Mary Birdsong News

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) highly anticipated production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has been extended an additional two weeks through July 24 due to unprecedented demand. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and has continued to break sales records heading into this week's opening night gala. Check out photos from the event below!

Capturing the charm of the original source material, TALES OF THE CITY benefits from a strong cast fully committed to the work. Yet if Broadway is the goal, quite a bit of retooling, balancing and focusing remains, all within the grasp of this talented team.

San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre is now presenting Armistead Maupin and Jake Shear's TALES OF THE CITY, based on the novels. First serialized in The Chronicle, Armistead Maupin's bittersweet novel 'Tales of the City,' is set in San Francisco and consists of interlaced stories of dewy-eyed newcomers and dissolute social climbers, gay coming-out stories and paisley-clad hippies. The story captures the era of the mid-'70s in San Francisco, complete with disco and drugs, fern bars and pickup night at the Marina Safeway, as well as feelings of hope, heartbreak, innocence and laughter. Click below for an interview with the creators!

According to the SF Gate, San Francisco audiences are excitedly anticipating the arrival of the musical, ARMISTEAD MAUPIN'S TALES OF THE CITY that will open June 1 at the American Conservatory Theater.

The glam-rock band Scissor Sisters signed on to write the music and lyrics for ARMISTEAD MAUPIN'S TALES OF THE CITY. The set, which features a lofty set of stairs and landings at 28 Barbary Lane, is by Broadway vet Douglas Schmidt. The cast includes Judy Kaye as Anna Madrigal, Betsy Wolfe as Cleveland transplant Mary Ann Singleton, Wesley Taylor as the book's gay lead Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver and Mary Birdsong as bisexual Mona Ramsey.

According to the SF Gate, San Francisco audiences are excitedly anticipating the arrival of the musical, ARMISTEAD MAUPIN'S TALES OF THE CITY that will open June 1 at the American Conservatory Theater.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces that Tony Award winner and A.C.T. favorite Judy Kaye (Mamma Mia!, Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, On the Twentieth Century on Broadway; Sweeney Todd and Souvenir at A.C.T.) will be taking on the iconic role of Anna Madrigal in the world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Reprise Theatre Company has just announced additional casting for A Party With Marty, an evening of comedy and song with Martin Short and featuring Jason Alexander.

You asked for it! BROADWAY BARES OPENINGS, the cd of thirteen original opening numbers written to open Broadway Bares is now available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon MP3.

You asked for it! BROADWAY BARES OPENINGS, the cd of thirteen original opening numbers written to open Broadway Bares is now available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon MP3.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces the star-studded cast of the upcoming workshop of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. Tony Award winner and Broadway legend Betty Buckley (Sunset Boulevard, Cats on Broadway) takes on the beloved character of Anna Madrigal, and Tony Award-nominated actor Stephen Bogardus (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Man of La Mancha, and Falsettos on Broadway) plays Edgar Halcyon, Mrs. Madrigal's love interest. Up-and-coming performer Betsy Wolfe (Everyday Rapture, Into the Woods on Broadway) plays Mary Ann Singleton, the naïve Midwestern transplant to San Francisco at the center of the story. A.C.T. core acting company member and Tony Award-nominated actor Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd on Broadway; Rock 'n' Roll, and John Doyle's The Caucasian Chalk Circle at A.C.T.) portrays Norman Neal Williams, joined by two graduates of A.C.T.'s acclaimed Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program: Bay Area actor Nick Gabriel as Michael Tolliver (aka Mouse) and Morgan Spector (who most recently appeared with Scarlett Johansson and Liev Schreiber in A View from the Bridge on Broadway) as Brian Hawkins.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces the star-studded cast of the upcoming workshop of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. Tony Award winner and Broadway legend Betty Buckley (Sunset Boulevard, Cats on Broadway) takes on the beloved character of Anna Madrigal, and Tony Award-nominated actor Stephen Bogardus (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Man of La Mancha, and Falsettos on Broadway) plays Edgar Halcyon, Mrs. Madrigal's love interest. Up-and-coming performer Betsy Wolfe (Everyday Rapture, Into the Woods on Broadway) plays Mary Ann Singleton, the naïve Midwestern transplant to San Francisco at the center of the story. A.C.T. core acting company member and Tony Award-nominated actor Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd on Broadway; Rock 'n' Roll, and John Doyle's The Caucasian Chalk Circle at A.C.T.) portrays Norman Neal Williams, joined by two graduates of A.C.T.'s acclaimed Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program: Bay Area actor Nick Gabriel as Michael Tolliver (aka Mouse) and Morgan Spector (who most recently appeared with Scarlett Johansson and Liev Schreiber in A View from the Bridge on Broadway) as Brian Hawkins.

Today, we are taking a First Listen to the forthcoming collection of opening numbers from the many spectacular Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefits packaged together and titled in an expectedly suggestive and sexy manner - BROADWAY BARES OPENINGS. A cavalcade of dazzling casts, these tantalizing and titillating themes are led by the likes of Jane Krakowski, Sara Gettelfinger, Debbie Gravitte, Julia Murney, Shoshana Bean, Mary Birdsong, Heidi Blickenstaff, Tituss Burgess, Leslie Kritzer, Anika Larsen, Andrew Lippa, Euan Morton, Mo Rocca, Christopher Sieber, and Lillias White! Even with bottoms on display, this cast is tops!

In celebration of the 20th edition of BROADWAY BARES, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and Jerry Mitchell announced the upcoming release of BROADWAY BARES OPENINGS, a CD of 13 original opening numbers from BC/EFA's popular annual burlesque show. Each song is recorded by the Broadway stars who debuted them on the BROADWAY BARES stage.

In celebration of the 20th edition of BROADWAY BARES, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS and Jerry Mitchell are proud to announce the upcoming release of BROADWAY BARES OPENINGS, a CD of 13 original opening numbers from BC/EFA's popular annual burlesque show. Each song is recorded by the Broadway stars who debuted them on the BROADWAY BARES stage.

Producer Daryl Roth announced today that Michele Lee (Tale of the Allergist's Wife), Tony Award-winner Debra Monk (Curtains), Tracee Ellis Ross ('Girlfriends') and Casey Wilson ('Saturday Night Live') will join the rotating cast of Love, Loss and What I Wore. They join the show January 6 through January 31, 2009, alongside the returning Katie Finneran. Love, Loss, and What I Wore, an intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, directed by Karen Carpenter and based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, opened October 1, 2009 to rave reviews at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street, NYC) and has been extended through March 2010.

Actress Natasha Lyonne stopped by WPIX to discuss 'Love, Loss And What I Wore' and her role in the play.

The 21st Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced an all time record total of $4,630,695 had been raised by the 60 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This year's total breaks the previous record when $3,927,000 was raised for the 2007 GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.