Vanessa Claire Stewart News

The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters will present its annual Celebrity Benefit on August 25th starring Grammy-winner Steve Tyrell and hosted by actress Sarah Drew. Guest will be treated to an evening of fine art and a red-carpet brimming with the stars of film and television. But there is no doubt the real star of the evening will be a special performance of this summer's popular Pageant of the Masters, 'Under the Sun.' Proceeds will support the Building Fund for renovations of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters' facility.

The Sacred Fools Theater Company is excited to announce its upcoming 22nd Season (2018-2019) along with the opener for its 23rd Season in the fall of 2019. The announced shows include three World Premieres and a West Coast Premiere, plus a co-production of a local favorite that took home the Top of Fringe award from the Hollywood Fringe Festival. 

Laguna Playhouse has announced that acclaimed actor Hal Linden (replacing the previously announced Bruce Davison) has been added to its very special theatrical event also starring Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart & Vanessa Stewart in TESLA: A RADIO PLAY FOR THE STAGE, written by Dan Duling and directed by Michael Arabian.

Laguna Playhouse has announced a very special theatrical event, Bruce Davison, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart & Vanessa Stewart starring in TESLA: A RADIO PLAY FOR THE STAGE, written by Dan Duling and directed by Michael Arabian.

Back by popular demand for a third season, the McCallum Theatre presents Palm Springs Legends III and the Legends Orchestra on Sunday, January 15, at 3:00pm. The top tribute artists honor the iconic stars who lived, and spent time, in the Palm Springs area - the legendary stars that made Palm Springs the place to be!

Sharon Lawrence (Rizzoli & Isles) and Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles) lead the list of celebrities who join event hosts French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun, Mom) & Vanessa Claire Stewart (Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara) as Skylight Theatre's Board of Directors celebrates the artistic achievements of Gary Grossman and the Skylight Theatre Company for this year's annual Skylight Salute being held December 4th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank.  

The Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Hershey Felder Presents are thrilled to announce the fourth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2015-2016 season, Tony Award-winner Anthony Crivello and Vanessa Claire Stewart starring in LOUIS & KEELY: 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA, written by Vanessa Stewart, Taylor Hackford & Jake Broder, choreography by Vernel Bagneris and directed by Taylor Hackford. Check out photos below!

The Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Hershey Felder Presents are thrilled to announce the fourth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2015-2016 season, Tony Award-winner Anthony Crivello and Vanessa Claire Stewart starring in LOUIS & KEELY: 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA, written by Vanessa Stewart, Taylor Hackford & Jake Broder, choreography by Vernel Bagneris and directed by Taylor Hackford.  "Our subscribers and audiences are about the have the time of their lives as we transport them to 1950's Las Vegas and beyond and the incomparable song-stylings of Louis Prima and Keely Smith," says Wareham. LOUIS & KEELY: 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA will begin previews on Wednesday, February 24; will open on Saturday, February 27 and will run through Sunday, March 27, 2016 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Louis Prima and Keely Smith shared a larger-than-life marriage and a groundbreaking Las Vegas act featuring unforgettable songs like "That Ol' Black Magic," "Pennies from Heaven," and "Embraceable You." These songs and many others are featured in the production which has grown from a local Los Angeles-created hit at Sacred Fools Theater Company to a national musical phenomenon. After earlier award-winning and extended productions in Los Angeles and more recent acclaim in Chicago, these outsized personalities and talents have returned to the city in which the show was born. The current production is directed by Taylor Hackford, who also wrote the show with Vanessa Clair Stewart and Jake Broder, and is presented by Hershey Felder (a musical talent in his own right).

LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA returns to the Geffen Playhouse this month in a revamped production produced by the award-winning Hershey Felder. Written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder and directed by Taylor Hackford, it is the story of Louis Prima and Keely Smith whose larger-than-life marriage and groundbreaking Las Vegas act featured an amazing cavalcade of hits that would forever secure their place in American musical history.

The 2015 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the past 12 months, were presented on Monday, November 9 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center. Among the many winners were the stars and creative team of Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING, now on Broadway. Scroll down for photos from the arrivals, ceremony and after-party!

The 2015 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the past 12 months, were presented on Monday, November 9 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center. Among the many winners were the stars and creative team of Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING, now on Broadway. Scroll down for the full list of winners!

BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, features a book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances began October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at opening night on the red carpet below!

French and Vanessa Claire Stewart have been set to host the 2015 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 9 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center. Red carpet arrivals begin at 6pm and the curtain will rise at 7:30pm.

Hershey Felder presents Taylor Hackford's Louis & Keely: 'Live' at the Sahara, written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder, directed by Taylor Hackford. Featuring Anthony Crivello (Tony Award Kiss of the Spider Woman) and Vanessa Claire Stewart who originally created the part of Keely Smith, performances are scheduled December 30 through January 17 (press opening Wednesday, January 6) at the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards stir things up, 'Louis & Keely' and 'Sounds So Sweet' evoke mid-century entertainment, Waa-Mu takes on the Berlin Olympics, a new Chicago-based revue in Edgewater, 'Chaperone' and 'Music Man' in the suburbs, 'The Boy From Oz' in a local production, 'Matilda' will tour, 'Amazing Grace' sets a Broadway run, and Circle Theatre re-emerges. Whew!

The Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA has been extended by popular demand through Sunday, May 17 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. Hackford, best known for his films An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Devil's Advocate,.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder presents the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA. Hackford, best known for his films An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Devil's Advocate, and cinematic musical events such as La Bamba, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail Rock n'Roll and his epic musical film RAY, has decided to bring his latest award winning musical stage production to Chicago, where Louis Prima and Keely Smith created sold-out musical magic in the '50s & '60s.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder announces the star cast for the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS AND KEELY, 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!