Merle Dandridge News

To celebrate HUNCHBACK's run, we've gone in-depth on Disney's animated films that have brought their music, magic, comedy and romance to the stage. Scroll down to learn more, and be sure to tell us which Disney film you'd like to see adapted next!

KISS ME, KATE starring multi Emmy-Award Winning Wayne Brady ("Let's Make a Deal," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") as Fred/Petruchio, is in its final week, presented by The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps and Executive Director Elizabeth Doran) and closes October 12. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lilli/Kate and is directed by Sheldon Epps.

Acclaimed songwriter Scott Alan returns to Rockwell Table and Stage on Monday, November 10th. The 8pm concert will feature guest vocalists performing Alan's Greatest Hits in an intimate night of supreme storytelling and vocals.

Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is a timeless, delightful musical romp that can be seen again and again. It's an overblown, joyous account of two egotistical actors, once married to each other, who adore one another but just cannot be around each other very long without catastrophic, calamitous results. It's also a play within a play, as Lilli Vanessi (Merle Dandridge) and Fred Graham (Wayne Brady) are on tour essaying Katharine and Petruchio in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Above all, the silly contrived story is overshadowed by Cole Porter's divine score with some of the most glorious tunes ever composed. Kiss Me Kate is a showcase to Porter's genius. The current revival at Pasadena Playhouse, although not any better than any of the other local revivals as of late, does boast the comical presence of Wayne Brady and the stunning talent of Merle Dandridge..

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Bennett & Gaga's CHEEK TO CHEEK is out today, Harvey Fierstein hosts BROADWAY SALUTES, JERSEY BOYS welcomes back an old friend, PBS salutes Joan Rivers and more!

The Pasadena Playhouse presents multi-Emmy Award winning Wayne Brady ("Let's Make a Deal," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE, directed by Sheldon Epps. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lilli/Kate. KISS ME, KATE opened tonightperforms through October 12, 2014. The production opened last night, September 21, and Broadway's original 'Kate', Patricia Morison, visited the show - scroll down for a photo!

The Pasadena Playhouse welcomes Wayne Brady as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which runs from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Barbra and Betty release their new albums today, EVITA opens at the Dominion, TALK RADIO opens at the Chain, and stars take to regional stages across the U.S. tonight!

The Pasadena Playhouse welcomes Wayne Brady as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from today, September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced that Wayne Bradywill star as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate. Check out a sneak peek below!

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that trailblazing actress Diahann Carroll will be the 2014 Diversity Award Honoree at the 8th Annual Pasadena Playhouse Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising event on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Pasadena Playhouse presents Kiss Me, Kate from Sept. 16 to Oct. 12. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, and directed by Sheldon Epps.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that Wayne Brady will star as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.

Today in 2006, Tarzan opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 486 performances. Tarzan: The Musical is based on the Disney film of the same name and the story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The songs are written by Phil Collins and David Zippel, with a book by David Henry Hwang. The production was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz). The cast Featured Josh Strickland, Jennifer Gambatese, Shuler Hensley, Merle Dandridge and Chester Gregory.

Check out a sneak peek below!

The Actors Fund's annual gala yesterday raised a record-breaking $1.6 million, as a sold-out audience at the New Amsterdam Theatre witnessed stars of 20 years of Disney on Broadway in highlights from the producing powerhouse's history of award-winning shows. The evening honored the creative collaborators and staff members of Disney Theatrical Productions as they celebrate 20 years on Broadway. Formed in 1994 and operating under the direction of president and producer Thomas Schumacher, Disney received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 132-year old non-profit human services organization. In addition, Fund CEO Joseph P. Benincasa received The Fund's honor for 25 years of service to the creative community.

BroadwayWorld was there for all of the magical opening night festivities, and below you can check out full photo coverage from the theatre arrivals!

Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Andy Jones (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Aida), Josh Strickland (the original Tarzan), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies), and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King), will join 4,500 students and teachers representing 93 groups from 26 states and the District of Columbia at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding Chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group. The Junior Theater Festival is being held January 17, 18 and 19 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

At today's 'Broadway & Beyond...Celebrating the Stars of Disney on Broadway' event at Disney's D23 expo, stage stars Heidi Blickenstaff, Merle Dandridge, Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, and Alton Fitzgerald White debuted a brand new song from the Broadway-bound production of ALADDIN, titled 'Somebody's Got Your Back.' Check it out, courtesy of Attractions Magazine, below!

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents a special theatrical performance, Broadway and Beyond. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions will host a musical journey into Disney's history on Broadway and beyond at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The performance features an all-star line-up, including Heidi Blickenstaff (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Merle Dandridge (TARZAN and AIDA), Josh Strickland (TARZAN) and Alton Fitzgerald White (THE LION KING), who sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.