Bill Russell News

'Mirror, mirror of success, who will be Miss Glamouress?' Six contestants emerge from behind a gold shimmer curtain to take part in an epic battle of hairspray and cheesy quatrain in the musical comedy Pageant, the latest mainstage show presented by The Ritz Theatre Company.

During the observation of International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day and annual Pride Celebrations, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati will partner with Caracole to present Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens by Bill Russell and Janet Hood. This piece shares the stories of 31 people from all walks of life who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

Broadway lyricist and librettist, Bill Russell (Side Show, Pageant, Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens) will direct Neil Simon's The Odd Couple for the 76th season of the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer State Park, SD.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) is proud to announce its upcoming Mainstage production of SIDE SHOW, playing April 22 – May 8. From the composer of Dreamgirls comes a remarkable, true story of famed entertainers and twins, Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became famous during the 1930’s. SIDE SHOW is a moving portrait of two women whose bond brings them the spectacle of fame, but denies them true love and acceptance.

Theatre Harrisburg, one of the oldest community theatres in the United States, has announced its 2022-2023 season.

Final details have been announced for KHT50: Barstools to Broadway from the King's Head Theatre the celebration taking place from 14 – 19 February, marking the successes of the world-renowned pub theatre's first 50 years with a series of readings of plays that started their lives there, with cast and creative teams with links to the playwrights and original shows.

Further details have been announced for KHT50 Barstools to Broadway from The Kings Head Theatre the celebration taking place from 14 – 19 February, marking the successes of the world-renowned pub theatre's first 50 years with a series of readings of plays that started their lives there, with cast and creative teams with links to the playwrights and original shows.

Old Library Theatre in Fair Lawn has announced casting for the first licensed, NYC area premiere of Unexpected Joy with book & lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood.

Ground Floor Theatre has announced the cast for the regional premiere of Unexpected Joy with book and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood running December 2–19, 2021.

In today’s society, when someone is born with a birth defect, has an unusual look or is simply unlike most others, we use our understanding of science and a myriad of protections and laws to ensure those individuals receive equal treatment. They have the opportunity (and right) to live their life in the same way as those born without disability or disfigurement. But that has not always been the case. People born in eras past with even minor physical or mental deformities were labeled “freaks” and consigned to live in the shadows, or in many cases, in the spotlight of the circus side show. But underneath the bearded lady’s beard or the wolf boy’s “fur” was always a living, breathing human being, with real emotions, needs, and dreams. And many of their stories have been lost to history. But not so for the story of the Hilton sisters, as told in Bill Russell and Henry Krieger’s musical SIDE SHOW, currently playing at The Henegar Center in Melbourne, FL.

Ground Floor Theatre has announced the Regional Premiere of Unexpected Joy with book and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood running December 2–19, 2021. Directed by Co-Artistic Director Lisa Scheps, Unexpected Joy will replace Memphis in December for the 2021 season with in-person performances.

Writer, broadcaster and former professional golfer David Feherty takes his act on the road for his live show “Feherty – Live Off Tour” at the Fred Kavli Theatre on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 2:30pm.

Now streaming online, Changemakers, a collection of 20 original, two-minute plays and musicals inspired by community leaders, activists, and front-line workers who have fought for change over the course of the past year.

Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced The New Classics: Songs from the New Golden Age of Musical Theater, a virtual cabaret starring Broadway’s Gavin Creel, Nikki Renée Daniels, and Norm Lewis, plus Amanda Castro, Jenn Gambatese, Jo Lampert, and Heath Saunders, with David Chase as music director and featuring members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm) with a 'Elegies' Reunion with Jayne Houdyshell, J Harrison Ghee, Marisha Wallace, Robin Lord Taylor and Vicki Lewis.

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is set to stream on World AIDS Day -today, December 1 (5pm), featuring 51 performers and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens honors the lives lost to AIDS through free-verse monologues with a blues, jazz and rock score.

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced an array of programming – albeit virtual! - for the remainder of its 2020-2021 season. In honor of World AIDS Day – tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1, Abingdon Theatre Company will be a co-producer for the virtual revival of “Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens,” to benefit BC/EFA.

Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is set to stream on World AIDS Day -Tuesday, December 1 (5pm), featuring 51 performers and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens honors the lives lost to AIDS through free-verse monologues with a blues, jazz and rock score.

 Broadway On Demand will present several special projects this week, including the new La Jolla Playhouse digital series Without Walls (WOW) (as of November 26), the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids benefit Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens featuring Nathan Lane, Norm Lewis, Cynthia Nixon, Lena Hall, and more (December 1).

Today we rewind to 2014, when Side Show was getting ready to return to Broadway at the St. James Theatre, where it played for 56 performances.