Leslie Uggams News

The producers and cast of August Strindberg Rep invite you to share the Off-Broadway opening of their production of Strindberg's 'Playing With Fire' tonight, June 21 at 8:00 PM in Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street (East Village). The performance will be followed by a reception in the theater space.

The Muny presents THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE as a part of the 94th season in Forest Park. Set to star in the production are Broadway favorites Beth Leavel, Leslie Uggams, and Tari Kelly as Mrs. Meers, Muzzy, and Millie respectively. The production, running through June 24, is directed by Marc Bruni and choreographed by Chris Bailey. Check out photos from opening night below!

On June 27th, The Santa Monica Library will host a signing with author, Patty Farmer, and special guest Barbrara Van Orden for 'THE PERSIAN ROOM PRESENTS.' Portions of the book sales benefit Childhelp.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has announced major principal casting and creative team members for its 44th consecutive summer season, including Lorenzo Lamas, Anita Gillette, Rick Hilsabeck and Sarah Pfisterer.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The non-Equity Jeff Award winners are announced, and we cover 18 regional theaters and their summer offerings, from northern Wisconsin to St. Louis and southern Illinois, from southwest Michigan to western Illinois. It's the Regional Summer Musical Theater Scene!

The 68th annual Theatre World Awards were just held last night, June 5th, 2012. The winners for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2011-2012 theatrical season were:

The 68th annual Theatre World Awards were held Tuesday, June 5th, 2012. View photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

Yesterday, June 5, theatre legend Patti LuPone opened the new nightclub and restaurant, 54 Below, with a two-week engagement of a new act that will run through June 16. Before the star took the stage for the evening performance, she treated the press to a special sneak peek of the show and BroadwayWorld was there to talk to the star and capture her memorable performance!

Yesterday, June 5, theatre legend Patti Lupone opened the new nightclub and restaurant, 54 Below, with a two-week engagement of a new act that will run through June 16. LuPone will play the venue Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm. In honor of the grand opening, LuPone treated the press to a special sneak peek of the show and BroadwayWorld was there!

Wilkie Ferguson, currently appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-nominated production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, will give a solo concert performance at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) at 9:30pm on June 11, 2012.

The 68th annual THEATRE WORLD AWARDS, which will take place on Tuesday, June 5th at 2 pm at The Belasco Theatre, 111 West 44th Street, NYC., will include special performances by Broadway favorites Brian Stokes Mitchell, Michael Cerveris, Howard McGillin and Stephanie Umoh. The by-invitation-only ceremony will present Theatre World Awards to 12 actors for their Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2011-2012 theatrical season. The event also includes presentation of the 4th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence. This year The Theatre World Awards will have ASL interpretation.

Happy Birthday Leslie Uggams! Uggams starred in Hallelujah, Baby!, which premiered on Broadway in 1967, and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical. She appeared on Broadway in the revue Blues in the Night in 1982 and in the musical revue of the works of Jerry Herman, Jerry's Girls in 1985. Later Broadway roles include Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003 - 2004) and Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond at the Kennedy Center in 2004 and on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in 2005. In 2001 she appeared in the August Wilson play King Hedley II, receiving a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

The 68th annual Theatre World Awards will be held Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 at The Belasco Theatre, 111 West 44th Street, NYC. The 2 pm by-invitation-only ceremony will also include presentation of the 4th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence. This year The Theatre World Awards will have ASL interpretation.

August Strindberg's Chekhovian comedy, 'Playing With Fire' (Leka med elden, 1893), in a translation by Ulrika Brand that has been newly adapted by Obie-winner Leslie Lee, Executive Director of Negro Ensemble Company, will be presented tonight, May 18 to June 10 with an all-black cast as the inaugural production of August Strindberg Repertory Theatre, directed by Robert Greer. The play, to be staged at New School for Drama, 151 Bank Street (West Village), will be a co-production of August Strindberg Repertory Theatre and Negro Ensemble Company in association with Theater Resources Unlimited.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has announced major principal casting and creative team members for its 44th consecutive summer season, including Lorenzo Lamas, Anita Gillette, Rick Hilsabeck and Sarah Pfisterer.

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!

The Muny will present THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE as a part of the 94th season in Forest Park. Set to star in the production are Broadway favorites Beth Leavel, Leslie Uggams, and Tari Kelly as Mrs. Meers, Muzzy, and Millie respectively. The production, running June 18-24, will be directed by Marc Bruni and choreographed by Chris Bailey.

Leading Ladies of NY's Famous Persian Room, Lainie Kazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden join author, Patty Farmer for a Q&A and sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

Uptown Downtown, the new CD by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, and recording artist Leslie Uggams (On Golden Pond, King Headley II, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, Jerry's Girls, Her First Roman, Hallelujah, Baby! and television's Roots) is now available for download at iTunes, CDBaby.com, and Amazon.com. This 2-CD cast album includes 21 tracks (24 songs) from her critically acclaimed one-woman musical autobiography that charts her historic career from Harlem (Uptown) to Broadway (Downtown), and everywhere in between.