Teri Ralston News

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Marquee Productions, a company founded by Rodrigo Marques hosts this up and coming cabaret series. The company was founded in 2013 and has been gathering talented performers and outstanding artists from all over the world. Before founding Marquee Productions in New York, Mr. Marques has already established his career in performing, directing, and producing in Brazil. In this country, he founded Grito Theatre Co. that has been awarded 'Best Theatre Company in South Brazil' four times by the Brazilian Actor's Equity Association.

On May 20, The Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs previewed an incredible new documentary, 'The Show Goes On', about the life and career of Broadway, Film and Television Icon Kaye Ballard to a 'more than full house'. In fact, two theatres were opened for the screening since demand far exceeded the number of seats in the main house. With her typically self-deprecating humor, Ms. Ballard proclaims herself 'The Greatest Star You Hardly Knew', and the beautifully constructed 90 minute film details her extraordinary accomplishments from Broadway's 'Carnival', 'The Golden Apple', 'Molly' and 'Pirates Of Penzance' to her stellar nightclub, film and television career including 'The Doris Day Show' and the beloved and  iconic 'Mother's In Law' with Eve Arden. It highlights the extraordinary talents of Ms. Ballard and doesn't shy away from the disappointments and challenges along the way, featuring interviews with Woody Allen, Carol Channing, Hal Prince, Carol Burnett, Michael Feinstein, Joy Behar and more. Hal Prince boldly states 'if Kaye Ballard had been cast as the mother in 'Gypsy,' 'she would have made history.' I had the chance to visit with Ms. Ballard at her home on 'Kaye Ballard Lane' in Rancho Mirage (the home formerly owned by her friend and TV director, Desi Arnaz) to talk about the film and more. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

NEXTGEN BROADWAY, the premiere performing group from David Green's Musical Theatre University in Southern California have recorded an anthem to support the efforts of March for Our Lives, the organization which supports the end of gun violence in schools, following the tragic event at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14. A FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES was recorded as a way for students to utilize their voices to add to the call for action to end gun violence in our nation and our nation's schools. You can Link To LISTEN TO THE SONG here.

Tickets for the 11th annual Michael Childers' production of One Night Only: Rodgers, Hammerstein & Hart, are now on sale. This star-studded musical production will be presented on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 @ 6:30pm, at the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts and benefits Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS). Since 2008, One Night Only has sold out has sold out quickly every year.

The the upcoming lineup of events coming your way next week at Feinstein's/54 Below!

Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, and I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt.

Barrington Stage Company (recently voted Best of The Berkshires) set a new record at the opening night of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY last night. There appeared to be more selfie photos attempted of Aaron Tveit the show's star and cast leaving the stage door of the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage than happen by the ever present throngs in Broadway's Shubert Alley a show. Aaron, who was Bobby in the extraordinary production directed by BSC's founder and artistic director Julianne Boyd, was mobbed by  what seemed like the entire audience asTveit and the cast tried exit the stage door and continue on to the after party at the home of BSC Chair, Minky and Bruno Quinson. 

Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt. 

Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, have teamed up to celebrate the music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, composers of THE FANTASTICKS, 110 IN THE SHADE, I DO! I DO! and more. Demas and Rice have based their show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Jones and Schmidt. 

In advance of the NYC premiere of Naomi Wallace's 1993 play The War Boys to be directed by James Will McBride, The Artist's Crossing presents a special panel discussion and reading of the play at The Americas Society on October 17, 2016 at 7:00pm.

Donna McKechnie and Teri Ralston were among the good 'Company' at the second night of DOUBLE TAKE, Sally Mayes & Jeff Harnar's show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Today in 1970, Company opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre), where it ran for 705 perfrmances. Company is a musical comedy based on a book by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won six. Originally entitled Threes, its plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Bobby's 35th birthday.

Michael Childers' ninth annual One Night Only benefit concert, which is entitled Sondheim in Love, will be presented tonight at 6:30 PM at The McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Directed by Lucie Arnaz, the evening will feature musical direction by John McDaniel. The show will feature Sondheim's most romantic songs sung by a starry line-up of Broadway's most prolific musical storytellers.

Next week Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Ben Vereen, Elizabeth A. Davis and more!

Sondheim Unplugged, New York's long running hit revue, will celebrate the 50th installment of the series with two very special gala performances on Sunday, December 27th at 7pm and 9:30pm at Feinstein's/54 Below (254 West 54th St., Cellar, NYC). Each performance will feature entirely different casts and material, running the musical spectrum from Dick Tracy to Follies, Company to Assassins, Forum to Whistle,and lots more in between. For tickets: http://54below.com/artist/sondheim-unplugged/ or call 646 476 3551.There is a $40 cover charge and a $30 food/beverage minimum. There is a special two show package available, which includes a Sondheim-themed prix-fix dinner, for those who wish to see both performances.

Following a 16-year tenure as Founder/Senior Minister of Unity of New York, nationally renowned spiritual leader, Paul Tenaglia, begins an independent New Thought ministry with the creation of Spiritual Arts Center NYC - A New Thought Church, commencing November 1st, with weekly Sunday services at 11:00 am. 

One of Stephen Schwartz's failures The Baker's Wife, which toured extensively across the US in 1976 but never made it to Broadway, had a cast recording with Patti LuPone, Paul Sorvino and Teri Ralston and has had a few revivals including the UK. Why did it bomb? It's a simple, sweet show with a lovely message about human connection and a few pretty ballads, especially the hit 'Meadowlark', but there's a spark missing, nothing really exciting to get people into the seats; it's most definitely not commercial enough for Broadway. Based on the 1938 French film La Femme du Boulanger, that may be the main reason that the show is rarely performed. Now onstage at Actors co-op, Baker's Wife is mounted scrumptiously with terrific direction from Richard Israel and a superlatively cast ensemble.

Tonight, June 18 at 8:00 PM, Martinis Above Fourth Table + Stage and Sher Krieger Events in San Diego present San Diego native Russ Lorenson as he comes home to San Diego to perform his acclaimed show, Benedetto/Blessed: Celebrating the Life and Music of Tony Bennett!