BroadwayWorld.com is very excited to announce a new partnership, and the fourth member of BWW TV’s family of exclusive, engaging, and unmatched online theatre video programming. Joining the popular and critically acclaimed SUBMISSIONS ONLY, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge and CHEWING THE SCENERY WITH Randy Rainbow will be its newest offering and first reality show, BEHIND THE CURTAIN, premiering later in 2012.
Behind the Curtain is a brand new, fascinating, fast paced web series that explores what it takes to make it on the world's biggest stage, Broadway. Created by seasoned entertainment industry vets Danny Jordan (The Biggest Loser, MasterChef, American Idol Underground) and Andrew Spires (American Idol, Trading Spaces, Real Time With Bill Maher) the show will pull viewers inside the real world and harsh reality of what it’s like to be a performer pursuing their Broadway dreams. With unprecedented access and some of the hottest up and coming stars on board, the show will share the inside world of Broadway in a riveting new way.
The new documentary series is currently on the popular financing site Kickstarter (click here for a preview and for more information) which opens up a unique opportunity for Broadway fans to play a part in developing this wonderful new series. Getting in at the ground floor, donors will have the unique, and thrilling opportunity to watch as their show evolves, and matures into a dazzling program recognized the world over!
“When I saw the original sizzle reel for the show,” said Robert Diamond, CEO of BroadwayWorld.com, “it felt like the perfect fit for our audience and it’s being developed in a way that will fully exploit not only the newest technologies, but insider access like never before. Basically, it’s everything we believe in here on the site.”
Danny Jordan, series creator says "Since day one -- In October 2009 -- our objective has been to reveal the real story of the countless actors, singers, and dancers who pick up their lives, and move to the harsh world that is New York City in pursuit of making their Broadway dreams a reality. Additionally, retaining the integrity of this historic industry is paramount. As such, partnering with the largest Broadway and theatre themed site in the world is not only a huge victory, but the perfect fit. “
Behind the Curtain will premiere exclusively on BroadwayWorld.com in late 2012.
About the Creative Team:
Danny Jordan's career in entertainment began in 2000. Jordan has created, produced, and hosted major media content for some of the most recognized networks, brands, and TV programs. Credits include: The Biggest Loser (Producer), MasterChef (Producer), Losing It with Jillian (Producer), Great American Road Trip (Producer), High Society (Producer), American Idol Underground (Host), KIIS FM (Host). In 2009, Jordan started Pronus Productions; partnering with long-time friends and colleagues, Andrew Spires and Raul Colindres. Jordan currently resides in New York City, and serves as SVP of Branded Media and Development.
Andrew Spires grew up in Philadelphia before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. After graduating from art school, he went on to work with Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond, before taking a position with CBS. While with CBS he worked on “The Price is Right”, “Real Time” with Bill Maher, and “The Young and the Restless” among others. Andrew later went on to work for juggernaut “American Idol” before returning to the East Coast to Produce “Trading Spaces”. Spires spent a year producing content for BBC before leaving forming Pronus Productions with friends Danny Jordan and Raul Colindres.
Mr. Spires’ shows are aired in over 40 countries and seen by more then 65 million viewers annually. He currently residents in New York City with his wife and their Great Dane, Gracie.
Featured cast members:
Rachel Potter is currently appearing as the Mistress in this season's buzz worthy Broadway revival, Evita. She appears alongside Ricky Martin, Elena Roger, and Michael Cerveris at the Marquis Theater. Rachel made her Broadway debut as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family starring Brooke Shields, following a tour with Stephen Schwartz's smash hit musical, Wicked (Glinda u/s). Rachel has also performed the roles of Ariel, Belle, and Nemo, among others, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her debut Country album is to be released May 2012, following an EP release concert at Joe's Pub on May 13th, 9:30 pm. For tickets visit http://bit.ly/GUexAv or www.rachelpottermusic.com for more info. @therachelpotter
I came out of my time imposed interview 'retirement' for a quick chat about one of my favorite topics -- the online world of Broadway (pun intended). Sara Fitzpatrick is the Director of Interactive for SpotCo, a leading full-service entertainment advertising and branding agency, working with Broadway and film productions to oversee the development and strategy of their interactive operations. We last spoke to her about the 'State of Broadway on the Web' back in 2010 so with two years having gone quickly by -- it seemed the perfect time to check back in for her latest take.
I've just spent an hour GLUED to the podcast in which THIS AMERICAN LIFE's Ira Glass reveals how they discovered the falsehoods in Daisey's THE AGONY & ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS on material that makes up both the play and broadcasts that they did based upon it.
Now, BWW is excited to announce that our content is now available on Pinterest as well! CLICK HERE to follow BWW on Pinterest- the latest social media craze that organizes and shares all the latest BroadwayWorld news on our very own virtual pin boards!
The web geek in me generally HATES the (over)use of Flash on any web site, and especially those for Broadway shows. It's often unneeded, slow loading and also makes the site behave crankily on all Apple mobile devices.
All that said, after an eagle-eyed BWW Message Board-er spotted this VERY clever usage on the PETER AND THE STARCATCHER web site, well, it's excellent.
Talking to the London Times, Stephen Sondheim sounds off about much of the current state of commercial theatre, noting that while he can appreciate hits such as The Book of Mormon as a "fun college show", in response to the idea that this perceived trend could be permanent, Sondheim remarks: "I think so. Commercial theatre will only get more narrow as time goes on. There are so many forms of entertainment, theatre is becoming more marginalised. It's become ‘an event': you see Wicked on your anniversary. I don't think commercial theatre can fulfil a function as a constant feeding ground for emotions and thoughts."
I had the good fortune to catch her performance in the London production of EVITA back in 2006, and can NOT wait to see her again on Broadway... Video preview below.
The digital theatre world lit up earlier today (as did our live traffic meters) with the news, first reported by the London Evening Standard that Stephen Sondheim and David Ives have teamed up on a new musical, which is currently in the earliest phases of composition. According to the Standard: "Sondheim speaks of pushing forward and says he has "20 or 30 minutes" written of a new musical that he is collaborating on with American playwright David Ives, a New York regular little known in London."
We reached the legend himself who told us that "it's an idea I've had for a long time and that it springs indirectly from a moment in a play of David's."
Theatre has more than its share of armchair quarterbacks who enjoy prognosticating (bitching) about...well...everything, ESPECIALLY the how and why of the show selection at the very popular Encores! series at City Center.
Next up for the series is Rodgers and Hammerstein's PIPE DREAM, which will star Leslie Uggams, Will Chase, James Clow, James Moye, Laura Osnes, Steve Routman, Leslie Uggams, Stephen Wallem and Tom Wopat.
So, how and why did they select PIPE DREAM?
Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel explains exactly why ... here.
Long-time no blog, as my every free waking computer minute has been devoted as of late to some recent and upcoming site updates on both the back and front end. (If you haven't admired our new article, people and show pages - check 'em out, and there's MUCH more on the way including other features coming to those three). We've also more than quadrupled our server speed and capabilities to prepare for some other new features and our ever-expanding traffic.
Back to today's blog, I'd often disagreed with his reviews, but I was still saddened on Friday evening to learn of the passing of longtime theatre critic Howard Kissel, most known for his long tenure at the New York Daily News. His well-known biography of David Merrick - The Abominable Showman has long been amongst my favorite theatre reads; I even re-read (and re-purchased) it on the Kindle a couple of years back. If you haven't read it yet, you're missing out.
Critics are generally an unsung breed, but David Rooney has written a lovely piece, singing Kissel's praises over here @ the Hollywood Reporter.
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BroadwayWorld.com is very excited to announce a new partnership, and the fourth member of BWW TV’s family of exclusive, engaging, and unmatched online theatre video programming. Joining the popular and critically acclaimed SUBMISSIONS ONLY, BACKSTAGE WITH 
Talking to the London Times, Stephen Sondheim sounds off about much of the current state of commercial theatre, noting that while he can appreciate hits such as The Book of Mormon as a "fun college show", in response to the idea that this perceived trend could be permanent, Sondheim remarks: "I think so. Commercial theatre will only get more narrow as time goes on. There are so many forms of entertainment, theatre is becoming more marginalised. It's become ‘an event': you see Wicked on your anniversary. I don't think commercial theatre can fulfil a function as a constant feeding ground for emotions and thoughts."
The digital theatre world lit up earlier today (as did our live traffic meters) with the news, first reported by the London Evening Standard that Stephen Sondheim and David Ives have teamed up on a new musical, which is currently in the earliest phases of composition. According to the Standard: "Sondheim speaks of pushing forward and says he has "20 or 30 minutes" written of a new musical that he is collaborating on with American playwright David Ives, a New York regular little known in London."
Theatre has more than its share of 
Long-time no blog, as my every free waking computer minute has been devoted as of late to some recent and upcoming site updates on both the back and front end. (If you haven't admired our new article, people and show pages - check 'em out, and there's MUCH more on the way including other features coming to those three). We've also more than quadrupled our server speed and capabilities to prepare for some other new features and our ever-expanding traffic. 
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