Mickey Rooney News

Al Hirschfeld gets a tome of his own!

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring and summer, Hirschfeld is being celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

On the morning of June 5 at the Actors Fund Nursing Home in Englewood NJ, the Jazz and Tap teacher Phil Black passed away after fighting Parkinson's disease for over 20 years.

The complete cast and creative team have been announced for the West Coast Premiere of Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, a new work by one of America's great comic playwrights, familiar to millions for Lend Me a Tenor and Crazy for You. Baskerville is directed by Josh Rhodes, who previously choreographed the Globe's productions of Bright Star and Working, as well as Broadway's It Shoulda Been You, First Date, and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. The Old Globe engagement will begin performances on July 24, with opening night on Thursday, July 30 at 8:00 p.m., in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Although originally scheduled to run through August 23, Baskerville has been extended by popular demand through August 30, 2015!

Monica Lewis, a former Benny Goodman vocalist who headlined the very first broadcast of the 'Ed Sullivan Show,' was THE VOICE of the popular Chiquita BANANA cartoons, clowned opposite Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton and Danny Kaye, turned down a marriage proposal from Ronald Reagan and went on to play co-starring roles in such films as 'Earthquake,' 'Airport 1975' and 'The Concorde--Airport '79,' died on June 12 of natural causes at her apartment in Woodland Hills, CA. She was 93.

Al Hirschfeld gets a tome of his own!

How do you tell if a musical is a success? The answer is easy, it is a success when at intermission, you walk into the restroom, one person is whistling, and two are humming songs from the show. That is what happens with the Quality Hill Playhouse production of Judy, Barbara, Liza at the Playhouse at 303 W. 10 in Kansas City. Judy, Barbara, Liza wraps up the 20th season of Quality Hill.

Eat|See|Hear, LA's premier movies in the park event series, will be in Griffith Park on Saturday, June 6, to showcase the 1961 romantic comedy, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Every other show on Broadway seems to be an adaptation of a movie. So the question is, which ones will be next? Our wonderful readers weighed in, as they did last week, and came up with some great suggestions!

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring, Hirschfeld will be celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

World premiere of playwright Stan Rich's Loopholes: A Pain In The I.R.S. benefits from a very game cast of talented actors performing his fun, pun- galore, shtick-filled musical. The troupe's overall enthusiasm and commitment really pull off this 90-minute piece which possesses a very Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney, 'Let's go to the barn and put on a show' vibe.

Al Hirschfeld immortalized celebrities, politicians, Broadway productions, films, television shows and beyond with his iconic linear drawings for nine decades, establishing himself as one of the most important contemporary portrait artists. Over a decade since the legendary artist drew his final line drawing, he continues to inspire. This spring, Hirschfeld will be celebrated with the publication of a new book and a major exhibition at the New-York Historical Society.

Internationally-known playwright Ken Ludwig, writer of Lend Me a Tenor, will be on the Ursinus College campus to meet with the students who brought that play to the stage two weeks ago.

Musicals Tonight! has announced its 2015-16 season. Scroll down for details!

Check out a Judy Garland rarity!

The Zephyr Theater presents the world premiere of Finding Nick, a new play written and performed by Nicholas Guest, and directed by Lee Sankowich, in a six-week engagement beginning February 19, through March 27, on Thursday and Friday nights at 8 p.m. in Hollywood, produced by Racquel Lehrman and Victoria Watson of Theatre Planners.

The Zephyr Theater presents the world premiere of Finding Nick, a new play written and performed by Nicholas Guest, and directed by Lee Sankowich, in a six-week engagement beginning tonight, February 19, through March 27, on Thursday and Friday nights at 8 p.m. in Hollywood, produced by Racquel Lehrman and Victoria Watson of Theatre Planners.

Despite being a ratings disaster, there were a number of positive things that came out of SMASH's run on NBC; Megan Hilty's star turn, endless internet memes, and Annoying Actor Friend. The internet phenomenon @Actor_Friend 'werked' its way to the forefront of the theatre community's consciousness with its biting, but honest critiques of the musical melodrama's two-year TV run.

The Zephyr Theater presents the world premiere of Finding Nick, a new play written and performed by Nicholas Guest, and directed by Lee Sankowich, in a six-week engagement beginning February 19, through March 27, on Thursday and Friday nights at 8 p.m. in Hollywood, produced by Racquel Lehrman and Victoria Watson of Theatre Planners.

Serrano NY, LLC is thrilled to present the World Premiere of SERRANO THE MUSICAL, book and lyrics by Madeline Sunshine, music by Robert Tepper, musical direction by Jeff Rizzo (Sunset Blvd. The Wizard of Oz), choreography by Peggy Hickey (A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder) and directed by Tony nominee Joel Zwick (Dance With Me, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'). SERRANO THE MUSICAL will begin previews on Thursday, January 8, 2015 and will open tonight, January 16 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 29 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.