Michael Mandell News

Today's top stories: Watch original cast members and creatives of A Chorus Line reunite on Backstage LIVE, and more!

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actor Michael Mandell has died. His cause of death has not been confirmed.

John Wulp and Perry Street Theatricals will present an invite-only industry presentation of THE SAINTLINESS OF MARGERY KEMPE written by John Wulp, directed by Austin Pendleton on October 20th at 3 pm.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, presents the BSC Musical Theatre Lab new workshop production of two-time Tony winner William Finn's acclaimed Romance in Hard Times, featuring a new book by Finn's Spelling Bee collaborator, Tony winner Rachel Sheinkin. Check out a first look at the production below!

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, presents the BSC Musical Theatre Lab new workshop production of two-time Tony winner William Finn's acclaimed Romance in Hard Times, featuring a new book by Finn's Spelling Bee collaborator, Tony winner Rachel Sheinkin.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, presents the BSC Musical Theatre Lab new workshop production of two-time Tony winner William Finn's acclaimed Romance in Hard Times, featuring a new book by Finn's Spelling Bee collaborator, Tony winner Rachel Sheinkin.

MCC THEATER as announced the preliminary lineup of performers for the annual Miscast 2014 gala, which will feature one-night-only performances from stars of stage and screen including Zosia Mamet, Christian Borle, Anika Noni Rose, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steven Pasquale, Jesse L. Martin, Sasha Allen, Keala Settle, and Nicole Parker. Phil Reno will serve as Musical Director. Additional performers will be announced at a later date. Miscast 2014 will be held Monday, March 31, 2014 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street). The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and gala dinner followed by the Miscast performances. Show-only tickets are now on sale at www.mcctheater.org.

ELF's most recent Broadway engagement closed at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on January 6, 2013, and according to an Equity casting notice, the show will be back for this holiday season. NETworks Presentations will launch a national tour on November 5. Venues have not yet been announced, but the production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

ELF, based upon the hit movie starring Will Ferrell, returned to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on November 9, 2012. The seasonal production wraps up its 9-week limited engagement today, January 6. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through the show's joyous journey to Broadway with photos, videos, and more.

Before the holidays, Broadway's ELF THE MUSICAL made one lucky winner's holiday wish come true with a walk-on role in the musical. Last night, the contest winner, Melissa Marengo, joined Buddy the Elf and the rest of the cast, including two-time Tony winner Beth Leavel and Wayne Knight of Seinfeld, on stage during the Macy's Santa Scene. Check out photos of Melissa prepping for her Broadway debut below!

Broadway's Elf The Musical and Chaplin share an upcoming closing date-January 6, 2013-and Elf's Jason Eric Testa made a special little video to commiserate. Click below to watch!

'Extra's' AJ Calloway was backstage with Michael Strahan for his Broadway debut in ELF. Michael has two roles in the show - he plays a cop and a bell-ringing Santa. Despite playing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans during his football career, Strahan told AJ that he had some pre-performance jitters before going out in front of the 1,200 person audience. Watch the interview below!

On today's "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," the show kicked off "LIVE's" "Holidays in New York Week," which features a full slate of segments showcasing the best that the Big Apple has to offer during the holiday season. Hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced today that a highlight of the week will be co-host Michael Strahan making his Broadway debut in the Christmas-themed favorite "ELF."

On today's "LIVE with Kelly and Michael," the show kicked off "LIVE's" "Holidays in New York Week," which features a full slate of segments showcasing the best that the Big Apple has to offer during the holiday season. Hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan announced today that a highlight of the week will be co-host Michael Strahan making his Broadway debut in the Christmas-themed favorite "ELF."

ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. Magnolia Bakery just created an ELF cupcake and BroadwayWorld was there with the cast for the big reveal. Check out photo coverage below!

In this week's edition, we caught up with Jordan Gelber, who is starring as 'Buddy' in ELF- currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

America's favorite holiday tradition, the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, returned to dazzle and enchant millions nationwide today, Thursday, November 22. The festivities were featured both on NBC and CBS, each providing performances from different Broadway companies. Check out a performance from the cast of ELF THE MUSICAL singing 'The Story of Buddy The Elf'!

ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow was there for opening night anad we bring you footage from the first curtain call below!

The company of Elf just celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual with the company's recipient Timothy J. Alex. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you full photo coverage below!

Check out the recently released commercial for the show below and meet the cast with videos of them from past productions and roles!