Kaye Ballard News

When the York Theatre first presented its mainstage mounting of Enter Laughing back in September I wrote that, while far too early to tell, it might well wind up being the funniest, most entertaining production of a musical we'll see this season. Four months later, I must admit that it has indeed been topped... by itself. After taking a hiatus while the space was committed for another show, director Stuart Ross' slam-bang mounting returns to the York a little funnier, a little snazzier and featuring the best male leading performance in a musical the season has seen thus far.

What's that? You've seen Spring Awakening 87 times and you were wondering if there were any other musicals about sex-crazed teenagers who rebel against their parents and express their innermost thoughts when time stands still and songs act as internal monologues? Well it just so happens the show for you played on Broadway, albeit briefly, over thirty years ago and is now receiving an absolutely hilarious revival at the York.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre continues its 32nd season with NEWWORKS 09 March 16 - April 11 at the West End Theatre (263 W. 86th Street between Broadway & West End Avenue in the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew, 2nd floor). This four week event of new plays, solo pieces and music features some of the brightest young talent in the Asian-American community and beyond.

Legendary designers WILLIAM IVEY LONG and BOB CROWLEY are among the four recipients of the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards. Five-time Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivey Long will receive the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for theatrical costume design, and, for his achievements as both a costume and scenic designer, Bob Crowley (also a five-time Tony Award winner) will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards' special Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatrical Design at a ceremony on Friday, March 27, at the Hudson Theatre in New York City.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Westchester Broadway Theater is Proud To Present Dan Goggin's 'MESHUGGAH-NUNS!' The Ecumenical Nunsense. February 12 - MARCH 21, 2009 Book, Music, Lyrics & Direction by Dan Goggin With the ?Nunsense' shows, the creator, Danny Goggin, has lifted the human spirit as he has made millions laugh. Meshuggah-Nuns, is the fifth variation in the popular 'Nunsense' series. For the last 26 years, the Little Sisters of Hoboken have entertained audiences in theatres around the globe, making 'Nunsense' an international household name. Meshuggah-Nuns, has The Sisters aboard the ship Golden Delicious on a 'Faiths of All Nations' cruise. Due to rough seas, the actors of the onboard musical, Fiddler On The Roof, succumb to sea sickness. Miraculously, the nuns survive the rolling waters unscathed, after Sister Julia put Dramamine in the brownies! The ship's captain, knowing of the Sisters' show-business savvy, urges them to concoct a variety show with Howard, who plays Tevye, the only actor who still has his sea legs. The four singing nuns now become an ecumenical, co-educational quintet. The show has a variety of music, with songs ranging in style from pop to country to gospel blues. Many of the jokes are delivered in the Laugh- In comedy format. There are sing-alongs, and even a puppet named Sister Mary Annette who performs a saucy Mae West number. It promises to be a laugh-filled funfest, with a mix of musical madcap, sprinkled with saintly sight gags and ubiquitous jokes. From the rousing opening number, 'Anchors Aweigh', to the hysterical, 'Say it in Yiddish', and 'Matzo Man,' to the touching, 'A Love Like This', the show will lift your spirits. It is a sweet natured celebration of Catholic and Jewish traditions.

Julie Wilson, the legendary theatre and cabaret star, will make a guest appearance at Steven Brinberg's A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular.She joins the previously announced Tituss Burgess and The Broadway Boys. The event will benefit The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular will play at Symphony Space (2357 Broadway at 95th Street) on Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm.

Julie Wilson, the legendary theatre and cabaret star, will make a guest appearance at Steven Brinberg's A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular.She joins the previously announced Tituss Burgess and The Broadway Boys. The event will benefit The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth. A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular will play at Symphony Space (2357 Broadway at 95th Street) on Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm.

MAC and Bistro Award-winner Steven Brinberg brings his acclaimed show Simply Barbra to the New York stage for 'A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular' along with Tituss Burgess, The Broadway Boys, and other special guests in a concert benefitting The Ali Forney Center, New York's primary emergency housing resource for homeless LGBT youth.

The Emelin Theatre, a non-profit performing arts center in Mamaroneck, NY, today announced that Broadway star Karen Mason, who originated the role of Tanya in Broadway's Mamma Mia! - a role for which she received a 2002 Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress - will join the cast of the Emelin's Kleinbort Collection.

The York Theatre Company has announced its Fall 2007 Musicals in Mufti Series -- the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances

Win one of five pairs of tickets to Annie's opening night at the Hippodrome, Tuesday, March 20th!

Comic playwright Christopher Durang talks with BWW about musicals, politics, maturity, and the hits & misses of his career.

San Francisco's PBS affiliate, KQED TV9 and DT9, has several great up-coming Broadway and theatre-related broadcasts planned for the month of December, including Great Performances of 'Kiss Me, Kate' and 'Cinderella,' plus Audra McDonald Live at Lincoln Center!

Deborah Lew, Maureen Brennan, Terry Burrell, Natalie Joy Johnson, Joyce Chittick and more will be featured in North Shore Music Theatre's upcoming staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which will run from August 22nd through September 10th at the theatre in Beverly, MA

The full cast is now set for The Who's Tommy, which will be presented by the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, Long Island from June 13th through July 9th; the show will star the previously-announced Euan Morton

I, Sarah, a one-woman play about Sarah Bernhardt starring Mindy Nirenstein, will play Off-Broadway from June 22nd through 24th

Sian Phillips and Simon Jones will join Kaye Ballard and Paul Hecht in the Bay Street Theatre's upcoming production of Ronald Harwood's Quartet

Tony Award-nominee Euan Morton will play the title role The Who's Tommy, presented at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, Long Island from June 13th through July 9th

A charming and funny musical revue that promises straight people will get the jokes