dooley(Lucky Duck, Seussical, The Musical, Once On This Island) directs and choreographs this soulful re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's family classicThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, featuring a cast of 46. THE WIZ plays July 13 through August 25 (Press opening: July 13) at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley. For tickets ($17-60) and more information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

Esther Williams, who starred in more than two dozen MGM “aquamusicals” during the 1940s and '50s died today in her sleep in Beverly Hills. She was 91.

Over 3,700 unpublished Marilyn Monroe images highlight the auction. All images are to be sold with copyright and will go up for auction on July 27.

Cortland Repertory Theatre kicks off their 42nd season at the Little York Pavilion in Preble with the theatre's premiere production of Agatha Christie's mystery, The Unexpected Guest. Performances will run from tonight, June 5th - 15th with evening performances at 7:30 PM. Matinees are available on June 7th, 9th and 12th at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office's new location at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.