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Rita Gardner

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Rita Gardner STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Rosie

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2002
Cora Swanson (Understudy)

Esther Crampton (Understudy)

[New York]
Reading, 2001
Other Roles

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1997
Mama/Elder Jane

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Kitty Fremont (Understudy)

[Broadway]
1969
Elaine Navazio (Standby) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1965
Daisy Gamble (Standby)

Melinda (Standby)

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1964
Sister Mister

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Janine Nicolet [Replacement]

[Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1963
Linda English

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1962
Sally Nathan

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1960
Luisa [The Girl]


Rita Gardner Movies

The Perfect You
[ 2002 ] Woman #1
Marci X
[ 2003 ] Woman at Auction
The Good Student
[ 2006 ] Marge Whitman
P.S. I Love You
[ 2007 ] Elderly Woman
Tiger Lily Road
[ 2013 ] Betty McCann
Chasing Taste
[ 2013 ] Mildred
Shiva Baby
[ 2020 ] Mrs. Bronstein

Rita Gardner TV Shows

At Home with Amy Sedaris
Older Woman, Widow
Law & Order
Jury Foreperson, Second Judge, Mrs. Torrens
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mrs. Donoho, Neighbor, Doris Harrington

Rita Gardner Videos

Rita Gardner News


ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE to Play Brunch Performance at Laura Beechman Theatre


Light the candles! Get the ice out! The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present a special brunch matinee performance on Sunday, February 25 at 2pm of Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile. 

Photos: The Gasp Collection


After four years at Broadway World Cabaret, quite a collection of photos has been amassed. These are the gasp-worthy pics.

Rene Pfister's NYC Debut WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY EX-BOYFRIENDS… IF ANYTHING! To Play Don't Tell Mama


Director Jeff Harnar guides NYC debut to the Don't Tell Mama stage.

Therese Lee's RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET to Return to Don't Tell Mama in October


THERESE LEE  will return to New York for an encore performance of RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET which received the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Autobiographical Show. Learn how to purchase tickets!

RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET to Return to Los Angeles in August


THERESE LEE will return to L.A. for an encore performance of  RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET which received the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Autobiographical Show.

Review: Sexy Song Cycles Sound Swell In Central Park As Matthew Puckett Presents his SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN at 54 Below


In the end, SONGS FROM THE EVERGREEN is an absolutely gorgeous song cycle paean to everyone’s fave bit of Manhattan greenery - Central Park

Review: A Tribute To “Luisa” By The Friends Of THE FANTASTICKS' First Girl In 54 CELEBRATES RITA GARDNER at 54 Below


Rita Gardner was not only a part of THE FANTASTICKS' history, she is one of the reasons it became historic in the first place.

Yazbeck & Della Penna's DEAD OUTLAW, LANGSTON IN HARLEM, and More to Play 54 Below in May


Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and expand the art of the cabaret, honor the music of Broadway, and provide an unparalleled experience to diverse communities.

Lorna Dallas Returns To NYC Stage With GLAMOROUS NIGHTS AND RAINY DAYS at The Laurie Beechman Theatre


Award winner Lorna Dallas is making a welcome return to the New York Stage in Barry Kleinbort/Christopher Denny helmed new musical cabaret.

Lorna Dallas to Bring GLAMOROUS NIGHTS AND RAINY DAYS to The Laurie Beechman Theatre


The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present Lorna Dallas in her latest musical feast, “Glamorous Nights and Rainy Days,” in a two-night engagement - Saturday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 17 - both shows at 7pm.

JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW Comes To 54 Below This June


54 BELOW presents JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW on Tuesday June 13th, 2023 at 7pm. Harnar and Rybeck made their cabaret debuts together at Palsson's Supper Club (now The Triad) on June 13th, 1983.

Liz Callaway Announces Spring 2023 Concert Dates


Liz Callaway is hitting the road! The Broadway songstress has just announced a series of upcoming concert dates that include a very special appearance at BroadwayWorld's 20th Anniversary Concert (May 21) and even more accross the country.

Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, Melissa Errico & More to Celebrate Rita Gardner at 54 Below


Broadway stars Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, and more are joining the cast of 54 Celebrates Rita Gardner on May 1st at 7:00pm.

Therese Lee to Bring RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET to Don't Tell Mama in April


THERESE LEE  will return to New York for an encore performance of  RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET which has received the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Autobiographical Show.

ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE to be Presented at The Laurie Beechman Theatre


Light the candles! Get the ice out! The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present a special – one night only! – performance of Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile.

Feature: Eight Days Of Jewish Artists In Cabaret And Concert - Day Six


For the eight days of Hanukkah Broadway World is looking at eight Jewish artists from the industry. Day six shines bright on Alex Rybeck

Ann Kittredge to Perform at The Laurie Beechman Theatre and The New York Cabaret Convention in October


Ann Kittredge will return to The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street – between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Sunday, October 23rd at 7pm with her Musical Director Christopher Denny (piano), Sean Harkness (guitar), Mary Ann McSweeney (bass), Rex Benincasa(drums) and special guests Robbie Kondor and Steve Ross.

RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET Returns to Don't Tell Mama


THERESE LEE  returns to New York for an encore performance of her new show, RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET.  In it, she recalls her days in Los Angeles as an entertainment reporter too broke to own a car, and shares what her interactions with some of Hollywood's biggest stars during that time did to change her life forever. 

Rita Gardner, Original Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS, Passes Away at 87


Rita Gardner, who starred as Luisa in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks, has passed away at the age of 87 from leukemia, according to friend and collegue Alex Rybeck.

Chicago Cabaret Professionals Announce Annual Gala


After two years of producing their annual galas online, due to the pandemic, Chicago Cabaret Professionals will hold their 2022 Gala in-person at Epiphany Center for the Arts on Monday, October 17. 

Rita Gardner FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rita Gardner been in?

Rita Gardner has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Rita Gardner been in?

Rita Gardner has not appeared in the West End.

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