Barbara Van Orden

BWW Review: LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2019 PRESENTED BY PRINCESS CRUISES Presents Its Finale with Winners

On Sunday, June 30 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2019 Presented by Princess Cruises came to a conclusion on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage of the El Portal Theatre in NoHo. After a 90-minute program in which this year's 12 contestants* gave 150% to their monologues and songs from Broadway shows, eight contestants were eliminated and the top four finalists were selected. There was a problem in that in collecting the ballots, there was only a majority for 2 contestants. Audience and judges were alerted, time was alloted and ballots were collected once more to pick the other 2 contestants. This added a good half hour to the proceedings. Then each of the four proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellenc

Photo Flash: The Hollywood Museum Celebrates the Career of Richard Pryor with Richard Pryor, Jr.'s Los Angeles Launch of IN A PRYOR LIFE

On Thursday, May 2nd, Richard Pryor Jr. offered fans, friends and some of his farther's co-stars a glimpse into the life of his iconic parent, Richard Pryor Senior, discussing his own self-proclaimed 'Freakish Life' that paralleled his namesake and famous father's life in many ways, found in his new memoir. In A Pryor Life, already in its second printing only days after its release. The event began with the unveiling of a costume worn by Richard Pryor Jr in the film "College Debt" co-starring Lucille Ball's granddaughter, Katherine Luckinbill, Janet Carroll and Academy Award winner, Celeste Holmes, in what would be her last film. The costume will be included in the museum's upcoming Real to Reel: Perceptions and Portrayals of LGBTQ History in Film and Television.

LA's Next Great Stage Star Musical Theatre Competition Announces Auditions

Creator, Director and Executive Producer Michael Sterling, along with Co-Executive Producer Barbara Van Orden and Associate Producer Peter Welkin have announced that auditions for LA's Next Great Stage Star 2019 Presented by Princess Cruises will take place Saturday, April 20th and Saturday April 27th between 11am and 6 :00 pm in North Hollywood, CA at Madilyn Clark Studios. The critically acclaimed Broadway Musical Theatre competition will be presented as a series of six 1:00 pm Sunday matinees at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District beginning May 26th and continuing through June 2nd, June 9th, June 16th, and June 23rd, ending with the Grand Finale on June 30th, thus marking the event's 13th consecutive anniversary year.

Auditions Announced For LA's Next Great Stage Star 2019 Presented By Princess Cruises

Creator, Director and Executive Producer Michael Sterling, along with Co-Executive Producer Barbara Van Orden and Associate Producer Peter Welkin have announced that auditions for LA's Next Great Stage Star 2019 Presented by Princess Cruises will take place Saturday, April 20th and Saturday April 27th between 11am and 6 :00 pm in North Hollywood, CA at Madilyn Clark Studios. The critically acclaimed Broadway Musical Theatre competition will be presented as a series of six 1:00 pm Sunday matinees at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District beginning May 26th and continuing through June 2nd, June 9th, June 16th, and June 23rd, ending with the Grand Finale on June 30th, thus marking the event's 13th consecutive anniversary year.

Photo Flash: The Hollywood Museum Presents '30 Years of Make-Up, Monsters, and Magic'

The Hollywood Museum has become the most popular depository for all things entertainment for film and television.  Among the history rich exhibits filling multiple floors is the fan favorite Dungeon of Doom, that hosts the original costumes worn by classics and iconic characters such as Frankenstein, Michael Myers (Halloween), Jason Vorhees (Friday the 13th), Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street) to wardrobe from Sweeny Todd, Van Helsing, Underworld, The Walking Dead and sinister sensations induced by the original set for Silence of the Lambs in their Dungeon of Doom.

Photo Flash: Hollywood Museum Celebrates 30 Years of Make-Up, Monsters, and Magic

The Hollywood Museum has become the most popular depository for all things entertainment for film and television.  Among the history rich exhibits filling multiple floors is the fan favorite Dungeon of Doom, that hosts the original costumes worn by classics and iconic characters such as Frankenstein, Michael Myers (Halloween), Jason Vorhees (Friday the 13th), Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street) to wardrobe from Sweeny Todd, Van Helsing, Underworld, The Walking Dead and sinister sensations induced by the original set for Silence of the Lambs in their Dungeon of Doom.

LA's Next Great Stage Star Announced

'LAs Next Great Stage Star is more than a competition - it is an experience, deeply felt and expressed by these super-talented young people who are the new faces of our business. If this is any indication, the future of theatre is in good hands!!' - Multi-Million selling recording artist and author, Sam Harris

BWW Review: Successful Finale LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2018

On Monday, August 27 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises came to a thrilling conclusion on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage of the El Portal Theatre in NoHo. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 10 contestants gave 150% to their monologues and songs from Broadway shows, eight contestants were eliminated and the top two finalists were selected. It was then decided,  from the consensus of the judges, to add a third runnerup. Then each of the three proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellence Jennifer Lin accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

Stage And Screen Star Judges Join LA's Next Great Stage Star

On August 27th, the Debbie Reynolds Main stage at the historic El Portal Theater will host the 12th annual LA's Next Great Stage Star(R), following a six week competition.  Creator, Michael Sterling, along with his Co-Executive Producer and Co-Sponsor, Barbara Van Orden, are proud to offer this annual opportunity to talented individuals seeking to spotlight their abilities. Presented by Princess Cruises LA's Next Great Stage Star(R) is the only competition of its kind in the Western United States.

Photo Flash: LA's Next Great Stage Star Launches at the Historic El Portal Theatre

The thespian spirits of the many theatrical greats that have graced the boards of at the historic El Portal Theater, including the main stage's namesake Debbie Reynolds, could be felt as the annual 6 week long production of LA's Next Great Stage Star launched last night (Monday, July 23rd) to standing ovations for the lucky few talented individuals selected from a long a grueling audition process.

LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR Celebrates 12 Years with Search for Triple Threat Winner

Auditions for LA's Next Great Stage Star 2018 Presented by Princess Cruises will take place Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, 2018 in North Hollywood, CA. The critically acclaimed competition will be presented July 23rd through August 27th at the historic El Portal Theatre located in North Hollywood, thus marking the event's 12th consecutive anniversary year.

Photo Flash: Rich Little Honored As Hollywood Hero And Inducted Into The Hollywood Museum

On May 31st, Rich Little, arguably the most famous impressionist in the world, was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during their Hollywood Hero ceremony with the Johnny Grant Award, along with Diahann Carroll (receiving the Mary Pickford Award).  

BWW Review: LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2017 Presented by Princess Cruises a Tremendous Success

On Sunday, February 19 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2017 Presented by Princess Cruises came to an uber exciting conclusion at the Colony Theatre. After a very entertaining 90-minute program in which the 18 contestants gave 150% to their uptempo songs from Broadway shows, thirteen contestants were eliminated and the top five finalists selected during the first intermission. It was then decided, like the last two years from the consensus of the judges, to add a sixth contestant. Then each of the six proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of 18 judges made the final decision during the second intermission. Musical director par excellence Richard Berent accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

BWW Review: LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2017 PRESENTED BY PRINCESS CRUISES Rocks the Colony in Its Second Week

Loosely patterned after 'an audition process', this 11th annual fully produced event is geared to discovering new talent between the ages of 18 and 32 for the musical theatre stage. This year once again the contest is generously sponsored/presented by Princess Cruises. As has become the standard, approximately 20 contestants compete for the title, a $2500 cash prize, a headlining engagement at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal during the New Year, professional representation in the business of  musical theatre, and other valuable prizes. To date, over a dozen former contestants have already made their Broadway and/or Off-Broadway debuts; while nearly another 100 have either starred in Broadway U.S. National Tours; Regional U.S. Musical Theatre productions; Las Vegas Hotel sit-downs of Broadway Musicals; on board in lavish production shows presented by some of the world's most prestigious cruise lines; or have starred on stages at numerous Southern California Theme Parks such as Disneyland's California Adventure and Lego Land. Internationally, Tokyo Disney is also host to Stage Star talent. 

Winner of LA's GREAT NEXT STAGE STAR Maggie Randolph to Make Solo Concert Debut at Sterling's Upstairs 11/20

Maggie Randolph, winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star® presented by Princess Cruises, celebrates her 2016 win of the competition with her first ever solo headlining concert "Home Again" at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal Sunday, November 20, 2016. The much anticipated event is directed by Peter Welkin, with Musical Direction by Richard Berent (piano) and musical support by Kerry Fenster (guitar) and Ksenia Rozhdestvenskaya (violin); Special guest stars Sara Gonzales and Charlotte Mary Wen (LA's Next Great Stage Star 2013) will also be featured. Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com.

Photo Flash: Tippi Hedren and More Appear at Star Studded Book Launch for TIPPI

President and Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a very special Lobby Exhibit unveiling, featuring items and from the career of Tippi Hedren (including items worn in the film 'The Birds,' Edith Head's dress form designed to Tippi's exact measurements, her Golden Globe and a personal gift presented by Alfred Hitchcock when he and his wife, Alma, informed her that she had been chosen to portray Melanie Daniels in 'The Birds).

BWW Review: LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2016 PRESENTED BY PRINCESS CRUISES Comes to a Resounding Conclusion

On Monday, February 8 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2016 Presented by Princess Cruises came to an exciting conclusion on the mainstage of the NoHo Arts Center. After an amazing 90-minute program in which the 20 contestants gave 150% to their uptempo songs from Broadway shows, fifteen contestants were eliminated and the top five finalists selected during the first intermision. It was decided, like last year from the consensus of the judges, to add a sixth contestant. But when judges' votes were tabulated, there emerged a three-way tie between contestants James Padilla, Bethany Baderdeen and Edward Anderson. Each of these three presented a song and Edward Anderson was announced as the sixth finalist. Then each of the six proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of 15 judges made the final decision during the second intermission. Musical director par excellence James Lent accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 1/8; OLIVER! in Cape Cod, DANGEROUS DREAMS TOUR in DC and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include OLIVER! at Cape Cod, DANGEROUS DREAMS TOUR in DC, and highlights of LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2016, just to name a few.

BWW Review: LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2016 PRESENTED by PRINCESS CRUISES Off to a Great Start

Loosely patterned after 'an audition process', this 10th annual fully produced event is geared to discovering new talent between the ages of 18 and 32 for the musical theatre stage. This year the contest is generously sponsored/presented by Princess Cruises.

Charlotte Rae Continues 'Facts Of My Life' Tour

Approaching 90, Ms. Charlotte Rae just keeps going and going and going - Ms. Rae's Rea's recent appearances at Sadri's in NY and B&N in LA, gathered a Standing Room Only crowd with an eclectic list of patrons among the fans including JoAnne Worley, Anna Maria Albergetti, Ilene Graff, Patricia Morison, John Bowab, Laura Pursell, Barbara Van Orden, Daisy Egan, Jerry Stiller and Gilbert Gottfried, among others.