WAKE UP with BWW 8/12/2015 - THE WIZ Reunites in Central Park and More!
By: Jessica Khan Aug. 12, 2015
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Ease on down the road to Central Park for a WIZ reunion!
Next up in our series of stars introducing BWW's morning feature is Tony nominee Laura Osnes (portrait by Walter McBride), who will soon take the stage in THE BANDSTAND at Paper Mill and has appeared on Broadway in CINDERELLA, BONNIE AND CLYDE, ANYTHING GOES, SOUTH PACIFIC and GREASE!
Photo by Walter McBride
TODAY'S TOP ITEMS:
- Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & more of the original cast of THE WIZ will reunite in Central Park tonight!
- John Guare's revised HIS GIRL FRIDAY opens this evening at Barrington Stage...
- UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT star Tituss Burgess holds two NYC master classes this week!
- And be sure to set your DVR! Neil Patrick Harris visits JAMES CORDEN tonight on CBS.
NEWS YOU MISSED YESTERDAY:
- Laura Osnes, Corey Cott and Beth Leavel will star in the new musical THE BANDSTAND at Paper Mill!
- HERE LIES LOVE's David Byrne is working on a JOAN OF ARC musical...
- Rosie's Theatre Kids will honor Kristin Chenoweth at their 2015 Gala!
- Nathan Lane and Debra Messing will lead benefit readings of short plays by Wesley Taylor this fall.
- We got a first look (right) at photos and highlights from OKLAHOMA! at The Muny, footage from Serenbe's EVITA, and a peek at CYMBELINE's opening night bows at the Delacorte!
- Speaking of Lily Rabe, she's officially returning for AHS: HOTEL!
- Birdland is opening a 100-seat theater below its current location...
- Lily Tomlin, Neil LaBute, Matthew Broderick and more will appear at FSLC this summer.
- And legendary Broadway producer, manager & agent 'Biff' Liff has passed away at 96.
Broadway Weather Forecast: High of 85 degrees and mostly sunny - gorgeous day!
What we're looking forward to listening to: Jonathan Reid Gealt's WHATEVER I WANT IT TO BE, out in November, with a starry concert at Birdland to celebrate!
Audio of the Day: In honor of THE WIZ celebration in Central Park, listen to original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, perform "Home" on Broadway in 1975!
And a Happy Birthday shout-out to Dana Ivey, who turns 74 today!
Five-time Tony nominee and two-time Drama Desk winner Dana Ivey last starred on Broadway in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Before that, she appeared in BUTLEY, THE RIVALS, HENRY IV, A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG, THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, SEX AND LONGING, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, HEARTBREAK HOUSE, PRESENT LAUGHTER, MACBETH and more. Among her off-Broadway credits are THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, TARTUFFE, LI'L ABNER, LOVE LETTERS, DRIVING MISS DAISY, QUARTERMAINE'S TERMS and more. On the big screen she has starred in THE COLOR PURPLE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE HELP and other films.
Photo by Kevin Berne
See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!
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