Merle Frimark News

Smithsonian Associates will present a celebration of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Learn more about the event!

CHITA: A MEMOIR wins Gold Medal for Best Autobiography-English at the 2023 International Latino Book Awards.

Watch Diane Paulus, Kenny Ortega, Caissie Levy, and more come together at Joe's Pub for a special celebration of the life and contributions of renowned theater icon, James Rado. Get all the details and highlights from this star-studded tribute event.

Sunday night was a very special occasion here at BroadwayWorld. The best of Broadway gathered at Sony Hall to celebrate a huge milestone- our 20th Anniversary! The concert event benefitted Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Check out photos from the red carpet!

James Rado, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning sole surviving co-creator of the ground-breaking Broadway musical HAIR - The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, died peacefully Tuesday evening, June 21, 2022 in New York City surrounded by his loving family. 

Prepare ye, for a Godspell mega-reunion! Fifty years ago, on May 17, 1971, a musical phenomenon opened off-Broadway. What began as a master's thesis project for Carnegie Mellon student John-Michael Tebelak, would go on to entertain the masses on Broadway and off, in Toronto, multiple national tours, on the big screen and of course, eventually at regional and amateur theatres all over the world.

This Weekend (August 15-16) in live streaming: Stephanie J. Block sings with Seth Rudetsky, Carrie reunites on Stars in the House, and so much more!

Today (July 14) in live streaming: Richard Ridge chats with Bernadette Peters, Tim Minchin hosts a listening party and so much more!

Shelley L. Ackerman, who began her career at age 17 as a comedic singer and waitress at the famed clubs The Improvisation and Catch A Rising Star, died on Thursday, February 27, 2020 in Manhattan. She passed peacefully this morning surrounded by family and friends. She was 66 years old. The cause of death was cancer related said her friend, publicist Merle Frimark. 'My Libra sister fought courageously for a long time,' Frimark said.

On Tuesday October 8, Chita Rivera opened her week-long engagement at Feinstein's/54 Below.

On April 9, 2019, HAIR co-creator James Rado sat down with arts journalist Patrick Pacheco at ASCAP in New York, for an in-depth podcast interview on the journey, history, legacy, Grammy Award-winning score and impact of the global phenomenon he created along with the late Gerome Ragni and the late Galt MacDermot.

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, the lights of Broadway dimmed last night, September 25, in memory of the late Craig Zadan. 

Verdict is in! The all-female ensemble for the staged reading of Twelve Angry Men (September 16, Theatre Row) received standing ovations for the stellar all-star company of Broadway women. Tony Award winner Cady Huffman directed the show which inspired and drew laughs from the standing-room-only house.

Below, check out photos from a recent meeting of the minds for the upcoming event, as producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron talk all things Hair Live! with director Diane Paulus and creator James Rado!

The TODAY Show's Al Roker recently sat down with Broadway icon Chita Rivera for his Living Legends series and the interview will air today, February 20.

Dress Circle Publishing will celebrate their new book THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 - the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper - with a special event at The Drama Book Shop (250 West 4oth Street in Manhattan) today, December 1 at 5:30 PM.

Dress Circle Publishing will celebrate their new book THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 - the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper - with a special event at The Drama Book Shop (250 West 4oth Street in Manhattan) on Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 PM.

Chita Rivera, fresh from her appearance on The Tony Awards Sunday, presented her old-friend Sound Designer Abe Jacob  the Lifetime Achievement Award.  They've known each other for more than 40 years since the original Broadway production of CHICAGO in 1975. Check out photos below!

Today, stage legend Chita Rivera ceremoniously turned the Empire State Building tower lights red in honor of AIDS WALK New York, which takes place this Sunday, May 15. Scroll down for video and a photo!