Judy Garland News

This summer, one of the greatest family musicals of all time is touching down in Grand Bend. The Huron Country Playhouse presents The Wizard of Oz for a limited three-week engagement, tonight, June 4th though June 23rd.

Gretna Theatre celebrates its 85th Anniversary season at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse with a sparkling opening performance by the one and only Tommy Tune in "Steps in Time" featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings for a single performance tonight, June 3 at 7:30 pm. The nine-time Tony Award winner will perform his Broadway biography in song and dance to celebrate 50 years on the Great White Way.

It's the tale that taught us "there's no place like home!" Join Dorothy, Toto and their friends as they follow the Yellow Brick Road to see The Wizard of Oz at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, now through July 15. See photos from the production below!

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the title role of the new Broadway musical CHAPLIN. A new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, CHAPLIN will open on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. Additional casting and additional creative team to be announced soon.

Judy Garland Live in Concert: GET HAPPY! A 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION is a brand new show as Judy Garland (Peter Mac) takes you on a theatrical musical play through her life from her days in Vaudeville , to her illustrious film career at MGM, her legendary concert comebacks in the 50's and 60's, her CBS television series and beyond.

The 2012-2013 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. The new season, the 46th season at the Music Center of Los Angeles, will include Jeff Goldblum in the West Coast premiere of the smart, sexy, new Broadway comedy "Seminar," Rachel York in the beloved 1930s musical romp - Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," the American premiere and pre-Broadway presentation of the dramatic musical "Backbeat" which features classic rock 'n' roll in its story of the birth of the Beatles, Tracie Bennett starring as the iconic Judy Garland in the West Coast premiere of the acclaimed play with music - "End of the Rainbow," and the daring new musical that explores a shocking event in American history - Kander and Ebb's "The Scottsboro Boys." In addition, the exuberant musical "Fela!" will return for a limited engagement as a bonus option to the season subscription.

The second annual 'Night of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center - will take place at Playwrights Horizons on Monday, June 18. The show is a special presentation of the variety show The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre.

In an internet age consumed by social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Match.com, the idea of two lonely hearts connecting as anonymous pen pals may seem quaint. The Penny Seats theatre company aims to correct that assumption with their summer production of the award-winning musical classic "She Loves Me," opening July 26 at Ann Arbor's West Park Band Shell.

Written and directed by Jim Cartwright, the Olivier Award-winning THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE will begin a national tour at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Friday 31 August, with opening night on Tuesday 4 September. The show stars Beverley Callard as 'Mari Hoff', Ray Quinn as 'Billy', Joe McGann as 'Ray Say', Duggie Brown as 'Mr Boo' and Jess Robinson as 'Little Voice'.

Bea Arthur would have turned 90 years old on May 27, 2012. To celebrate her birthday, actor D.J. Schaefer is transformed as Bea Arthur and will join Judy Garland played by rewound tribute artist, Peter Mac in a very special show Bea Arthur and Judy Garland: Tribute Artists Celebrate 90th Birthdays.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops, Florida's premier Pops orchestra, is offering another sensational season of sophisticated musical entertainment with the announcement of six signature concert series. Audiences are invited to hear "The Music You Love, Live" as the orchestra celebrates 21 years of outstanding music from The Great American Songbook with special guest artists including American Idol Finalist Tamyra Gray, pianist and vocalist, Tony DeSare, Broadway leading lady, Christine Andreas, and Vegas superstar Clint Holmes and more.

The Ringwald Theatre today announced the 3rd installment of its Gay Play Series (GPS). Last year's outing was attended by hundreds of people over a ten day festival period.

Bea Arthur would have turned 90 years old on May 27, 2012. To celebrate her birthday, actor D.J. Schaefer is transformed as Bea Arthur and will join Judy Garland played by rewound tribute artist, Peter Mac in a very special show Bea Arthur and Judy Garland: Tribute Artists Celebrate 90th Birthdays.

The second annual 'Night of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center - will take place at Playwrights Horizons on Monday, June 18.

Judy and Company with Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee, Tallulah Bankhead and Katie Hepburn, ladies of screen, theatre and TV all sharing top billing, as usual is a joyous Peter Mac show. At the all new Peter Mac Supper Club in Hollywood, Garland opens and closes with a bevy of her hits including, 'Almost Like Being in Love', 'This Can't Be Love', 'The Man That Got Away', 'The Trolley Song' and 'By Myself' from the film I Could Go On Singing. Garland is in rare form, never missing a beat, even getting in a dig about losing the Oscar for Star to Grace Kelly. Next comes Miss Tallulah Bankhead SINGING an outrageous 'Everybody's F------But Me' and 'Como te gusta mi pinga...', with Spanish making the obscenity sound acceptable, actually quite delicious. Jokes fly out of her trashy mouth, and there's even a raunchy Snow White fable. Following Tallu comes a hilariously, talk about stoned, Peggy Lee who gives her all to 'Is That All There Is?' and the politically incorrect 'Manana'. Lee's synthetic blonde wig gives Mac some great dish lines. Then, like a tornado from QVC, in flies the one and only Liza Minnelli - ablaze in red sequins - giving us not two but three numbers 'Say Yes', 'Liza with a Z' and 'Maybe This Time' with quite an interesting anecdote about how the former was actually written for Kaye Ballard but became a big hit in theCabaret film for Liza. The final guest is Kate Hepburn who treats us to her inimitable rendition of 'Coco' and 'The Glory of Love' echoing her unusual 27 year extra-marital relationship with Spencer Tracy.

To close out the 2012 season of 92nd Street Y's Lyrics & Lyricists, Rex Reed pays tribute to the studio that gave us such iconic movie musicals as 42nd Street, Yankee Doodle Dandy, A Star is Born and My Fair Lady.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Conservatory Director Melissa Smith previously announced that honorary master of fine arts degrees would be conferred on acclaimed actress and comedian Mary Birdsong and California Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone.

Rebecca Morton headlines the last cabaret performances during the month of May at the Butterfly Club. The Butterfly Club is located in an oversized dollhouse at 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne, Vic 3205 - Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm till late. For more information, visit: www.thebutterflyclub.com.