Ricki Lake News

Karen Carpenter, a producer, director and teacher, a theater-maker for more than 30 years, has been appointed the interim Artistic Director of the William Inge Center for the Arts and the 34th Annual William Inge Theatre Festival. The Inge Festival is the Official Theater Festival of the State of Kansas, hosted on the campus of Independence Community College, which houses the William Inge archives.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its October 2014 schedule, featuring Chita Rivera, Dave Leibman Big Band, Miss Coco Peru, Benny Green Trio, Kenny Baron and Dave Holland, Barbara Carroll, Ron Carter Nonet, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Instead of dancing a perfect paso doble, champion dancers Derek Hough and Mark Ballas from ABC-TV's Dancing with the Stars will be kicking up dust on their latest project a home renovation series on HGTV. Mark & Derek's Excellent Flip, a four episode series, will follow along as the multi-talented entertainers who recently co-purchased a house in Southern California completely gut and rehab the property before flipping it for profit. Currently slated to premiere on HGTV in early 2015, the series will be produced by Scott Sternberg Productions.

Sex and the City: LIVE! is back with two brand new episodes. The show plays a limited engagement for 3 weekends only, today, July 24 - Aug. 10, 2014 - Thurs., Fri., Sat. - 8:00 pm / Sun at 7:00 pm at the Victoria Theatre - 2961 16th St. (btwn. Mission & Capp Sts.) SF, CA 94103.

Sex and the City: LIVE! is back with two brand new episodes. The show plays a limited engagement for 3 weekends only, July 24 - Aug. 10, 2014 - Thurs., Fri., Sat. - 8:00 pm / Sun at 7:00 pm at the Victoria Theatre - 2961 16th St. (btwn. Mission & Capp Sts.) SF, CA 94103.

A story of one unusual family's collective open heart, Green Eyes, Just Like You and Me explores why "doing the right thing" isn't always necessarily the right thing to do.

When Playhouse on the Square first showcased the musical version of the giddy John Waters' romp HAIRSPRAY a few seasons back, terpsichorean dynamo Courtney Oliver (as 'Tracy Turnblad') and theatre veteran Ken Zimmerman ('Miss Edna') left the stage each night with clamorous standing ovations for them and their colorful cohorts. I saw it more than once; it was the kind of theatrical experience that not only made you want to see it repeatedly, but one to which you longed to introduce others. I was thrilled to learn not only that HAIRSPRAY would return to end the current season at Playhouse, but that it would also reunite most of the original cast - and would be directed by the ever reliable Dave Landis.

Today we continue the 2014 edition of our annual BroadwayWorld feature series spotlighting the very best Tony Awards-related moments of all time with a special focus on a major hit musical with a pertinent and positive message of self-acceptance, HAIRSPRAY.

BroadwayWorld's own Randy Rainbow was there for the very special evening, where he chatted with many of the performers, as well as the guests of honor. Check out highlights from the big night below!

The New York Pops marked its 31st birthday with a grand gala on Monday night, celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the red carpet!

The New York Pops marked its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening last night, celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the afterparty, featuring guests Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Andrea Martin and more!

The New York Pops marked its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening last night, celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you another look inside the evening featuring the original Broadway cast of HAIRSPRAY, Aaron Tveit, Katharine McPhee and more!

The New York Pops marked its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening last night, celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look inside the evening featuring Matthew Morrison, Andrea Martin, Will Chase and more!

Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside rehearsal below!

On Monday, April 28, 2014, The New York Pops marks its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. Gala Co-Chairs include Neil Heilberg, Todd Korren, William C. Montana, and James A. Read. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are stars Matthew Broderick, Debra Messing, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

On Monday, April 28, 2014, The New York Pops marks its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Corey Reynolds about his upcoming appearance in the special celebration:

On Monday, April 28, 2014, Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV), under the direction of Michael McElroy (TONY Award Nominee, Big River), will be joining the The New York Pops as it marks its 31st birthday. It will be a grand gala evening celebrating the work of longtime friends and BIV supporters composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services. BIV features members from Motown: The musical, The Lion King, Wicked,Spider-Man, The Book of Mormon, Annie, Kinky Boots, After Midnight and more.

Lisa Williams, world-renowned medium, clairvoyant, and star of the hit show, Life Among the Dead and Voices from the Other Side on Lifetime TV, will share her gift of communication with those who have passed on to the 'other side' at the Mayo Performing Arts Center tonight, April 23, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are $29-80.

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Will Chase about his upcoming appearance in the special celebration: