Mary Ann News

Today's conversation is with Betsy Wolfe, who has established herself as one of the most versatile and keenly intelligent Broadway performers of her generation. She recently starred as Jenna Hunterson, the title role in the Tony nominated musical Waitress.  Prior to that, she played Cordelia, one of the one of the lovable a?oelesbians from next door,a?? in the Broadway revival of Falsettos directed by James Lapine, which recently aired on PBS. She is perhaps best known for her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years.

With the new Tom Patterson Theatre taking shape on the banks of the Avon River, the Stratford Festival is thrilled to announce key casting as it builds the acting company for its monumental 2020 season.

Florida Repertory Theatre's season opener, 'Always...Patsy Cline' is now playing in the ArtStage Studio Theatre, and audiences who get decked out in their 'western wear' will receive a $5 Off coupon for their next ticket to any production in the theatre's 2019-2020 line-up. Playing through November 24, the heartfelt musical is a celebration of Patsy Cline's life and music, and features all of her most beloved songs, including 'Walkin' After Midnight,' 'I Fall to Pieces,' and the number one Jukebox hit of all time, a?oeCrazy.'

On Wednesday, Sept 25th, 2019, President and Founder of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, and her speciial guest speakers, Ruta Lee (77 Sunset/Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Erin Murphy (Bewitched), Steve Wishnoff (Director, Life Interrupted), Hope Juber-Schwartz and Lloyd Schwartz (daughter and son of creator Sherwood Schwartz) and castaway, Dawn Wells (Gilligan's Island), gathered for a lobby series tribute to Gilligan's Island in advance of the shows 55th anniversary on Sept 26th.

Even before she takes the stage, Ann Kittredge is a knock-out. Emerging from the back of the theatre in a red satin robe, hands playfull sparring in black boxing gloves, Ms. Kittredge seems poised for victory. And by the end of her superbly crafted musical revue, Fancy Meeting You Here, An Evening of Ahrens & Flaherty, you'd be hard pressed to find a challenger to disagree. For in this, Ms. Kittredge's follow up to her 2018 Mac Award winning cabaret debut, she emerges as story-songstress supreme: a title that may be undefeated for some time to come.

Austin Opera continues to make great progress in its reinvention as one of the most innovative opera companies in the country. In review of its landmark 2018a?'2019 Season, it is proud to report elevated artistic excellence, exceptional ticket sales and fundraising, increased audience development, strengthened community partnerships, expanded education programming, and growth in its board of trusteesa?'all pointing to a bright future for opera in Central Texas. 

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

With limited remaining spots, Betsy Wolfe, co-creator of BroadwayEvolved, reflects upon the past two years and what excites her about bringing BroadwayEvolved to select cities throughout the year.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 presented a special evening of entertainment for Sekhmet Sisterhood's Night of Broadway on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00 PM. Performers included Milly Shapiro (Hereditary, Matilda), Catherine Brunell (Something Rotten, Les Miserables), Mallory Bechtel (Hereditary, Dear Evan Hansen), Kimberly Marable(Hadestown), Analise Scarpaci (A Christmas Story, Matilda), Laurissa 'Lala' Romain(South Pacific), and emcee for the evening, Terra C MacLeod (Chicago).

Kittredge dives into each lyric with astounding authenticity, all-the-while honoring both the original musical theater intent and the intimacy of the room. This is no easy feat and should be held up as the gold standard of cabaret performance. David Sabella: Cabaret Hotspot

This Month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Sondheim's Assassins recently opened at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. The production runs through September 29, 2019 in The MAX space. Read what the critics had to say!

Clague Playhouse presents 'An Evening with Mary Ann Winkowski, Ghost Whisperer' on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents the world premiere of Buzz by Susan Ferrara, on stage September 4 a?' 15, 2019. Directed by Emmy Award-winning actor Carrie Preston, the provocative new play will be performed in an alternative space, ensuring that every performance is a unique experience for the audience.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 presents the return of Tony Award winner Cady Huffman in Miss Peggy Lee: In Her Own Words and Music for two more shows, Wednesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 31.

Rutgers Gardens Summer Fest 2019, a partnership of Rutgers Gardens and New Brunswick Cultural Center, Inc., will take place on Sat., July 27, at 3pm. This free, family-friendly event, which will feature live music, dance performances, cooking demos, garden tours, chalk art, painting and more, is now part of the Arts New Brunswick's Hub City Sounds 2019 Concert & Performance series this year.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Today's top stories: the cast of Moulin Rouge! met the press yesterday, and more!

Presented by Celebration, The Los Angeles Intimate Theatre Premiere of "The Producers" opened Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Lex Theatre in Hollywood to a sold-out crowd and garnered a deserved standing ovation at curtain. It's RuPaul meets Mel Brooks in this delicious rendition of a show that's been recreated a gazillion times, but I assure you, never quite like this! From top to bottom, the entire production was first class, perfectly cast with triple-threaters, going all out in production values as well. The original book, by Mel Brooks, Direction and Choreography by Susan Stroman, Music by Thomas Meehan and Lyrics by Mel Brooks has been united with the Artistic Direction of Michael A. Shepperd, Produced by Andrew Carlberg and Rebecca Eisenberg, Michael Matthews, Director, Musical Direction by Anthony Zediker and fabulous Choreography by Janet Roston.  And What a Team!    

The CINCINNATI ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) returns to for its fifth year, in partnership with Know Theatre of Cincinnati. The 5th Annual Cincinnati #1MPF runs three performances only; August 4th, 5th, and 6th at 8pm. All performances are at Know Theatre of Cincinnati (1120 Jackson St) Tickets, priced at $20, are available at knowtheatre.com.