Peter Allen News

Helpmann nominated performer Trevor Ashley, known most recently for his performance as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, channels the superb talents of cabaret's most idiosyncratic superstar, Liza Minnelli, in the charismatic hit drag show Liza (On an E) in the De Parel Spiegeltent from 10 to 16 February, 2013.

Unmissable BroadwayWorld reference included, last night's GLEE was a spectacular addition to the theme-show collective of FOX's hit musical comedy series thus far in its rich history, eighty-plus episodes in now in Season Four, with an exceptionally explosive episode directed by Paris Barclay and written by Brad Falchuk, 'Diva.' The leading ladies of legend acted as the foundation of the fodder for the fabulous episode - dramatically, musically, thematically and otherwise - with a music-heavy show featuring a plethora of memorable musical numbers and a generally fancy-free storyline ending in a shocking cliffhanger ending - Santana (Naya Rivera) moves to NYC to live with Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer), unbeknownst to them; suitcase in tow! Uh oh!

Multi-talented actor Hugh Jackman headlined the Philadelphia Academy of Music 156th Anniversary Concert and Ball on Saturday, January 26th. The Les Miserables star performed 'Who Am I' from the award winning film, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra, for one of the city's biggest fundraising events. Below, check out a fan video which captured the performance live!

The frontwoman for Adelaide cover band Chunky Custard and former Formula One Grid Girl Becky Blake is back for the 2013 Fringe with two shows; her acclaimed Piano Chicks (a sellout in 2012) will return to The Promethean, 116 Grote Street Adelaide for three performances only on 2, 10 and 12 March.

Helpmann nominated performer Trevor Ashley, known most recently for his performance as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, channels the superb talents of cabaret's most idiosyncratic superstar, Liza Minnelli, in the charismatic hit drag show Liza (On an E) in the De Parel Spiegeltent from 10 to 16 February, 2013.

Jim Speake has scheduled another performance of his acclaimed show, 'Jim Speake Sings Til The Cows Come Home' for Saturday, February 23rd 2013 at 5pm at Don't Tell Mama.

Hugh Jackman was the recipient of this year's Golden Globe award for Best Actor, Musical or Comedy for his role as ‘Jean Valjean' in Tom Hooper's adaptation of LES MISERABLES.

Start spreading the news! After sell-out and return seasons across Australia, Trevor Ashley (Hairspray, Little Orphan traAshley Fat Swan) channels the superb talents of the iconic Liza Minnelli. From pill popping to her showbiz family, Liza dishes the dirt like you've never seen before, accompanied by a big band & featuring all her greatest hits!

It may be more than 50 years since the 72-year-old Donna McKechnie made her Broadway debut in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' but she seemed as nervous as an ingenue--in a good way--on the opening night of her new cabaret show Same Place-Another Time. Entering in a sparkly black blouse over a black skirt, and boogieing to the classic disco strains of "Do the Hustle," McKechnie and Musical Director/Pianist John McDaniel (leading a five-piece band) turned her opening number into a mashup with Rodgers and Hart's "Where or When" and a few bars of "Native New Yorker" thrown in just to keep up the funky disco flavor.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie, jazz, funk and R&B singer Alex Burgnon and Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris.

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie will soon grace the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical déjà vu celebrating the scintillating 70?s in New York City - the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these five very special performances, Donna will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge just chatted with the Broadway legend about the upcoming gig and you can check out the full interview below!

By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie graces the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical deja vu celebrating the scintillating 70?s in New York City - the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these five very special performances, Donna (Broadway Royalty!) will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. She gave a special press preview from her upcoming engagement at 54 Below yesterday, and BroadwayWorld brings you complete coverage below!

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.

Broadway legend Andrea McArdle has two new albums set for release on Broadway Records. The first, '70s and Sunny: Live At 54 BELOW', was recorded during her triumphant debut at the new Broadway hotspot 54 BELOW and will be released today, December 11, 2012. The second recording, 'Calendar Dream', is an exciting new project that teams Andrea up with a stellar array of Broadway's most awarded writers to journey though a year of a woman's life.

Tonight on 60 MINUTES, Scott Pelley profiled the Australian actor and Broadway star known to most for his 'X-Men' role as Wolverine, who now says he's doing the 'role of a lifetime' as Jean Valjean in 'Les Miserables.'

Hugh Jackman's father is his "rock." He raised him alone from the age of 8 when his mother left the family. The "X-Men" actor isn't acting when he chokes up thinking about the message his father imparts to him constantly, to put his family ahead of his career. Scott Pelley profiles the Australian actor for 60 MINUTES this Sunday, Dec. 9 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Never seen since its original New York run, LEGS DIAMOND kicks off the third season of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES tonight, December 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Lenora Nemetz returns to Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center with "A Christmas Story". This heartwarming play runs tonight, November 30 to December 2 and is the same as the popular film.