In 1964, HELLO DOLLY opened on Broadway, starring a relatively unknown, 43-year-old Carol Channing as the lead. Reviving the show in 1978, 1981, and 1995, Channing's personality is almost synonymous with the title character. With the demanding role requiring someone with a true star quality, many celebrities have tackled the bold character (including Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller, Ethel Merman…and, of course, Barbara Streisand). It is no surprise that Arlington Player's has gambled on a local small-town-star as the headliner in their current production.
Some shows I can see again and again, especially those composed by the forever upbeat Jerry Herman. Hello Dolly bowed on Broadway when I was a teenager in the 60s and it had a long run with original star Carol Channing, followed by turns with Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey, Martha Raye and Molly Picon, to name a few. Every major star wanted to do it because the role offers a female actress the chance to sing, dance and act the hell out of it. It's a big, splashy gut buster about a woman who has more moxy than the Pied Piper and enough wisdom and panache to win over an army or a whole kingdom, for that matter...and, for the audience, it's one of those extra-special feel-good musicals that just doesn't quit... for a moment. You leave the theatre actually humming the tunes.Welk Resort's current production of Dolly! in Escondido through November 15 is right on target...it's wondrously delectable.
Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that MetroStage will open the 2015-16 season with the Rolling World Premiere of UPRISING by Atlanta playwright Gabrielle Fulton as part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival, Sept 17- Oct 25. Thomas W. Jones II will direct and choreograph, and William Knowles will music direct.
Everything you love about Broadway -- unique showbiz treasures, the opportunity to meet your favorite performers and the chance to bid on exclusive backstage experiences -- will come together as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 29th Annual BROADWAY FLEA MARKET & GRAND AUCTION on Sunday, September 27, 2015. And BroadwayWorld can report that pre-bidding is now open!
Year 2015 is the sweet 16th year for the MITF. Prolific producer John Chatterton's brainchild, The Midtown International Theatre Festival - presenting powerful plays and musicals from around the world - is steadily marching toward 20 years as one of the best reasons to come to New York in the summer. This year, the diverse Midtown International will present quality live theater PLUS a series of cutting-edge short works, children's theater, dance productions, one-person shows, cabaret, vaudeville & burlesque style entertainment.
Groundbreaking, internationally acclaimed modern dance company PHILADANCO will return to their Philadelphia home at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to mark their 45th Anniversary celebration in Perelman Theater this weekend, April 17-19 (times vary).
I talk to Banks Brothers Productions' Vincent Victoria, the Houston playwright responsible for BLAQUE TCHERIE. BLAQUE TCHERIE chronicles the creation and launch of the first black 'girlie' magazine.
Groundbreaking, internationally acclaimed modern dance company PHILADANCO will return to their Philadelphia home at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to mark their 45th Anniversary celebration in Perelman Theater on April 17-19 (times vary).
Pioneer Theatre Company presents the comedy I Hate Hamlet by PAUL RUDNICK, today, March 20 - April 4, 2015. Visiting guest artist ART MANKE directs the production.
Award-winning, multi-talented performers, Felicia Fields, Chic Street Man and Sugaray Rayford, heat up The Rep's Stackner Cabaret in Low Down Dirty Blues. Audiences will forget about the cold weather when they come see these powerhouse entertainers belt out the blues. Directed by Randal Myler, the production begins performances in The Rep's Stackner Cabaret tonight, March 20, 2015 and runs through May 24, 2015. Opening night is Sunday, March 22, 2015.
theatreWashington announced today that the 2015 Helen Hayes Awards will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015, at two of Washington's most renowned theatrical venues: the historic Lincoln Theatre will host the Awards ceremony and the Awards After-Party will be held a few blocks away at the legendary Howard Theatre.
Pioneer Theatre Company presents the comedy I Hate Hamlet by PAUL RUDNICK, March 20 - April 4, 2015. Visiting guest artist ART MANKE directs the production.
Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!
Today, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.
On Wednesday, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way.
Artistic Director Blake Robison announced the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's 2015-16 season today with an engaging combination of world-premiere comedies, beloved dramas, inspirational and provocative new plays, a sultry musical revue and the return of one of the most popular shows in Playhouse history. The Playhouse's 56th season is Robison's fourth as artistic director.
Award-winning, multi-talented performers, Felicia Fields, Chic Street Man and Sugaray Rayford, will be heating up The Rep's Stackner Cabaret this March in Low Down Dirty Blues. Audiences will forget about the cold weather when they come see these powerhouse entertainers belt out the blues. Directed by Randal Myler, the production is set to begin performances in The Rep's Stackner Cabaret March 20, 2015 and runs through May 24, 2015. Opening night is Sunday, March 22, 2015.
Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin has announced that the award-winning musical by Thomas W. Jones II Bessie's Blues will be on stage at MetroStage beginning Jan. 22, 2015. Thomas W. Jones II will direct and choreograph, and William Knowles will music direct. A musical odyssey of African American people in the 20th century, it was ground-breaking in 1994 and is a perfect production for our stage as we celebrate our first 30 years.
What do you get when you mix an internationally-acclaimed impersonator, outrageous comedy, great standards, and a bevy of icons? The hysterical parody of Judy Garland and her guests found in Michael Holmes' riotous The Judy Show!
