Hottest Articles on BWW from Monday, Dec. 17

1) Win a Walk-On Role in Broadway's ELF; Contest Ends Today!

If you've ever dreamed of setting foot on a Broadway stage, here's your chance! This winter, one person's holiday wish will come true with a walk-on role in ELF THE MUSICAL! Contest ends today so hurry and scroll below to find out how to enter! (more...)

2) NBC to Give Sneak Peek of Josh Gad's 1600 PENN Tonight

NBC's live, 90-minute final performance episode of 'The Voice' airs tonight, Monday, December 17 (8-9:30 p.m.ET), and will be followed by a sneak preview of NBC's new comedy series 1600 PENN; (9:30-10 p.m. ET), starring Tony nominee Josh Gad. (more...)

3) Photo Flash: Expanded First Look at SMASH Season 2!

NBC has just released the first full set of promotional photos for the upcoming second season of SMASH - featuring the musical drama's original cast, as well as Broadway's own Jeremy Jordan and Krysta Rodriguez. Check them out below! (more...)

4) STAGE TUBE Roundup: Meet WICKED's New 'Elphaba' - Willemijn Verkaik

As BroawayWorld previously reported, beginning performances on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, Willemijn Verkaik will make her Broadway debut as Elphaba in the blockbuster musical WICKED. An award-winning actress who has performed the role for more than 1,000 performances in Germany and Holland, Ms. Verkaik will perform the role for a special 15-week engagement. She is currently headlining the Dutch production of WICKED and will play her final performance there on January 11, 2013. (more...)

5) Adam Kantor & Betsy Wolfe to Lead THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Second Stage; Opens April 2!

Adam Kantor (Rent) and Betsy Wolfe (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) will co-star in the highly anticipated revival of Jason Robert Brown's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Second Stage Theatre. The beloved two-character musical, which has received more than 500 regional productions and 3,000 performances around the world, is returning to New York City after eleven years in an all-new staging directed by MR. Brown. THE LAST FIVE YEARS will begin previews on Thursday, March 7 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm. (more...)

6) BWW TV Exclusive: LES MIS Producer Cameron Mackintosh on the Cast's Vocal Chops, Why Live Singing Works & More!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was invited to chat with producer Cameron Mackintosh about the cast's amazing vocal ability, the decision to have them sing live on set, and so much more! (more...)

7) Willemijn Verkaik to Join WICKED as 'Elphaba' in February!

According to the show's twitter account, Dutch star Willemijn Verkaik will join the cast of Broadway's Wicked as 'Elphaba' beginning on February 12. (more...)

8) STAGE TUBE: ANNIE's Anthony Warlow & Taylor Richardson Perform on GMA

On Thursday, December 13, ABC's Good Morning America aired a live performance by Anthony Warlow and understaudy Taylor Richardson from the Broadway musical Annie. Check out their performance below! (more...)

9) Photo Flash: First Look at SMASH Season 2!

NBC has just released the first batch of promotional photos for the upcoming second season of SMASH - featuring the musical drama's original cast, as well as Broadway's own Jeremy Jordan and Krysta Rodriguez. Check them out below! (more...)

10) STAGE TUBE: Hugh Jackman Will Sing Showtunes on KATIE Tomorrow!

Star of stage and screen Hugh Jackman will visit 'Katie' tomorrow, December 18, where he will chat with Couric abou Les Miserables, fatherhood, and more. Check out highlights from the episode below, which also features Jackman singing some classic showtunes! (more...)

11) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 12/17- PARADE

Today in 1998, Parade opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances. Parade is a musical with a book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The production was directed by Harold Prince and starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan. The musical won Tony Awards for best book and best score (out of nine nominations) and six Drama Desk Awards. The show has enjoyed a U.S. national tour and numerous professional and amateur productions in both the U.S. and abroad. (more...)

12) BWW Blog: NYC Vocal Coach Robert Marks - Vocal Health

The vocal mechanism is extremely delicate and can be easily injured. Frequent yelling or shouting, poor singing or speaking habits, excessive throat clearing, and many other behaviors can lead to voice problems. This is especially true for young singers. For example, cheerleaders are often asked to cheer as loudly as possible, and are often hoarse after a practice or game. Trying to speak over loud music (at rock concerts, for example), can also hurt the voice. It's never too early to learn the importance of treating the voice with care. (more...)

13) STAGE TUBE: LES MISERABLES Cast Talks Preparing for the Film and More

Under the direction of Tom Hooper, the Les Miserables film stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Eddie Redmayne as Marius and Amanda Seyfried as Cosette. The cast sat down and talked preperations, working as part of an ensemble and more after a pre-screening at LA's Writer's Guild Theater. Hear what they had to say below! (more...)

14) STAGE TUBE: THE REAL KIDS of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL - Episode 1!

REAL HOUSEWIVES have some competition in THE REAL KIDS OF A CHRISTMAS STORY! Featuring the kids behind A CHRISTMAS STORY - Johnny Rabe, John Babbo, Zac Ballard, Grace Capeless, Zoe Considine, George Franklin, Jack Matrianni, Sarah Min-Kyuang Park, Alexa Niziak, JR Rodriguez, Jeremy Shinder, Luke Spring and Joe West - with producer John Mara Jr. and Eddie Korbich (who plays 'Santa' in the show), the series kicked off with an introduction episode. View it below! (more...)

15) STAGE TUBE: ROCK OF AGES' MiG Ayesa Sings 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' in Queens Concert

MiG Ayesa, 'Rock Star: INXS' finalist-turned-bona fide Broadway rock star, rocked New York City via his solo concert at Perlas International Cuisine in Woodside, Queens Saturday night, December 15. Below, check out a video of him singing Bon Jovi's 'Wanted Dead Or Alive'! (more...)

16) BRING IT ON Karaoke Contest - And the Winner Is...

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to announce the winner of the BRING IT ON Karaoke Contest...Kennedy M! Check out the winning video below! (more...)

17) What's Playing on Broadway December 17-23

This week, Broadway welcomes the Rob Ashford-helmed revival of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF starring Tony Award-winner Scarlett Johansson and Benjamin Walker. Previews begin tomorrow, December 18, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Don't miss out on this limited engagement! (more...)

18) Cast of WICKED Performs at Smithsonian to Mark Display of 'Elphaba' Costume Today

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has announced a special performance from the award-winning musical Wicked to mark the donation and display of Elphaba costume at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History today, Dec. 17 at 11:15 a.m. in Flag Hall. The museum is located at 14th Street and Madison Drive. (more...)

19) BWW JR: Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical

This was one tough weekend for parents across the nation. With lumps in our throats, we shut off the news and swallowed our feelings, putting on a happy face for our kids and trying our best to make them feel safe while the events in Newtown, Ct. had destabilized our whole sense of how the world is supposed to work. Being from the area, I never realized just how important a role my secure enclave of a hometown played in my overall sense of well-being. Now that such horrific danger has touched a place I once believed to be sheltered and impregnable, just minutes from my hometown, I, like many parents, have been left to wonder if I will ever be able to protect my children. (more...)

20) STAGE TUBE: Marc Kudisch and Jeffry Denman Talk THE HOLIDAY GUYS IN HAPPY MERRY HANU-MAS

York Theatre Company will present Broadway's Marc Kudisch (9 to 5; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Jeffry Denman (Irving Berlin's White Christmas; Yank! at the York) in the Off-Broadway premiere of a new holiday variety entertainment, The Holiday Guys in Happy Merry Hanu-Mas. Hear what the stars have to say about the show below! (more...)