Rita Moreno News

The United Palace (4140 Broadway, at 175th Street) and UPCA (United Palace of Cultural Arts) will feature a screening of the 1933 classic KING KONG, as part of its 'Sunday Movies at the Palace' screening series, curated and hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer/writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) on April 27th. Stage show begins at 5:00 followed by the screening at 5:30.

Twentieth Century Fox's sequel RIO 2 flies into theaters on Friday. Returning for the animated musical are stars Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, will.i.am, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Leslie Mann, and Jamie Foxx.

The beloved Bay Area cabaret singer Wesla Whitfield, joined by her husband, pianist and arranger Mike Greensill and John Wiitala on bass, will debut their new show, Who Cares (What Banks Fail in Yonkers!), at Feinstein's at the Nikko for two-performances only - Thursday, May 8 (8 p.m.) and Friday, May 9 (8 p.m.). The challenges of the world can make it tough to keep a smile in place. Let Wesla and Mike's new show take you on a delightful journey through the Great American Songbook that will re-unite you with your hopes and dreams. Tickets for Wesla Whitfield range in price from $30 - $45 and are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. "What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel," remarks Wood. "It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Saturday, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Singer/songwriter Ruth Carlin returns to the Laurie Beechman Theater this spring with an illuminating exploration of the eclectic repertoire of iconic folkie turned cabaret favorite, Judy Collins. 'A Light in the Window - Songs of Judy Collins.' Performances are May 17th at 7:30pm and June 12th at 7pm. The show will be directed by Scott Barnes, with accompaniment by Carlin's Musical Director, Paul Greenwood, on Piano, Dick Sarpola on bass and John Redsecker on drums. The Laurie Beechman Theater is at Westbank Cafe, 407 W. 42nd St. NYC. For reservations, call: (212) 695-6909.

The Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) Gypsy Awards Luncheon honoring Leslie Caron and Dee Dee Wood and the late Marc Breaux was held on March 30, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Broadway's Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera were in attendance, and you can check out a photo of them together below!

Twentieth Century Fox's RIO 2, featuring Broadway diva Kristin Chenoweth and a flock of top actors and musical talents, will hit theaters on April 11. Click below for a first listen to Chenoweth's character -- the poison dart frog 'Gabi' -- singing her love song called 'Poisonous Love' to criminal mastermind 'Nigel'!

The United Palace Theatre and UPCA (United Palace of Cultural Arts) will feature a 30th Anniversary screening of Ivan Reitman's classic comedy GHOSTBUSTERS, as part of it's new 'Sunday Movies at the Palace' screening series, curated and hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer/writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) on March 23rd. Stage show begins at 5:00 followed by the screening at 5:30.

Broadway personality and SiriusXM Radio 'On Broadway' host Julie James will debut her new musical comedy, The Julie James Show, on Thursday, March 27th at 9:30 PM at 54 Below, it was announced today. To Broadway fans and 'On Broadway' listeners, Julie is best known as the effervescent host of 'Broadway Names with Julie James.' Now Julie utilizes a thrilling 3 ½ octave range with hilarious stories and songs to reveal a childhood obsession with jingles, theme songs and cast albums, as well as a performance background in opera and musical theatre, that would ultimately lead her to her role at SiriusXM where all of these elements combine into one incredible dream job.

Jennifer Kranz, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre, emerged victorious Sunday, February 16th as LA's Next Great Stage Star® 2014 produced and presented by Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, the most critically acclaimed concert supper club in the greater Los Angeles area.

Award winning actress and dancer, Leslie Caron, has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society (PDS) annual Gypsy Award Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Ms. Caron will be honored on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed dancers/choreographers Dee Dee Wood and the late Marc Breaux will receive a special PDS Choreography Award, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

A big screen revival of the clasic film WEST SIDE STORY may be in the works at Fox.

BLUE MAN GROUP returns to Washington for one week only at the National Theatre, May 6 though 11.

NBC's comedy pilot OLD SOUL from Amy Poehler has added another theatre alum to its roster. According to Deadline, Ellen Burstyn will joing Fred Willard, Natasha Lyonne and Rita Moreno in the cast.

The project follows 'a reformed wild child Nadia (Lyonne) who has a business caring for the elderly and feels she has more in common with her colorful old clients than she does with people her age. Willard will play one of the clients, the razza-mattazy Hector, a veteran Broadway songwriter who has been joyously married to Rita (Moreno), his writing partner, for over 50 years. One of Nadia's main jobs with Hector to help him sort through the massive amounts of stuff he has have kept over the years.'

Franklin Performing Arts Company's annual, free Family Concert Series continues this season with "Jazz 4 Kidz Featuring Mark Poniatowski and Friends" on Sunday, March 2 and "Opera for Kids: Dr. Seuss's Gertrude McFuzz and Green Eggs and Ham" on Sunday, March 23. An FPAC tradition for more than two decades, the Family Concert Series programs begin at 1 p.m. at 38 Main Street in Franklin.

Broadway legend, Barbara Cook, will be honored with The Julie Harris Award for Artistic Achievement at The Actors Fund's 18th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party on June 8th, 2014.

Jennifer Kranz, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre, emerged victorious Sunday, February 16th as LA's Next Great Stage Star® 2014 produced and presented by Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, the most critically acclaimed concert supper club in the greater Los Angeles area.

The Broadway League's Viva Broadway and the United Palace of Cultural Arts in Washington Heights are hosting a conversation with Rita Moreno and a screening of West Side Story. The event will take place as part of 'Sunday Movies at the Palace with Lin-Manuel Miranda' on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at United Palace Theatre on 175th Street and Broadway. Doors open at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm stage show and 5:30pm screening.

The national tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, the explosive Broadway hit, makes its Washington premiere tonight, February 18, and continues through the 23rd at National Theatre as part of the Broadway at the National subscription series.