Tommy Tune News

Yesterday in the 2012 Tony Awards Clip Countdown - a look at the finest moments in theatre history as shown on the Tony Awards telecasts over the last sixty years - we focused on the 1982 Best Musical winner, NINE. While Tommy TuneÂ’s Fellini-inspired fever dream won the big prize, Michael BennettÂ’s innovative and visionary R&B pop opera DREAMGIRLS won many of the nightÂ’s most significant awards and has certainly firmly established itself as a firmament of the history of the modern musical in the intervening years. Among the prizes won by the DREAMGIRLS cast and creative team: Best Actress for Jennifer Holliday, as well as wins in the Featured Actor In A Musical category, Best Book for Tom Eyen and wins in the technical categories for the unprecedented, hi-tech design. (more...)

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 27, 2012 - Sunday, May 27, 2012. (more...)

Today we are continuing our 30-day Tony Awards countdown - ending, of course, on the 2012 Tony Awards, June 10 - with a salute to a Tony-winning Best Musical directed and choreographed by the one and only Tommy Tune and composed by Maury Yeston - NINE. Based on Federico Fellini’s 8 ½, NINE is a surrealistic concept musical that concerns itself with the mid-life crisis of a glamorous Italian film director and the many, many women in his life - his wife, his mother, his mistress, his muse, his agent and many, many more. (more...)

Today, as a sideline to this weekendÂ’s extensive, exhaustive and exclusive InDepth InterView Tony Awards Edition: Jeff Calhoun, we are shining a special spotlight on the career of Calhoun on the Great White Way thus far with an electrifying collection of clips beginning with his collaborations with master director/choreographer Tommy Tune on THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES - todayÂ’s 2012 Tony Awards Clip Countdown dedicatee - and BUSKER ALLEY, through to his directorial debut with GREASE and his subsequent work on ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, BELLS ARE RINGING, TABOO, GREY GARDENS, BIG RIVER, NINE-TO-FIVE and this yearÂ’s twofer of new musicals that he directed and choreographed, the recently-closed BONNIE & CLYDE and the still-running mega-hit NEWSIES. As a performer, Calhoun appeared in Tune productions like MY ONE AND ONLY and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS - as well as the montage film ARIA - but, unquestionably, he is most well-known and best-loved by Broadway babies for his visionary work on so many new and original musicals, as well as some stupendous revivals along the way, as well. Cowboys to call girls to Pink Ladies; Boy George to Huck Finn to Edie Beale - this collection has it all! (more...)

Today we continue our extensive consideration of the best Tony Awards clips of all time, culled from over sixty years worth of shows, as we look ahead to the 2012 ceremony on June 10 by saluting a true triple-threat times two whose Tony-winning Best Musical, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, provided fodder for yesterday's selection - actor/director/choreographer Tommy Tune. (more...)

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 DisneyÂ’s NEWSIES and his success dÂ’estime with Frank WildhornÂ’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 BroadwayÂ’s best! (more...)

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 DisneyÂ’s NEWSIES and his success dÂ’estime with Frank WildhornÂ’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 BroadwayÂ’s best! (more...)

Today we are tying together the 2012 Tony Awards Clip Countdown selection with BroadwayWorldÂ’s extensive and exclusive InDepth InterView Tony Awards Edition premiere entry spotlighting NEWSIES and BONNIE & CLYDE director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun by focusing on CalhounÂ’s first major choreographic contributions showcased on a Broadway stage, as seen in the 1991 Tony Award-winning Best Musical helmed by multi-Tony-winner Tommy Tune, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. (more...)

The annual party known as the Elliot Norton Awards was held at the Paramount Center, bringing the Boston theater community together to celebrate achievements of a lifetime, as well as of the past year. Individuals singled out for recognition included song-and-dance man extraordinaire Tommy Tune, Broadway producer Spring Sirkin, and Kate Snodgrass, Artistic Director of Boston PlaywrightsÂ’ Theatre and Co-Founder of the Boston Theater Marathon. (more...)

LOST IN LOVE- a new musical based on the hit songs of Air Supply, which held an industry-only reading in April, will play again at the Triad Theatre on June 5. Returning to the production, will be Andrea McArdle, Constantine Maroulis and Justin Matthew Sargent. (more...)

On June 10, 2012, The Actor's Fund will present its 16th Annual Tony Awards party at the Skirball Center, this year honoring Jason Alexander with the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement.. Scott Bakula will host the gala and this year's Honorary Celebrity Committee includes: Julie Bowen, Nancy Dussault, Dann Florek, Elliott Gould, Steve Guttenberg, Garry Marshall, Chita Rivera, Susan Sarandon, Holland Taylor and Zachary Quinto. The event includes cocktails and a silent auction followed by ainner and a live telecast of a live feed of the Tony Awards as they happen in New York. (more...)

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has announced major principal casting and creative team members for its 44th consecutive summer season, including Lorenzo Lamas, Anita Gillette, Rick Hilsabeck and Sarah Pfisterer. (more...)

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center) and The Philhallmonic Society present "Swingin' On A Star"--a musical celebration of the 1940s on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012, 2:30 p.m. at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center (entrance on 65th and Amsterdam Avenue). The concert is free with general seating. (more...)

TheatreZone opens Season 8 in December with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum. Broadway's great farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written -- the perfect escape from life's troubles. With Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom. (more...)

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) just announced the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, running June 5 – 17 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. It’s all big songs and big hair in this sassy, spirited musical about a real-life brothel in Texas. Based on the “Chicken Ranch”, the infamous, long-running house of ill repute, this tongue-in-cheek story chronicles Miss Mona Stangley, a classy yet brassy madam with a heart of gold, as her “business” becomes the center of a media controversy. Thrusting the Chicken Ranch into the spotlight is Melvin P. Thorpe, a loud-mouthed reporter based on Houston’s own late Marvin Zindler. Spicing up the story line is a hot-headed, trigger-happy town sheriff, the Texas A&M football team, and Miss Mona’s risqué girls. The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas will be a feisty, fun-filled treat that includes favorites such as “A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” and “Hard Candy Christmas”. (more...)

Peggy Herman released a brand new recording of “Herman on Herman,” her tribute to Broadway legend Jerry Herman, at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency, on Sunday May 6. The one-night-only concert featured many of the songs from the show’s premiere in May of last year, plus additional material that was added to the project in the intervening months. Check out photos from the concert below! (more...)

On her nights off from THE LYONS on Broadway, Linda Lavin - the Tony-nominated star of Nicky Silver's comedy - performs two concerts at the Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22 St.) in Manhattan: last night, May 6, and tonight, May 7, both at 9:30 p.m. View photos from last night's concert below - with visits from Tommy Tune, Diane Sawyer, Stockard Channing and more! (more...)

TheatreZone opens Season 8 in December with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum. Broadway's great farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written -- the perfect escape from life's troubles. With Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom. (more...)

Gretna Theatre celebrates its 85th Anniversary season at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse with a sparkling opening performance by the one and only Tommy Tune in “Steps in Time” featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings for a single performance Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 pm. The nine-time Tony Award winner will perform his Broadway biography in song and dance to celebrate 50 years on the Great White Way. (more...)

BELLS ARE RINGING, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WESTÂ’S REINER READING SERIES, will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (more...)