Ken Jennings News

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 8, 2015 - Sunday, November 8, 2015.

On Saturday night, while much of America was either engulfed by college football or preparing themselves for the circus of Donald Trump hosting SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, record-setting JEOPARDY! champion Ken Jennings released a series of tweets that appeared to be extremely dismissive of both the present and future prospects of the American theatre. While some followers defended Jennings saying that he was joking or that it was satire, the insulting tone drew the ire of a number of theatre fans, myself included.

If you're a lover of musical comedy classics you might look a little askance at the production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM now running at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. All the wonderful songs are there, all the jokes, the pretty girls and super singing, but something's been added. And it doesn't help.

On Sunday night, members of the original Broadway cast of Grand Hotel, including Tony winners Liliane Montevecchi, Tony nominee Karen Akers, Tony nominee Tim Jerome, Tony nominee Walter Willison, Brent Barrett, Ben George, David Jackson, Ken Jennings, Hal Robinson, Meg Tolin Piper, David White, Penny Worth, Chip Zien, with Michael Choi, Bill Coyne, Joshua Dixon, Erin Marie, Nathan Meyer, Chelsie Nectow, Michael Jayne Walker and Jackie Washam reunited to salute of this aristocratic score by Robert Wright & George Forrest, with additional music & lyrics by Maury Yeston (and a book by Luther Davis). 1,017 Broadway performances don't lie, Ol' Socks; neither do five Tonys: Grand Hotel has earned an indelible place in the pantheon of Broadway's most beloved musicals. Who Couldn't Dance to tunes such as Maybe My Baby Loves Me, Love Can't Happen & I Want to Go to Hollywood? With musical direction by Alex Rybeck and dances supervised by Yvonne Marceau, original cast member and Tony nominee Walter Willison directs when this landmark musical finds new life on the 54 Below stage. Don't Waltz Alone. We'll Take a Glass Together!

On Sunday evening, 54 Below celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the musical Grand Hotel on Broadway in high style with two performances crackling with energy and featuring a talented roster of performers including 13 from the original cast. Splendidly Directed (and Written) by Walter Willison, with Musical Direction by Alex Rybeck, Bass Accompaniment from Ray Kiddain, and Dance Supervision by Yvonne Marceau, the delicious production (one really can't call it a concert despite lack of dialogue) was fluid, polished, and imaginative in its use of the room. From leads to the chorus, voices were strong, commitment thorough. In the audience, Tommy Tune must've had a helluva time. We did.

Coming up this week, 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, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Sondheim Unplugged returns to New York's 54 Below this Sunday, April 26th for the 46th performance of its award-winning series.

Coming up this week, 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, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's 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: Natalie Douglas in 'Hello Dolly...The Music of Dolly Parton;' 54 Sings the Beatles; Donna Vivino: Confessions of a Broadway Baby; Lesli Margherita: All Hail the Queen; and Sondheim Unplugged.

Former “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings will be featured as a contestant on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” today, November 14 and Monday, November 17, 2014.

During the month of November the iconic game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” with host Terry Crews, will present four fun and exciting theme weeks: “Millionaire: Whiz Kids,” “Celebrity Week,” “Millionaire: Daytime Talk Show Week” and “Millionaire: Guinness World Records® Edition.”

Former “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings will be featured as a contestant on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” on Friday, November 14 and Monday, November 17, 2014.

This enchanting musical tells the tale of Dorothy Gale (Devon Perry), who lives on a Kansas farm with her aunt and uncle and dreams of one day traveling 'Over The Rainbow'. One day, a tornado sweeps her house up into the sky and Dorothy and her little dog Toto suddenly find themselves in the magical Land of Oz! Dorothy joins Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion and they journey through the magical Land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires.

Director Bill Condon envisions a new and exciting SIDE SHOW that includes new music.

After winning $428,100 over 21 appearances, JEOPARDY champion Julia Collins' lengthy winning streak came to an end last night, Monday June 2nd.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced complete casting for its production of Side Show that runs in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater from June 14 to July 13, 2014. Side Show features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger, and is directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon. Sam Davis will serve as musical director and arranger and will conduct the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. The Kennedy Center production of Side Show is produced in association with La Jolla Playhouse. Press opening night is Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Madeleine George's century-jumping play has John Ellison Conlee playing a multitude of Watsons.

Following an unprecedented thirty-one show run, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, the acclaimed and award-winning cabaret series, continues on Sunday, October 20 at 7pm at 54 Below. Sondheim Unplugged is currently celebrating the third year of it's smash run, having begun this journey of celebrating Sondheim in July of 2010.

Following an unprecedented thirty show run, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, the acclaimed and award-winning cabaret series, continues tonight, Sept 15 at 7pm at 54 Below. Sondheim Unplugged is currently celebrating the third year of it's smash run, having begun this journey of celebrating Sondheim in July of 2010.

This month, UNPLUGGED will welcome just announced guests George Lee Andrews and Harvey Evans, as well as special guests Dee Hoty, Pamela Myers, Sarah Rice & Alice Ripley. The cast also includes cabaret and Broadway veterans Trent Armand Kendall (Broadway's Smokey Joe's Cafe, Into the Woods),Award-winning vocal group Marquee 5, T. Oliver Reid (Broadway's Sister Act, The Color Purple), Julie Reyburn(MAC/Bistro/Nightlife Award winner) and Lucia Spina (Broadway's Kinky Boots, South Pacific). Sondheim Unpluggedis hosted by 54 Below's Director of Original Programming, Phil Geoffrey Bond, with Musical Direction by Joe Goodman. In 2011, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series, and was nominated for the 2011 MAC Award.