Marge Champion News

Nominations for the 30th Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which recognize excellence on the Broadway Stage and in film, were announced by New York Post Theater Critic Michael Riedel at a reception at the Lamb's Club last night, May 7. See below for photos of stars Elena Roger, Ashley Amber, Bahiyah Hibah, Matthew Broderick, Michael Riedel, Krystal Joy Brown, Leslie Odom, Jr., David Noh, Lisa Nicole Wikerson and more mingling at the gala!

Leading Ladies of NY's Famous Persian Room, Lainie Kazan, Michele Lee, Connie Stevens and Barbara Van Orden join author, Patty Farmer for a Q&A and sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

Further to Vantage Press's release of "The Persian Room Presents," New York's Plaza Hotel will be hosting a public signing for author and Plaza resident, Ms. Patty Farmer on Thursday, March 29th at 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at 768 5th Ave, New York. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,800 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services.

Further to Vantage Press's release of "The Persian Room Presents," New York's Plaza Hotel will be hosting a public signing for author and Plaza resident, Ms. Patty Farmer on Thursday, March 29th at 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at 768 5th Ave, New York. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

The Persian Room at the Plaza Hotel itself featured headliners including Liza Minnelli, Dolores Hope, Eartha Kit, Carol Channing, Diahann Carroll, Andy Williams, Lainie Kazan, Patti Page, and the Chairman of the Board/Ole Blue Eyes - Frank Sinatra, not to mention literary icons such as Eloise (courtesy of Hilary Knight). This week, representatives of Persian Room's history from the 1940's to the 1970's gathered to remember, admire and respect its legacy including Marge Champion, Tommy Tune, Barbara Van Orden, Carol Lawrence, Leslie Uggams, Eve Plumb and more to celebrate the launch of Patty Farmer's new book, 'The Persian Room Presents,' released by Vantage Press. See the photos below!

Special guests Marge Champion, Barbara Van Orden and Tony Butala join author, Patty Farmer Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm, for a Q&A and to sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse. The event will be held at Barnes & Noble (82nd & Broadway).

Special guests Marge Champion, Barbara Van Orden and Tony Butala join author, Patty Farmer Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm, for a Q&A and to sign copies of "The Persian Room Presents." A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Childhelp for the treatment and prevention of child abuse. The event will be held at Barnes & Noble (82nd & Broadway).

Call it the biography of a place, a collaborative memoir, a history-but whatever you call it, The Persian Room Presents will transport you to the most elegant and magical night spot New York has ever known. In this dishy, personal, and compulsively readable book, dozens of celebrities reminisce about their experiences performing and partying at the Plaza and they all agree on one thing: there's never been anyplace like it.

Lily Tomlin, Joanne Worley, Carole Cook, Bruce Vilanch along with filmmaker and multi TONY-winning Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein all gathered on one stage to salute a star, an icon and a legend - Ms. Carol Channing. On Wednesday night, the Paley Center featured these incredible talents as well as gathering many more in the audience for the Los Angeles premiere screening of 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.' The panel members, who also appear in the critically acclaimed documentary, gathered with other friends, colleagues and fans of the woman who has been dubbed, and deservingly so, 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre.' Seen among those in attendance were a who's who of TONY, OSCAR, EMMY & GOLDEN GLOBE award winners including George Chakiris, Charles Fox, Davis Gaines, Ilene Graff, Tippi Hedren, Michael Learned, Kate Linder, Julie Newmar, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Rose Marie, Richard Skipper, Barbara Van Orden, Dee Wallace and co-producer, B. Harlan Boll, to enjoy a film that also featured such noted industry greats as Loni Anderson, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Bob Mackie, Margaret O'Brien, Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Barbara Walters and many more.

This past Friday, December 9th saw a particularly glittering celebrity audience at Off-Broadway's newest hit THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, including Tony Award winner Dick Latessa, legendary MGM star Marge Champion, Sondheim favorite Teri Ralston, and Ballroom composer Billy Goldenberg.

I was at the opening of the Barrington Bagel Company, and the (renovated-not original) opening of the MAHAWIE, COLONIAL, and BARRINGTON STAGE CO. Now the Berkshires have a new venue for Cabaret. Founded by Sandy Fisher (Berkshire Opera Co.) a Richmond, Ma resident, the new venture is dedicated to bringing the best cabaret singers and musicians to Berkshire audiences throughout the year.

George M Cohan, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, John & Ethel Barrymore & Sarah Bernhardt have all walked out on the stage of the famed Colonial Theatre and excited, entertained and thrilled Berkshire audiences.

Gwen Verdon, one of Broadway's biggest stars during its golden era and beyond, and winner of four Tony Awards, was recently honored by the Dancers Over 40 organization in New York at the star-studded tribute 'Gwen Verdon: I'm not Lola.'

Ron Abel played himself (as opposed to playing himself on Fran Dreschers new TV Show Happily Divorced) last night in his capacity as pianist/arranger/musical director for LUCIE ARNAZ in an exciting performance of her show 'My Latin Roots' at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Ma. Based upon the enthusiastic reception and standing ovations Lucie received, one would have thought her Roots were in Pittsfield Ma. The audiences at Barrington Stage are accustomed to seeing preeminent performances. Artistic Director Julianne Boyd once again selected a remarkable performer in a marvelously constructed Cabaret Show to entertain Barrington's Main Stage Berkshire audience.

The legendary choreographer/dancer/theatre director Donald Saddler was awarded the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts' 1st Annual Duke Ellington 'Beyond Category' Award at a special tribute performance last night (Monday, June 13, 2011) in Merkin Concert Hall at the Elaine Kaufman Center in New York City. The award show was a fund-raiser in support of the Duke Ellington Arts Scholarship Fund.

The legendary choreographer/dancer/theatre director Donald Saddler will receive the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts' 1st Annual Duke Ellington 'Beyond Category' Award at a special tribute performance on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 8 PM in Merkin Concert Hall in the Elaine Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. The special award show is a fund-raiser in support of the Duke Ellington Arts Scholarship Fund.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

On Monday, May 9th at 6pm New York Post columnist and theatre critic Michael Riedel will interview Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue).