Ron Raines to Return to Broadway

 

Ron Raines and Gina Tognoni at the 2011 Broadway Flea Market

Ron Raines will return to Broadway on October 9th in the Disney hit musical Newsies. Ron will fill in for John Dossett for nine weeks as Joseph Pulitzer while Dossett appears in a play in New York City. Ron finished his run as Ben Stone in Follies back in June after being nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.  His run in Follies began in May of 2011 in Washington D.C. After critical acclaim the show moved to the Broadway stage in August of 2001 where it ran until January of 2012, before heading to LA for a limited run.

Raines began his career on stage and never imagined he's wind up playing "Alan Spaulding" for 15 years on Guiding Light. In addition to Follies and Newsies Ron has appeared in Broadway in Chicago, Showboat and Teddy and Alice.

Weekly Alumni Feature #4 Ron Raines

In honor of Ron Raines' return to Broadway in Follies I have chosen him as this week's Guiding Light Alumni Feature. Ron took over the role of Alan Spaulding the summer of 1994, replacing the very popular Chris Bernau. Guiding Light was Ron's first television role. Prior to his GL debut Ron played many of American Musical Theater's leading men across the country including Don Quixote, Emile De Becque and Benjamin Stone. During his work on GL Ron played Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of Chicago!

Yesterday, Ron returned to Broadway in the Stephen Sondheim production Follies at the Marquis Theater.
Visit Ron Raines Online for more information on Ron's career and on how to buy your tickets to Follies.

Ron Raines Heading Back to Broadway!

 

Photo Credit Sue Coflin/MaxPhotos

Ron Raines (ex-Alan) will return to Broadway beginning August 7 as the Kennedy Center production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies transfers for a limited engagement at the Marquis Theater. This comes on the heals of a very successful six week run in Washington, D. C.

He stars along with Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell and Danny Burnstein.


For more information click here.

Raines, Mosely and Bogue Take to the Stage

Ron Raines (ex-Alan) continues his run in Sondheim's FOLLIES at the Kennedy Center in Wasington, D.C.  Soon after the show closes he heads to Boston to perform with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.
Visit his official home page for links and more information. And while your are there check out the photo gallery---Ron shot a scene for the Jennifer Aniston film Wunderlust with Linda Lavin while they appear in FOLLIES.


Robert Bogue (ex-Mallet) is appearing Off-Braodway in MANIPULATIONS. Previews began May 14 with the official opening June 16. Click here for more information.

Karla Mosely is appearing in I MARRIED WYATT EARP. Click here for more information.

Ron Raines and Bernadette Peters in Follies

Ron Raines (ex Alan) stars with Bernadette Peters and Jan Maxwell in the Kennedy Center's  production of Follies. So far the fans are loving it a week into previews. Opening night is slated for May, 21.
Playbill Feature.

Don't Know What to Get Mom for Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is approaching and many mom's out there are still missing Guiding Light. How about these gift ideas?

If mom is a music lover Bradley Cole and Ron Raines have recorded CD's. Two very different styles of music. Ron offers two solo CD's containing Broadway tunes while Bradley's offerings are more of the pop/rock nature. CD's can be purchased through their official websites. Ron's CD's are autographed.

Ron Raines Online
Bradley Cole .com

If mom is a reader she will love Tina Sloan's Changing Shoes! Now available for the Kindle too!
Also available for pre-order at this time is Kim Zimmer's I'm Just Sayin'  It's release date is set for August 2, 2011, but I am sure mom won't mind waiting if she is a Kim Zimmer fan. I am sure the book is filled with stories that only Kim can tell.

Meanwhile Kim and Robert Newman are appearing in CURTAINS so perhaps you can give mom a ticket to see it when hit hits New Jersey's Papermill Playhouse in May.

Tina Sloan continues to travel around the country promoting her book and putting on her play of the same name. Visit Changing Shoes . com for more information.

And Ron Raines will be appearing in FOLLIES at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in May and June.

Ron Raines to Appear with Marc Kudish in Actors Fund Benefit

Ron Raines (ex Alan) will appear in The Lower Depths: In Defense of the Baritone Voice hosted by Marc Kudish on Valentines day at the New World Theater, 340 West 50th New York, NY. The concert benefits The Actors Fund. For more information please visit Ron Raines' Official site.

Ron Raines Cast in Kennedy Center Production of FOLLIES

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. has officially announced that Ron Raines (ex Alan) has been cast to play Benjamin Stone in Stephen Sondheim's Follies.

Raines joins the previously announced two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters as Sally, Terrence Currier as Theodore Whitman, Rosalind Elias as Heidi Schiller, Florence Lacey as Sandra Crane, Linda Lavin as Hattie Walker, Jan Maxwell as Phyllis Rogers Stone, Elaine Paige as Carlotta Campion, Régine as Solange LaFitte, David Sabin as Dimitri Weismann, Susan Watson as Emily Whitman and Terri White as Stella Deems.

To read the full press release on Playbill.com click here.
Visit Ron's official home page for more details.

GL Alumni News

 Orlagh Cassidy (ex Doris) mentioned on Twitter that she has a project going on. Marcy Rylan (ex Lizzie) Tweeted that she had an audition this morning. Michael O'Leary had some good news for Steamboat fans when he announced they would be shooting again this month. Tina Sloan (ex Lillian) continues to visit libraries, bookstores and theaters across the country doing publicity for her wonderful book Changing Shoes. Liz Keifer (ex Blake) has begun a new business venture with her own acting studio. Ron Raines (ex Alan) has an announcement coming soon about a new gig (not soap related). Ricky Paull Goldin is a father. Kim Zimmer (ex Reva) has walked into Lanview on One Life to Life bringing with her a boost in ratings for the show.

Ron Raines Offers Advice to High School Students

While in New Bern, North Carolina for two shows this week Ron Raines shared some advice with some high school students.
Read the full article here.

Ron Raines and Donald Pippin Take Broadway to Tampa

Persistence brings Broadway stars to Carrollwood Cultural Center

By Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, September 10, 2010

 CARROLLWOOD — Saturday night brings the biggest show yet to the 2-year-old Carrollwood Cultural Center, but the person who worked to bring two Broadway legends to the stage won't be there to see it.
To read entire article Click Here.

Ron Raines to Appear in Nacogdoches at SFA Fundraiser

copyright Sue Coflin/MaxPhoto

Ron Raines (ex Alan) will be performing Broadway and Movie Hits with the Orchestra of the Pines at the Steven F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas on Friday October 22. The event is a fundraiser for the University's music department. Ron is from Nacogdoches.
For more information visit Ron Raines Online.

Ron Raines Receives Recognition in Opera News

The international publication Opera News recognized Ron's performance in the Opera Theater of St. Louis production of A Little Night Music performed in June:

"Ron Raines, who appeared in OTSL's opening season (1976) as Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale, was sensational as Fredrik Egerman, the middle-aged lawyer seeking rejuvenation with a young and silly wife. Raines's sexy blend of irony, wistfulness and vulnerability was carried on a powerful, burnished voice and a generous command of his character's tender, intimate moments."

You can read the full article here.

Recent News

Kim Zimmer will be appearing in the pay Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods:




LOST BOY FOUND IN WHOLE FOODS
By Tammy Ryan
Returning to Premiere Stages by popular demand as a full production!
Co-produced with Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, in partnership with the
Kean University Human Rights Institute
September 2 through 19
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Zella Fry Theatre
$25 Standard • $20 Senior • $15 Student
An optimistic “Lost Boy” from Sudan meets a suburban mother in desperate need of adventure. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon becomes an unbreakable bond that leads them toward a better understanding of their place in the world.


Tina Sloan 
Tina Sloan's book Changing Shoes will hit bookstores on September 16th. She is also taking her stage production if the same name into several cities including New York (sold out), Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Changing Shoes.com


Ron Raines
Ron Raines will be busy this September and October appearing on stage in Florida and North Carolina. For information visit his official home page RonRainesOnline.com.


Ron also invites you to view his Featured video section and to share your comments. He loves to hear what you have to say!


The So Long Springfield Cruise 
Fans and cast members spend four days and five nights aboard the Carnival Ship Glory for the So Long Springfield at Sea event, the final Guiding Light only event to be held by CEG. During one of the meet and greet sessions fans asked about getting GL back on the air. The actors all agree that that is NOT going to happen. They cited the fact that Proctor and Gamble has no interest in selling the rights to the 72 year old icon that went dark on September 18, 2009. GL's sister show ATWT will go dark this September.

Ron Raines to Appear in Town Hall's All Singing All Dancing

Guiding Light's Ron Raines (ex Alan) will appear in a Town Hall New York production called All Singing All Dancing on July 26, 2010.

Raines is currently completing a run in A Little Night Music in St. Louis (ends June 19). Following the show's closing he will be heading to The Muny Theater, also in St. Louis for a production of Titanic the Musical July 5-11.

For more information on these appearances and more visit his official home page.

A Little Night Music Starring Ron Raines Opens in St. Louis Tonight

The summer night smiles for Academy Award nominee Amy Irving, veteran British stage actress Siân Phillips and Ron Raines in the Opera Theatre of St. Louis production of A Little Night Music, which opens June 6.
Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi makes his stage directorial debut with Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony-winning musical that runs through June 19.

Read more

Ron Raines from Opera to Soap Opera

 

Digg Yahoo! Del.icio.us Facebook Reddit Drudge Google Fark Stumble It!

'Guiding Light' star Ron Raines will play here in 'Night Music'

By Gail Pennington

POST-DISPATCH TV CRITIC

05/30/2010

Ron Raines' career has been unorthodox, he admits. "I've sat on both sides of the fence." By that, he means he's sung opera and starred on a soap opera.

"I guess I was one of the first crossover people," he muses.
Read more here.

Ron Raines, Robert Newman and Frank Dicopolous Appear at YWBCF Event in Pittsburgh

On Sunday May 16, 2010 over 400 guests participated in the 5th Annual Spring Fashion Show and Gala benefiting the Young Women's Breast Cancer Foundation in Pittsburgh. The YWBCF reaches out to younger women who are striken with the disease and offer support as well as information.  Guiding Light's Frank Dicopolous emceed the event along with KDKA's (The CBS afiliate out of Pittsburgh) Brenda Waters.

Ron Raines and Robert Newman were on hand to perform during the event along with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Orchestra's cast of Nunsense and many young performers entertained the crowd.

Former Guiding Light Cast Members Launch 9 After 7 Productions

No, I have not forgotten about my blog, it is just that I have been extremely busy helping to design the website for 9 After 7 Productions which will go live at 12:00 AM Eastern May 1, 2010. 9 After 7 Productions is a new company founded by Guiding Light favorites Beth Chamberlin, Fiona Hutchison, Tina Sloan, Ron Raines and Grant Alexsander. It has been in the works since September when Guiding Light went dark. Billed as "A New kind of Light," the group plans to be able to produce programming for the long time soap opera fans. Its first production is entitled "La Lumiere." Presales for a special limited edition of the film on DVD will begin at midnigt tonight. Visit A New Kind Of Light. or 9 After 7 Productions.

Weekend Wrap up

Laura Bell Bundy's makes her country album debut with Akin' & Shakin'. The album was released this past Tuesday and is also available through iTunes. WalMart is selling the CD for $10.00 in stores and online. If you like country music you will enjoy this album.

Cythnia Watros who won over fans as Guiding Light's Annie Dutton will make her House debut this week as Dr. Wilson's ex-wife, and current flame. Rumor is that we will see more of Watros on House this season.

Unfortunately Ron Raines has to cancel his appearance in Omaha this weekend due to illness. He released an official statement on his home page.  The good news is that he is on his way to a full recovery and he tells me he is on his way back. Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes and showed concern after he made his announcement.

Tina Sloan will be going around the country on a book tour after the release of her book, Changing Shoes in mid-September.  Pre-orders are now being taken via Amazon.com. According to Tina's Sunday morning tweet she will be sharing her tour schedule soon.