Hottest Articles on BWW 1/29/2013 - 2/5/2013

As BroadwayWorld.com reported back in October exclusively, Meryl Streep will play the witch in the INTO THE WOODS film. In a new interview with the Litchfield County Times with arranger David Krane confirms, telling the paper that: ... (more...)

Today we are talking to a phenomenally talented performer who has starred in a string of contemporary musicals, ranging from replacement gigs in the Broadway productions of Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA and Stephen Schwartz's WICKED to creating lead roles in Jim Steinman's DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS, in addition to her memorable contributions to the Laura Nyro revue, ELI'S COMIN', Off-Broadway - the one and only Mandy Gonzalez. Discussing her time spent in many of the aforementioned shows as well as her experiences inhabiting the wildly different characters within each, Gonzalez shares her infectious enthusiasm for performance and her appreciation for having participated in such landmark shows. Most importantly, Gonzalez shares stories from the heated rehearsal rooms backstage at the 24-Hour Musicals celebration and what participating in the event that would form the basis for ONE NIGHT STAND, a documentary film being released in select cities this Wednesday, January 30. Additionally, Gonzalez reflects on her new role as a mom, as well as roles she would enjoy pursuing in the future, onstage and off, as well as her own favorite shows and scores. All of that and much, much more! (more...)

The show now features Hugh Panaro, Sierra Boggess, and Kyle Barisich as the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul respectively and you can check out highlights of the cast in action below! (more...)

Today we are highlighting a riveting documentary tracing the creation of a handful of original musicals, from collaborators meeting for the first time through to conception, creation, execution and actual onstage enacting before a live, paying audience, featuring a seriously talented assortment of Broadway and Hollywood stars. From behind-the-scenes creatives involved - like A CHRISTMAS STORY composers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul as well as recent InDepth InterView participant Lance Horne - to Broadway and West End onstage talent such as Cheyenne Jackson, Mandy Gonzalez, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Roger Bart, Richard Kind, Rachel Dratch, Summer Strallen, Tamara Tunie, Michael Longoria and many more, ONE NIGHT STAND offers a rare glimpse into a world many of may be fascinated or intrigued by, but which little light has ever been shone - that is, until now. Tracing the creation of four musicals from the ground up over such a short, intense period of time, especially with all of the accompanying exhilaration, exhaustion and excitement generated by and experienced by those involved once the shows are up on their feat mere hours later - whether they are really ready to be or not - is a uniquely compelling conceit upon which to center a film and ONE NIGHT STAND is a truly tremendous accomplishment. We are taken right inside the mind of the music makers, into the hearts of the stories and characters and into the minds of the actors playing the roles as they all strive to make magic happen under deadline, which is certainly no easy feat in any field, let alone perhaps the most difficult to craft of all the creative arts, musical theatre. ONE NIGHT STAND stands on its own as a thoroughly engaging and ultimately richly rewarding viewing experience for fans of theatre, as well as anyone interested in watching unbelievably talented craftsman create instant art before our very eyes, while the triple-threat talents employed to enact and act it do so almost effortlessly. (more...)

The Outside the Box season finale finds Adrian Zmed (Children of Eden, Grease 2, Grease on Broadway, T.J. Hooker) asked to do a new musical. What's the new musical? Will he accept the role? Tune in and find out. The episode also features Lisa Livesay, Clent Bowers, Addison Chandler, Sarah Staitman and Marshall Harvey. (more...)

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is set to lend her voice to the Sandy Hook Student Chorus this Sunday at the Super Bowl, it was announced today. (more...)

Music mogel L.A. Reid shared his thoughts on Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show performance, joined by singer Jennifer Hudson who discussed her emotional performance of 'America the Beautiful' before the game, accompanied by twenty-six children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School. (more...)

In the video below, funny lady and Broadway veteran Nicole Parker parodies the big screen adaptation of LES MIS with director Tom Hooper's 'next movie musical' LES SOUND- a new adaptation of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Starring in this film are Diane Keaton, Emma Stone, Leslie Mann, Ellen Degeneres and more. (more...)

'Ben Sprecher is now suing the innocent whistleblower with an impeccable reputation on Broadway who anonymously warned an innocent investor not to sink $2 million into the sinking ship that was Rebecca after he learned that the entire Paul Abrams saga was indeed a fraud. (more...)

The cast of Broadway's THE HEIRESS was increased by one at this past Saturday's matinee performance. Deep into the drama's second act, at perhaps the most climactic point of the show, an adorable three legged dog unexpectedly pranced onto the stage. (more...)

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up. Today's photos feature the cast of NEWSIES proposing their own take on HBO's 'Girls', Max von Essen's return in rehearsals for GAY BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE WIZARD OF OZ's Dorothy Danielle Wade lifting weights at intermission, plus a 'Munchkin Burlesque', the leads of MARY POPPINS doing 'A Whole New World', a toasty Captain Hook from the PETER PAN tour, plus photos from NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, JERSEY BOYS, MAMMA MIA!, Forbidden Broadway, THE LION KING, PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, HAIR, our friends from the Netherlands, and more! (more...)

NBC's 'TODAY' welcomed the legendary Liza Minnelli and the cast of the landmark film Cabaret on this morning's show. 'They sent us to Germany to make this extraordinary film,' explained the Academy Award winning actress. 'And I could hear people whispering, 'How are we going to advertise it? The Nifty, Nazi Follies?' Check out the cast reunion below! (more...)

Producers Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan have announced casting for Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus. PIPPIN will begin preview performances on Broadway Saturday, March 23, 2013 and officially open Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre. Tickets are available through www.telecharge.com/pippin, by calling 212-239-6200, and in person beginning Saturday, March 2nd at the Music Box Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street). (more...)

Bravo shines the spotlight on multi-talented star, and 2013 Oscar nominee, Hugh Jackman, as he returns to the 'Inside The Actors Studio' stage for a second time, premiering Wednesday, February 13 at 8PM ET/PT. Check out the sneak peek below! (more...)

Magic Mike film star Channing Tatum told Access Hollywood, 'We are doing the Broadway version [of Magic Mike],' but that he will likely not be taking part in the stage production. 'I don't think anybody wants to see me sing. Give me some time to work on it and then maybe.' (more...)

Tony Winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga ('Miss Saigon,' 'Les Miserables') opened this year's Lincoln Center presents 'American Songbook' concert series, a 15-year-old annual tribute to great American songwriters, past and present, to sold-out crowd at The Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center last night. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the concert below! (more...)

According to SXSW's 2013 website, the documentary film BROADWAY IDIOT, which follows the musical AMERICAN IDIOT's journey to Broadway, will have its World Premiere at this year's film festival. (more...)

Today we are talking to a tremendously successful recording artist and performer who has won the hearts of millions with his five best-selling studio albums and chart-topping songs, as well as with his copious concert appearances and theatrical endeavors - the charming and immensely gifted Josh Groban. Analyzing all aspects of this evening's Fathom live concert event - available to view in select cities nationwide at 7:30 PM - Groban and I shine a light on what we can expect from the unprecedented concert showcase (including a live Q&A) as well as what songs culled from his vast oeuvre we can anticipate enjoying. Also, Groban opens up about the inspiration, song selection process, recording and refining of his new album, ALL THAT ECHOES, and shares stories and insights into his previous efforts, as well. Plus, Groban shares his enthusiasm for CHESS and recounts backstage stories of his participation in two legendary presentations of the iconic 1980s rock opera - including cast-mates like Idina Menzel, Kerry Ellis, Adam Pascal, Sutton Foster, Raul Esparza and many more - and reveals his desire to pursue doing the show again in the future. Additionally, Groban and I discuss his appearances on GLEE and THE OFFICE, the possibility of a Broadway show in the near future, his affection for the music of Stephen Sondheim and much, much more in this career-spanning chat! (more...)

'Eventually it absolutely will, I can assure you of that,' affirmed actor Josh Gad of a rumored big screen adaptation of the Broadway musical, BOOK OF MORMON. Below, check out what other thoughts the actor had about the film in a recent interview. (more...)

Alright, guys - it's time to get naked. ..Whoa, hold up - put your clothes back on, please - you do not need to be to enjoy this episode, besides it's totally an allegory for baring your soul. ..No, seriously - put your damn clothes back on, sheesh. Well, onto the episode! The Warblers have been stripped of their Sectionals victory after testing positive for performance enhancers, pushing New Directions back into the competition. Tina proposes the idea of a 'Men of McKinley' calendar to raise the last four hundred dollars for Regionals, but not all the guys seem to be on board. Rachel nails an audition for a student film, but when the script calls for a topless scene, she battles with her 'old' self and in typical Rachel form - sings about it, with herself - on 'Torn' by Natalie Imbruglia. Get it? She's torn? Ultimately, Rachel agrees to do the scene. (more...)