2) VIDEO: SNL's Broadway-Themed 'Charlie Brown Christmas,' Sketch from Last Night!

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE spoofed 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' last night, adding a little twist of their own to the holiday classic. Check out the Broadway-themed sketch below! (more...)

3) AUDIO: Jason Robert Brown Writes 'Twenty-Six Names' Tribute to Newtown Victims

Renowned musical theatre composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, '13', Honeymoon in Vegas) posted on his website a tribute to the 26 lost in Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. 'I will remember their names and I will sing them to a safer place,' he wrote. 'I'm sorry if I mispronounced anything.' Click below to listen. (more...)

4) FLASH SPECIAL: Top Ten EVITA Revival Replacements That Never Were

One of the most deliciously juicy parlor games employed by Broadway babies the world round is fantasy casting - the man who made a mint off of sports fans and fantasy football was not too far off, after all, even when it comes to theatre lovers - and one of the most delectable of musicals to discuss, debate, dissect and deliberate upon insofar as its rich casting possibilities, now and then (and always), is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's EVITA. With the news of producers announcing this week that the lucrative 2011 revival of the 1979 seven-time Tony Award-winning tuner would be closing at the end of January in lieu of replacing stars Elena Roger, Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, though they had previously announced forthcoming star replacements, the interest in what might have been reached a fever pitch. The New York Times reported Friday night that among the replacements considered for the role of fiery revolutionary Che - interpreted as more “an everyman” (their words) in this production as opposed to a Che Guevera homage like Hal Prince's original with Mandy Patinkin in the role (winning a well-earned Tony Award for his efforts; as did original Eva, Patti LuPone) - were no less than Broadway marquee name Raul Esparza and West End notable Ramin Karimloo, but also international pop star Enrique Iglesias, THE CAPEMAN on Broadway lead Marc Anthony and movie star/NINE revival headliner Antonio Banderas. Evidently, among the leading ladies considered or even outright offered for the role of Eva were GLEE star Lea Michele and LITTLE MERMAID and PHANTOM 25's Sierra Boggess, with the other candidates seemingly most likely for the role according to Broadway insiders to be former WICKED and GLEE superstar Idina Menzel (who purportedly turned down the West End revival upon which this Broadway edition was based), Tony Award-winning WEST SIDE STORY revival standout Karen Olivo (who is currently otherwise occupied with MURDER BALLAD) and AMERICAN IDOL winner and IN THE HEIGHTS replacement player Jordin Sparks (who appears to now be primarily concerned with her movie career). Whether or not any of these Ches or Evas would have ever actually materialized is anyone's guess, though the mere idea of many of these names in those roles certainly inspires some seriously enticing holiday day-dreaming, no? (more...)

5) Photo Flash: Saturday Intermission Pics, Dec 15, Part 2 - More Heartfelt Newtown Tributes and Christmas Cheer!

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our December 15th SIP round-up! Yesterday evening's photos featured more heartfelt Newtown wishes from the casts of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Weathervane Playhouse, ELF's Jason Testa and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's Jeremy Stolle, as well as pics from NEWSIES, THE GRINCH tour, BRING IT ON, THE LION KING, WHITE CHRISTMAS tour, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and a slew of regional productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, WHITE CHRISTMAS and more. (more...)

6) BWW TV Exclusive: Lin-Manuel Miranda Uncut Part 1- Talks BRING IT ON, IN THE HEIGHTS, DO NO HARM & More!

Broadway favorite Lin-Manuel Miranda is currently being represented on Broadway with Bring It On- for which he is the co-composer and lyricist. In this first part of a two part interview, Richard chats with Miranda about collaborating on the new musical, his new gig on 'Do No Harm,' bringing a Spanish twist to West Side Story, and so much more. Click below to watch PART 1 and check back later for PART 2! (more...)

7) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 12/16- Adam Guettel

Happy Birthday, Adam Guettel! Adam Guettel is an American composer-lyricist of musical theater and opera. He is best known for the musical “The Light in the Piazza,” for which he won two Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, and two Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Orchestrations. His early works include 1996's “Floyd Collins,” “Love's Fire,” and “Saturn Returns.” Guettel's songs have been recorded by such artists as Audra McDonald and Brian d'Arcy James. He also contributed original scores to several documentary films, including “Arguing the World and Jack: The Last Kennedy Film.” In 1999, he performed a concert evening of his own work at New York's Town Hall. (more...)

8) In The Spotlight Series: Anne Hathaway

As the Christmas premiere of Tom Hooper's LES MISERABLES motion-picture adaptation approaches, BroadwayWorld brings you images of the film's stars in our 'In The Spotlight' series by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride. Check out photos of Anne Hathaway below! (more...)

9) THE ANARCHIST, Starring Patti LuPone and Debra Winger, Closes on Broadway Today, December 16

The Anarchist, the new play written and directed by DAVID MAMET, which began previews at the newly refurbished Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, and opened on Sunday, December 2, 2012, will give its final performance today, Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 3:00pm. Upon closing, the production will have played 23 previews and 17 performances. (more...)

10) The Public Theater Closes GIANT Today

The Public Theater's acclaimed epic musical Giant closes today, December 16, after playing an additional two weeks. With book by Sybille Pearson, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, and directed by Michael Greif, Giant officially opened on Thursday, November 15 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, December 2. (more...)

11) BroadwayGirlNYC: Last-Minute BC/EFA Christmas Shopping

The holiday season totally snuck up on me this year. I'm writing this on December 11, just TWO WEEKS before Christmas (and already three nights into Hannukah), and I'm more than a little bit panicked!! Two weeks to do all of my shopping? EEK to say the least. Luckily I have the BC/EFA Catalogue of Giving, which offers hundreds of Broadway-themed gifts, my favorite of which I'll share with you below. Proceeds to the wonderful causes supported by Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, which this year includes help for victims of Hurricane Sandy and similar disasters. (more...)

12) Broadway Arts Factory Presents VERY PHANTOM CHRISTMAS Benefit Concert Tonight

For one night only cast members from Broadway's Phantom of the Opera will take you on a musical sleigh ride accompanied by a three piece band and joined by Broadway Arts Factory student chorus. From carols to holiday classics, this is one night that is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. All proceeds will benefit Broadway Arts Factory, a 501(c)(3) triple threat educational institution. (more...)

13) Brian Stokes Mitchell & Elaine Stritch Host Garth Drabinsky Film SHOW STOPPER Premiere Screening Tonight

Brian Stokes Mitchell and Elaine Stritch will host the premiere screening of Barry Arvich's 'Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky', an official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival 2012. The screening will take place tonight, December 16th, 2012. (more...)

14) Ethan Haberfield and More Set for A TIME TO SHINE Kidz/Teen Cabaret at Broadway Comedy Club Tonight

Tonight, December 16th, A Time To Shine Kidz/Teen Cabaret will be celebrating the Youth of Broadway on the Main Stage at The Broadway Comedy Club 318 West 53rd Street at 5:30PM. (more...)

15) BWW's On This Day - December 16, 2012

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on December 16 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events! (more...)

16) LES MISERABLES U.S. Tour Cast to Read Student-Written Plays at DC High School, 12/19

On December 19, 2012, at 10:20am, Ballou High School (3401 4thStreet SE) will host members of the LES MISERABLES U.S. tour cast. Students in the Young Playwrights' Theater (YPT) In-School Playwriting Program have spent twelve weeks writing original plays, and in their final playwriting workshop will have excerpts of their plays read by LES MISERABLES actors. (more...)

17) LaChanze and Ryan Silverman Join Frank Wildhorn for FRANK & FRIENDS at Birdland, 12/16 & 17

Broadway at Birdland has announced the continuation of the partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn with two holiday-themed “Frank & Friends” concerts. These evenings will celebrate the holiday songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in popular, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment. (more...)