Peter Allen News

Karen Cadle International in association with El Portal Theatre proudly present the multi-media event entitled REMEMBERING THE LADIES.

Hugh Jackman, who was most recently seen on Broadway opposite Daniel Craig in A STEAD RAIN, has declined the opportunity to host the Oscar telecast for a third straight year, deadline.com reports. Last year, Jackman reportedly had to turn down the prestigious gig to prep for his role in the movie The Real Steel. He also was vary of hosting the show two consecutive years Jackman will be unable to host the 2011 ceremony, as he will be preoccupied with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Filming begins in late February/early March of 2011.

Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star opposite Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of the company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

Today we kick off our series on the 2010 New York Musical Theater Festival with the warm and fuzzy memories - as well as some less than fond remembrances - of the life and career of Broadway triple-threat leading lady Brenda Braxton. From the original company of DREAMGIRLS on Broadway under the direction of Michael Bennett to CATS and LEGS DIAMOND and George C. Wolfe's JELLY'S LAST JAM all the way up to her many stints in the Broadway revival of CHICAGO - as well as directing and recreating the original Bennett/Avian/Peters choreography for the post-9/11 star-studded DREAMGIRLS concert starring Audra McDonald, Lillias White and Heather Headley - we talk it all, plus all the exciting new musicals she is participating in - such as her NYMF starrer TRAVELIN' and another new musical reading, as well as projects of her own creation - both onstage and, now, behind-the-scenes! Ms. Braxton was generous enough to spend some time on a rainy afternoon earlier this week to discuss her career, the state of Broadway, the necessity of new musical theatre voices, working with Michael Bennett, and all the details on the new musical she is starring in that premieres this Friday at the NYMF, TRAVELIN' as well as some exciting news of what lies ahead!

Today we are taking a listen to one of the most hotly anticipated albums of the year from one of the biggest stars in entertainment history - Hollywood, Broadway and beyond - the incomparably divine Liza Minnelli and her new studio album CONFESSIONS. Having appeared in countless films, concerts, television specials and seemingly every other form of media over the years - not to mention her many appearances on Broadway, among them a 2009 Tony Winner for LIZA'S AT THE PALACE - this lady of the stage and screen needs no introduction. But, if pressed: CABARET, CHICAGO, NEW YORK NEW YORK, ALFIE, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - and so many more. Surely, we thought she had done it all - and with very good reason - but then comes this moment, this album, this Liza. It's everything you would not expect - plus a few glorious things you would - which makes it the ultimate meta-Minnelli album. Music fans surely won't want to miss this truly Holy CONFESSIONS. Liza-lujah!

In a recent article in the NY Post, Michael Riedel reveals some hidden Broadway secrets including the historic Music Box Theatre (239 W. 45th St.), built by Irving Berlin in 1921. According to Riedel, Berlin had an office upstairs with a hidden door leading to a secret room that is rumored to have held his stash during Prohibition.

Bernadette Peters's concert at the 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival has been released on DVD, Dress Circle reports. At the Festival, Peters performed with the Adelaide Art Orchestra.

Stephanie J. Block, Broadway star of '9 to 5: The Musical,' 'Wicked,' 'The Pirate Queen,' and 'The Boy From Oz,' will star opposite Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, in 'They're Playing Our Song,' the opening production of the company's 2010-2011 season, playing September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

After a career on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall, New Jersey wardrobe & hair professional Vince Esoldi is retiring along with his unique Autograph Suit with over 300 famous signatures!

After a career on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall, New Jersey wardrobe & hair professional Vince Esoldi is retiring along with his unique Autograph Suit with over 300 famous signatures!

On July 30, 2010 at 9pm, the Fire Island Pines Arts Project will present Alan Cumming in his one-man show, UNCUT. Cumming will perform at the Brandon Fradd Theatre in Whyte Hall.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the full slate of 27 musical productions, a developmental reading series and special events for their seventh annual festival. This year's Festival will begin September 27th and continue through October 17th. A full breakdown of this year's performances follows.

On Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers will host the Annual Golden Score Awards, hosted by actor/producer Rob Reiner, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, to open the company's 2010-2011 season. Single tickets are available for 'They're Playing Our Song' at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.

The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko San Francisco, 222 Mason Street (between Ellis and O'Farrell), San Francisco, California 94102, announces its September 2010 events.

Theatrical producer and was principal owner and managing partner of the New York Yankees, George M. Steinbrenner III, passed away this morning of a heart attack at his home in Tampa. He was 80 years old.

Cumming's impish charm is undiminished. The show was 15 minutes shorter, with 12 songs instead of 15. The best anecdotes are still in, like Ann Miller's obscene comment about Eyes Wide Shut, and there are a few new ones, like about his 45th birthday tupperware party and the hilarious saga of his participation in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2009, but the banter is still fresh and spontaneous and typically Cumming-esque. 7 songs remain from the CD I Bought a Blue Car Today and a couple of new songs have been added. I especially loved the medley of Bacharach and Sondheim - 'I Still Have That Other Girl'/'Losing My Mind' that do work beautifully together, the original song 'I Want To See You' - take away all that plastic surgery! - written by Cumming and Lance Horne, and Horne's satirical tune about what it means to be 'American'. Cumming with a G, not Cummings with an S - is as precious as ever. I overheard someone say 'I just want to take him home with me!' I can just imagine how his deliciously quick-witted brain would react to that comment! He's one unique individual that makes a show forever fascinating, always gutsy and real and totally entertaining!

On July 30, 2010 at 9pm, the Fire Island Pines Arts Project will present Alan Cumming in his one-man show, UNCUT. Cumming will perform at the Brandon Fradd Theatre in Whyte Hall.

On Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, The American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers will host the Annual Golden Score Awards, hosted by actor/producer Rob Reiner, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Hugh Jackman has his sights set on the stage again, having just participated in a reading of Nora Ephron's new play, Stories about McAlary. Directed by Mike Nichols, the play cernters on the life of the late New York Post and Daily News columnist Mike McAlary (read by Jackman). The reading also included Sarah Paulson and Richard Kind.