Billy Porter News

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney’s NEWSIES and his success d’estime with Frank Wildhorn’s BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway’s best! (more...)

The Flea Theater presents an encore production of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney. Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (a 2012 Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director -- in his professional directing debut in NYC), the production stars 38 members of The Bats. Performances run June 6 - July 1 at The Flea (41 White Street between Church and Broadway in Tribeca). (more...)

POP!, a new musical by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs, directed by Brad Rouse and choreographed by Billy Porter is currently playing until May 19 at the City Theater Mainstage, 1300 Bingham St, Pittsburgh, PA. Check out this behind the scenes video featuring an interview with star Anthony Rapp who plays Andy Warhol plus and idea of what to expect from the music and dancing. (more...)

Due to popular demand, The Flea Theater will bring back THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES this summer. This theatrical adaptation of Sophocles’ seven surviving plays (Oedipus, In Trachis, Philoktetes, In Colonus, Ajax, Elektra and Antigone) will return for a limited engagement June 6 through July 1. (more...)

New York Stage and Film (Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director; Thomas Pearson, Executive Director, Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang, Producing Directors) and Vassar College (Ed Cheetham, Producing Director) have announced the line-up of their 2012 Powerhouse Theater season. The full season is as follows: (more...)

New York Stage and Film and Vassar College have announced the line-up of their 2012 Powerhouse Theater season. Season highlights will include: (more...)

Matt Zarley began his career at 12 years old, dancing with Tony The Tiger in a Kellogg's "Frosted Flakes" commercial. Subsequently, his path took him to Broadway many times. He made his Broadway debut, while still a teen, in A CHORUS LINE. He's also been featured in CATS, CHICAGO, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, and played the title roles in both JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and THE WHO'S TOMMY. (more...)

City Theatre will end its 2011-2012 season with POP!, a new musical in one act by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs. Directed by Brad Rouse, POP! runs on City Theatre’s Main Stage from May 5-27, 2012 with an Opening Night performance on Friday, May 11 at 8pm. (more...)

Pittsburgh's City Theatre will present POP!- a rock musical about Andy Warhol. This brand new show will star Anthony Rapp (Rent, Dazed and Confused) as Andy Warhol and will be directed by Brad Rouse (Hedwig at City Theatre) and choreographed by Billy Porter (Broadway star and international recording artist). The show will be performed at City Theatre May 5-27, 2012. (more...)

Tigerlily Media and Freestyle Picture Company began test shooting this week for a hopeful new reality show that will go behind the scenes of The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF), America's premier performing arts training program. Each year BDF provides training to thousands of young performers all around the country through a series of intensive programs lead by a faculty of Broadway stars, directors, casting directors and agents. (more...)

Tigerlily Media and Freestyle Picture Company will begin test shooting this week for a new reality show that will go behind the scenes of The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF), America’s premier performing arts training program. Each year BDF provides invaluable training to thousands of young performers all around the country through a series of intensive programs lead by a faculty of Broadway’s biggest stars, directors, casting directors and agents. (more...)

The Flea Theater today announced a second extension of the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)

The Flea Theater has announced an extension of the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)

From Nick Jonas and Michael Urie to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza, Barbra Streisand to Alan Menken, Bernadette Peters to Susan Boyle, Colin Quinn to GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2012 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever! (more...)

The Flea Theater today announced a second extension of the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)

BroadwayWorld previously reported that the musical version of KINKY BOOTS, which had a New York reading back in October, is aiming to open on Broadway next season. Producer Daryl Roth revealed in a newsletter that the production would include the talents of Broadway veterans Stark Sands and Billy Porter. The musical features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Tony-winner Jerry Mtchell will both direct and choreograph the production. According to the Chicago Tribune, the production might make a stop in Chicago before landing on Broadway. A spokesperson for Broadway in Chicago revealed that the show is looking into playing the Windy City for its out-of-town tryout, before opening on Broadway in the 2012-13 season. (more...)

The Flea Theater is set to present the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)

The Flea Theater has announced an extension of the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)

Here’s your chance to be one of the stars of POP!, City Theatre’s rock musical about Andy Warhol! This brand new show will star Anthony Rapp(Rent, Dazed and Confused) as Andy Warhol and will be directed by Brad Rouse (Hedwig at City Theatre) and choreographed by Billy Porter (Broadway star and international recording artist). Audition for a chance to star as one of the members of Andy’s Factory in this hit new musical to be performed at City Theatre May 5-27, 2012. (more...)

The Flea Theater is set to present the New York Premiere of THESE SEVEN SICKNESSES, a 5-hour marathon of all seven of Sophocles’ plays re-envisioned by playwright Sean Graney, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, and starring The Bats. (more...)