Liz Smith News

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York City's longest-running experimental theatre companies, continues its 41st season with the world premiere of DANCING FOOLS -- three short comedies about the quest for happiness despite obstacles, disappointments and wild complications -- by celebrated journalist and author John Gruen ('Callas Kissed Me…Lenny Too!'), with previews set to begin January 7, prior to an official press opening on January 13 at Medicine Show Theatre (549 West 52nd Street).

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to PlayhouseSquare from November 19 through December 12. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

TG presents Gimme a Break! This unforgettable evening includes cocktails & hors d'oevres, silent auction and a performance featuring Kate Baldwin, Charles Busch, Emily Skinner, Bobby Steggert, and Mary Testa sharing their 'big break' moments in story and song.

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to Seattle from March 22 through April 3, 2011 at The Paramount Theatre. Tickets for Billy Elliot the Musical are on sale now and are available on-line at stgpresents.org and tickets.com, by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).

The Carlyle Hotel (Erich Steinbock, Managing Director) has announced the 2011 Winter season of performers at the legendary Cafe Carlyle - the "favorite of all New York nightspots," says Liz Smith - another New York legend.

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

TG presents Gimme a Break! This unforgettable evening includes cocktails & hors d'oevres, silent auction and a performance featuring Kate Baldwin, Charles Busch, Emily Skinner, Bobby Steggert, and Mary Testa sharing their 'big break' moments in story and song.

Joe's Pub Releases Schedule for December 23rd through January 1st including AMBER MARTIN: AMBER ALERT!, SCREAM ALONG WITH BILLY: A VERY NICO CHRISTMAS, JACKIE FIVE-0H!: A CELEBRATION OF JACKIE HOFFMAN'S FIRST 50TH BIRTHDAY, OUR LADY J: THE GOSPEL OF DOLLY, and SANDRA BERNHARD.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to PlayhouseSquare from November 19 through December 12. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

niversal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to the Triangle's DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center from November 2-14, 2010. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions celebrated the opening of the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The show, currently playing through November 14, 2010, celebrated their opening week with a kickoff party at Pops, a local Durham restaurant, on Sunday evening. Joining the company were director Stephen Daldry, writer and lyricist Lee Hall, American Idol-runner up Clay Aiken along with other producers and show management.

Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, has announced that its 2010 Gimme A Break! benefit will honor playwright A. R. Gurney and columnist Liz Smith on Monday, December 6 at 6:30pm, at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to Houston from February 23 to March 13, 2011 as a part of the Theatre Under The Stars and Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center 2010-2011 seasons.

Billy Elliot The Musical, winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, debuts in Minnesota at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre December 16, 2010 to January 9, 2011.

One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is aiming to finally make her way to the Broadway stage. Hazel - the saucy maid whose wry attitude, infallible wisdom and heart of gold has captured the hearts of millions for more than 60 years - will be in the spotlight again in an exciting new Broadway musical with music by composer Ron Abel and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. The veteran duo has acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key and are hoping to bring the show to the Great White Way in 2011.

On October 18, the Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart, earned a heartfelt standing ovation at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The reading starred Glenn Close, Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that raised $150,000 for The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed.