Merle Frimark News

Just yesterday, the Actors Fund officially renamed their Manhattan residence, "The Aurora," (West 57th and 10th Avenue) at a special ribbon cutting ceremony.  The residence will now be called "The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence."  Brian Stokes Mitchell and Chita Rivera were there for the occasion, and BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the festivities below!

Legendary Broadway producer, manager and agent Samuel 'Biff' Liff passed away yesterday, August 10, at his home in Westchester County, NY. He was 96. Biff was Broadway icon Chita Rivera's longtime agent at William Morris. Read her statement about Biff below...

There was a happening on West 44th Street! For a week, Chita Rivera brought her joyful, razzle-dazzling nightclub act to Birdland, which she calls her favorite room in the city. “These walls are filled with the best music! Playing Birdland just makes me feel cool,” she proclaimed. As if her iconic Broadway career wasn't cool enough, “Chita's Back” was a concert for the history books – with the ever-youthful legend in fine fettle; singing, dancing and telling some of the best insider stories any theater-lover could hope for. Material from Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, West Side Story and The Visitwere included, as well as a James Taylor duet with daughter, Lisa Mordente. The swinging was band led by guitarist/percussionist Michael Croiter, with Michael Patrick Walker on piano, Jim Donica on bass, and Dan Willis on saxophone.

What do The Beatles, Tony Bennett, the Rolling Stones, Fats Domino, Tito Puente, Judy Garland and a host of other luminaries have in common? They all have been touched, in some way, by the inimitable promoter, agent and manager extraordinaire, Sid Bernstein. Mr. Bernstein passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 in New York City, said his longtime friend, publicist Merle Frimark.

Chita Rivera, Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince share the 2013 Jerome Robbins Award, which was presented last night, February at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. A full evening of performances, hosted by Frank Rich and featuring stars from Broadway as well as dancers from New York City Ballet were included in the presentation. Check out photos from the celebration below!

Two-time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role in the hit Broadway musical THE WIZ, has just returned from Chittenango, New York where he was a Special Guest of Honor at the 34th Annual OZ-Stravaganza weekend. This village, just outside Syracuse, New York, is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum who is best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which became the classic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland. Check out photos from the event below!

Two-time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role in the hit Broadway musical THE WIZ, has just returned from Chittenango, New York where he was a Special Guest of Honor at the 34th Annual OZ-Stravaganza weekend! This lovely village just outside Syracuse, New York is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum who is best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which became the classic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland.

Two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway star Andre De Shields visits Seth Rudetsky on "Seth Speaks" on Sirius XM radio this week. Tune in May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 at 11AM ET and May 5 at 11PM ET to hear De Shields shooting the breeze with Seth and singing "Big Black Man" from the hit Broadway musical The Full Monty. "Seth Speaks" airs on Sirius XM Stars channel 107.

Monday, January 23 was the Aquarius New Moon AND Chinese New Year (year of the Dragon) - it was also the 80th birthday of one of our national treasures - James Rado - co-author of the legendary musical HAIR. Rado celebrated this milestone at The Copacabana, with a crowd of over 125 - family and friends - including original Broadway HAIR cast members - Natalie Mosco, Marjorie LiPari, Robert I. Rubinsky (aka Bobby The Middle-Aged Celebrity); HAIR alumni including Heather MacRae, André De Shields, Ula Hedwig, Zora Rasmussen, Dale Soules. Other guests included Luther Creek (SPIDER-MAN, 25th Anniversary tour of HAIR, RENT) who performed excerpts from Rado's latest musical AMERICAN SOLDIER (written with brother Ted Rado) at the party along with Rosalind Brown, A.D. Coughlan, Ula Hedwig, Sean Jenness, Marjorie LiPari, Michael Lynch, Natalie Mosco, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Gordon Ramsey, Robert I. Rubinsky, Sam Underwood and Alex York.

The 40th Anniversary production and first-ever Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz's rock musical GODSPELL officially opened at the Circle in the Square Theater on November 7, 2011. Before the show, the celebrities walked the red carpet and we were there!

Irish and Broadway stars came out Saturday night for Bill Whelan's first in a series of 4 concerts at the Irish Arts Center. Among the attendees: five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury, Emmy Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Andre De Shields, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, award-winning author Colum McCann, Consul General of Ireland Noel Kilkenny, Malachy McCourt,Chief Executive Eugene Downes of Culture Ireland, Aidan Connelly Executive Director Irish Arts Center, Pauline Turley, Vice Chair Irish Arts Center and many more. Whelan conducted the nine-piece orchestra, played the piano, told stories and sang along with special guests world-renowned fiddler ATHENA TERGIS, Irish singer MORGAN CROWLEY and Irish Dancer and former RIVERDANCE star MICK DONEGAN.

On Monday evening, June 6, THE INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK continued its annual tradition of honoring individuals at The Center's Ninth Annual JAMES PARKS MORTON INTERFAITH AWARDS DINNER. This year's event honored:

The award-winning Beatles concert RAIN - A Tribute To The Beatles is adding additional performances due to unprecedented demand for its electrifying Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation return engagement. RAIN: A Tribute To the Beatles will now be seen for five performances only at San Diego CIVIC THEATRE: on FRIDAY MAY 14 at 8PM; SATURDAY, MAY 15 at 2PM & 8PM, and SUNDAY MAY 16 at 1PM & 6PM. Local audiences clamored for tickets, and sold out its highly successful Broadway/San Diego debut at the Balboa Theatre in April of 2009.

Two-Time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role of 'The Wiz' in the original Broadway production (1975), caught the ENCORES! production of 'The Wiz' last night and visited the members of the cast backstage.

Returning due to unprecedented demand following its highly successful debut at the Balboa Theatre (April 21-26, 2009); the award-winning Beatles concert Rain ? A Tribute To The Beatles announces a return engagement in an electrifying Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation. Rain: A Tribute To the Beatles will return to San Diego for two performances only at San Diego Civic Theatre on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 2PM & 8PM.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Andre De Shields will direct a production of Hair - The American Tribal Love Rock Musical at Buffalo State College. Performances are March 13-15 and March 20-22 at Warren Enters Theatre, Upton Hall in Buffalo, NY

The New York Chapter of The Recording Academy held a tribute to musicians Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Donnie McClurkin and the creators of West Side Story at Cipriani in New York City on Wednesday, September 26.

The 52nd Annual Village Voice Obie Awards were presented on May 21st at a ceremony hosted by Cynthia Nixon and T.R. Knight at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of New York University

Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel's Movin' Out, starring James Fox, Darren Reeves, Holly Cruikshank and more, opened on the West End on April 18th