Matt Berman News

So, as we say in show business, 'That's a Wrap!' The dizzying creative and emotional 'hangover' of what transpired in Broken Arrow and Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week, is still lingering... whether it's the students or the faculty. We have all been in constant communication, continuing to be in awe of what actually happened to ALL of us, between June 11 to 17. The work week was intense, long, and difficult, but the rewards and what we all got back, did more than make up for it.

I just returned from Kristin Chenoweth's Broadway Bootcamp, my first. How did this happen? Well, it all happened in Kristin's Dressing Room, at the Lunt-Fontanne, when we were doing MY LOVE LETTER TO BROADWAY. Her 'bootcamp' for young, aspiring performers had already had two seasons and she was looking to really 'change it up.' The rest is history, as they say, and 'I' can say, in all honesty, that it was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had and those 43 kids and a handful of young interns, are in our hearts... forever.

Last night all eyes were on New York City and the 71st TONY Awards, but in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma at the Kristin Chenoweth Theater at Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center the hometown girl hosted a TONY viewing party to launch her Broadway Bootcamp this week. In attendance were 45 students who will participate in a series of classes and performance led by industry professionals who flew in and are arriving for the week's activities. They include, fresh from her Isabelle Stevenson Award win, Broadway's Baayork Lee, Tony winner, Faith Prince, Tony nominees, John Tartaglia and Lara Teeter, director, Richard Jay-Alexander, music directors, Michael Orland and Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Broadway photographer, Bruce Glikas, and even Craig Burns from Telsey Casting who will be participating via satellite. 

In its third year, Kristin Chenoweth's Broadway Bootcamp is bringing energetic and exciting changes, starting with the namesake Emmy and Tony winner bringing a lot of her friends from across the country to help mold 45 young Broadway hopefuls during her camp June 12-16.

Jennifer Diamond made her Joe's Pub solo debut on March 27th to a packed house. After selling out at FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, with her debut act, IT MY FIRST TIME: PLEASE BE GENTLE, she's brought it to the LES's music hot-spot with IT'S MY FIRST TIME: DOWNTOWN EDITION. Both were directed by longtime pal Richard Jay-Alexander.

Karen Mason - the acclaimed Broadway star and concert artist - will celebrate her new album It's About Time from Zevely Records with a special concert at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street in New York) on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 PM.

Spike TV has shared a first look at the new documentary I AM JFK JR., premiering on Monday, August 1 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Spike TV.

It was quite a reunion last evening at BROADWAY AND THE BARD when 'Mrs. Lovett,' Angela Lansbury, greeted 'Sweeney Todd,' Len Cariou backstage after the show. Check out the photos below!

'Broadway and the Bard' is playing through Sunday at the Lion Theatre. TOM SELLECK was a surprise audience member who came to see his fellow 'Blue Bloods' castmate Len Cariou perform, marking the first visit he'd made to a theatre since Blue Bloods began. Check out the photos below!

Last night, BROADWAY AND THE BARD, starring Len Cariou, welcomed some high-profile guests, including Andre De Shields, Greg Jbara, Catherine Byers and James Murtaugh. BROADWAY AND THE BARD is playing through March 6 at The Lion Theatre off-Broadway. Scroll down for photos of the visitors backstage!

Legendary singer and actress PETULA CLARK ('Downtown') attended last evening's (Friday) performance of BROADWAY AND THE BARD starring LEN CARIOU and had a chance to visit with him following the performance. Check out photos below!

The Broadway legend and the legend-mimicking star duet a little Cole Porter.

Tony Award-winning performer ALAN CUMMING made his headlining debut at Carnegie Hall last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The show Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs featured guest stars Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss and Ricki Lake, in addition to a special performance by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.

Amas Musical Theatre in association with Alan Siegel Entertainment presents Tony Award-winning actor Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Applause, Teddy & Alice,) in the World Premiere of BROADWAY AND THE BARD, an evening of Shakespeare & song, conceived by Mr. Cariou, Barry Kleinbort and Mark Janas.

Amas Musical Theatre in association with Alan Siegel Entertainment presents Tony Award-winning actor Len Cariou(Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Applause, Teddy & Alice) in the World Premiere of BROADWAY AND THE BARD, an evening of Shakespeare & song, conceived by Mr. Cariou, Barry Kleinbort and Mark Janas. Check out a first look below!

Amas Musical Theatre in association with Alan Siegel Entertainment presents Tony Award-winning actor Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Applause, Teddy & Alice) in the World Premiere of BROADWAY AND THE BARD, an evening of Shakespeare & song, conceived by Mr. Cariou, Barry Kleinbort and Mark Janas. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at Cariou and company in rehearsal below!

Amas Musical Theatre in association with Alan Siegel Entertainment presents Tony Award-winning actor Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Applause, Teddy & Alice) in the World Premiere of BROADWAY AND THE BARD, an evening of Shakespeare & song, conceived by Mr. Cariou, Barry Kleinbort and Mark Janas. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at Cariou and company in rehearsal below!

Amas Musical Theatre in association with Alan Siegel Entertainment presents Tony®Award-winning actor Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Applause, Teddy & Alice,) in the World Premiere of Broadway and the Bard, an evening of Shakespeare & song, conceived by Mr. Cariou, Barry Kleinbort and Mark Janas.

Just last night, Feinstein's/54 Below presented the debut of Jennifer Diamond, currently co-starring in the smash hit musical RUTHLESS!. Jennifer's new show IT'S MY FIRST TIME (PLEASE BE GENTLE) was directed by Broadway veteran Richard Jay-Alexander. The two first worked together on LES MISERABLES and a number of benefits and Jay-Alexander found her uniquely talented and versatile enough to put a special spin on a debut act for her, recounting her arrival in the business, her story as an up-and-coming actress and all the good (and bad) that goes with it.

National Asian Artists Project celebrated its 5th Anniversary of 'showcasing the work of Asian-American theatre artists through performance, outreach and educational programming' just last week at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (56 LaGuardia Place) with PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE, a one-night-only Gala Benefit evening featuring a line-up of show-stopping wall-to-wall musical numbers from Broadway shows, highlights from past NAAP productions and current material, as well as what Baayork Lee hopes to stage in the future. BroadwayWorld is taking you inside the after party below!