Pat Birch News

Starring in the most successful movie musical of all time is a surefire way to cement yourself in the pop culture and Hollywood pantheon, but Olivia Newton-John's participation in that generational touchstone, GREASE, was actually only the beginning of her rise to the top of the pop charts as one of the biggest entertainers in the world in the 1970s and 1980s, setting the charts afire with a string of smash hit singles such as "Physical", "I Honestly Love You", "Totally Hot", "Heart Attack" and many more. Discussing various aspects of her show business career and the entertainment legacy left by GREASE, XANADU and many of her film, television and concert appearances, Ms. Newton-John also opens up about her nearly completed construction of the $250 million Olivia Newton-John Cancer And Wellness Centre in Australia and why the cause is particularly close to her heart (literally), as well as all about co-hosting Sunday's cancer research fundraising benefit Pink And Blue For Two with football superstar Terrell Owens - an event created by her nephew Ethan promoting not only breast cancer awareness, but prostate cancer awareness, as well. As if all of that were not enough, we also shed some light on her appearances on Fox's hit musical comedy series GLEE and all about working with Jane Lynch, Ryan Murphy and company on the remake of "Physical", as well as the possibility of a return to the series in the future. Plus, all about the Broadway version of XANADU and her reaction to it on opening night, the new 2011 remix of "Magic" she has just released, her new film (complete with a newly-penned song she sings in it) A FEW BEST MEN, opinions on John Farrar's musical adaptation of HEATHCLIFFE written with Sir Tim Rice, her opinions on fellow divas such as Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Cher and Lady Gaga - as well as much, much more!

Six Degrees of Marvin Hamlisch - An All Star Celebration was presented yesterday, October 4th at Symphony Space. Produced by Murphy Cross, Paul Kreppel and Bonnie Kole, the starry evening will benefit The Actors Fund and honored longtime Broadway Musical Director and keyboardist Fran Liebergall who is living with MS. Guests who appeared with Mr. Hamlisch included Lucie Arnaz, Kelly Bishop, Liz Callaway, Victor Garber, Lesley Gore, Robert Klein, Priscilla Lopez, Robert LuPone, Donna McKechnie, Donna Murphy, Jack Noseworthy, Donald Pippin, Billy Stritch, Sammy Williams and more. Ron Abel served as the evening's Musical Director. The evening was directed by Ms. Cross & Mr. Kreppel.

Lucie Arnaz, Robert Klein, Victor Garber, Donna Murphy and more...all under the same roof for one night with Marvin Hamlisch...a theatregoers dream which will come to fruition on October 4th. It's all part of Six Degrees of Marvin Hamlisch - An All Star Celebration, to be presented on Monday, October 4 at 7:30pm at Symphony Space. Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel will direct the event, which will have musical direction by Ron Abel and serve as a benefit for The Actors Fund.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will present its annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary Broadway producer and director Harold Prince, in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community.

Tom Viertel, Chairman of the Board of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, has announced that Stephen Sondheim will present Harold Prince with the organization's Monte Cristo Award at a gala benefit on Monday, April 5, 2010 at Bridgewaters (11 Fulton Street, NYC).

The York Theatre Company will continue their Developmental Reading Series with the presentation of William Zeffiro's musical, THE ROAD TO RUIN. The reading will be directed by Tony nominee Pat Birch with a cast featuring members of Marymount Manhattan College's theatre program. The readings will take place January 25th and 26th at 7:30pm.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) has announced that the culmination of the union's 50th anniversary year is a gala celebration on Sunday, November 8 at the Tribeca Rooftop.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) has announced that the culmination of the union's 50th anniversary year is a gala celebration on Sunday, November 8 at the Tribeca Rooftop.

San Francisco Symphony music director Michael Tilson Thomas will take the stage at Tanglewood on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a production of his original musical, The Thomashefskys. Inspired by his grandparents, Boris and Bessie, The Thomashefskys tells the story of the early 20th-century birth of Yiddish theater in New York. Extensive research over the past decade has revealed thousands of documents related to their story. Acting as host for the evening, Tilson Thomas presents these stories via musical performances, film, audio clips and projections of archival materials.

San Francisco Symphony music director Michael Tilson Thomas will take the stage at Tanglewood on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a production of his original musical, The Thomashefskys. Inspired by his grandparents, Boris and Bessie, The Thomashefskys tells the story of the early 20th-century birth of Yiddish theater in New York. Extensive research over the past decade has revealed thousands of documents related to their story. Acting as host for the evening, Tilson Thomas presents these stories via musical performances, film, audio clips and projections of archival materials.

San Francisco Symphony music director Michael Tilson Thomas will take the stage at Tanglewood on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a production of his original musical, The Thomashefskys. Inspired by his grandparents, Boris and Bessie, The Thomashefskys tells the story of the early 20th-century birth of Yiddish theater in New York. Extensive research over the past decade has revealed thousands of documents related to their story. Acting as host for the evening, Tilson Thomas presents these stories via musical performances, film, audio clips and projections of archival materials.

American Idol runner-up, Justin Guarini, will star in the industry only Equity staged reading of the new musical THE AWAKENING OF ANGEL DeLUNA - with book & lyrics by Judylynn Schmidt, and music & lyrics by Lee Ellis - produced by Kate Griffler on Monday, March 23rd at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Tracy Bersley directs and Barbara Anselmi acts as music director.

American Idol runner-up, Justin Guarini, will star in the industry only Equity staged reading of the new musical THE AWAKENING OF ANGEL DeLUNA - with book & lyrics by Judylynn Schmidt, and music & lyrics by Lee Ellis - produced by Kate Griffler on Monday, March 23rd at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Tracy Bersley directs and Barbara Anselmi acts as music director.

We talk to Tony Nominee David Pittu, who is currently playing 'Bertolt Brecht' in LoveMusik (Outer Critics Circle Award: Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical).

SPRING AWAKENING will begin previews Thursday, May 18, 2006, officially open Thursday, June 15, 2006 and play a limited engagement through Sunday, July 9, 2006.