Liz Smith News

While Barbra Streisand was at the top of the list of celebrity artists asked to appear at the Obama Inaugration Celebration, her art is sadly keeping her away from the starry and historic event. Liz Smith reports in today's New York Post that thought she was requested, her recording sessions for her upcoming new album will notallow her to attend, but, reveals Smith, she and Diana Krall will watch the ceremonies from a recording studio in LA, where they're working 'feverishly' on the new project. Streisand says she is happy that she was able to perform her LA fund-raiser for the president-to-be, and while she won't be in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, 'he knows her heart is there along with 300 million other Americans'.

Benny Andersson and Bj?rn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! will end its record-breaking engagement at Mandalay Bay Theatre this Sunday, January 4, 2009. After nearly six years on The Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! set the precedent for musicals in Las Vegas celebrating more than 2,200 performances and 2 million guests.

Benny Andersson and Bj?rn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! will end its record-breaking engagement at Mandalay Bay Theatre this Sunday, January 4, 2009. After nearly six years on The Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! set the precedent for musicals in Las Vegas celebrating more than 2,200 performances and 2 million guests.

Sam Harris took some time off his busy holiday schedule and revisited THE LIFE. This was the first time Mr. Harris had the chance to see the show in which he had a Tony nomination for the role of Jojo. He was joined on stage with the full cast and crew of Jaxx Theatricals' THE LIFE for some photos to share with BWW!

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue their 10th Anniversary season with present Broadway's John Treacy Egan, in his debut at the club. Seen on Broadway as Chef Louis in Disney's The Little Mermaid, John will spend the evening performing a collection of classic favorites, new songs and amusing stories of Christmas past in his new show, 'On Christmas Morning,' Monday, December 22 at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

British actress Rebecca Hall was cast as jetsetting Caroline Cushing, one of the few women who might tame notorious lothario David Frost. Ex-wife of wealthy socialite Howard Cushing, she met Frost shortly before he met with Nixon to propose the interview series; Cushing remained his girlfriend for several years thereafter. A former secretary to columnist Liz Smith, she later became successful Hollywood editor Caroline Graham.

The event was held on December 2 at Museum of Finance in New York City on December 2, 2008. In attendance was Darren Aronofsky, Rachel Weisz, Amy Adams, Penelope Cruz and many more.

Variety reports that Jeff Marx, the Tony and Grammy winning co-creator of Avenue Q has joined forces with 'Samantha Who?'writer Marco Pennette on two new musical projects including a new series for ABC titled, 'The Romeos'.

Tune in to Thirteen (WNET/Ch. 13) on Monday, December 1st at 8pm for the world premiere of 'Finding Billy,' a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the nationwide search for the three actors who play the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway. During the broadcast, stars David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish and Carole Shelley will be present in the Thirteen studio to talk about the show.

Baz Bamigboye in the UK Daily Mail spoke with the creative team of BILLY ELLIOT at the show's NY premiere and asked each about the prospect of the film-based stage show going BACK to the big screen.

The 22nd Annual City Meals-on-Wheels Power Lunch for Women was held at New York City's Rainbow Room on November 21, 2008.

Tune in to Thirteen (WNET/Ch. 13) on Monday, December 1st at 8pm for the world premiere of 'Finding Billy,' a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the nationwide search for the three actors who play the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway.

Cory English begins as the new Igor in Mel Brooks' award-winning Young Frankenstein this Tuesday, November 25th, at Broadway's Hilton Theatre (213 W 42nd St), joining current cast members Roger Bart, Shuler Hensley, Beth Leavel, Fred Applegate, Michele Ragusa, and Kelly Sullivan. Young Frankenstein's original Igor, Christopher Fitzgerald - Tony nominated for his performance - completes his run Sunday, November, 23rd.

Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith will sit down with the Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Elaine Stritch, who will discuss her storied career in film, television and on Broadway. ELAINE STRITCH IN CONVERSATION WITH LIZ SMITH will be presented on November 11 at 7pm by New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

According to The New York Post's PAGE SIX, Mel Brooks might have changed his 'tune' when it comes to Cloris Leachman reprising her film role of Frau Blucher in his Broadway production of Young Frankenstein. Last year, Mel Brooks, creator and producer of the Broadway musical comedy, told Leachman that, at 81, she was too old for the role of Frau Blucher (the character she originated in his 1974 movie). Despite a stellar audition, Brooks was concerned that Leachman didn't have the 'stamina' for eight shows a week reports the Post.

The 19th Annual Cabaret Convention will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith will sit down with the Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Elaine Stritch, who will discuss her storied career in film, television and on Broadway. ELAINE STRITCH IN CONVERSATION WITH LIZ SMITH will be presented on November 11 at 7pm by New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS starring John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson & Katie Holmes opened on Broadway on Oct. 16th. BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to capture the opening night festivities.

Tonight on 'That's Kentertainment!,' host Ken Kleiber brings you the cast of [title of show] in an encore airing celebrating their run on Broadway which concludes October 12.

Last night, October 7th, 2008, Roundabout Theatre Company's production of 'A Man For All Seasons' had its official Broadway opening at the American Airlines Theatre.