Michael Riedel LIVE

I'll briefly shill for the show I'm seeing tonight, a live adaptation of the old school game show "What's My Line?" simply because, as theater fans, some of you might want to check out MICHAEL RIEDEL and STEPHANIE D'ABRUZZO as celebrity panelists. I know next to nothing about this, but if you've ever seen Riedel on Theater Talk, or read him in the Post, that should be enough to convince you to check it out. It's $25, Monday nights at 8:00, at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street).

[Full release, as follows the jump:]


“What's My Line? - Live On Stage”

van Straaten Entertainment, inc. announces updated panel lineups for the East Coast debut of What’s My Line? – Live On Stage, a live, non-broadcast stage presentation of the popular game show that ran on American television for over 25 years. Host J. Keith van Straaten (Comedy Central’s “Beat The Geeks” and VH1’s “Best Week Ever”) will be joined for the March 24th opener by BETSY PALMER (Longtime regular panelist on TV's "I've Got a Secret" and recurring panelist on original "What's My Line?"), MICHAEL RIEDEL (New York Post theatre columnist and co-host of "Theater Talk" on PBS) STEPHANIE D'ABRUZZO (Tony-nominated star of Avenue Q) , BARRY SALTZMAN(Los Angeles stage actor and most frequent panelist on Los Angeles production of "What's My Line? - Live On Stage"). Weekly surprise celebrity “Mystery Guests” will also appear. Past Mystery Guests have included Larry King, Drew Carey, and Shirley Jones. Departing from the 30-minute format of the original TV series, the 75-minute stage version will also feature live music and performances. “What’s My Line? – Live On Stage,” which had an initial run of six shows in November and December of 2004 in Los Angeles and ran over three years, will open Monday, March 24th with its 75th installment and play Monday evenings at 8:00 pm through April 28th. All tickets are $25.00. For tickets and information call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.Telecharge.com. The Barrow Street Theatre is located at 27 Barrow Street at 7th Avenue, South of Christopher Street. The show website is www.whatsmyline.org.

Other scheduled panelists for the run are as follows:

March 31
Pia Lindstrom - Emmy-winning journalist,WNBC-TV, guest panelist on original "What's My Line?"
Frank DeCaro - Host of "The Frank DeCaro Show" weekdays on Sirius Satellite Radio,
Laurie Kilmartin – Comedienne/writer, regular on VH1's "Best Week Ever" and blogger for 236.com
Jonathan Ames - Award-winning author (The Extra Man, Wake Up Sir)

April 7
Phyllis Newman - Recurring panelist on original "What's My Line?"; Tony-winning actress and singer.
Kitty Felde - Award-wining Special Correspondent for National Public Radio.
Paul Doherty - Partner of Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty Talent Agency

April 14
The Amazing Kreskin – World-Renowned Mentalist; Panelist on original “What’s My Line” TV show
Shari Albert - Actress (Brothers McMullen) and Blogger (Huffington Post)
Cynthia Szigeti – Improvisation to the stars, including host J. Keith van Straaten

April 21
Len Wein - Comic book writer, Creator of Wolverine
Ophira Eisenberg - Comedienne, creator of "Sweet Paprika" comedy show
Mink Stole - Fan favorite from every John Waters movie (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, etc.)

April 28
Jarrod Emick - Tony-winning Broadway actor/dancer/singer
Andy Zax - Music historian and producer, star of "Beat The Geeks"
Adrianne Frost - comedian and author of I Hate Other People's Kids

“What’s My Line? – Live On Stage” follows the format of the classic TV game show that premiered on CBS in 1950: Four celebrity panelists try to guess the occupation of a guest, asking only yes-or-no questions. This stage show, however, is not broadcast; the only audience is the folks who show up in the 199-seat theatre. It’s a real game with real people with real occupations and genuine celebrities --the show is not scripted and runs approximately 75 minutes, with no intermission.

Recent New York press accolades include a feature article in the March 20-26 issue of TimeOut New York (“Wry, unexpected, and hilarious!”) and a blurb in the March 19 edition of Page Six.

During its three-year run in Los Angeles, “What’s My Line? – Live On Stage” earned such praise as: “Highly Recommended!... The decorum and spontaneous, champagne wit of a bygone era.” --LA Weekly. “Witty... Charming... Stays true to its TV show roots.” --LA Times. “Spontaneous fun!” --Paper Magazine.

Past installments of “What's My Line? - Live On Stage” featured stars such as Rose Marie, Fred Armisen, Nanette Fabray, Jose Canseco, Larry King, Drew Carey, Noah Wyle, Alan Thicke, Amy Brenneman, Andy Dick, Ann Magnuson, Bruce Jenner, Bruce Vilanch, Dick Van Patten, Ed Asner, Elliott Gould, and Fred Willard.

J. Keith van Straaten, panel moderator and co-producer of “What’s My Line? – Live On Stage,” hosted Comedy Central’s “Beat The Geeks” game show and is also known from TV as a panelist on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and various clip shows on E! Entertainment Television. J. Keith blogs the Oscars for Yahoo! Movies and writes their seasonal movie guides. His personal website and blog is at www.jkeith.net.