Lily Tomlin News

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, May 1, 2009.

The new Broadway musical-comedy, 9 To 5: The Musical starring four-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch began preview performances on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 and opened last night, Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that Divorce! The Musical will have an open-ended run at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production, now in its fourth smash month, features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists). Multi award-winning director Rick Sparks (They Shoot Horses, Don?t They?) directs and musical stage this comedy about one couple?s hellish journey to un-tie the knot. Divorce! The Musical also features musical direction and arrangements by Ovation Award-winner David O (Ubu Roi and Jason Robert Brown?s 13).

Ken Kleiber of 'That's Kentertainment!' will be welcoming Patricia Resnick (bookwriter of '9 to 5 The Musical') as a guest on 'The Kentertainment Report' segment of the 'Frank DeCaro Show' Thursday April 23rd at Noon on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, Channel 109. Resnick, also the co-screenwriter of the film '9 to 5', will discuss the upcoming Broadway opening of '9 to 5' The Musical plus other projects inlcuding a Nick, Jr. series she recently wrote and Executive-Produced, plus a new memoir she is currently penning. And, as a happy coincidence, Ms. Resnick wrote the Dolly Parton/James Woods vehicle 'Straight Talk', a film which happens to contain the first on-screen appearance of Ken Kleiber! Tune in to Sirius/XM 109 Thursday Arpil 23rd at Noon.

Audience members are in for a treat when renowned radio personality and storyteller, Garrison Keillor comes to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. True to his radio form, Keillor will share hilarious anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon and 'late-life fatherhood.' With a wonderful, dry sense of humor, he captivates audiences and delivers with class, charisma and wisdom.

The Board of Trustees of the Hollywood Arts Council and Live Nation will present The 23rd Annual Charlie Awards: 'A Night In Hollywood,' a 40's themed Black-Tie Optional, Red-Carpet Gala Event emceed by KABC Television's George Pennacchio on Sunday, April 19, at the Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Boulevard (at Argyle Avenue).

The touring production of '3 Redneck Tenors' played the Temple Theater in Tacoma for one night and it was one night too many.

The Board of Trustees of the Hollywood Arts Council and Live Nation will present The 23rd Annual Charlie Awards: 'A Night In Hollywood,' a 40's themed Black-Tie Optional, Red-Carpet Gala Event emceed by KABC Television's George Pennacchio on Sunday, April 19, at the Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Boulevard (at Argyle Avenue).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended again by popular demand through May 17, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

The critically acclaimed open mic series, Big Night Out continues! Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the music that they love.

Audience members are in for a treat when renowned radio personality and storyteller, Garrison Keillor comes to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. True to his radio form, Keillor will share hilarious anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon and 'late-life fatherhood.' With a wonderful, dry sense of humor, he captivates audiences and delivers with class, charisma and wisdom.

Bill Cosby has been awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The Kennedy Center will present the comedian with this award on October 26th at the Center's concert hall. Along with the accompanying festivities, the award ceremony will be filmed for later broadcast on PBS.

The critically acclaimed open mic series, Big Night Out continues! Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the music that they love.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM), television's foremost authority and showplace for classic film, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year by sharing a passion for cinema with the network's devoted fans.

Friends and colleagues including Bruce Vilanch, Valarie Pettiford, Rachel York, Rita McKenzie, Carole Cook, Thom Troupe, Kathryn Jootsen, Lily Tomlin, Florence Henderson, Donna Mills, Jackie Joseph, Channing Chase, Tippi Hedren, JoAnne Worley, Kate Linder and the Los Angeles cast of RENT among others were more than thrilled to turn out for this special engagement of 'The First 80 Years are the Hardest,' that marked Carol Channing's return to the stage after her accident last year that forced her, for the very first time in her 70 year career, to cancel all scheduled performances.

The Whiting is proud to present Best Selling Author the Host of A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30pm. Ticket prices range from $25 to $65. To order tickets simply visit TheWhitng.com, call (810) 237-7333 or (800) 8-CENTER, or visit the Ticket Center located at 1241 E. Kearsley St. just off I-475 between the University of Michigan Flint and Mott Community College. For a complete schedule and full details on the entire 2008-09 season line-up, visit TheWhiting.com or phone the Ticket Center and request a free brochure.

The British dramatist Sir John Mortimer has died at age 85 after a long illness. Mortimer is best known for his Rumpole of Bailey series of books, plays, and TV episodes. Horace Rumpole's speciality is defending those accused of crime in London's Old Bailey. Mortimer created Rumpole for Rumpole of the Bailey, a 1975 contribution to the BBCs Play For Today anthology series. Played with gusto by Leo McKern, the character proved popular, and was developed into a Rumpole of the Bailey television series for Thames Television and a series of books (all written by Mortimer). In September/October 2003, BBC Radio 4 broadcast four new 45-minute Rumpole dramatizations by Mortimer starring Timothy West in the title role. He also dramatised many of the real-life cases of the barrister Edward Marshall-Hall in a radio series starring ex-Doctor Who star Tom Baker. In 1986, his description of what he saw as Britain's descent into the viciousness of Thatcherism - Paradise Postponed - was televised.

The Whiting is proud to present Best Selling Author the Host of A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30pm. Ticket prices range from $25 to $65. To order tickets simply visit TheWhitng.com, call (810) 237-7333 or (800) 8-CENTER, or visit the Ticket Center located at 1241 E. Kearsley St. just off I-475 between the University of Michigan Flint and Mott Community College. For a complete schedule and full details on the entire 2008-09 season line-up, visit TheWhiting.com or phone the Ticket Center and request a free brochure.

With the sponsorship of Southwest Airlines, this amazing evening held at the Alex Theatre in Glendale CA and under the direction of Bruce Mayhall, brought festive song and dance that not only set the audiences feet to tapping and smiles to their lips, but also a tear or two to the eye as chorus members shared stories of Christmas' past.

TV Guide is reporting that the ABC series 'Desperate Housewives' may extend with two more additional seasons. Marc Cherry, the series creator announced his hope of continuing at an ABC ceremony celebrating the 100th episode.