Judy Garland News

If you have always dreamed of getting married on the most romantic day of the year, here is a opportunity to make it even more special. Now you and your beloved can get married Somewhere OverThe Rainbow on Valentine's Day, February 14th.

Today we are talking to a phenomenally talented performer who has starred in a string of contemporary musicals, ranging from replacement gigs in the Broadway productions of Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA and Stephen Schwartz's WICKED to creating lead roles in Jim Steinman's DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS, in addition to her memorable contributions to the Laura Nyro revue, ELI'S COMIN', Off-Broadway - the one and only Mandy Gonzalez. Discussing her time spent in many of the aforementioned shows as well as her experiences inhabiting the wildly different characters within each, Gonzalez shares her infectious enthusiasm for performance and her appreciation for having participated in such landmark shows. Most importantly, Gonzalez shares stories from the heated rehearsal rooms backstage at the 24-Hour Musicals celebration and what participating in the event that would form the basis for ONE NIGHT STAND, a documentary film being released in select cities this Wednesday, January 30. Additionally, Gonzalez reflects on her new role as a mom, as well as roles she would enjoy pursuing in the future, onstage and off, as well as her own favorite shows and scores. All of that and much, much more!

Even her biggest fans among the opening night crowd were likely befuddled, slightly bothered, and even a tad bewildered when they heard that Christine Andreas' first cabaret show at 54 Below was called "Bemused," and not exactly sure what that meant. But they would ultimately end up being thoroughly bewitched by a wonderfully engaging show by this totally entertaining pro. While most current or former Broadway stars who are staging shows at 54 Below are performing what amounts to mini-concerts, the lady who first became a Broadway audience favorite as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady (and is two-time Tony Award nominee) knows her way around cabaret and developed a charmingly creative conceit for this run (continuing on Jan. 29, Feb. 1, 2 at 8:30 pm and Jan. 30, 31 at 7 pm), which included songs from Broadway, pop, the Great American Songbook, and even Edith Piaf.

Warner Bros. Records has announced that it has signed vocalist and award-winning actress Emmy Rossum to its roster. The New York City native will release her first album for the label, a collection of covers of classic songs that span the '20s to the '60s entitled SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, today, January 29th, 2013.

Grammy(R) Award-winning singer-songwriter Norah Jones will perform 'Everybody Needs a Best Friend' from the motion picture 'Ted,' telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. 'Everybody Needs a Best Friend,' with music by Walter Murphy and lyrics by Seth MacFarlane, is nominated for an Original Song Oscar. This will be Jones' first time performing on an Oscar show.

Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Christine Ebersole made her Celebrity Series of Boston debut at Sanders Theatre with an intimate cabaret performance that brought much-needed warmth to a cold January night. The former "Not Ready for Prime Time" player on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is now the toast of Broadway and Harvard Square.

Los Angeles' premier cabaret room, The Catalina Jazz Club, hosts cabaret artist Karen Gedissman for a special performance tonight, January 27th at 7pm.

"The musical as a motion picture genre has had a remarkable renaissance in the last decade," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "We are excited to showcase three musical films -- 'Chicago,' 'Dreamgirls' and 'Les Miserables' -- on our Oscar show."

Tracie Bennett will play Judy Garland in 'End of the Rainbow' by Peter Quilter, directed by Terry Johnson in its West Coast Premiere. Previews begin March 12, 2013 and the show opens March 20.

I don't know about other cabaret journalists, but I have to believe that a reviewer feels the biggest buzz (aside from when composing a really well-crafted show analysis) when he or she has been fortunate enough to observe a young performer's ascent into stardom. That's the way I felt last Wednesday night at the Metropolitan Room as I was watching Carole J. Bufford's new show, Body & Soul.

The Paramount Theatre continues to celebrate its origins as a spectacular, 1920s art deco movie palace with its ongoing Classic Movie Mondays film series.

Los Angeles' premier cabaret room, The Catalina Jazz Club, hosts cabaret artist Karen Gedissman for a special performance on Sunday, January 27th at 7pm.

According to The New York Times, comedian and impressionist Rich Little's 'Jimmy Stewart & Friends', currently running at LVH, the Last Vegas Hotel & Casino, is aiming for Broadway. At LVH, the production is billed as a 'pre-Broadway debut', and the Times reports Little is in talks with backers.

Florida Studio Theatre has once again extended the run of the hit show Let's Twist Again: with the Wanderers, into its sixteenth week. This is the longest running Cabaret show in FST history. The ‘50s & ‘60s style musical revue that has kept the Goldstein Cabaret hopping since it opened on October 19. Tickets can now be purchased through February 2, 2013 online at Floridastudiotheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000 or by visiting the FST Box Office at 1241 North Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota.

Celebrate the beloved icon Judy Garland, when the Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Broadway POPS! concert at Richardson Auditorium in downtown Princeton, on February 9, 2013, at 8 pm. This year's show, The Garland Magic, presents soprano Karen Mason in a passionate and brilliant recreation of Judy Garland's legendary Carnegie Hall concert-often referred to as "the greatest night in show business history." Michael Berkowitz leads the PSO in Judy's rich orchestrations of musical gems like Get Happy, Puttin' on the Ritz, Come Rain or Come Shine, Over the Rainbow, and more.

Celebrate the beloved icon Judy Garland, when the Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Broadway POPS! concert at Richardson Auditorium in downtown Princeton, on February 9, 2013, at 8 pm. This year's show, The Garland Magic, presents soprano Karen Mason in a passionate and brilliant recreation of Judy Garland's legendary Carnegie Hall concert-often referred to as "the greatest night in show business history." Michael Berkowitz leads the PSO in Judy's rich orchestrations of musical gems like Get Happy, Puttin' on the Ritz, Come Rain or Come Shine, Over the Rainbow, and more.

Los Angeles' premier cabaret room, The Catalina Jazz Club, hosts cabaret artist Karen Gedissman for a special performance on Sunday, January 27th at 7pm.

It was another eventful night at Northport's stunning John W. Engeman Theatre as they hosted their ongoing Broadway Concert Series. Per tradition, during their dark week between shows, Producer and Host Stephen DeAngelis rounds up Broadway's best for an evening of songs and stories about their lives and careers. The incredible line up this time included Chester Gregory, Tari Kelly, Caissie Levy, Jessica Phillips, Rashidra Scott, and a special appearance by Tad Wilson.

The North American Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz took place this past Sunday, featuring an All-Canadian Cast and brand new songs to go along with the classic tale. While reviews have been mixed, the talented cast provides much reason to celebrate. Sometimes, it takes the re-telling of a classic tale to remind us that there really is no place like home.

The Hollywood Museum and co-sponsor The Hollywood Reporter debut Loretta Young: HOLLYWOOD LEGEND the most comprehensive collection of authentic Hollywood memorabilia ever assembled, to mark the 100th Anniversary of the life of Loretta Young, beginning today, Jan 9, 2013.