Happy Days - 2006 - Los Angeles Articles Page 19

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Happy Birthday, Ralph Fiennes! Fiennes' 2006 performance in the play Faith Healer gained him a nomination for a 2007 Tony Award. In 2008, Fiennes worked with frequent collaborator director Jonathan Kent to play the title role in Sophocles's Oedipus the King at The National Theatre in London. He has appeared in films such as The English Patient, In Bruges, The Constant Gardener, Strange Days and Maid in Manhattan. He is also well known for his portrayals of three infamous villains: Nazi war criminal Amon Goth in Schindler's List, serial killer Francis Dolarhyde in the 2002 film Red Dragon, and Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series. Most recently, he appeared in The Reader (2008), The Hurt Locker (2009) and as Hades in Clash of the Titans (2010).

METROPOLITAN KLEZMER – hailed as “one of the finest American Klezmer Bands” by Songlines Magazine – continues to celebrate the holiday with the release of their fifth CD MAZEL MEANS GOOD LUCK. The record features the special Hanukah-inspired track “Guys & Dolls & Bagels”: an inspired klezmer medley from the classic musical.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announces the AEG Live tour of Elvis Costellocoming to the Walt Disney Theater on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 for a 7:30 p.m. performance.

METROPOLITAN KLEZMER – hailed as “one of the finest American Klezmer Bands” by Songlines Magazine – will continue to celebrate the holiday with the release of their fifth CD MAZEL MEANS GOOD LUCK. The acclaimed octet will play selections from the new recording, called “one of the best albums of 2014” by New York Music Daily, at two upcoming concerts. On Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25 – they will perform “Santa Klez” at the Cornelia Street Café (29 Cornelia Street) with sets at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. There is a $20 cover and a $10 minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 989-9319 or visit www.corneliastreetcafe.com. Then on Saturday, January 11 at 11:00 AM, the group will headline a klezmer brunch at City Winery (155 Varick Street) in conjunction with their sister sextet Isle of Klezbos. There is a $10 cover. For reservations, please or visit www.citywinery.com.

The Kitchen and McSweeney's present the long overdue U.S. premiere of New York Times bestselling novelist Sheila Heti's only play All Our Happy Days Are Stupid, which was first commissioned in 2001, but, until last year, never produced. Under the direction of Jordan Tannahill with Erin Brubacher, Heti's writing is brought to life by a cast of 13 multi-disciplinary performers who also sing original songs by Dan Bejar (The New Pornographers, Destroyer).

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2015 Season, which opens on June 15 with My Fair Lady. 'This is a thrilling roster of artists,' said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. 'We look forward to bringing their vision and talent to our grand stage.'

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announces the AEG Live tour of Elvis Costellocoming to the Walt Disney Theater on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 for a 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 19, 2014 and may be purchased by calling the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Box Office at 455 Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or online at drphillipscenter.org. Online and phone ticket purchases include handling fees.

Lindy Pendzick and Greg Pendzick, who were resident company members at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse from 2010-13, are now co-cruise directors and headlining performers on the American Empress riverboat with the American Queen Riverboat Company.

Sing for Hope's 2014 Gala united New York's philanthropic and cultural elite for a magical evening in support of arts outreach to communities in need. Nearly 400 guests gathered at the downtown hotspot TriBeCa Rooftop to support the organization's programs that democratize the arts and ignite the spark of creative innovation in all people. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Today is Sunday and Sunday night is HOMELAND on Showtime, now in it's 4th season and as riveting as ever. It also informs my choice for Day 2 of BWW's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Holiday Video picks. Over the years, I have done a number of benefits for BroadwayWorld. Rob Diamond has a wonderful relationship with Tom Viola and everyone at Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS and the that has been the focus of the fundraising at these events. Now, when I do, pretty much, anything, I put alot of thought on the 'assignment' and am not a fan of, what I like to call, PARK & BARK events. I try to match talents and material in a very special way. This brings us to LAILA ROBINS.

Well, as promised ... we have a CHRISTMAS DAY (night) BONUS to our 12 Days of Christmas 'video' features series that ended yesterday. And SPECIAL it is. Once again, we dove into the VAULTS of BroadwayWorld.com on ICE, a benefit we did, back in 2006, with proceeds going to BC/EFA.

I'm thrilled to hear from so many of you, that you are really 'into' and enjoying BroadwayWorld's 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Feature 'videos.' Today is DAY 6 and I'm REALLY EXCITED to share this one with you. I think Christine Pedi is one of New York's best kept secrets. The girl is INSANELY talented and I would cast in her in just about anything.

We did it! Welcome to Day #12 of BroadwayWorld's 12 Days Of Christmas 'video' features. It has been really fun being your 'Guest Editor' for these 12 days and today, on this Christmas Eve, we, once again, have something really special for you, which had us, yet again, digging into the VAULTS.

METROPOLITAN KLEZMER - hailed as 'one of the finest American Klezmer Bands' by Songlines Magazine - will bring a musical jolt of joy to the Jewish holiday with the release of their fifth CD MAZEL MEANS GOOD LUCK. The digital release is today, November 27, with the physical CD online and in stores December 9.

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta presents the Atlanta premiere of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage at the Fox Theatre, beginning tonight, November 25.

Hugh Jackman may finally be bringing PT Barnum to the big screen.

THE RIVER opens tonight, November 16, at Circle in the Square (50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue), where it will play a strictly limited 13-week engagement through Sunday, January 25, 2015. Scroll down to learn more about the full cast, and watch interviews with the company below!

B Street Theatre, Sacramento's Resident New Works Theatre, is pleased to present its 19th Mainstage world premiere for the holidays: Spinning Into Light, a musical. The production runs November 30, 2014 - January 4, 2015.

From Broadway debuts to stage veterans, this season is swarming with big screen stars. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the backstory on this year's film-to-stage transplants. Scroll down to learn more, and be sure to let us who you're most excited to see on the Great White Way, plus which actors you'd like to make the leap!

Remember the totally awesome days of neon and spandex? They're Here! Playhouse South is going full on 1980's with their production of THE WEDDING SINGER, based on the popular 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show takes place in 1986 and follows Robbie Hart, New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. When his fiancee leaves him at the altar, he discovers that he cannot stand to be around weddings and lashes out at every happy couple for whom he sings. Heartbroken, he is forced to reexamine the meaning of love and marriage before he destroys every wedding in New Jersey. With the help of Julia, a local catering waitress, Robbie embarks on a hilarious journey of identity, romance, and Bar Mitzvahs.

METROPOLITAN KLEZMER – hailed as “one of the finest American Klezmer Bands” by Songlines Magazine – will bring a musical jolt of joy to the Jewish holiday with the release of their fifth CD MAZEL MEANS GOOD LUCK.

Now in its sixth consecutive year, the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre presents Vibrant 2014 - A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, its annual explosion of new writing and part of its 20 Premieres season, running between 2-20 November 2014.

Rehearsals begin today, Thursday, October 2 in New York City for The River, a new play by Jez Butterworth, starring Hugh Jackman, Laura Donnelly and Cush Jumbo and directed by Ian Rickson. The River begins preview performances in four weeks on Friday, October 31 and will open on Sunday, November 16 at the Circle in the Square Theatre (50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The production will play a strictly limited 13-week engagement through Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Exciting. Electric. Exhilarating. Rocking. Phenomenal. All of these words have been used to describe HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway. And, one of Broadway's hottest talents is helping to ensure that these adjectives are justified. The incomparably charming and charismatic Tony Award Winner Lena Hall, co-starring as Yitzhak, recently talked to me about her Tony win, HEDWIG, and her band, The Deafening.