Shelley Winters News

It's Miss Hope Springs brings the 'never say die showbiz trouper' back to the spotlight, in a journey down memory lane. Ty Jeffries reflects on the conception of Miss Hope Springs and what audiences can expect from her latest engagement.

Porchlight Music Theatre's final production in its 2018 - 2019 'lost' musicals in staged concert series is Porchlight Revisits Minnie's Boys,  with book by Groucho Marx's son Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher, music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Hal Hackady with direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik and musical direction by Christie Chiles Twille.  Porchlight Revisits Minnie's Boys is presented for three performances Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 23 at 2 p.m. and  7:30 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Musical Theatre Guild was founded 21 years ago by a dedicated group of professional musical artists who were interested in exploring and preserving works from the musical theater repertoire that were either forgotten, neglected or unfairly dismissed. Working under a special Actors' Equity Concert Staged Reading code, the entire MINNIE'S BOYS production was put together in 25 hours, focusing on the script and score with actors holding book during the performance, including while singing and dancing their way through the 14 numbers in the show, with a wonderfully talented 6-piece band backing them up.

Musical Theatre Guild revived an oldie but not so goodie last Sunday at the Alex Theatre. 'Minnie's Boys' purported to be modeled on 'Gypsy,' using a meddlesome, domineering mother to get her progeny, the four Marx Brothers, into show business. Unfortunately, a tepid book and uneven score made this a flop in 1970 and it doesn't fare much better today, despite the valiant efforts of the MTG cast.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will continue their 23rd Anniversary season with MINNIE'S BOYS, the rarely produced musical about the start of the famous Marx Brothers. The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will continue their 23rd Anniversary season with MINNIE'S BOYS, the rarely produced musical about the start of the famous Marx Brothers.  The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

The Ellen Theatre has announced their lineup of August events.

On May 20, The Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs previewed an incredible new documentary, 'The Show Goes On', about the life and career of Broadway, Film and Television Icon Kaye Ballard to a 'more than full house'. In fact, two theatres were opened for the screening since demand far exceeded the number of seats in the main house. With her typically self-deprecating humor, Ms. Ballard proclaims herself 'The Greatest Star You Hardly Knew', and the beautifully constructed 90 minute film details her extraordinary accomplishments from Broadway's 'Carnival', 'The Golden Apple', 'Molly' and 'Pirates Of Penzance' to her stellar nightclub, film and television career including 'The Doris Day Show' and the beloved and  iconic 'Mother's In Law' with Eve Arden. It highlights the extraordinary talents of Ms. Ballard and doesn't shy away from the disappointments and challenges along the way, featuring interviews with Woody Allen, Carol Channing, Hal Prince, Carol Burnett, Michael Feinstein, Joy Behar and more. Hal Prince boldly states 'if Kaye Ballard had been cast as the mother in 'Gypsy,' 'she would have made history.' I had the chance to visit with Ms. Ballard at her home on 'Kaye Ballard Lane' in Rancho Mirage (the home formerly owned by her friend and TV director, Desi Arnaz) to talk about the film and more. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

Sponsored by The Western Cafe of Bozeman, The Ellen Theatre's annual Summer Western Series kicks off Friday, June 1st. This year it's a brand-new, fantastic lineup of classic gems and modern favorites, starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Robert Redford and more!

Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, is proud to announce Porchlight Music Theatre's 24th season that includes the 2018 - 2019 Mainstage, Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway seasons. Porchlight's Mainstage and Porchlight Revisits return to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Christmas songs vs Hanukah songs. The Heat Miser makes an appearance. The joys of Stop Motion. Rob loses the button. Kevin does an impression. Hazel wants to sing. Groucho offers some creative consulting. Shelley Winters tries to sing. Lewis Stadlen meets Groucho. Clive Barnes hits a new low. Shelley Winters hits a note. RCA walks away. Tattoo sings a solo.

Actress Lois Smith will appear in person to discuss MARJORIE PRIME and her earlier film work at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, October 20-22, 2017.

Actress Lois Smith will appear in person to discuss MARJORIE PRIME and her earlier film work at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, October 20-22, 2017.

Brian Selznick's books, including Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, are cabinets of wonder, drawing us into their magical tales with child-eyed awe. Both novels drew upon cinematic influences for both story and visual style. On the occasion of the new movie adaptation of Wonderstruck, directed by Todd Haynes, Museum of the Moving Image will present the screening series Inspiring Wonderstruck, featuring some of the movies that inspired both the book and the movie, from October 13 through 22, 2017. On October 14, during the opening weekend of the series, the Museum will present a preview screening of Wonderstruck with Selznick, production designer Mark Friedberg, and costume designer Sandy Powell in person, followed by a book signing with Selznick.

Yes, mama, there's a rainbow but stop looking at it long enough to listen to Tony nominated composer Larry Grossman discuss what it was like not only working on MINNIE'S BOYS, GOODTIME CHARLEY, GRIND, A DOLL'S LIFE, and SNOOPY, but to discuss what it was like working with Bing Crosby, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and the Muppets! 

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds was the brainchild of a public school science teacher turned playwright, Paul Zindel. The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award for best American play. Generations of audiences are familiar with the film version from 1972, which was directed by Paul Newman and starred his wife, Joanne Woodward and their daughter, Nell Potts. Cygnet's production is directed by Rob Lutfy and runs August 30th through September 24th.

Brilliant. Hysterical. Dangerous. Those three words best sum up veteran character actor Lewis Stadlen. A two time Tony nominee, Lewis has seen it all and has worked with the best. His many credits include MINNIE'S BOYS, the 1974 revival of CANDIDE, the 1996 revival of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THE PRODUCERS, GUYS AND DOLLS, plus four Neil Simon premieres. And, now, Lewis sits down with Rob and Kevin to look back on his journey; unedited and unfiltered. 

The West End production of Stepping Out opens for preview performances tonight, Wednesday 1 March at the Vaudeville Theatre. The heart-warming comedy charts the lives of seven women and one man attempting to tap their troubles away at a weekly dancing class led by their ever patient teacher, Mavis.

The Drama Book Shop will welcome internationally-renowned director and acting teacher, Jack Garfein, to speak about his groundbreaking, psychologically complex film, Something Wild, his book, Life and Acting: Techniques for the Actor and his world-famous Master Classes on acting technique now given at his newly opened Jack Garfein Studio in the Theater District.

Who am I to judge how anyone processes the political climate? Well, when it's theatre, technically, it's my job. Nonetheless, I understand why Keira McDonald and Erin Stewart put on their two-woman sketch comedy, 'Happy Hour', now performing at 18th and Union as a part of their 'Oddballs and Misfits' series (along with 'Oroboro', among others). These two performers set out to process their feelings on the day of the inauguration through impersonations (Kate Mullgrew, Shelley Winters); multiple scenes in doctors' offices with circumstances so ridiculous, you'd hope they'd be satirical; and a rap about Susan B. Anthony. From the clear-as-day reading from a script in the wings, to the faulty mics, to the rudimentary PowerPoint as background graphics, the collective felt (though full of heart) a little thrown-together. Some sketches outshined others, and although the production felt effortful and honest, 'Happy Hour' felt a touch unpolished.