Gretchen Wyler News

BroadwayWorld is sad to share the news today that legendary filmmaker Rick McKay has passed away earlier this week. A longtime friend of the web site, and constant presence in the theatre world, McKay has long been at work on two sequels to his 2004 hit film, Broadway: The Golden Age.

BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, just made its World Premiere to a sold-out crowd at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Check out photos from the big night below!

BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, will make its World Premiere at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival tonight, January 7. The festival runs through January 11, 2016.

Luigi was the father of jazz. A teacher for all who wanted to dance. The Benefit-Tribute Concert on December 28, 2015 showcased a plethora of performers, all of which expressed their gratitude in song, dance, words, and in their presence.

On December 28th, here in NYC at Symphony Space, I am very excited to be one of the guest stars (along with the great Melba Moore and some of the best singers and dancers in this town!) in a very special tribute/benefit to LUIGI (1925-2015), the man who revolutionized jazz dance in America. Years ago, when I was practically a kid, studying to move to New York City and break into the biz, I had a dance scholarship in the Luigi technique. And when I came to New York I studied with him. He changed my life, but then again, he seems to have changed everyone's life that was lucky enough to know him.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, is set to make its World Premiere at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which takes place January 1-11, 2016.

Ian Somerhalder, passionate animal advocate and star of international hit TV series The Vampire Diaries, will receive the Wyler Award at The Humane Society of the United States' upcoming 26th Genesis Awards on Saturday, March 24, at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills. One of the animal protection organization's highest honors, The Wyler Award is bestowed on a celebrity or public figure for raising awareness of animal issues via the media.

It was a winning night for all animals as the news and entertainment media were honored for their reporting and portrayals of animal protection issues in 17 major award categories at The Humane Society of the United States' 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles, Calif.

Tippi Hedren, the quintessential Hitchcock heroine and star of the legendary director's The Birds and Marnie, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Humane Society of the United States' 24th Genesis Awards for dedicating more than 40 years to the protection of animals. Actress Melanie Griffith will present the prestigious honor to her mother at the gala event on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Tippi Hedren, the quintessential Hitchcock heroine and star of the legendary director's The Birds and Marnie, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Humane Society of the United States' 24th Genesis Awards for dedicating more than 40 years to the protection of animals. Actress Melanie Griffith will present the prestigious honor to her mother at the gala event on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The Tony Award® nominated hit musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the new stage reinvention of the beloved classic film, returns to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre this holiday season for 61 performances only - guaranteeing New York a white Christmas!

Broadway musical theatre icon Carol Lawrence will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Sunday, October 18, 2009 at a 3:00 pm Gala concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, followed by Cocktails and Dinner at 6:30 pm at the New York Athletic Club.

Broadway musical theatre icon Carol Lawrence will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Sunday, October 18, 2009 at a 3:00 pm Gala concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, followed by Cocktails and Dinner at 6:30 pm at the New York Athletic Club.

Tickets for the upcoming Broadway return of Tony Award® nominated hit musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS will go on sale via phone and internet this Saturday, September 12, 2009.

Tickets for the upcoming Broadway return of Tony Award® nominated hit musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS will go on sale via phone and internet this Saturday, September 12, 2009.

The Tony Award® nominated hit musical IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the new stage reinvention of the beloved classic film, returns to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre this holiday season for 61 performances only - guaranteeing New York a white Christmas!

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi will receive The Wyler Award, one of The Humane Society of the United States' most prestigious honors, at The 23rd Genesis Awards on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Given to a celebrity or public figure who has made news on behalf of animals, the award is named after the late Genesis Awards founder Gretchen Wyler, the Broadway headliner and animal activist. 'Ellen and Portia stand up for their beliefs, and they have had a major impact in spreading the message about animal protection,' said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. 'They had a particularly significant role in helping to pass Proposition 2, and they helped make the case to the people of California and to the rest of the nation that all animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.'

Moving on from a third summer of sold-out performances highlighted by such LA-based artists as Popera singing star Jamie Angelise; Nightclub, recording and television stars Craig Heath and Jeanne Page; the irresistible Broadway star and film star Marion Ramsey (from the hilarious Police Academy series 1 - 6); Disney's Danyelle Bossardet (Beauty and the Beast); and the revered musical comedy duo of BaulPointPen (Paul Peglar and Ben McLain); Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA ushers in October and November with seven sensational leading men.

Following acclaimed engagements in San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Toronto, Los Angeles and St. Paul, IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, a new stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, will arrive at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway this holiday season - guaranteeing that New York will have a white Christmas! The production is directed by Walter Bobbie with a book by David Ives and choreography by Randy Skinner.

Gretchen Wyler (1932-2007), dancer/singer/actress/activist (Guys and Dolls, Silk Stockings, Damn Yankees, Rumple, Bye Bye Birdie, Sly Fox, Applause) was remembered Tuesday, September 24 in a memorial service at Sardi's in New York City.