Mary Kay News

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Liberace Foundation and Museum management, with volunteer support from members of the Broadway-Las Vegas Theatre community, including Philip Fortenberry and Keith Thompson, both conductors of 'Jersey Boys' and long-time Broadway musicians, are spearheading the expansion of live cabaret entertainment with the renamed 86-seat The Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, and a gala charity benefit concert set for Wed., Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, proudly announces the sixth and final production of its upcoming 2009/2010 Season, as well as additional casting. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street, the new production will be: A COOL DIP IN THE BARREN SAHARAN CRICK - the World Premiere of a new play by Playwrights Horizons alumna Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom at Playwrights Horizons, Force Continuum), directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Durango at The Public). A co-production with The Play Company (Kate Loewald, Founding Producer) and Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director).

It's the time of year where the Theatre World celebrates the best of the best and special recognition is bestowed upon certain individuals for their work. No...I am not talking about the Tony Awards...although I know where I will be that evening. I talking about the 19th Annual Kleban Awards, which will be presented in a private ceremony on June 1st, 2009.

Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue at Francis Wilson Playhouse. Mel Edison can't take it any more!

Porchlight Music Theatre will end its 2008-2009 season, Musical Journeys-A Season of Musical Destinations, with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once On This Island at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont. The production begins previews May 9 with a Press Opening on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through June 28, 2009.

Ken Kleiber of 'That's Kentertainment!' will be welcoming Patricia Resnick (bookwriter of '9 to 5 The Musical') as a guest on 'The Kentertainment Report' segment of the 'Frank DeCaro Show' Thursday April 23rd at Noon on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, Channel 109. Resnick, also the co-screenwriter of the film '9 to 5', will discuss the upcoming Broadway opening of '9 to 5' The Musical plus other projects inlcuding a Nick, Jr. series she recently wrote and Executive-Produced, plus a new memoir she is currently penning. And, as a happy coincidence, Ms. Resnick wrote the Dolly Parton/James Woods vehicle 'Straight Talk', a film which happens to contain the first on-screen appearance of Ken Kleiber! Tune in to Sirius/XM 109 Thursday Arpil 23rd at Noon.

MOTHER LOAD: Direct from Off-Broadway! This hysterical hit mixes motherhood, comedy and true confession! Based on creator Amy Wilson's own experience as the mother of three children under five, this one-woman show has audiences from coast to coast laughing about everything from prenatal yoga to preschool applications.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is proud to announce four World Premieres for its 2009/2010 Season. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street.

The members of the Chambersburg Polka Charities Committee are planning an evening of delicious homemade ethnic food and a band renowned for its polka repertoire. Preparations are under way for its 23rd annual Polka Party, April 25, 2009 at the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department's Social Hall in Fayetteville, PA.

Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and international superstar Hugh Jackman, who are co-starring in the upcoming movie 'Australia,' will present an award together on 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.' Known as 'Country Music's Biggest Night(TM),' 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards' airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and international superstar Hugh Jackman, who are co-starring in the upcoming movie 'Australia,' will present an award together on 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.' Known as 'Country Music's Biggest Night(TM),' 'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards' airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The San Jose Repertory Theatre today announced that Rick Lombardo of Boston's New Repertory Theatre will be the company's next artistic director, succeeding the Rep's long-time director, Timothy Near.

Casting is complete for the revival of John Guare's modern American classic comedy, 'The House of Blue Leaves,' which will open the new Mark Taper Forum after its year-long renovation. Directed by Nicholas Martin, 'The House of Blue Leaves' begins previews August 30, opens September 14 and continues through October 19, 2008.

On April 14, 2008 GAYFEST NYC hosted a major fundraising event as a kick-off for this year's Festival and a benefit for the Harvey Milk High School scholarship fund. The evening included a performance by Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan and was be held at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10036, with a reception following.

Signature Theatre Company announces that Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl will appear in the world premiere of Edward Albee's Occupant directed by Pam MacKinnon, opening May 29.

A star-studded and successful industry reading was recently held for Dolly Parton's upcoming Broadway musical Nine to Five, based on the 1980 office comedy.

On Sunday, April 1st, jazz legend Marilyn Maye and Billy Stritch ended their SRO run at the Metropolitan Room