Joan Marcus News

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years. (more...)

My first dose of musical theater was through my uncle’s old screechy phonograph recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s hippie, loud, angst-laden rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” (JCS). The classic stage hit, which was originally a concept album before evolving into a full-blown Broadway musical that follows the passion and death of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, had completed its three-year run on Broadway (1971-1973), and its first commercial movie release (1973) by the time I got to experience JCS’s electrifying, personally-impactful songs in the ‘80s though. So when the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Toronto, Canada announced late last year that its critically-acclaimed, deemed revolutionary production of JCS, directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, was coming to Broadway, I was delighted to hear the news; and more so when I learned that three Filipino-Canadian musical theater artists – brothers Julius and Jason Sermonia, and Laurin Padolina – are part of the show. (more...)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: GODSPELL sings Schwartz, Paper Mill preps ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, New Dramtists honor Bernadette, and so much more! (more...)

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, now playing at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), will close on Sunday, June 24 following 901 performances on Broadway and at New World Stages. (more...)

(more...)

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's production of MerEdith Wilson's The Music Man, helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, stars Kate Baldwin (Tony Award nominee for Broadway's Finian's Rainbow) as Marian the librarian, joined by Burke Moses (original Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast) as Harold Hill. The Music Man runs through July 22, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld brings you production shots of Burke Moses and Kate Baldwin in action below! (more...)

Masterworks Broadway will release the Encores! cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The album will be recorded in New York City this week, and will feature “A Little Girl From Little Rock,” “Bye Bye Baby,” and of course, the classic made famous by Marilyn Monroe, “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.” (more...)

The Public Theater's world premiere production of FEBRUARY HOUSE, with music and lyrics by Gabriel Kahane and book by Seth Bockley, is currently in previews at The Martinson Theater. Directed by Davis McCallum, FEBRUARY HOUSE runs through Sunday, June 10, with an official press opening tonight, Tuesday, May 22. BroadwayWorld brings you just released production shots below! (more...)

Signature Theatre began performances for MEDIEVAL PLAY, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, on May 15 in anticipation of a Thursday, June 7 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at the Company's new Frank Gehry-designed home, The Pershing Square Signature Center. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the production below! (more...)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: SONS OF THE PROPHET wins big at DCC Awards, Town Hall celebrates 1975, THE NORMAL HEART cast preps for tour, and so much more! (more...)

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years. (more...)

The new off-Broadway show OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will begin performances on Tuesday May 1 and open on May 20 at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you production shots below! (more...)

Signature Theatre presents the US premiere of TITLE AND DEED, a new play by Will Eno and directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett. The production, starring Conor Lovett, will run May 8 – June 17, 2012 with a May 20 opening night in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Company’s new home The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). The production is presented in association with Gare St Lazare Players Ireland. Tickets for these additional performances will be $25, as part of the groundbreaking Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access. BroadwayWorld brings you production shots below! (more...)

Universal Pictures Stage Productions/Glenn Ross, Beacon Communications/Armyan Bernstein and Charlie Lyons and Executive Producers Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson announced today that the new musical comedy Bring It On: The Musical will open on Broadway on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at The St. James Theatre (246 W. 44th Street) direct from a 13-city National Tour, for a 12-week limited engagement through Sunday, October 7, 2012. Previews are set to begin Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 8pm. (more...)

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years. (more...)

(more...)

LEAP OF FAITH plays its final performance today, May 13, at BroadwayÂ’s St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) after the matinee performance. BroadwayÂ’s LEAP OF FAITH opened on Thursday April 26 and will have played 24 previews and 20 regular performances. Take a look back through photos of Raul Esparza and the company on stage, the show's opening night curtain calls and party, its Gypsy Robe Ceremony with Dennis Stowe and more below! (more...)

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer! (more...)

The American premiere of The Royal Court TheatreÂ’s Olivier Award-winning new production, COCK starring Jason Butler Harner as M, Amanda Quaid as W, Cory Michael Smith as John and Cotter Smith as F, is currently in previews Off-Broadway at The Duke and opens May 17. See photos of the cast on stage below! (more...)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: FOLLIES travels to LA, Sumissions Only wraps Season 2, Drama Desk Nominees celebrate, and so much more! (more...)