The Gingerbread Lady 1970

Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals Company, announced today that Neil Simon (posthumously), TDF Accessibility Program, and Aleshea Harris are the 2019 recipients of the 4th Annual Samuel French Awards. The Awards, which are accompanied by a donation from Concord Theatricals of $15,000, were created by Samuel French to acknowledge the great work and unparalleled passion of theatre artists, as well as applaud significant contributions to the industry.

ABC is the home for unforgettable holiday programming as the network celebrates the joy of the season. In November, the network serves up a bounty of Thanksgiving-themed episodes and the classic animated special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” In December, ABC decks the halls with special Christmas and Hanukkah-themed episodes—the return of fan-favorite series “The Great Christmas Light Fight” and “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition”; and an all-new holiday movie, “Same Time, Next Christmas,” starring Lea Michele. Timeless cartoons and beloved holiday films will also return. The fun continues after Christmas with New Year's-themed programming ringing in 2020. 

ABC celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with special '25 Days of Christmas' programming starting Dec. 1. The network joins Freeform, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior in this fan-favorite TV event. The 'Kickoff to Christmas' begins in late November with perennial holiday treat 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.' The month of December is filled with special Christmas-themed episodes, the return of 'The Great Christmas Light Fight' and 'The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition,' and timeless animated classics and holiday films. The celebration continues after Christmas with New Year's-themed programming ringing in 2019.

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that legendary playwright Neil Simon has died at 91. 

Theatre enthusiasts packed the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts tonight to hear Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Executive Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reveal the lineup for the company's 49th season, which launches this summer. Among the exhilarating works announced were: the World Premiere of a new piece by Hershey Felder on Claude Debussy, an acclaimed Tony-winning musical, a thrilling political prizefight, and an array of Regional Premieres that include a hit comedy that sends up suburban values, a gospel/rhythm & blues musical developed at TheatreWorks, a heart-stirring musical for the holidays, a comic drama about one of the key historical events in the last century, a searing look at an unsung American hero, plus the return of the grown-up holiday hit The Santaland Diaries. For more information or to purchase subscriptions ($143 - $583) the public can call 650-463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org. Subscriptions are on sale now; single tickets will go on sale in spring 2018. Special pricing is available for seniors (65+), educators, and patrons 35 and under.

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.

I've always been curious about THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, but I'd never had the chance to see it before. You have to be intrigued by the fact that prolific playwright Neil Simon wrote the book, and also because Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, who are responsible, together and separately, for some of the biggest hits to come out of the 1970's and early 80's, wrote the score. So, I'm here to report that the current production by Stages St. Louis is a delightful romantic comedy filled with catchy tunes that would make a perfect "date night" for couples.

Geva Theatre Center' 41st Mainstage Season concludes with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple. Directed by John Miller-Stephany, and with a cast led by Tony Award- winner Michael McGrath and Broadway veteran Noah Racey, this classic comedy begins performances on April 22 and runs in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through May 18.

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed that Broadway legend Elaine Stritch died this morning, at home in Birmingham, MI. The star was 89 years old.

The ABC Television Network is celebrating the holiday season with movies, specials and four all-new special episodes of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' beginning on Monday, November 26. Programming and airdates are as follows: