Merle Dandridge News

BroadwayWorld has just confirmed the final casting for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Monty Python's Spamalot, the parody of the Arthurian Legend which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2005. Those joining the starry company are Broadway vets Kevin Chamberlin as Sir Bedevere, Tom Deckman as Not Dead Fred, and Rick Holmes as Sir Lancelot.

TARZAN THE MUSICAL is the latest winner in a string of ambitious musicals by the Dawson producing team at 3-D Theatricals (Gretchen, Daniel, Jeannette and T.J.). Perhaps it isn't surprising that a family run company would know the kind of heart it takes to bring to life a Disney adventure musical about the power of family and finding one's place in the world. In any case, TARZAN is one big show that succeeds beautifully under their care.

One of Los Angeles' most iconic concert venues, the Hollywood Bowl, launched its 94nd season with the 2015 Opening Night Concert, featuring ever-popular and long-enduring rock band and recent Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame inductees JOURNEY, Saturday, June 20, at 8 pm.

Christian Slater has been announced to play Sir Galahad in the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Monty Python's Spamalot, the parody of the Arthurian Legend which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2005.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 10, 2015 - Sunday, May 10, 2015.

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.

The Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Monty Python'sSpamalot, the parody of the Arthurian Legend which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2005, will star Merle Dandridge as The Lady of the Lake, Warwick Davis as Patsy,Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Sir Robin, Eric Idle as the Historian and Craig Robinson as King Arthur. BT McNicholl will direct. Spamalot will be conducted by Todd Ellison and choreographed by Scott Taylor. Additional casting is to be announced.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps and Executive Director Elizabeth Doran) presents A CONVERSATION WITH PATRICIA MORISON, a 100th Birthday Celebration, on Sunday, March 15, 2015. This special event, honoring Broadway legend Patricia Morison (the original star of KISS ME, KATE) four days before her 100th birthday, takes place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at The University Club of Pasadena at 175 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

The Best in LA Theatre for 2014 (alphabetical listings; Equity, Equity-waiver & Non-Equity productions are mixed) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

Acclaimed songwriter Scott Alan returns to Rockwell Table and Stage tonight, November 10th.

Scott Alan's 'GREATEST HITS: VOLUME ONE,' is now available EVERYWHERE for purchase on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon and Dress Circle. The album is also available for streaming on Spotify. Below, check out a just-released music video for 'In This Moment,' as sung by Marc Broussard.

Scott Alan's 'GREATEST HITS: VOLUME ONE,' is now available EVERYWHERE for purchase on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon and Dress Circle. The album is also available for streaming on Spotify.

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!