Walter Matthau News

Making music to the ears of budget-conscious audiences, the River To River® Festival today unveiled a stellar line-up of completely free music, dance, and cultural events that firmly establishes Lower Manhattan as the city's summer arts capital.

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

While being interviewed on E! News regarding the final episode of his television series ER, John Stamos revealed that his next project after ER was going to be starring in a Broadway show, he continued to explain that it would be the upcoming Bye Bye Birdie. Stamos didn't say what role he'd be playing, but he has been rumored around the Rialto for the past few months as the perfect fit for Albert Peterson, the character played in the original production and film by the legendary Dick Van Dyke.

Houston Grand Opera closes the 2008-09 season with its 39 th world premiere, Andr? Previn's Brief Encounter, at the Wortham Theater Center's Brown Theater, May 1 - May 8, 2009. Brief Encounter is German-born American pianist, conductor and composer Andr? Previn'ssecond opera. His first opera, A Streetcar Named Desire, which won the Grand Prix du Disques recording award, had its premiere in San Francisco in 1998 to much acclaim and continues to beperformed internationally.

The Gene Frankel Theatre (located at 24 Bond Street) will be presenting the Shotgun Theatre Festival: Theatre Under the Gun, which will run January 8th-10th and January 15th-18th. The festival aims to create spontaneous theater in a compressed period of time while allowing an audience to witness the theatrical process in its entirety; from auditions and casting through the staging of twenty eight original works. The festival will provide a vivid and unique glance into the world of theatrical and artistic production, while providing a platform for playwrights, actors, and directors to exercise their craft in an exciting and creative environment.

The Gene Frankel Theatre (located at 24 Bond Street) will be presenting the Shotgun Theatre Festival: Theatre Under the Gun, which will run January 8th-10th and January 15th-18th. The festival aims to create spontaneous theater in a compressed period of time while allowing an audience to witness the theatrical process in its entirety; from auditions and casting through the staging of twenty eight original works. The festival will provide a vivid and unique glance into the world of theatrical and artistic production, while providing a platform for playwrights, actors, and directors to exercise their craft in an exciting and creative environment.

John Stamos seems to be hinting rather strongly that he'll be returning to the Broadway stage in the near future. While a guest on both the Today and Howard Stern shows yesterday morning, the multi-talented Stamos mentioned he had a role set in 'something new' that was opening on Broadway in 'late May'. Reports indicate it may be the rumored, but little talked about revival of The Pirates of Penzance, which is slated to begin performances this summer. Other more nebulous information hints that he could be eyeing Sky Masterson in GUYS & DOLLS.

Theatrical Producers Jeff Gardner and Ken Denison, are pleased to announce that they have assembled an all-star cast for a reading of their new musical GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL to be presented in New York City in October. The reading is not open to the public, and is by invitation only.

Two days of new private readings of the Broadway bound Grumpy Old Men: The Musical have been scheduled for October 29 and 30th featuring F. Murray Abraham, George Hearn, Marilu Henner, Carol Kane, Vicki Lewis, Joshua Malina and Conrad John Schuck.

ACE, a new musical, plays at Virginia's Signature Theatre through September 28.

A new production of the Broadway comedy 'A Shot in the Dark', about a sexy French maid accused of murdering her Spanish lover, will be presented at Where Eagles Dare Theatre as part of the ninth annual Midtown International Theatre Festival.

A new production of the Broadway comedy 'A Shot in the Dark', about a sexy French maid accused of murdering her Spanish lover, will be presented at Where Eagles Dare Theatre as part of the ninth annual Midtown International Theatre Festival.

Cleavant Derricks, Wayne Knight, Michael Kostroff and Patrick Warburton join Jason Alexander and Martin Short in the staged reading of 'The Odd Couple' at Reprise! Broadway's Best.

'Grumpy Old Men: The Musical,' a Broadway-bound production by Jeff Gardner, offers exclusive audio clips of some of its songs in-development.

Producer Jeff Gardner presented a star-studded reading of his Broadway-bound Grumpy Old Men: The Musical on November 1 & 2.

Penguin Rep, a suburban Equity house formed in 1977 as a community theater, is presenting 'The Goldman Project' in NYC.

Theatrical Producer Jeff Gardner is pleased to announce that he has assembled an all-star cast for the reading of his upcoming production of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, which will be presented in New York City in early November. To include Christopher Lloyd and George Hearn.

Drury Lane Theatre's 'Odd Couple' makes us all want to have an Oscar.

Wildcat Theatricals will present a new production of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? by George Axelrod as part of the 8th Midtown International Theatre Festival.

Producers Eric Falkenstein and Michael Alden have announced that theater icon Elaine Stritch will be the next star to step into the acclaimed Naked Angels production of Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell.