She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero—until the entertainment world renamed her. But Dolores—the irreverent side of the sensual, dark and ferocious Chita—was always present center stage, and was influential in creating some of Broadway most iconic and acclaimed roles, including Anita in West Side Story‚ the part that made her a star—Rosie in Bye Bye, Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. In this video, watch as co-author Patrick Pacheco chats with Richard Ridge about the new memoir!
She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero—until the entertainment world renamed her. But Dolores—the irreverent side of the sensual, dark and ferocious Chita—was always present center stage, and was influential in creating some of Broadway most iconic and acclaimed roles, including Anita in West Side Story‚ the part that made her a star—Rosie in Bye Bye, Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. In this video, watch as Broadway legend Chita Rivera chats with Richard Ridge about her new memoir!
On January 23, we celebrate the 90th birthday of a theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents... the one and only Chita Rivera!
Nick Arnstein might get all of Fanny's love, but this Broadway season, the Tony Awards are all about Eddie Ryan. Jared Grimes makes his Broadway musical debut in the hit revival of Funny Girl- a performance for which he was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical.
CBS Sunday Morning reporter Jane Pauley interviewed Liza Minnelli this morning, discussing her famous parents, her legacy, collaborators throughout her career, awards, and inspirations. The special also features performances with Minnelli's 'best friend and confidant', Michael Feinstein, on piano and Liza herself on vocals.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and their families perform a holiday medley in their Christmas celebration filmed in 1967 that has not been seen in its entirety since its original airing on December 21, 1967. PBS is now airing the special just in time for the holiday season. Watch 'Silent Night', 'Deck the Halls', and more in this exclusive clip!
'I haven't sung in three years!' said Liza Minnelli to an adoring crowd at Feinstein's at Vitello's. The living legend stopped by the famed LA supperclub last week, where she performed on stage with Michael Feinstein himself. Watch below as she sings the Gershwin classic- 'Embraceable You.'
Veteran entertainer Eddie Griffin is back for his third SHOWTIME comedy special, EDDIE GRIFFIN: E-NIGGMA, premiering on Friday, December 6 at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The hour-long special is filmed at the restored, historic landmark Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, home to many iconic performers including Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Lena Horne. Griffin's unapologetic storytelling canvasses his 30-plus year comedy career and offers an intimate glimpse into the 10th year of his nightly Las Vegas residency, The Eddie Griffin Experience. Through his quick wit and a fiery rhetoric, Griffin flexes his perspective on a number of personal family situations and real-world issues while teaching sociopolitical and hypothetical history lessons along the way.
For her 4th CD release, vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti wanted to do an album like her vocal heroes Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, and Nat “King” Cole did back in the day; that is, with a big orchestra and legendary arrangers on the podium in an iconic Hollywood recording studio. Ms. Foti says, “This is the most expansive project I have ever done, and at the same time, it's the most intimate and personal. I recorded at Capitol Records with a full orchestra, singing some of the most endearing, sentimental songs ever written, all for my loved ones. This album is a full-production tear-jerker!”
In this electrifying exploration into the soul of an American icon, Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor imagine Nat 'King' Cole as he faces the final Christmastime broadcast of his groundbreaking variety show and weighs the advice of his friend Sammy Davis Jr. to 'go out with a bang.' Cole's hit songs, such as 'Nature Boy,' 'It's a Good Day' and 'Smile,' underscore this boldly original homage to the renowned performer who struggled to break through America's color barrier in the early days of television.
At the 29th Annual Gypsy of the year Competition, Chaz Wolcott directed and choreographed a special uplifting number set to Sammy Davis Jr.'s version of Gonna Build a Mountain. The piece showed the irresistible and infectious power of one passionate actor's efforts (Tony D'Alelio) in making a difference with Broadway Cares.
The indomitable and generous spirit of the theatre community - those onstage, backstage and in the audience - shined brightly as the 29th annual Gypsy of the Year competition celebrated six weeks of fundraising work of 56 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Gypsy of the Year (#GypsyOfTheYear), which was held December 4 and 5, 2017, raised a record-breaking $5,609,211 for Broadway Cares. Check out highlights from the show below!
The world premiere of LIGHTS OUT: NAT 'KING' COLE is running now through December 3 at People's Light Theatre. When his groundbreaking NBC variety show failed to attract a national sponsor, Nat 'King' Cole famously declared that 'Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.' In this theatrical exploration into the soul of an American icon,Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregorimagine Nat as he faces his final Christmastime broadcast, and weighs the advice of his friend Sammy Davis Jr. to 'go out with a bang.'
On Today, November 25th at 7:00pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher Street (On 7th Ave), Tap luminary, Brian Davis, takes classic American Song and Dance and mixes it with a contemporary flair.
BroadwayWorld.com has learned that FIDDLER ON THE ROOF composer Jerry Bock passed away last night, at the age of 81. This comes just one week after the passing of FIDDLER bookwriter Joseph Stein.