Theater News

With Perfect Kander

Ann Reinking, George Hearn, Hunter Foster, Will Chase, Natascia Diaz, and Terrence McNally help John Kander kick off Signature’s Kander & Ebb Celebration. Plus: Phil Collins, Michael McKean, and Sara Ramirez!

Washington, DC

On Wednesday night, NYC’s Angus McIndoe restaurant hosted a cocktail reception for Arlington, Virginia’s Signature Theatre’s upcoming Kander & Ebb Celebration, March 11-June 22. Here’s composer John Kander (center) flanked by Signature artistic director Eric Schaeffer and old pal Ann Reinking, who will choreograph the musical The Visit.

Tony Award winner George Hearn will play the male lead in The Visit opposite the legendary Chita Rivera.

Here are the talented Mark Jacoby, who will play the Mayor in The Visit, with the show’s book writer, award-winning playwright Terrence McNally.

The Celebration will begin with Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Hunter Foster, Natascia Diaz, and Will Chase.

Kander and Ebb’s little-known musical The Happy Time will also be presented, with David Margulies and Michael Minarik among its cast.

One never knows who will show up for the monthly installment of Don’t Quit Your Night Job at the Zipper. Among the guests last week were Michael McKean, currently starring on Broadway in The Homecoming.

Another special guest was Tony winner Sara Ramirez, who will next appear with her castmates from the hit ABC series Grey’s Anatomy in a benefit called Good Medicine at UCLA’s Royce Hall on February 29.

Finally, we leave you a shot with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Phil Collins, who stopped backstage at The Little Mermaid to mingle with the cast, including co-star Tituss Burgess.