Liz Smith News

After a career on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall, New Jersey wardrobe & hair professional Vince Esoldi is retiring along with his unique Autograph Suit with over 300 famous signatures!

David Bologna returned to the cast of BILLY ELLIOT in the role of Michael, Billy's best friend on June 16th. Bologna received a 2009 Tony nomination for his performance as 'Michael.' He is scheduled to play his final performance on Sunday, August 8th.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC 're-opened' on Sunday night August 1st as it officially celebrated Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch joining the cast. So what did the critics have to say?

Joel Grey will direct an all-star cast in an historic, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's seminal drama, The Normal Heart, on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street), producer Daryl Roth announced today.

Tony, Grammy & Golden Globe Award winner Bernadette Peters began performances in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC alongside Tony & Emmy Award winner Elaine Stritch last night, Tuesday, July 13th and BroadwayWorld was at the stagedoor following the final bow to cature the new stars greet their fans! Directed by Tony Award-winner Trevor Nunn, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC plays at theWalter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street).

MTV.com reports that Mark Ruffalo ('The Kids Are All Right,' AWAKE AND SING!) has signed on to play 'Ned Weeks' in Larry Kramer's film adaptation of his play THE NORMAL HEART. 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy is reported to be involved, though it is unclear whether he is producing or directing. A production schedule and release date have not yet been announced.

The Carlyle Hotel (Erich Steinbock, Managing Director) has announced the 2010 fall season of performers at the legendary Café Carlyle - the 'favorite of all New York nightspots,' says Liz Smith - another New York legend.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that David Bologna will return to the cast of BILLY ELLIOT in the role of ‘Michael,' Billy's best friend. Bologna received a 2009 Tony nomination for his performance as ‘Michael.' He is scheduled to begin performances on Wednesday, June 16th and will play his final performance on Sunday, August 8th.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that David Bologna will return to the cast of BILLY ELLIOT in the role of ‘Michael,' Billy's best friend. Bologna received a 2009 Tony nomination for his performance as ‘Michael.' He is scheduled to begin performances on Wednesday, June 16th and will play his final performance on Sunday, August 8th.

The young stars of BILLY ELLIOT were cheering on the Blackhawks last night! The ‘Hawks won just in time for Tommy Batchelor to come out for his final bow with his Blackhawks Hat on, too!

Last night, June 7, The American Theatre Wing brought together the best of Broadway for their Annual Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. Celebrating the centennial of Tony Award-winning composer Frank Loesser, Heart and Soul: The Legacy of Frank Loesser featured performances by Harry Connick, Jr., Megan Mullally, Kelli O'Hara and more.

Jackie Onassis sued him. Marlon Brando broke his jaw. To the people he pursued, legendary paparazzo Ron Galella was a bandit stealing their images, yet he created some of the most iconic celebrity images of the modern era.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical, featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, will be presented in San Francisco as part of the 2010-2011 SHN Best of Broadway season.

Michael Rubinoff in association with Daryl Roth is proud to announce that the Canadian premiere of the award-winning, New York smash hit LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, an intimate collection of stories by sisters Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron - who together have written some of the most iconic romantic comedies in recent memory including the screenplay You've Got Mail (solo successes include Nora's Julie & Julia and Delia's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) - will play Toronto's Panasonic Theatre, July 16-September 4, 2010. Tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday, May 29.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding, the interactive dinner comedy, will be adding special VIP performances at the popular Little Italy restaurant Il Cortile. The Friday evening shows will begin on May 21 at the restaurant located at 125 Mulberry Street. ,

The full cast of The Normal Heart is as follows: Dylan Walsh (Ned Weeks), Tate Donovan (Felix Turner), Lisa Kudrow (Dr. Emma Brookner), Clark Gregg (Ben Weeks), Jon Tenney (Bruce Niles), David Eigenberg (Mickey Marcus), Dan Bucatinksy (Tommy Boatwright), Tim Bagley (Craig Donner, Hiram Keebler), and Alec Mapa (David, Examining Doctor, Grady).

Joel Grey will direct an all-star cast, including David Eigenberg ('Sex and the City'), Clark Gregg ('The New Adventures of Old Christine'), and Lisa Kudrow ('Friends'), in the historic, 25th anniversary stage reading of Larry Kramer's classic drama, The Normal Heart, at Westwood's Geffen Playhouse (10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA) at 8 p.m. on Monday, May 17.

Last week on May 3, the New York Pops joined forces with stars of the stage to celebrate Frank Sinatra as part of the Pop's 27th Birthday Concert and Gala. Entitled The Best Is Yet To Come: Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Sinatra, the event took place at Carnegie Hall and was hosted by Liz Smith. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture some of the evening's most highly anticipated performances.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding, the interactive dinner comedy, will be adding special VIP performances at the popular Little Italy restaurant Il Cortile. The Friday evening shows will begin on May 21 at the restaurant located at 125 Mulberry Street. ,

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) This week's column features Connie Francis at the Bergen PAC, the New York Pops 27th Birthday Gala, the 24th annual MAC Awards, Allan Harris at The Metropolitan Room, and More!