Hottest Articles on BWW from Saturday, Jan. 5

1) InDepth InterView: Jessica Fellowes Details THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY, Season 3, THE GUILDED AGE & More

Today we are talking to a talented writer and journalist who has penned the definitive book on the hottest UK crossover TV series of the new millennium, the early 20th century-set family period drama DOWNTON ABBEY, with her estimable new tome now available, THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA - Jessica Fellowes. Discussing many of the most alluring aspects of the hit Brit series, especially insofar as an international audience is concerned, as well as adding even more historical, political and social insight into the proceedings on the show over the course of its run so far, Fellowes and I assess many of the most arresting aspects of the three seasons of the series as well as the comprehensive behind-the-scenes look that she provides (along with Matthew Sturgis) in THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA. All of that, discussion of the third season of the series which premieres in the US on PBS January 6, first news on Jessica's uncle Julian's new historical series for NBC, THE GUILDED AGE and much, much more! (more...)

2) Photo Flash: Saturday Intermission Pics, Jan 5 - Toronto's THE WIZARD OF OZ, Max von Essen's Favorite 2012 #SIPS and More!

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up. Today's photos feature a first look behind the scenes of THE WIZARD OF OZ in Toronto, a collection of the best #SIPS of 2012 from EVITA's Max von Essen, THE BOOK OF MORMON saluting Josh Gad in 1600 PENN, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA going 'Downton' style, and images from THE FANTASTICKS, ELF, JERSEY BOYS, SPIDER-MAN, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, ANYTHING GOES, ANNIE, FLASHDANCE, MARY POPPINS, a production of ANNIE in Belgium and much more! (more...)

3) Update: Jessica Chastain to Miss Four Performances of THE HEIRESS to Support ZERO DARK THIRTY

Previously, we reported that THE HEIRESS' Jessica Chastain would be missing performances on Broadway on January 10th, 13th and 27th to support her film Zero Dark Thirty at the Critic's Choice, Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Now, one more date has been added to the list, Tuesday January 8th, when she will be honored by the National Board of Review. (more...)

4) Broadway Revival of PIPPIN Joins Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Just days after producers Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan announced that American Repertory Theater's 40th Anniversary production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus, is headed to Broadway in Spring of 2013, the musical has created official pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. (more...)

5) FREEZE FRAME: First Look at Scarlett Johansson and Benjamin Walker in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF!

Performances of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson as Maggie, Ciaran Hinds as Big Daddy, Benjamin Walker as Brick and Debra Monk as Big Mama, directed by Rob Ashford, began on December 18. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens January 17 and will play a limited engagement for 15 weeks only, through March 30, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the Johansson and Walker onstage in the photo below! (more...)

6) Asa Somers' SOMETHING AS BIG AS THIS Workshop Set for Seattle's Balagan Theatre, Jan 2013

Asa Somers' original rock musical, Something as Big as This, will receive a January 2013 developmental workshop at Seattle's award-winning Balagan Theatre, a follow up to the recent NYC workshop starring Brian d'Arcy James and Emma Hunton. There will be a public presentation of selected music and scenes at Balagan January 14th at 8pm. (more...)

7) BWW TV Exclusive: Backstage with Richard Ridge - SAG Conversations Series with DEAD ACCOUNTS' Judy Greer!

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an inaugural filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The kick-off event, a two hour career Conversations with Judy Greer moderated by Broadway World's own Richard Ridge was recently held at the NYIT Auditorium, and you can check out highlights from the discussion below! (more...)

8) Henry Krieger and Susan J. Vitucci's MusicAl Small FISH Gets Reading at Abingdon Today

Pop Up Playhouse, Abingdon Theatre's reading series for family audiences, continues in 2013 with SMALL FISH, a new puppet operetta, today, January 5, at 11 a.m. at Abingdon Theatre Company, 312 West 36th Street, 1st floor, between 8th and 9th Avenues. SMALL FISH features music by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls, The Tap Dance Kid); libretto and puppets by Susan J. Vitucci; direction by Jules Ochoa (How I Fell in Love); and musical direction by Ben Krauss. (more...)

9) David Hunter, Hal Fowler and Rebecca Trehearn Head Cast in Workshop of MY LAND'S SHORE in London, January 7 to 18

BWW reports on the upcoming workshop of new musical My Land's Shore at RADA with a West End cast. (more...)

10) Photo Flash: West End and Broadway Star Kerry Ellis Reveals London Palladium Poster

Yesterday, January 4, West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis Tweeted the poster for her upcoming show at the London Palladium in May 2013. Check it out below! (more...)

11) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 1/5 - SHOW BOAT

Today in 1946, the second Broadway revival of Showboat opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre, and ran for 418 performances. Show Boat is a musical in two acts with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally produced in New York in 1927 and in London in 1928, and was based on the 1926 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. The plot chronicles the lives of those living and working on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River show boat, from 1880 to 1927. The show's dominant themes include racial prejudice and tragic, enduring love. (more...)

12) BWW's On This Day - January 5, 2013

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on January 5 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events! (more...)

13) Elijah Alexander, Pamela J. Gray and More Star in Pasadena Playhouse's FALLEN ANGELS, 1/29-2/24

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast and creative team for Noel Coward's comedy classic FALLEN ANGELS. Directed by Art Manke, performances will begin January 29 through February 24, with an official press opening on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse. Single tickets are now on sale. (more...)

14) Photo Flash: First Look at John Ortiz and More in Steppenwolf's THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated production of The Motherf**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis began last month. Ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro directs following the Tony Award-nominated Broadway premiere, with an all-star ensemble cast featuring Sandra Delgado, Sandra Marquez, Gary Perez, John Ortiz and Jimmy Smits and members of the original design team: scenic designer Todd Rosenthal, lighting designer Donald Holder and composer Terence Blanchard. Get a first look at the actors onstage in the photos below! (more...)

15) Cirque du Soleil Brings KOOZA to London, Beginning Tonight at Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil will return to London with a new touring show KOOZA. The critically-acclaimed production runs from today, 5 January 2013 for a limited engagement at Royal Albert Hall, with a press night on Tuesday 8 January. (more...)

16) THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE Closes at West End's Duchess Theatre Today

Topping off an incredible year, The Boy With Tape On His Face (aka New Zealander Sam Wills) ends its debut West End theatre run at the Duchess Theatre starting today, 5th January 2013. (more...)

17) A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL Ends Run As Scheduled Today, January 5

Trevor Nunn's production of Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval starring Rob Brydon, Nigel Harman and Ashley Jensen will complete its run at the Harold Pinter Theatre today, 5 January 2013 as previously announced. A Chorus of Disapproval is set to have recouped by the end of its scheduled run. (more...)

18) BWW Reviews: Hartley Continues to Enthrall in MORINI STRAD Extension at the Colony

Watching two wonderful actors play out the conflicting rhythms of life to Holtzman's uplifting strains is a valued and most enjoyable experience. (more...)

19) GOD OF CARNAGE to Make Orange County Premiere at Maverick Theater, 1/11-2/10

From political correctness to character assassination, bad behavior has never been so good as it is in Yasmina Reza's 'God of Carnage,' winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play. Translated by Christopher Hampton, this production makes its Orange County Premiere at the Maverick Theater from January 11 - February 10, 2013. (more...)

20) Odyssey Theatre's THEATRE IN THE DARK Extends Through 2/9 as One Combined Show: BEYOND DARK

The Odyssey Theatre continues its unique two evening festival of short plays performed completely in the dark ("DARK" and "MORE DARK"), combining the best of both evenings into a single performance ("BEYOND DARK – the ‘Best of' Theatre in the Dark") for an additional 6 weeks, today, January 5 through February 9. With the audience and actors bathed in complete darkness, the imagination and senses are left to soar. (more...)