Shirley Temple News

Taking us through the gamuts A to Z of 'I'm Still Here', Tracie Bennett and Nigel Lilley breakdown the demands, delivery and tiny details of the number.

This summer, the Bard Music Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary season with a two-week, in-depth exploration of 'Korngold and His World.'

On Your Feet! is the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, two people who believed in their talent, their music and each other, and because of that, they became an international sensation. Get ready to get on your feet Grand Rapis, and dance to the smash hits 'Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,' '1-2-3,' 'Live For Loving You,' 'Conga,' and many more until February 14th at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the Broadway Grand Rapids Series. 

Rare is the wedding, Bar Mitzvah, office holiday party or Sweet 16 that does not at some point feature a rousing rendition of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine's 'Conga.' Particularly for those of us in Generation X - for whom the pop music of the 1980s, in all its glorious forms, remains a source of unbridled nostalgic celebration - 'Conga' is such a staple that any gathering involving a dance floor just seems incomplete without it. As it turns out, the 2018-2019 season at Memphis's Orpheum also needed a fresh injection of the Conga, and the immensely talented and attractive touring cast of On Your Feet!, the Emilio and Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical, delivered all that and more. Quite literally and as advertised, Memphians in the audience at the run's premiere leapt to their feet to celebrate Gloria and Emilio Estefan, a couple whose success story remains as relevant today as ever in today's political climate, not to mention their remarkably prolific song catalog. Broadway has seen its fair share of jukebox musicals in recent years, but there is something unique and special about On Your Feet!, not only in the time period it evokes, but also in the indomitable spirit of its core subjects, portrayed with incredible heart by Christie Prades and Eddie Noel.

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, a new Broadway-bound musical about the early life of Judy Garland, from her vaudeville sister act through her rise at MGM to win the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, just had an industry presentation in New York City. The musical has reportedly earned the approval of one very important guest, Liza Minnelli. She told Deadline: 

Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, a new Broadway-bound musical about the early life of Judy Garland, from her vaudeville sister act through her rise at MGM to win the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, will have an industry presentation today, January 10, in New York City.

Kick off the New Year with a new reason to raise a toast-it's National Mocktail Week. The second full week of January (January 13-19) has been officially named National Mocktail Week, recognizing the desire by a growing number of Americans who are increasingly mindful of alcohol consumption habits and seeking alternatives to traditional drinks.

To Dad With Love: A Tribute to Buddy Ebsenwritten & performed by Kiki EbsenTheatre West12, 13, 14 ONLYCLOSED A one person show in honor of a parent is from experience full of  vengeful loathing or in reverse complete adulation. My father raped and abused me as a girl; I cannot bear the torment any longer...or   My father led an exemplary life; it is not easy to live up to his high standards. Many fall in the middle...my dad did have his flaws but persevered with stamina and an unforgettably joyous spirit. The latter is the case with Buddy Ebsen. His daughter Kiki Ebsen looks back fondly and peppers her fascinating anecdotes  with the music of her father's era, as well as a myriad of photos and film clips from his checkered film career and more successful TV shows. To Dad with Love, A Tribute to Buddy Ebsen played Theatre West this past weekend to packed enthusiastic houses.

Starting October 12th Elm Street Cultural Arts Village will get a tad drowsy with the opening night of The Drowsy Chaperone, a loving parody of the musicals of yesteryear. When a sedentary musical theatre aficionado named 'Man in Chair' puts on his favorite record (yes, - record), The Drowsy Chaperone sparkles to life in his drab apartment with one toe-tapping song and dance number after another.

Starting October 12th Elm Street Cultural Arts Village will get a tad drowsy with the opening night of The Drowsy Chaperone, a loving parody of the musicals of yesteryear. When a sedentary musical theatre aficionado named 'Man in Chair' puts on his favorite record (yes, - record), The Drowsy Chaperone sparkles to life in his drab apartment with one toe-tapping song and dance number after another.

Talent. Where does it come from? Is it something passed down from generation to generation? Or is it something more?

In TO DAD WITH LOVE, A TRIBUTE TO BUDDY EBSEN; Kiki Ebsen pays tribute to her father in the best way she knows how - singing and story-telling. Kiki graciously walked me through some of her vivid memories of growing up the child of a famous father, a most popular figure of 1960s television, known to weekly TV viewers as Jed Clampett of The Beverly Hillbillies.

Talent. Where does it come from? Is it something passed down from generation to generation? Or is it something more?

Called a Jukebox Musical, On Your Feet! is so much more. It is the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. At 17 in 1970s Miami, Gloria Fajardo met record producer and musician extraordinaire Emilio and they fell in love at first sight. Estefan recognized Gloria's supreme singing artistry and chose her as the female vocalist in his all male Latino boy group that later grew into the Miami Sound Machine. This story, via Emilio and Gloria's music, tells a  rich nd passionate story of how two unknown Cubans made it to the top, but not without tragedy and sorrow. Currently onstage at the Hollywood Pantages through July 29 only, this national touring production consists of a dynamic ensemble under the outstanding direction of Jerry Mitchell.

In FIRST LOVE, an autumnal love story, a cranky couple way north of youth turn young love on its head.

WAITRESS, the Tony Award-nominated musical making its Washington, D.C. premiere at the National Theatre from May 15 thru June 3, 2018, has cast two young area actresses to take on the role of "Lulu" during the national tour's three-week engagement.

The Arden Theatre Company today announced an extension for Toni Morrison's THE BLUEST EYE through Sunday, April 8, 2018. The show was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, April 1, 2018.

TACT/ The Actors Company Theatre (Scott Alan Evans, Artistic Executive Director; Nora Chester & Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Associate Artistic Directors), the award-winning Off-Broadway company celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, will begin performances tomorrow, Wednesday, for Three Wise Guys, the World Premiere of a new comedy by Scott Alan Evans & Jeffrey Couchman, based on Damon Runyon's short stories, "Dancing Dan's Christmas" and "The Three Wise Guys."  

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, located at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, announces its Spring 2018 season of public programs. The season features free public programs throughout the fall and winter, with contemporary theatre and performing artists from around the world.

Arden Theatre Company continues its 30th Anniversary Season with Toni Morrison's THE BLUEST EYE from March 1 - April 1, 2018, on the Arden's F. Otto Haas Stage at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia. Honorary Producers are Jeanne B. Fisher and Robert Lang and Hether and Donald Smith.