Phyllis Newman News

The Actors' Fund presented their annual gala at Cipriani's 42nd Street with Megan Mullally (Young Frankenstein) as host.

Encompass New Opera Theatre celebrates the 80th birthday of legendary composer JERRY BOCK with a Gala Musical Salute on Sunday, May 18th at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South.

Kathleen Turner and many other celebrity guests attended the opening night of Macbeth After playing sold-out, critically acclaimed engagements at BAM, The West End's Gielgud Theatre and UK's Chichester Festival Theatre, Patrick Stewart returns to Broadway in the five-time Olivier Award-nominated production of Macbeth. The show officially opened at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre. The Evening Standard Award-winning production will play 64 performances only, officially closing on May 24th. 'In one of Shakespeare's greatest dramas, Patrick Stewart plays Macbeth - a man utterly determined to obtain the royal crown. Aided by his even more ambitious and ruthless wife, Macbeth murders the king and a comrade only to lose everything by the play's end. In his New York debut, Rupert Goold takes inspiration from Stalin's Great Terror and directs this psychological and chilling tragedy in a stark, austere production that places Macbeth in a timeless, nameless, and lawless country,' describe press notes. Patrick Stewart received the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor and the Critics Circle Theatre Award for Best Shakespearean Performance for this production. Rupert Goold received both the Evening Standard and Critics Circle Theatre awards for Best Director. The production also received the What's On Stage Award for Best Shakespearean Production. Macbeth has also been nominated for five Olivier Awards: Best Actor for Patrick Stewart, Best Director for Rupert Goold, Best Revival, Best Lighting Design for Howard Harrison, and Best Set Design for Anthony Ward and Lorna Heavey. The cast features Michael Feast as Macduff, Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth, and Martin Turner as Banquo, as well as Oliver Birch, Ben Carpenter, Polly Frame, Scott Handy, Sophie Hunter, Hywel John, Christopher Knott, Niamh McGrady, Bill Nash, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Mark Rawlings, and Tim Treloar. For tickets please visit www.ticketmaster.com

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS presented a one night only performance of You May Now Worship Me, a collection of musical short stories featuring Tony Award nominee Sherie Rene Scott, Monday, March 31 at 8 PM at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). The evening will benefit the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actor's Fund.

BROADWAY BARES: BACKSTAGE PASS, a titillating photographic chronicle of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS's annual BROADWAY BARES event, will be available June 2008 from Universe Publishing, a division of Rizzoli New York

On Monday, March 31, 2008, Broadway belter Sherie Rene Scott, currently starring as the notorious eight-armed sea-witch Ursula in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' will concoct an experiment in truth-telling in her new and original one-woman show 'You May Now Worship Me.' The one-night-only concert at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative.

The Actor's Fund Auction of 1000 Stars continues on Ebay! Currently up for grabs are two opening night tickets to Cry Baby plus access to the exclusive cast party, two opening night tickets to Macbeth plus access to the exclusive cast party, and FOUR opening night tickets to the Broadway premiere of The Country Girl including access to the opening night party.

On Monday, March 10th The York Theatre Company presented Amanda Green's 'Does This Song Make My Ass Look Fat?' as part of its NEO Spotlight Series.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is proud to present a one night only performance of You May Now Worship Me, a collection of musical short stories featuring Tony Award nominee Sherie Rene Scott, Monday, March 31 at 8 PM at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre

The legendary Chita Rivera performed two sold-out shows Monday, January 14 at the legendary Birdland to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Songwriter and performer Amanda Green performs at Birdland on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7PM with Brooks Ashmanskas and Amy Spanger

Actors in North Shore Music Theatre's recent production of Les Miserables raised $65,400 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) during the show's 4 week run.

Words and Music by Jerry Herman will premiere in the New York metro area on WNET New York, Monday, December 31 at 10PM; and nationwide on PBS, including NJN Public Television, Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 9:30PM.

Bidding begins at noon tomorrow, December 1 on eBay for BID 2 BEAT AIDS, an annual auction of rare and autographed items from stars in music, film, Broadway, sports, politics, and television.

In response to the work stoppage currently effecting Broadway theatres, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, which was in the middle of its annual Gypsy of The Year fundraising when the stoppage took effect, announces 'Team-Raiser,' an internet-based way to continue fundraising for the 19th Annual Gypsy of The Year Competition.

As part of BroadwayWorld.com's expanding Strike Coverage, we checked in with Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and how the Local One stagehands' strike is affecting their acclaimed non-profit organization.

On Sunday February 3, 2008 Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia along with his friends the Sprites from Disney Channel's hit Playhouse Disney kids' television series 'Johnny and the Sprites' will take the stage of Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, NYC) for a very special live musical celebration for the whole family. Johnny and the Sprites Live - A Spofulous Broadway Concert a one day only event will play one performance at 5:00 PM only, with all proceeds benefiting BC/EFA

Gerald Schoenfeld, Board Chairman of The Shubert Organization and The Shubert Foundation, will receive the Joan Warburg Humanitarian Award from The Acting Company on Monday, November 12. Legendary producer Edgar Lansbury, will be presented the John Houseman Award honoring his commitment to the development of classical actors and a national audience for the theater.

New documentary Words and Music by Jerry Herman will premiere nationwide on PBS, Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 9:30PM. (Check local listings.)

Last night, the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. launched a new initiative - 'Ladies Night Out on Broadway' - a special evening on Broadway created for Broadway's most loyal group of theatregoers. An important charitable tie-in which raised thousands of dollars in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors Fund