James L. Nederlander News

For the first time in seven years, Robin Williams is set to return to the New York stage. Broadway will welcome Williams, who will perform his one man show, 'Weapons of Self-Destruction.' It was announced last week, that after a hugely successful, sold-out 80-city US tour, Williams will appear in a limited engagement at the Neil Simon Theater - on April 28th, 29th and May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2009. Now, Ticketmaster has announced the addition of 3 additional shows, on April 23rd, 24th and 25th for Williams at the Neil Simon Theatre.

For the first time in seven years, Robin Williams is set to return to the New York stage. Broadway will welcome Williams, who will perform his one man show, 'Weapons of Self-Destruction.' After a hugely successful, sold-out 80-city US tour, Williams will appear in a limited engagement at the Neil Simon Theater - on April 28th, 29th and May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2009.

David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre have announced that the upcoming Broadway musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, will play Broadway's Booth Theatre instead of the previously announced Longacre Theatre. Previews will still begin on Friday, March 27 and opening night remains Wednesday, April 15. The Booth Theatre is located at 222 West 45th street.

West Side Story returns to Broadway as it begins preview performances tonight, Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The box office for the upcoming Broadway production of Irena's Vow, the new play by Dan Gordon, starring four-time Tony nominee, and three-time Drama Desk Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh, and directed by Michael Parva, will open on Monday morning, February 23rd, 10:00 a.m., at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street, NYC).

WEST SIDE STORY returns to Broadway beginning performances Monday, February 23, 2009, in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The original Jerome Robbins choreography will be restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

The box office for the upcoming Broadway production of Irena's Vow, the new play by Dan Gordon, starring four-time Tony nominee, and three-time Drama Desk Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh, and directed by Michael Parva, will open on Monday morning, February 23rd, 10:00 a.m., at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street, NYC).

Producers David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre have announced that the original musical, Next to Normal, will come to Broadway this spring, direct from its critically-acclaimed engagement at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, beginning preview performances at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) on Friday, March 27th and officially opening on Wednesday, April 15.

West Side Story comes to glorious life on the stage of the Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009.

Each year, The Drama League's one-night-only gala concert at NYC's famed Rainbow Room boasts an incredible roster of Broadway's biggest and brightest stars, performing favorite songs from Broadway seasons past and present. The musical revue is the highlight of The Drama League's annual benefit gala at Rockefeller Center's breathtaking Rainbow Room.

Broadway producer James L. Nederlander says he's hopeful the 'Thriller' legal battle over the musical rights for the project can be resolved. In a statement today Thursday, January 29th, Nederlander expressed hope that the issue could be settled,'I'm confident that these past differences can be worked out.' Landis' lawyer said Wednesday the director will sue to stop the production if necessary.

Acclaimed Hollywood director John Landis, who co-wrote and shot the 1983 Michael Jackson Thriller music video, filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Jackson in Los Angeles Superior Court on January 21st, just days five days before James L. Nederlander announced he had bought the rights to adapt the video for the Broadway stage.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences thrilled to Cody Green's dynamic performance as 'Riff' in the production. Before Cody left Washington for New York, he spoke to DCTheatreScene.com. Cody Green was chosen as the winner in last years finale episode of BRAVO's 'Step It Up & Dance,' winning the $100,000 grand prize. The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander.

The Directors Company production of Irena's Vow, the new Broadway-bound play by Dan Gordon, starring four-time Tony nominee and three-time Drama Desk Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh, and directed by Michael Parva, has been invited to perform a special concert version of the acclaimed new play at the United Nations this afternoon, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a rare and prestigious invitation for a group of performers.

It was announced today that James L. Nederlander, President of the Nederlander Organization, has acquired the rights to produce a musical version of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.' Thriller The Musical will feature the music and lyrics of the King of Pop and include songs from the world's all-time best selling album, 'Thriller' and the 7? Multi-Platinum selling album, 'Off The Wall.' This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of 'Thriller' and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. for the official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung on January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. Master Photographer Walter McBride was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Presidential Inaugural Celebration, while there he swung by the West Side Story 'load out' to give you an example of what it takes to 'take the show on the road' to Broadway! The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

More than 50 years after it opened at the National Theatre, the new production West Side Story , under the direction of the legendary Arthur Laurents, returned to the National in preparation for its Broadway opening. DC audiences and critics alike embraced Karen Olivo's stunning portrayal of Anita. Before Karen Olivo left Washington for New York, she spoke to DCTheatreScene.com, click here to read the interview. Karen Olivo's many credits include In The Heights, Rent, Brooklyn, Hair- 40th Anniversary Concert (director Diane Paulus), Miracle Brothers (director Tina Landau). 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Conviction.' Film: Adrift in Manhattan, Sibling, Late In The Game, Two Lovers. Directed by multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, West Side Story features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who's Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair). The original Jerome Robbins choreography is being reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. official out of town performance period. West Side Story played a limited engagement at the National with the final 'Somewhere' being sung 'Tonight' (forgive us-but too easy) January 17th, 2009. The cast will next bring the classic story to life on the stage of The Palace Theatre on Febuary 23rd, the first scheduled preview performance. West Side Story's official Opening Night on Broadway is set for March 19th, 2009. The producers of West Side Story have assembled a dynamic cast for the new Broadway production. The cast of 37 stars Matt Cavenaugh (A Catered Affair, Grey Gardens) as 'Tony,' Karen Olivo (In the Heights) as 'Anita,' Cody Green (Movin' Out) as 'Riff' and George Akram (The Farrelly's Stuck on You) as 'Bernardo.' The role of 'Maria' will be played by Broadway newcomer Josefina Scaglione. The 21 year old actress comes directly, by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association, from Buenos Aires after an exhaustive international search for the role. She created the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Argentinean production of Hairspray and the title role in Cinderella. Miss Scaglione is a classically trained opera singer who has received critical acclaim appearing as a soloist in the nation's most prestigious concert halls.

West Side Story returned to where it all began for the show in 1957, the National Theatre in Washington, DC. last night for its official out of town opening night. West Side Story will play a limited engagement at the National through January 17th, 2009. BroadwayWorld made sure to capture the opening night curtain call for this iconic classic!