Interview: Rita Rudner on Stand-up, Early Broadway Gigs and Her Dog Twinkle

By A.D. AMOROSI

Rita Rudner is an indisputable comic legend, whether through her uniquely elegant and epigrammatic stand-up routine, her volumes of wry essays such as Naked Beneath My Clothes: Tales of a Revealing Nature, or her dry-witted scripts such as Peter’s Friends, the latter of which was co-written with her husband, British film director Martin Bergman. When we speak in anticipation of her shows in Manhattan (Feinstein's/54 Below) and Millville, New Jersey (Levoy Theatre), Rudner is busy playing with her dog, Twinkle, dealing with a leaky sprinkler and a dry wall patch, and, what she said is a, “husband who is of no use because he is watching the World Cup.”

CSz Presents 'Murder Manor: The Golden Girls Edition' this April

By A.D. AMOROSI

This April, when CSz Worldwide (the global improvisational ComedySportz Network), presents the newest iteration of Murder Manor, their live experience based on the board game Clue, it will tap into a Glamorosi Magazine favorite: the classic sitcom, The Golden Girls. The show, now in syndication, is beloved original fans and new younger viewers who tune in to watch Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty navigate their lives as mature adults in Miami, Florida. Produced by the famed Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions team from 1985 to 1992, the show is still stunning, not only for its caustic humor, but for its frank and funny depiction of sexuality amongst older adults.

Interview: Gina Yashere Discusses Stand-up, Improv and Sketch Comedy

By A.D. AMOROSI

With her gravelly voice, wide eyes and offbeat sense of humor, Gina Yashere is one of Great Britain’s most recognizable comedians. The London-born, Nigerian performer appeared on the Blouse & Skirt panel program and the Lenny Henry in Pieces sketch comedy series in the UK, then moved to the United States in 2009, and became a regular on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Despite her sketch comedy success, it is stand-up comedy that is her signature. We spoke to Ms. Yashere via phone to talk about her work on both continents.

Interview: Standup Comic Jeff Simmermon Tells (Not So) Tall Tales

By A.D. AMOROSI

Jeff Simmermon may be an award-winning slam storyteller whose live appearances at the Moth in NYC, on radio with NPR’s This American Life, and in written form in The Paris Review Daily, have made him the toast of the contemporary literati. Yet, it is as a standup comic that he is currently having the most effect (or at least the most fun). Now, as Simmermon commences his debut comedy club tour this Spring 2017 in support of his rousing new album (pink vinyl, yet) And I Am Not Lying, he covers everything from hanging out with Reverend Al Sharpton to dating in Australia. He called us from his home in New York City, just before the start of his tour.

Interview: Missy Suicide of SuicideGirls on Touring and Empowerment

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Interview: Entertainment Reporter Nelson Aspen Comes 'Full Circle' with Cabaret Act

By A.D. AMOROSI

Nelson Aspen isn’t just an entertainment reporter with nice teeth and a sunny disposition. The one-time Hollywood-based producer/reporter for TV GUIDE Television, occasional on-air contributor to syndicated programs such as Access Hollywood, Extra, Inside Edition (in America), NEW with NELSON! (Ireland) and Sunrise (Australia) is a singer and storyteller as well. Nelson has traveled the cabarets of Manhattan, Los Angeles and Chicago with Full Circle, a music-filled, comedy-rich, gossip-laden cabaret showcase in which he partners with his favorite actresses. At Philadelphia’s Rrazz Room at the Prince Theater, Sunday, April 30 at 5 PM, he’ll be performing with Monica Horan from TV's Everybody Loves Raymond. We spoke to Aspen about television assignments, musical favorites and more.

Comedian Murray Hill Looks to the Future and Tour with Bridget Everett

By A.D. AMOROSI

Since the 1990s, alternative comedy has had a voice in Murray Hill, the cherubic Downtown NYC drag king entertainer known to one-and-all as "Mr. Show Biz," as well as the self-proclaimed "hardest-working middle-aged man" in comedy. Though a longtime fixture of the East Village's pre-gentrified performance art/comedy scene, it's only now that Hill is seeking greater fame with a Hollywood agent and a tour with Bridget Everett, the bawdy singing comedian who admits to having Hill as a nurturing inspiration. Their tour kicks off November 4 at The Fillmore in Philadelphia.

Interview: Don Rickles Discusses His 70+ Year Career in Comedy

Don Rickles and Regis Philbin

By A.D. AMOROSI

Don Rickles may have just celebrated his 90th birthday in May of 2016, but the legendarily caustic stand-up comedian – famously a friend to show-biz greats such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Bob Newhart and Martin Scorsese – is not about to sit down. Known throughout his career as "Mr. Warmth" and "The Insult King," the comic who all but invented politically incorrect humor returns to Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on Saturday, June 11. This time he'll appear with his old pal, Regis Philbin. "I don't need him there, you know, I can do it myself," deadpans Rickles on suddenly having a comic foil for his act.

David Bowie Drops 'Blackstar' Single and Video, Launches 'Lazarus' Musical

David Bowie

By A.D. AMOROSI

Starting with the preview of his art theater musical Lazarus at Off Broadway's New York Theater Workshop, David Bowie fans are having their best week ever. On November 19, Bowie will drop his new single, ★ (pronounced "Blackstar") and its accompanying video, both from the album of the same name that will be released on January 8 2016, his 69th birthday. November 19 is the same day that Blackstar is available for pre-order, something fans should jump on quickly as differing packages featuring clear vinyl, die-cut covers and lithographs all sold in limited editions will be available at davidbowie.com.

The Spirit of 'The Honeymooners' Jackie Gleason Lives on in 'To the Moon'

A still from "To the Moon" by 1812 Productions

By A.D. AMOROSI

On April 22, 1812 Productions – Philadelphia's sole "all-comedy theatre company" – premieres To the Moon, a fantastical tale of a hard working mook who dreams of hitting the big time, whatever that may be, with The Honeymooners' Jackie Gleason as his ideal. The play stars Scott Greer, known to 2015 audiences as the critically-acclaimed lead in Theatre Exile's The Whale (and also for the press surrounding his titular role in that company's upcoming Rizzo), is directed by Matt Pfeiffer and is written by 1812's Artistic Director (and Greer's wife) Jennifer Childs, with additional choreography from Bill Irwin.

Pennsylvania Ballet Principal Dancer Zachary Hench Retires

Zachary Hench and Lauren Fadeley in Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake

By REESE AMOROSI

Over the weekend at Philadelphia's Academy of Music, the Pennsylvania Ballet presented post-modern choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's re-interpretation of Swan Lake, the 19th Century ballet classic which runs there through March 15. At the March 8 matinee performance, the Pennsylvania Ballet bid adieu to Zachary Hench as its Principal Dancer. Hench will continue with the Company as Ballet Master.

Interview - Steve Landes of 'Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles'

Steve Landes as John Lennon in Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles

By A.D. AMOROSI

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles has long been a favorite of fans of the Fab Four with its sonic and visual recreations of the band’s finest moments. During this, The Beatles’ 50th anniversary of its American stage debut, RAIN ups its game even further with new set pieces, new LED hi-def screens, streamlined video content, and newly added classics. Starting June 10 in Newark, NJ (New Jersey Performing Arts Center), before heading to Philly (June 11 to 15 at The Academy of Music), Providence, RI (June 18 at Providence Performing Arts Center) and additional stops across the country, the RAIN shows with Steve Landes as “John Lennon” never cease to amaze.

Philadelphia's Lantern Theater Launches Athol Fugard's 'Train Driver'

Athol Fugard

By A.D. AMOROSI

Athol Fugard is one of the theater world’s most poignant, focused playwrights, never shirking from the political and social plight that his native South Africa has suffered at the hands of apartheid. Philadelphia’s Lantern Theater Company has immense respect for Fugard’s work; after presenting several of his plays during its last eight seasons (Master Harold…and the Boys; Sizwe Banzi is Dead; The Island), they are now hosting the local premiere of one of the playwright’s most gripping works, The Train Driver, April 17 through May 4, 2014.

Interview: Julia Udine from 'The Phantom of the Opera' 2014 Tour

Cooper Grodin and Julia Udine star in The Phantom of the Opera

By A.D. AMOROSI

With the American premiere of producer Cameron Mackintosh’s new extra-Gothic take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera recently opened in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music, it’s only fitting that one of its leads hail from the area. Amongst the Phantom’s cast and orchestra of fifty-two players is the South Jersey's Julia Udine, the actress and vocalist who portrays one Phantom’s three lead characters, “Christine Daaé.  We had the opportunity to speak to Ms. Udine following The Phantom of the Opera’s opening night.

'Newsies' Musical Holds Dance Auditions in Philly

Cast members from Disney Theatrical Productions' Newsies

By A.D. AMOROSI

Disney Theatrical Productions’ Newsies – a Tony Award-winner with music by the legendary Alan Menken and book by four-time Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein – is gearing up for a national tour that will play the Academy of Music in Philadelphia during the 2014-15 season. In preparation of those yet-unnamed dates, Newsies is holding open call auditions in Philly for male dancers, 16-12, Equity and Non-Equity, on Friday, March 14 for the North American touring production. Dancers should report to the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Phila PA, 215.418.4700) by 4 PM.

Johnny Van Heest Named Press and Promotions Manager for Arden Theatre

Johnny Van Heest

By A.D. AMOROSI

Johnny Van Heest was recently named as the Press and Promotions Manager for the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia's Old City area. Most recently, Van Heest was the media spokesperson for Philly’s Wilma Theater, its cabaret, and its resident dance company, BalletX.

Interview: Actor Brandon Andrus from The Four Seasons Musical 'Jersey Boys'

Brandon Andrus

By A.D. AMOROSI

The latest touring production of Jersey Boys – the Tony-winning, musical biography of pop music's most notable vocal quartet, The Four Seasons – is at Philadelphia’s Forrest Theater though January 5, 2014. For seven years, several different teams of actors and singers have criss-crossed the globe portraying the original members of The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi. Langhorne, PA, native Brandon Andrus is a two-year veteran of this musical playing Massi, the quietest Season, its bass voice, its rhythmic underbelly, and its most stylish member.

Interview: Josh Piven, Author of the Play 'No Reservations'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Josh Piven, Philadelphia native and the author behind The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, gives playwriting a go with No Reservations, a work debuting this weekend in his hometown at the Adrienne Theater’s Skybox on Sansom Street. Though Jesus isn’t the focus of the New York Times best-selling humorist’s satirical Nativity play – a social media-savvy look at celebrity obsession - don’t let that stop you from griping. "I encourage protesting," says Piven. "We’d love the publicity."

Interview: Choreographer Matt West from 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast'

The cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, a show choreographed by Matt West

By REESE AMOROSI

The stage production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film of the same name, launched on Broadway in 1994. Since then, the beloved musical has been seen in over 13 countries, moving audiences with the story of Belle and Beast (a prince trapped in a beast's body) and musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the title song. The original team behind Beauty and the Beast is back together for a new touring production of the show that will stop at Philadelphia's Academy of Music from Tuesday, November 26 through Sunday December 1. We interviewed choreographer Matt West about Beauty and the Beast, his long association with Disney, and what dancers need to land the best jobs.

Interview: Katelyn Prominski, "Flashdance – The Musical" Touring Company

Katelyn Prominski, currently on tour with "Flashdance - the Musical"

By REESE AMOROSI

Thirty years ago, the movie Flashdance galvanized legions of dreamers to "Take your passion and make it happen," and launched a fashion movement (legwarmers and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts). In 2008, "Flashdance – the Musical" premiered in the UK, bringing the character of Pittsburgh, PA steelworker Alex Owens and her quest for a dance career to life for theater-goers. In 2013, a touring company brought the show to audiences in the US, and now, "Flashdance – the Musical" stops at Philadelphia's Academy of Music from November 19-24. We interviewed cast member Katelyn Prominski, a former member of the Pennsylvania Ballet, about the show, life on the road, ambition, and her sage advice for young dancers.