Ethel Levy

George M. Cohan has been attributed to being the father of the American Musical, whose works are the very roots of Broadway and musical theater that we know today. Without his numerous contributions to the American theater, Broadway as we all know it probably wouldn't even exist. This is the idea that's drummed rather loudly and patriotically by the ending of YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, the 2004 stage musical now in the midst of its Southern California regional premiere via Musical Theatre West. A fairly entertaining, if inescapably old-fashioned jukebox musical that paints rather broad strokes rather than giving a deep dive into Cohan's life story, this new production continues performances at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach through July 22, 2018.

Previous attempts have been made to bring George M. Cohan's life to the stage. None is remembered, however, as much as the 1942 film starring James Cagney. Book writer David Armstrong has constructed a much more realistic account of Yankee Doodle Dandy, tryimg to avoid the traps of Hollywood glamor and tinsel, currently onstage at MTW Long Beach at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts through July 22 In spite of the fantastic cast and sturdy direction and scintillating choreography by James Rocco, it turns in a rather weak account of the father of the American musical comedy (1878-1942). Not that you shouldn't see it; go for the cast and the sheer entertainment value of the music alone that set the scene for Rodgers nd Hammerstein and others to follow.

Mile Square Theatre, Hudson County's leading professional theatre, kicks off its 2018 season with Alfred Uhry's powerful masterpiece Driving Miss Daisy. Set in the South between the late 40's and early 70's, the play explores an unlikely friendship between an elderly white Southern Jewish woman, Daisy Werthan, and her African-American chauffer, Hoke Colburn.

Tim Curry and Jamie Donnelly join the cast of An Evening of Classic Broadway at L.A.'s live music venue, Rockwell Table and Stage in Los Feliz, on Monday, March 20th at 8PM. The critically-acclaimed concert series from Fraser Entertainment Group showcases a new line-up with each show. Headlined by Master of Ceremonies/Music Director Brad Ellis, of Glee and Forbidden Broadway fame, and featuring cabaret artist Dianne Fraser (Part Time Diva), broadwayworld.com calls the show, "… guaranteed fun, extra high on entertainment… Broadway standards both classic and contemporary, with a bevy of great singers on board."

TheatreZone closed their sold-out run of "George M!" with a surprise audience guest who's no stranger to George M. Cohan's trademark songs and signature performance style. George M. Cohan III, George M. Cohan's great-great nephew and Florida resident, came to enjoy "Over There," "Give My Regards to Broadway," and, of course, "You're a Grand Old Flag,' complimenting the theatre on their moving tribute to the theatre icon. BroadwayWorld has photos of Cohan's appearance below!

Whatever Lola wants... Tari Kelly gets? It would seem so with the resume this talented actor presents as she returns to the Ordway for her fourth production on the Saint Paul stage. Get to know more about her in 6 Questions & a Plug.