Hottest Articles on BWW from Thursday, Dec. 20

1) X FACTOR RECAP: And the Winner Is...

The X Factor season has come to a close - and crowned the second winner of a $5 million recording contract! Was it girl group Fifth Harmony, teen talent Carly Rose Sonenclar or country crooner Tate Stevens? Read on to find out! (more...)

2) Photo Flash: First Look at Nic Rouleau, Syesha Mercado & Ben Platt in BOOK OF MORMON in Chicago!

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, just launched its Second National Tour in Chicago at the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe), featuring Nic Rouleau as Elder Price, Syesha Mercado as Nabulungi & Ben Platt as Elder Cunningham. Check out just-released production shots below! (more...)

3) NEWSIES Recoups on Broadway

Disney Theatrical Productions announced today that the Broadway production of Newsies has recouped its investment in just over nine months -- the fastest a Disney production has ever turned a profit. (more...)

4) VIDEO: Carly Rose Watch: Sonenclar Duets with LeAnn Rimes & More on X FACTOR Finale

On last night's part one of THE X FACTOR season finale, Carly Rose Sonenclar pulled out all the stops to prove she has what it takes to land the $5 million record deal. The 13-year-old gave three performances: a second, more polished version of Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good,' a celeb-duet with LeAnn Rimes to 'How Do I Live,' and finally, Leona Lewis' version of Leonard Cohen's classic 'Hallelujah.' (more...)

5) STAGE TUBE: LES MISERABLES' Colm Wilkinson on Taking on the Bishop, Working with Hugh Jackman, and More!

In the clip below, original Valjean, Colm Wilkinson, chats about taking on the role of the Bishop, working with Hugh Jackman, and more! (more...)

6) Public Theater Teases First 2013 Shakespeare in the Park Show!

A recent newletter for The Public Theater teases the first show of the 2013 Shakespeare in the Park season, which will be: 'a delicious comedy that will feature a beloved Public Theater Park alum in one of the lead roles.' (more...)

7) BWW Blog: Robert Marks - What Makes a Good Audition Song?

Wouldn't it be nice if there was one song out there that would always get you a callback? (more...)

8) Photo Coverage: Blythe Danner Returns To Broadway in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

Emmy and Tony Award winner Blythe Danner has joined the cast of Nice Work If You Can Get It for 12 weeks only beginning today, December 18th and continuing through March 10th. Ms. Danner assumes the role of Millicent Winter, the mother of Matthew Broderick's character Jimmy Winter. The role was originated on Broadway by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons, who played her final performance on Sunday, December 16. Check out photos of Danner in action below! (more...)

9) SOUND OFF World Premiere Exclusive: Susan Egan Sings Ahrens & Flaherty's 'Christmas Cliches' From A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS

Today we are kicking off the first of two world exclusive song premieres from the brand new holiday music collection A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS with original BEAUTY & THE BEAST star Susan Egan's hilarious and endearing take on a particularly theatrical holiday tune coming from the pens of RAGTIME composer/lyricist combination of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, "Christmas Cliches". (more...)

10) Photo Flash: First Look at PICNIC in Performance - Sebastian Stan, Maggie Grace and More!

William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Picnic returns to Broadway in a striking new production helmed by acclaimed director Sam Gold (Roundabout's Look Back in Anger, Seminar). Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn stars alongside theatre veterans Reed Birney (The Dream of the Burning Boy) and Elizabeth Marvel (Other Desert Cities), rising stars Maggie Grace ('Lost') and Sebastian Stan ('Gossip Girl'), Emmy Award winner Mare Winningham (recently seen in Tribes), Madeleine Martin (August: Osage County) and Ben Rappaport (Hope Springs). Get a first look at the production photos below! (more...)

11) BREAKING: Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams, Condola Rashad Join Cast of THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL

Academy Award winner CUBA GOODING, JR, (Jerry Maguire, Red Tails), Emmy Award nominee and recording star Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives), and Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (Lifetime's Steel Magnolias, Broadway's Stick Fly) will star along with the previously announced Cicely Tyson in the upcoming Broadway revival of Horton Foote'S beloved classic, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, directed by Michael Wilson. Produced by Nelle Nugent and Kenneth Teaton, this 14-week limited engagement will begin previews on Easter Sunday, March 31st at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St). Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23rd. For ticket information please visit www.TheTripToBountifulBroadway.com. (more...)

12) Photo Flash: Kansas City and Tour Productions Reunite with Broadway's A CHRISTMAS STORY - Exclusive Shots!

This past month, some of the kids from prior productions of A Christmas Story, The Musical (Kansas City world premiere and 1st National Tour) reunited with the current Broadway members. Check out the shots below of their reunion! (more...)

13) Kate Rockwell & Teresa Stanley to Join Cast of ROCK OF AGES, 1/21

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have just announced that Kate Rockwell (Bring It On: The Musical, Legally Blonde), will ‘Bring It' to Broadway's Bourbon Room, taking on the leading role of Sherrie – the "small town girl" who "took the midnight train goin' anywhere" – on Monday, January 21, 2013. That same day, Teresa Stanley (The Color Purple, Rock of Ages First National Tour) will take over the role of Justice, owner of the Sunset Strip's Venus Club. (more...)

14) STAGE TUBE: THE REAL KIDS of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL - Episode 2!

REAL HOUSEWIVES have some competition in THE REAL KIDS OF A CHRISTMAS STORY! Written and directed by Jake Wilson, episode two features the kids behind A CHRISTMAS STORY: John Babbo, Zac Ballard, Grace Capeless, Zoe Considine, George Franklin, Jack Mastrianni, Sarah Min-Kyuang Park, Johnny Rabe, J.D. Rodrieguez, Analise Scarpaci, Jeremy Shinder, Luke Spring, Joe West, and Erin Dilly. (more...)

15) BEYOND THE BARRICADE: Director Tom Hooper Talks Choosing His LES MIS Cast, Deciding on Live Singing, and More!

Hooper recently chatted with the press about bringing the classic musical to the big screen, and you can check out his full interview below: (more...)

16) Judd Apatow Working on Broadway Play?

GQ.com reports in an interview with famed movie producer and screenwriter, Judd Apatow that has his first play in the works, which may head to Broadway in the future. Judd spoke of his greatest idea yet, which might be funny, but 'might stop being funny.' (more...)

17) Countdown to Christmas 2012 (Broadway Style)- Day 5

It's December at last, and BroadwayWorld is celebrating the season with a special countdown which will include our favorite holiday-themed Broadway performances. Composed of Christmas songs from the very best performers of the Great White Way, this feature will get you into the holiday spirit just in time for December 25th . Don't forget to check back daily to find out what made the list! Featured today is past SPRING AWAKENING co-stars Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff singing 'I'll be Home for Christmas' at at Joe's Pub Benefit in 2008 Click below to check it out! (more...)

18) FREEZE FRAME: A CHRISTMAS STORY Cast Rings NASDAQ Opening Bell

A Christmas Story, The Musical arrives on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. Based on the 1983 movie perennial, the musical plays an eight-week limited engagement through December 30. Tickets are now on sale at www.AChristmasStoryTheMuscial.com or www.TicketMaster.com.The cast rang the NASDAQ Opening Bell today, and you can check out a photo preview from the festivities below! (more...)

19) Exclusive Photo Coverage: A CHRISTMAS STORY Cast Visits NASDAQ Times Square

A Christmas Story, The Musical arrives on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. Based on the 1983 movie perennial, the musical plays an eight-week limited engagement through December 30. Tickets are now on sale at www.AChristmasStoryTheMuscial.com or www.TicketMaster.com.The cast rang the NASDAQ Opening Bell today, and you can check out full photo coverage from the festivities below! (more...)

20) STAGE TUBE: Chrysler Partners With MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL for New Ad

The Chrysler brand is continuing to build upon the heart, soul and the passion of Detroit with a new 60-second commercial titled "Who We Are". The commercial showcases the new 2013 Chrysler 300 Motown Edition and features legendary Motown founder and Detroit native Berry Gordy, taking you through his journey from humble beginnings in Detroit to the bright lights of New York's Times Square and home of the new Broadway Musical, MOTOWN: The Musical. "Who We Are" will make a broadcast debut on Thursday, Dec. 20. (more...)