Ruta Lee News

Artes de la Rosa presents the Fort Worth Premiere of the Tony award winning musical, In the Heights. Directed by artistic director Adam Adolfo, the Lin Manuel Miranda musical will run tonight, May 17 - June 9 at The Rose Marine Theatre. Previously announced star, Matthew Ransdell, who will play Usnavi, will be joined by costars Sarah Marie Dickerson as Vanessa, Joshua Sherman as Benny, and Lorens Portalatin as Nina. Also starring as Grafitti Pete is Michael Anthony Sylvester and Rashaun Sibley as Sonny, both of whom are making their Artes de la Rosa debut.

Artes de la Rosa can now confirm that casting is complete for the Fort Worth Premiere of the Tony award winning musical, In the Heights. Directed by artistic director Adam Adolfo, the Lin Manuel Miranda musical will run May 17 - June 9 at The Rose Marine Theatre. Previously announced star, Matthew Ransdell, who will play Usnavi, will be joined by costars Sarah Marie Dickerson as Vanessa, Joshua Sherman as Benny, and Lorens Portalatin as Nina. Also starring as Grafitti Pete is Michael Anthony Sylvester and Rashaun Sibley as Sonny, both of whom are making their Artes de la Rosa debut.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN officially opened its run March 12 - 24, 2013 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Broadway World's own Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the JLE Media Group were on hand to chat with the stars at the glamorous red carpet event. Celebrity guests included Max Ehrich, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Bruce Vilanch, Anna Trebunskaya, Davis Gaines, Linda Hart, Raphael Sabarge, Charlene Tilton and Ed Ames among others. Check out the video below!

Singer, recording artist and popular radio personality Joey English stars as Norma Desmond in The Palm Canyon Theatre's 'Sunset Boulevard' March 8-24, as part of the PCT's 16th season. The production is directed by Judith Chapman, star of television's 'The Young And The Restless'. I sat down with Ms. English in her beautiful Palm Springs home to chat about her career, the upcoming production and 'all things Joey'. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

Singer, recording artist and popular radio personality Joey English stars as Norma Desmond in The Palm Canyon Theatre's "Sunset Boulevard" March 8-24, as part of the PCT's 16th season. The production is directed by Judith Chapman, star of television's "The Young And The Restless". I sat down with Ms. English in her beautiful Palm Springs home to chat about her career, the upcoming production and "all things Joey". Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

It was an eclectic list of illusion lovers and admirers of magic that gathered on Thursday, Dec 13th at world famous Magic Castle to celebrate the release of Magic Castle co-founder Milt Larsen's new book, entitled 'My Magical Journey: The First 30,000 Days' (ISBN: HB: 978-1-939178-00-8 SB: 978-1¬939178-01-5). Scroll below for photos from the gathering!

'They have over 357 years of successful theatre between them,' said director and moderator John Bowab of Patricia Morison, Anne Jeffreys, Pat Marshall, Jane Kean and Charlotte Rae, during the recent 'Musical Mondays' production held in the historic lobby of Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre and benefitting The Actors' Fund. The five very unique and different ladies came together for an perfectly delightful, educational and entertaining evening of wit, wisdom and wonderful music. Scroll below for photos from the event!

Stephen Sorrentino wowed Hollywood with the West Coast Premiere of his hit show VOICES IN MY HEAD. Celebrity guests and fans who walked the red carpet on opening night include Doris Roberts, Joanne Worley, Todd Sherry Ruta Lee, Anne Jeffreys, Joan Kean, Lon Haber and Chuck McCann, as well as legendary Hollywood publicist Ed Lozzi, with Nic Novicki of "Boardwalk Empire" and teen stars and filmmakers Tara-Nicole Azarian, Isabella Palmieri, Allie Carlton, Kiana Lyz Rivera, Trent Carlton and Brandon Tyler Russell. Check out photos from the opening below!

Among the over 300 individuals who gathered this week to honor the late PR Icon, Dale Olson, with an exhibit at the Hollywood Museum and former offices of make-up wizard, Max Factor, included Ruta Lee, Valerie Harper, Garry Marshall, George Schlatter, JoAnne Worley, Kate Linder, Jackie Joseph, Patricia Barry, Ann Jeffreys, Barbra Van Orden, Theodore Bikel, Ilene Graff, Ben Lanzarone, Leonard Maltin, Renee Taylor, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Martin Wiviott, Hunter and Stan Frieberg. Scroll below for photos from the event.

Connie Stevens, Romi Dames, Dee Wallace, Barbara Van Orden, Kate Linder, Ruta Lee, Ilene Graff, Michael Ironside, Patricia Kara, Thaao Pengilis, and the Greece Consul General and Elizabeth Fotiadou, among others were on hand for the opening night of 'ONASSIS' starring Anthony Skordi at The Stella Adler Theatre. See photos from the production and opening night reception below!

Men Alive - The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus concludes its successful 11th Season with VON TRAPPED!, a uniquely entertaining, wholly original tribute to the Tony® and Oscar®-winning musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC... the way only Men Alive can do it! The concert event opens tonight, July 20 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with two additional shows on Saturday, July 21. The chorus will transform this beloved musical into a one-of-a-kind stage extravaganza featuring moving orchestrations, genre-crossing remixes, fabulous costumes, buoyant choreography, and even a few rowdy, yodel-loving goats! And nuns. Lots and lots of nuns.

The Addams Family, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, is currently celebrating its L.A. Premiere at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood now through June 17. The show celebrated its opening night June 5. See below for photos from the red carpet and opening night party!

This year the "Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement" was presented to Jason Alexander, "A man worthy of the tribute for both his illustrious career and for his support of The Fund over the years," said The Fund's President and CEO, Joe Benincasa. See below for photos from the event!

Men Alive - The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus concludes its successful 11th Season with VON TRAPPED!, a uniquely entertaining, wholly original tribute to the Tony® and Oscar®-winning musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC... the way only Men Alive can do it! The concert event opens Friday, July 20 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with two additional shows on Saturday, July 21. The chorus will transform this beloved musical into a one-of-a-kind stage extravaganza featuring moving orchestrations, genre-crossing remixes, fabulous costumes, buoyant choreography, and even a few rowdy, yodel-loving goats! And nuns. Lots and lots of nuns.

Artes de la Rosa announces principle casting for the Regional Premiere of Astor Piazolla's Tango Operita, MARIA DE BUENOS AIRES, which is receiving its Regional Premiere this May at Artes de la Rosa's home The Rose Marine Theater. Starring as Maria, is Grace Neeley making her Artes de la Rosa debut. The actress has been seen through out the North Texas theatre community taking the stage at Circle Theatre (The Great American Trailer Park Musical) and Casa Manana where she played Linda Lou in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Ruta Lee & Ed Dixon.

On Tuesday, February 7, the The Paley Center for Media celebrated the career of the legendary Jerry Lewis, and the release of the 1959 television production of 'The Jazz Singer,' starring Lewis and being released on DVD on February 7 by Inception Media Group. Check out photos from the celebration below!