Kate Linder News

blurbThe U.S. National Tour of the 2009 Tony Award winning musical BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL officially opened in Los Angeles April 12, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 5 week engagement through May 13.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,800 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2005, just returned to Los Angeles, playing a strictly limited one week engagement through March 4, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre. Tickets for Monty Python's SPAMALOT may be purchased online at www.BroadwayLA.org or by phone at 1-800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Pantages Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Check out photos from opening night below!

The Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC) have proudly presented their 2012 Golden Halo Award to actress, singer and humanitarian, Ms. Barbara Van Orden. The Golden Halo is the SCMPC's highest award.

Lily Tomlin, Joanne Worley, Carole Cook, Bruce Vilanch along with filmmaker and multi TONY-winning Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein all gathered on one stage to salute a star, an icon and a legend - Ms. Carol Channing. On Wednesday night, the Paley Center featured these incredible talents as well as gathering many more in the audience for the Los Angeles premiere screening of 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.' The panel members, who also appear in the critically acclaimed documentary, gathered with other friends, colleagues and fans of the woman who has been dubbed, and deservingly so, 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre.' Seen among those in attendance were a who's who of TONY, OSCAR, EMMY & GOLDEN GLOBE award winners including George Chakiris, Charles Fox, Davis Gaines, Ilene Graff, Tippi Hedren, Michael Learned, Kate Linder, Julie Newmar, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Rose Marie, Richard Skipper, Barbara Van Orden, Dee Wallace and co-producer, B. Harlan Boll, to enjoy a film that also featured such noted industry greats as Loni Anderson, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Bob Mackie, Margaret O'Brien, Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Barbara Walters and many more.

It was an eclectic representation Hollywood talent that gathered on Thursday at the Egyptian theatre. From Broadway hits like "Grease" and "Peter Pan" to films such as "Westside Story" and "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" as well as cast members of many TV classics from "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "My Three Sons," "Bewitched," "Happy Days" and "The Waltons" to "Y&R" and "Hanna Montana" were present as Red Line Tours proudly unveiled their new series of collectible souvenir tickets designed by world-renowned artist, Andre Miripolsky. What do all these individuals share in common? Answer - A love for Hollywood History and its preservation.

According to TV Guide.com, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation will launch the first annual holiday online auction beginning tomorrow, November 8th at www.ebay.com/emmysfoundation), featuring props and memorabilia from the most popular TV show. Proceeds from auction will benefit the foundation's educational and archival programs.

After a an extended absence from the stage, due to the highly publicized accident that resulted in 18 surgeries, Ms. Barbara Van Orden brought her autobiographical cabaret act to Catalina's in Los Angeles this week. Ms. Van Orden began her singing career in the Catskill mountains at Grossinger's, where she opened for individuals such as Milton Berle, Don Rickles and Red Buttons. 'It was a great way to break into show biz,' says Barbara.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue revolves around the escalating problems of a middle-aged couple living on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side of New York City. Mel Edison (portrayed by Alexander), has just lost his job after many years and now has to cope with being unemployed at middle age. The action occurs during an intense summer heat wave and a prolonged garbage strike, which just exacerbates Edison's plight to no end as he and his wife Edna (Hecht) deal with noisy neighbors, loud sounds emanating from Manhattan streets, and even a robbery of their apartment in broad daylight.

One of television's royal families gathered this weekend, to celebrate one of their own. 'I can't believe they are all here!' declared a voice from the audience in response to seeing eight cast members from the hit series 'The Waltons' up in front of fans on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. Michael Learned (Olivia Walton/Momma) wasn't surprised at all saying, 'Mary has always been the one to instigate gatherings. Sometimes, she calls and says, 'OK it's about time we got together.'

For 83 years, the movie industry has had the Oscars. For 65 years, Thespians have had their TONYS. For 63 years, the television arts have had the EMMYS, and for 63 years, the field of music has had the Grammys and now, for 43 years, the world of Illusion and magic has had ... unofficially, their Miltons (If they named it after its co-founder, Milt Larsen).

This past Wednesday and Thursday, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch oversaw another Hollywood edition of Cast Party, the wildly successful open mic night, which tours the country celebrating local talent. The event, made up of impromptu musical performances, has been running every Monday at Birdland in New York City for the past eight years.

From February 18 - 20th, Eve's Lime Productions and The Limelight Project brought Los Angeles audiences a very special production of Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. Under the direction of Ally Zonsius and produced by Sheila J. Hardy, the production moved fluidly from monologue to monologue taking the audience with them through a very entertaining and moving experience.

V Day and Eve's Lime Productions will present a week long benefit to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women and girls. The benefit kicks off Tuesday, February 15 with a Poetry Slam, 'Read My Lips' hosted by Diane Amos (the Pinesol Lady) at the Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles; Wednesday, February 16 with a film screening of Until the Violence Stops at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles.

V Day and Eve's Lime Productions will present a week long benefit to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women and girls. The benefit kicks off Tuesday, February 15 with a Poetry Slam, 'Read My Lips' hosted by Diane Amos (the Pinesol Lady) at the Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles; Wednesday, February 16 with a film screening of Until the Violence Stops at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles.

V Day and Eve's Lime Productions will present a week long benefit to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women and girls. The benefit kicks off Tuesday, February 15 with a Poetry Slam, 'Read My Lips' hosted by Diane Amos (the Pinesol Lady) at the Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles; Wednesday, February 16 with a film screening of Until the Violence Stops at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles.

'Ballroom With A Twist' at the El Portal Theatre drew, quite possibly, the most eclectic audience in the history of the landmark venue.

On Thursday, January 6th, the Broadway Smash Hit HAIR celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere! Celebrities from the worlds of Broadway, film and television 'Let The Sunshine In' on the red carpet at the Pantages Theatre.

Stage and screen legend, Theodore Bikel, was on hand to introduce his colleague, friend and Tony Award Winner John Lloyd Young to the Los Angeles theatrical community for the Actors Fund concert series entitled MUSICAL MONDAYS, held in the lobby of the historic Pantages Theatre, where WESTSIDE STORY is currently playing.

On Wednesday, December 1st, the Broadway Smash Hit WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its Los Angeles Premiere!