For the first time in 29 years, brother-sister singing stars Donny and Marie Osmond have reunited for a resident headliner show on the Strip -- and the gala premiere is all set for tomorrow night (Thursday), with a VIP audience of well-wishers at the Flamingo. Entertainer Danny Gans, who is about to up from the Mirage for a new run of shows at the Wynn, is one of their producers and he’ll be in the star-studded crowd. Already, other stars have been in to watch the previews including country star Phil Vassar and co- headliner at the Flamingo, magician Nathan Burton. (more)
…”Once the fear of embarrassing myself grabbed me, I couldn’t get loose. It was as if a bizarre and terrifying unreality had replaced everything that was familiar and safe. I felt powerless to think or reason my way out of the panic.
…”I kept trying to remember the words, but they slipped through my fingers like mercury, defying me to try again. The harder I tried, the more elusive they became. The best I could do was to not black out, and I got through the show, barely, by telling myself repeatedly, ‘Stay conscious, stay conscious.’”
…”Being in show business, it was embarrassing to come out with this disorder, which at the time I didn’t even know what it was called. I just thought I was crazy. I can’t even tell you how important it is to know that you aren’t alone and others have suffered and gotten through it.” (more)
Romano learns that Hannah (Miley Cyrus) is the bigger draw at a celebrity auction.
The episode brings back Corbin Bleu as Johnny Collins, a role he played in the pilot. Johnny wins a date with Hannah at the auction. The episode is called "We're All on This Date Together," and the second highest bidder for quality Hannah time is Rico (Moises Arias).
The episode also features Donny Osmond as the celebrity auctioneer and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Clarice, longtime enemy of Roxy (Frances Callier).
The episode debuts at 8 p.m. Oct. 12.
Check out the cover photo for Merrill's upcoming performance in Las Vegas with The Osmond Brothers at The Orleans in Vegas Inside Tips. The article can also be read online.
Donny and Marie are back! The singing Osmond siblings are set to host of "Rediscovered," a new ABC special that gives former child actor hopefuls a second chance at stardom. Casting Director Matt Casella -- who auditioned Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake as children before they were mega-stars -- will go back through his decades of audition tapes and find five worthy hopefuls who auditioned as kids but are now all grown up!
The show will surprise the five hopefuls and fly them and their families to Los Angeles, where they'll perform on a special for their second chance at fame!
The show's executive producer, Dave Broome, tells ET, "What makes this show so different is that unlike other competition shows, none of our contestants applied. We tracked them down, surprised them and plucked them from their daily lives for this once in a lifetime chance."
So who are the folks who'll be appearing? The contestants, who reside all over the U.S., include a real estate agent, a banquet manager, a building contractor, an insurance marketer and a holistic therapy salesman.
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/09/65465/
For years, it has been one of Nathan Burton's prized possessions.It's been in his collection of show business keepsakes since he was a teen.
Now 35, Burton was an aspiring magician in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1991, "doing birthday parties and school shows. Anytime someone needed a magician, I was there." At one of his shows, somebody liked what he saw. "I got a call from a promoter," he recalled. Next thing he knew, a poster was being plastered all over town. The teenage son of an Episcopal minister was opening two shows for touring Marie Osmond. I asked him if the poster was framed. "It will be after she signs it," he said. That's because Burton and Osmond now share the main showroom at the Flamingo Las Vegas. "We've gone full circle," he said. Donny and Marie Osmond opened a six-month engagement this week at the Flamingo. Burton headlines the 4 p.m. show. "I opened for her 20-some years ago, and now we're on the same stage," said Burton, who signed with the Flamingo last April, his first major headlining gig in Las Vegas. His road to the entertainment capital of the world took him from library gigs to Europe, South America and Japan, before he arrived in Las Vegas in 1999. He started here as an act in "Showgirls of Magic" at the San Remo, now the Hooters Hotel. From there, he moved to the V show at The Venetian's C2K nightclub before joining David Saxe's V Theatre at the Aladdin, as an act. About two years ago, he started his own show at V Theatre before jumping to the Flamingo. "By far the biggest thing ever," he said, "was 'America's Got Talent.' " He didn't win the NBC show's first season, but the exposure was worth a million to Burton.
They know the questions to ask -- and the buttons to push! Tonight, Donny & Marie Osmond are on the all-new ET set to interview each other, and you won't believe what they say!
"We are so excited to be part of christening this beautiful set here in Studio 4, and it is a beautiful stage," says Donny.
"Absolutely," replies Marie, "and everything's perfect except for one thing: Well, you're here instead of Mary."
Before they even arrive on the new set, Donny is up to his tried-and-true antics backstage, where he perfects the surprise "pop-in" to Marie's dressing room with the ET cameras -- and she's none too pleased, especially because her forehead just got burned with a curling iron!
"I've put together some questions for my sister," says Donny in their one-on-one interview. "When was the one time you wished you were an only child?"
"Probably between the ages of zero and 29," replies Marie. "I'm glad I've got a big family. I would have liked to have a sister, although Donny was very close to that -- he was very good at putting on my make-up."
Then it's Marie's turn to ask a question: "If you could be part of any family, other than our family, who would you choose and why?"
"Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Jacksons, because I wanted to sing 'Ben'!" says Donny, adding with a laugh, "I would pay money to see Michael Jackson sing 'Puppy Love.'"
ET was also exclusively with Donny & Marie for their big opening night at the Flamingo Las Vegas this week. The all-new production follows on the heels of a sold-out week at the MGM Grand Hotel. It's a 90-minute, multimedia extravaganza featuring Donny and Marie's timeless hits, including "Paper Roses" and "Puppy Love," with plenty of dazzle and an accompanying cast of electrifying dancers.
Watch ET for more with Donny & Marie!
The current West End revival of Grease at The Piccadilly Theatre is set to extend until October 31st, 2009. One of the most successful musicals in history, Grease includes the unforgettable songs "You're the One That I Want", "Greased Lightning" and "Grease (Is the Word)"
This 10-month extension co-incides with the announcement that Jimmy Osmond will be joining the cast as 'Teen Angel' from a limited time between January 19th and March 14th, 2009. In what will be his West End debut, Jimmy Osmond had this to say: "It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the West End and what better show than Grease. It is fast, fun, energetic and full of talent and I am just thrilled to be playing Teen Angel”
This spellbinding romp through 50s' Americana has been wowing audiences in the capital since the revival opened last year. A huge hit with audiences and critics alike, tickets for this amazing musical are available through Show and Stay® as part of a theatre break package. Book your tickets for Grease today and get the best prices on the web.
http://www.show-and-stay.co.uk/theatre-news/grease-extends-20189.html
"The Insider" was the only TV show to get unprecedented access backstage at the Mormon Conference Center in Salt Lake City for the Osmond's last concert as a family -- an end to an amazing legacy.
"How do you put into words 50 years of experience? You can't do it," says Donny.
After five decades of performances, the Osmonds decided that they would not perform again as a complete group. With tears flowing, they performed their final concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- the first time that the choir has allowed cameras backstage.
"If you look right behind me, you'll see eight of the greatest men that I know," said an emotional Marie. "The only other great one has gone on with my mother, and I'm so proud of all of them. I'm so honored to be their sister."
Tonight, Donny Osmond is on the ET stage as we go exclusively behind the scenes with Marie and the rest of the Osmond clan for their final public performance all together -- with a rare look backstage at what goes on before the show!
ET was the only show to get unprecedented access backstage at the Mormon Conference Center in Salt Lake City for the Osmond's last concert as a family -- an end to an amazing legacy.
"How do you put into words 50 years of experience? You can't do it," says Donny.
After five decades of performances, the Osmonds decided that they would not perform again as a complete group. With tears flowing, they performed their final concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- the first time that the choir has allowed cameras backstage.
"If you look right behind me, you'll see eight of the greatest men that I know," said an emotional Marie. "The only other great one has gone on with my mother, and I'm so proud of all of them. I'm so honored to be their sister."
Watch ET for more with the Osmonds!
"Neal Morse - Lifeline - Special Edition: 2 CD set with Bonus disc containing 6 extra tracks! Featuring the stunning guitar work of Paul Gilbert and Paul Bielatowicz. Featuring Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. Plus extra pages of personal notes and photos!
"The bonus disc on this thing is incredible!," the Radiant Records release continues. "With some crazy covers (like 'Crazy Horses' originally done by the Osmond Brothers and 'Lemons' by the Bee Gees!) and some brilliant original songs that for some reason didn't make the cut, this is one of the best bonus discs Neal has ever put out ... and that’s some pretty high marks.
Paul Gilbert’s blistering guitar work is a perfect match for Mike Portnoy’s driving kicks on 'Crazy Horses' (Mike sings it too ... classic!), and 'Set The Kingdom' is a great prog piece that should have been on the main album, but I guess they ran out of room. Neal is at his best on Elvis Costello’s classic 'What’s So Funny ('Bout Peace, Love And Understanding)' as well the Joe Cocker version of 'The Letter' and his poppy original 'Sometimes.' All this and the extra personal notes from Neal regarding each song makes this Special Edition truly special. A rare find these days."Crazy Horses
Lemons Never Forget
The Letter
What’s So Funny ('Bout Peace, Love and Understanding)
Sometimes
Set The Kingdom
Saturday September 6, 2008By Ray Waddell
NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Veteran sibling performers Donny and Marie Osmond are about to begin a 26-week stand in Las Vegas, and Marie Osmond points out that they just might turn Sin City into Sincere City.
The duo will fill the need for a family-friendly variety show in the entertainment mecca, which now is dominated by big production shows a la Cirque du Soleil or single-artist-focused extended runs by one-name stars from Celine to Cher to Elton to Bette.
Their run at the Flamingo Showroom kicks off September 9, with an extension almost a given. The 90-minute show melds multimedia spectacle with Donny & Marie's extensive repertoire, galvanized by their well-known onstage chemistry.
For Donny, the chemistry has to come naturally. "We don't even think about it because if you do, it becomes calculated," he says. "There are places in the show that we like to keep a little loose so we can flow with the audience. If Marie is in a mood, I follow her and vice versa."
Marie says, "I think we really appreciate each other professionally, because we grew up together. On a personal level, it's hysterical because nobody out there has that kind of brother-and-sister thing. We were talking about it: 'Who is a brother and sister that have been together as long as we have?'"
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
Though they're both Vegas veterans, this run marks Donny & Marie's first extended engagement in the city in 29 years.
"Donny and I grew up in Vegas, we've played every hotel here," Marie says. "This is the first time at the Flamingo, and we've decided that the Flamingo is perfect, because flamingos as birds live in flocks of 10,000, very much like Osmonds."The idea of reuniting ignited when the pair performed on a TV Land awards show a couple of years ago. The booking may be a natural, but the two singers' busy solo careers made it tough to nail down. Donny had been tied up with his TV hosting duties for shows ranging from game show "Pyramid" to "Entertainment Tonight," Broadway runs and touring commitments. Marie was wrapped up in Broadway performances, her charitable efforts with the Children's Miracle Network and, of course, her high-profile run on TV and touring with hit show "Dancing With the Stars." Additionally, the performing Osmonds got together for a wildly successful U.K./European 50th-anniversary tour in May.
Both Osmonds love the old-school Vegas feel of the Flamingo's 750-seat showroom, and they signed on for six shows in five days every week, with Sundays and Mondays off. "I saw the showroom and it reminded me of what Caesars used to be -- with the booths and the dinner tables, the traditional Vegas -- and that appealed to me," Donny says.
THIS AND THAT
It goes without saying that the show is a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll -- and more. "We wanted traditional Vegas, we wanted production, we wanted variety," Donny says. "I think you have to understand what people expect because of the success of 'The Donny & Marie Show' back in the '70s, and that is the bulk of our audience, obviously. They want variety."
And now, given Marie's run on "Dancing With the Stars," they want dancing. "We tease each other back and forth; I'm a better dancer than her," Donny says. "We put that into the show and it creates that sibling rivalry that's organic in our relationship, and it works. I'm dripping wet at the end of the show because there's so much dancing, so much energy involved. I think (director) Barry (Lather) forgot that I'm 50 years old."
The timing works for Marie on many levels. "It's like Vegas hiccupped and went back into the '70s: It's got Cher and Bette (Midler) and Donny & Marie now," she says. "For me, as a single mom, and especially the kind of work I do flying here and there, it's a really nice sitdown place."
Marie bought a home in Vegas, and Donny will commute from Utah. Neither are strangers to extended runs and the challenges therein. "I did 'King and I' on Broadway and 'Sound of Music' for two years, and out of the two years I only missed five shows," she says. "So I'm a road warrior, and so is Donny. You just have to know how to work -- and not just work, (but) enjoy your work."
Donny admits there are challenges to such a lengthy run. "However long you've been in the business, your well runs dry after a certain period of time," he says. "That's why we've left a lot of things kind of loose in the show, so we can expand it.""You want people to leave the theater saying, 'I got entertained,'" says Marie. "We know how to entertain people. At least we hope so. Hopefully we'll get it right some day, then I'll quit."
Sep. 05, 2008 Interviewed on his own, Donny Osmond claims it's only funny when sister Marie is the one firing off the zingers. "It doesn't work with guys putting girls down."
But later, he lets one slip anyway: "She faints every night," he says of the new show that opens Tuesday at the Flamingo Las Vegas. "I have to revive her after every show." Marie Osmond later says the new show pays homage to "Dancing with the Stars" -- the dancing part, not the fainting -- because "I have to keep Donny in shape some way." She also says her brother's "new career choice is to be an Elvis impersonator. That's why we actually came to Vegas. This is the only place they give classes, and he already had the jumpsuit." Cue a drummer's rimshot, Marie's ribald laugh and the return of the team that hasn't needed a last name since 1973. "Donny alone is an entity and Marie alone is an entity. But Donny and Marie is a brand," Donny says. And it took the brand's combined clout to get the Flamingo and the show's producers -- impressionist Danny Gans and his manager, Chip Lightman -- to make a major commitment: 265 or more shows in the next 12 months, with an option for a second year. "Vegas is starting to look like a real focal point for the both of us," says the 50-year-old Donny. "This isn't something that just popped up in our minds. We've been talking about this for the last decade, trying to figure out the timing of all this and when it's going to happen. "Both Marie and I knew it was inevitable, and to do it in Vegas is the right place." Donny had his eye on the Strip since at least 2001, when he came close to joining the MGM Grand's bygone "EFX" revue (the job eventually went to Rick Springfield). Solo dates at The Orleans reintroduced him to Las Vegas while he waited for "the right offer with the right room." The casinos might have been holding out for Marie. Still, they could not have predicted the 48-year-old singer would make such a huge re-entry into pop culture by competing on "Dancing" in the fall of 2007. Despite her father's death and the famous faint ("Wow, did I hit my head," she says), Marie danced her way to a third-place finish and new fans. Donny will fly home to Provo, Utah, on days off, but Marie and seven of her eight children have moved here. Producers of "Marie," a planned daytime talk show, are discussing Las Vegas as home base for the show as well. "I'm going to be really, really busy here but it's nice to be in one spot," she says. "It really helps the kids to focus in on their school and the consistency of being somewhere." The money doesn't hurt either. "Unlike NutriSystem, my divorce didn't cost me $10 a day," she says with that wicked laugh, referring to both her diet commercials and last year's split from Brian Blosil. Advance sales for the new show squelch some grumbling that Donny and Marie's ever-smiling faces on the hotel's colossal building wrap are out of phase with the "whatever happens" Vegas of nightclubs and topless bars. Donny's response to that -- "Poppycock" -- doesn't bury the duo's squeaky-clean Mormon image. But skeptics also may forget the Osmonds somehow made that image work in the '70s, when casino-goers were even more about smokin' and drinkin'. "We've seen many different incarnations of Vegas," Donny says. "I watched the Landmark go up -- and down." When the Osmonds opened for Shirley Bassey at the Sahara in the mid-1960s, "I remember walking around backstage with all these half-naked women." And Marie's crack about the Elvis jumpsuit didn't come out of the blue. The Osmonds commissioned stage garb from Presley's costume designer, and Donny remembers meeting the King backstage. "I really didn't think much of it at the time, but what a thing for a 13- or 14-year-old." Marie was onstage with her brother at the Tropicana by 1974, the year of their duet hit "I'm Leaving It (All) Up To You," but two years before their ABC variety show. Their Vegas history explains their enthusiasm about the Flamingo's old-school showroom -- one of the few still standing from the old days -- and their confidence about making the 750-seater work for them now. "I know we can pull off this show. Because we were trained that way. We were trained on those stages when we were kids," Marie notes. "When we say 'variety,' we don't mean Cirque du Soleil. We mean getting out there and giving the audience the spectrum, from soup to nuts, so to speak," Donny says. Editing a video montage of their careers into the length of just one song (Alan Jackson's "Remember When") was a huge challenge, he adds. So was deciding, "What part of each career do you put in there?" Marie's "Dancing" partner, Johnathan Roberts, flew in to stage the ballroom sequence. She also wants to show off her six years of opera lessons. Both singers say they hope to balance nostalgia with their present-tense momentum, a few lean years for both now just another memory. "I went through a period where I was really trying hard to grow up the image or whatever in my 20s," Donny says of the dry spell before his 1989 pop hit, "Soldier of Love." "I look back at it now and say, 'C'mon, I could have lightened up a little bit.' " Marie says "Dancing" was "one of those statements like, 'I do not need to climb into a hole, I need to climb a mountain.' "It's just fun to put your life into action," she says. "It surprises you how your energy increases when you dare to challenge yourself. And this show is full of energy." A few put-downs too, one would surmise. "It's a sibling thing," Marie says. "There is a chemistry that siblings have that I think is unique. I think it's why we're unique."
Riverton, UT (PRnine - September 3, 2008) - Sublime Expressions signs legendary singer, songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Merrill Osmond to its speaker’s bureau. (http://www.prnine.com/001050)Sublime Expressions, a Riverton, Utah company is thrilled to partner with this world renown celebrity. The owners of Sublime Expressions, Doug and Tawna Johnston, are delighted to have such a talent onboard. “The addition of Osmond will provide a giant boost to our young organization”. “We are pleased that a star the caliber of Osmond would have the confidence in our young company to allow us to partner with him to bring his wide range of experiences and passion for God and Country to businesses, civic groups and other organizations that would benefit from Osmond’s vast life experiences and charisma. Osmond will join our growing list of other talented motivational and keynote speakers.”
To read about Merrill on their website, visit: http://sublimeexpressions.com/osmond.htm
UPDATE:
Tyler Osmond, Troop 1344, eighth son of Alan and Suzanne Osmond, recently achieved their family’s goal for all of their sons to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America organization.
After all eight finished the cub scout program where Alan served as Cubmaster and Suzanne as Committee Chairman, Suzanne remembers making and racing many fine crafted Pinewood Derby Cars. Each Osmond boy then started training as a Boy Scout and learning to serve others, to be “helpful at all times”, to “Be Prepared” and to live the “Scout Law”.
It started with the first son, Michael. This tradition and goal continued among their family with Nathan, Douglas, David, Scott, Jon, Alex and finally Tyler. Father Alan, a veteran in the Army, taught his sons crafts like archery and shooting skills. He presented each of his Eagle sons a .22 rifle with their Eagle Award.
Ronald Reagan told Alan several years ago that, “a boy who achieves an Eagle Scout Award has one of the best achievements that can be listed on his resume that shows achievement and leadership in his youth!” There are also no better values to be learned, especially in today’s world, than to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave Clean, and Reverent!
Above, they hold a framed picture of all eight sons holding their special Eagle Award.
Pictured from L to R =
Scout leaders: Doug Padilla, Alan Osmond, Suzanne Osmond, Eagle Tyler Osmond, Jim Daniels, Ron Lewis, Adrian Hinton, Kevin Wilson, and Brett Michaelis.
