Lucille Ball News

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Junior Mendez, a recent Florida State graduate, has been hand-picked to star in Wildcat alongsideLuba Mason and Robert Cuccioli in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.

More vibrantly alive and dazzling than a Christmas Cracker straight from the UK is singer/actress Toni Morrell who will be appearing @ the El Portal in the Second Stage Forum Theatre from December 2 through the 31st. Her show called Remembering the Ladies lovingly pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, along with Debbie Reynolds, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, The Hitchcock Blondes, and Lucille Ball. Woa! Those are the best of the greats, and Morrell gives her audience an inside look at who these remarkable women really were and why it is so important that they be remembered.

Jenn Gambatese (All Shook Up, Tarzan) steps into the role of Janie after Allison Case had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.

Lenny Wolpe (WICKED, DROWSY CHAPERONE), Allison Case (HAIR, MAMMA MIA), and two-time Tony® nominee Beth Fowler will join the previously announced Robert Cuccioli and Luba Mason for one night only in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical WILDCAT, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.

Hell in a Handbag Productions presents Open Your Handbag! The Rip Nelson Hell in a Handbag Celebrity Telethon Benefit...a benefit that Handbag fans have come to expect...uproarious FUN!

Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Legendary entertainer Carol Burnett comes to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines for an exclusive one-night-only engagement of her Q & A format, LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION WITH CAROL BURNETT: A CONVERSATION WITH CAROL WHERE THE AUDIENCE ASKS THE QUESTIONS on Wednesday, November 3, 2010.

Today, Kay Thompson is remembered largely as the author of the iconic 'Eloise' books and for her picture-stealing turn as the Diana Vreeland-like fashion editor in 'Funny Face'. But the preternaturally talented Thompson was so much more: singer, vocal arranger, nightclub star, radio personality, fashion innovator, sometimes shrewd businesswoman, mentor-and world-classeccentric. In 'Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise', film director and producer Sam Irvin delivers the first full-length biography of this inimitable personality who left her indelible mark on show business-and on the lives of millions of readers. The book will be released November 2, 2010.

Comedienne Lucille Ball left an indelible imprint on fans throughout the world, but most saw only the public persona. Now, go behind the scenes and get a glimpse of the personal side of Lucy when The Laguna Playhouse presents the World Premiere of I LOVED LUCY by Lee Tannen, based on his best-selling memoir, October 5 - 31, 2010. The play is directed by Todd Weeks, and stars Broadway actors Diane J. Findlay as Lucille Ball and Jeffry Denman as Lee.

Legendary impressionist, Christopher Peterson brings his stage extravaganza 'EYECONS, Las Vegas or Bust' to the Waterfront Playhouse for three nights only, playing October 23, 24 and 25 at 8 pm. This official Fantasy Fest event will mark Christopher's final Key West appearances before relocating to Las Vegas. His all-live, no lip-sync show features hilarious parodies of all the great female stars, plus four dancers, over-the-top costumes and Vegas-style sets. The Waterfront, as one of Fantasy Fest's premier sponsors, is thrilled that Christopher chose the Playhouse as the venue for his Key West performing swan song.

Today, Kay Thompson is remembered largely as the author of the iconic 'Eloise' books and for her picture-stealing turn as the Diana Vreeland-like fashion editor in 'Funny Face'. But the preternaturally talented Thompson was so much more: singer, vocal arranger, nightclub star, radio personality, fashion innovator, sometimes shrewd businesswoman, mentor-and world-classeccentric. In 'Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise', film director and producer Sam Irvin delivers the first full-length biography of this inimitable personality who left her indelible mark on show business-and on the lives of millions of readers. The book will be released November 2, 2010.

Legendary impressionist, Christopher Peterson brings his stage extravaganza 'EYECONS, Las Vegas or Bust' to the Waterfront Playhouse for three nights only, playing October 23, 24 and 25 at 8 pm. This official Fantasy Fest event will mark Christopher's final Key West appearances before relocating to Las Vegas. His all-live, no lip-sync show features hilarious parodies of all the great female stars, plus four dancers, over-the-top costumes and Vegas-style sets. The Waterfront, as one of Fantasy Fest's premier sponsors, is thrilled that Christopher chose the Playhouse as the venue for his Key West performing swan song.

Tony® nominee Robert Cuccioli will reunite with his Jekyll and Hyde co-star Luba Mason for one night only in the Cy Coleman-Carolyn Leigh musical Wildcat, presented December 19 in Manhattan to benefit the Actors Fund.

There was one memorably poignant line uttered towards the end of the new play I LOVED LUCY-now playing at the Laguna Playhouse through October 31-that sticks with you: 'Make someone laugh enough, and you will be loved forever.' Perhaps the line best explains why the opening night audience in attendance at the play's world premiere presentation was a bit more forgiving with this rather flawed production: the play's subject, Lucille Ball, truly was loved by many. Even two decades after her passing, this gigantic icon in the entertainment world remains a national treasure, thanks to the eponymous sitcom that showcased her unmistakable comic talents. Unfortunately, this well-meaning but ultimately one-note tribute to a shining star lacks a bit of polish.

Hell in a Handbag Productions presents Open Your Handbag! The Rip Nelson Hell in a Handbag Celebrity Telethon Benefit...a benefit that Handbag fans have come to expect...uproarious FUN!

ATTIC PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS It's 1979, and Jon and Leslie are two young, out-of-work, bachelors sharing an apartment together in New York City. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as married...unbeknownst to his buddy Leslie.

Based on his 2001 best seller about his relationship with the late great Lucille Ball, I Loved Lucy by Lee Tannen is now a one-act two character play, receiving its world premiere at Laguna Playhouse. It's a somewhat witty, but mostly bittersweet look at an aging star and how she deals with the emptiness of her later years.

Legendary impressionist, Christopher Peterson brings his stage extravaganza 'EYECONS, Las Vegas or Bust' to the Waterfront Playhouse for three nights only, playing October 23, 24 and 25 at 8 pm. This official Fantasy Fest event will mark Christopher's final Key West appearances before relocating to Las Vegas. His all-live, no lip-sync show features hilarious parodies of all the great female stars, plus four dancers, over-the-top costumes and Vegas-style sets. The Waterfront, as one of Fantasy Fest's premier sponsors, is thrilled that Christopher chose the Playhouse as the venue for his Key West performing swan song.

Comedienne Lucille Ball left an indelible imprint on fans throughout the world, but most saw only the public persona. Now, go behind the scenes and get a glimpse of the personal side of Lucy when The Laguna Playhouse presents the World Premiere of I LOVED LUCY by Lee Tannen, based on his best-selling memoir, October 5 - 31, 2010. The play is directed by Todd Weeks, and stars Broadway actors Diane J. Findlay as Lucille Ball and Jeffry Denman as Lee.