The Broadway Pulse, maintained by Editor-in-Chief, Robert Diamond, highlights the most interesting goings on in the world of theater - online and off...Subscribe to
It's almost here! The 2013 Tony Awards will air on CBS Sunday night, June 9 at 8pm and, as usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tony Day, Night and Beyond!
Sunday 6:00 PM: BroadwayWorld.com's live coverage will begin with photos from the red carpet and Superfan BroadwayGirl NYC's special blog of the red carpet PLUS you can watch the entire red carpet -- right here! Followed by LIVE Backstage video!
Sunday 7:30 PM: The ceremony officially begins. Unless you're at Radio City or watching live in Times Square, we're the only place that you'll get direct live updates of who is winning all of the pre-telecast Creative Tony Awards!
Sunday 8:00 PM: Our full team kicks into gear to bring you complete coverage. We'll feature not one, not two, but THREE exclusive live blogs from Michael Dale backstage, superfan BroadwayGirlNYC, and BroadwayWorld.com's West End Editor Carrie Dunn with her trademark British snark (or 'Britsnark' as she calls it).
We'll also be bringing you live coverage of who's winning, transcriptions of the on-air and backstage thank you speeches, live photos from the best photo team in the business, videos of the winners after they come offstage, special surprises, fashion and more!
Beyond...: Keep checking BroadwayWorld.com on Tony night, well into the early morning hours, and in the days ahead for EVERYTHING Tonys including our special SOUND OFF wrap-up by Pat Cerasaro and more!!
And the nominees are...
BEST PLAY
The Assembled Parties Author: Richard Greenberg Lucky Guy Author: Nora Ephron The Testament of Mary Author: Colm Tóibín Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Author: Christopher Durang
BEST MUSICAL
Bring It On: The Musical A Christmas Story, The Musical Kinky Boots Matilda The Musical
BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
A Christmas Story, The Musical - Joseph Robinette Kinky Boots - Harvey Fierstein Matilda The Musical - Dennis Kelly Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella - Douglas Carter Beane
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE
A Christmas Story, The Musical, Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Hands on a Hardbody, Music: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Lyrics: Amanda Green Kinky Boots, Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper Matilda The Musical, Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Golden Boy Orphans The Trip to Bountiful Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Annie The Mystery of Edwin Drood Pippin Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy Nathan Lane, The Nance Tracy Letts, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Tom Sturridge, Orphans
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place Amy Morton, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Holland Taylor, Ann Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical Santino Fontana, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Rob McClure, Chaplin Billy Porter, Kinky Boots Stark Sands, KinkyBoots
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Carolee Carmello, Scandalous Valisia LeKae, Motown The Musical Patina Miller, Pippin Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Danny Burstein, Golden Boy Richard Kind, The Big Knife Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Carrie Coon, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Judith Ivey, The Heiress Judith Light, The Assembled Parties Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Charl Brown, Motown The Musical Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Gabriel Ebert, Matilda The Musical Terrence Mann, Pippin
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots Victoria Clark, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Andrea Martin, Pippin Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody Lauren Ward, Matilda The Musical
BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Pam MacKinnon, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots Diane Paulus, Pippin Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical Peter Darling, Matilda The Musical Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots Chet Walker, Pippin
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS
Chris Nightingale, Matilda The Musical Stephen Oremus, Kinky Boots Ethan Popp & Bryan Crook, Motown The Musical Danny Troob, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
John Lee Beatty, The Nance Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties David Rockwell, Lucky Guy Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy
BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood Scott Pask, Pippin David Rockwell, Kinky Boots
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Soutra Gilmour, Cyrano de Bergerac Ann Roth, The Nance Albert Wolsky, The Heiress Catherine Zuber, Golden Boy
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Gregg Barnes, Kinky Boots Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical Dominique Lemieux, Pippin William Ivey Long, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, Lucky Guy Donald Holder, GoldenBoy Jennifer Tipton, The Testament of Mary Japhy Weideman, The Nance
John Gromada, The Trip to Bountiful Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary Leon Rothenberg, The Nance Peter John Still and Marc Salzberg, Golden Boy
BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Jonathan Deans & Garth Helm, Pippin Peter Hylenski, Motown The Musical John Shivers, Kinky Boots Nevin Steinberg, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
SPECIAL TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEATRE
Bernard Gersten Paul Libin Ming Cho Lee
REGIONAL THEATRE AWARD
Huntington Theatre Company
ISABELLE STEVENSON AWARD
Larry Kramer
TONY HONORS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE THEATRE
Career Transition For Dancers William Craver Peter Lawrence The Lost Colony The four actresses who created the title role of Matilda The Musical on Broadway - Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro
Tony Nominations by Production Kinky Boots - 13 Matilda The Musical - 12 Pippin - 10 Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella - 9 Golden Boy - 8 Lucky Guy - 6 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - 6 The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 5 The Nance - 5 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - 5 Motown The Musical - 4 The Trip to Bountiful - 4 The Assembled Parties - 3 A Christmas Story, The Musical - 3 Hands on a Hardbody - 3 The Testament of Mary - 3 Bring It On: The Musical - 2 The Heiress - 2 Orphans - 2 Ann - 1 Annie - 1 The Big Knife - 1 Chaplin - 1 Cyrano de Bergerac - 1 The Other Place - 1 Scandalous - 1
Posted on: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 @ 08:23 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Voting opened on May 2, 2013 and runs through May 31, 2013 for the 11th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! I'm VERY excited to report that we've doubled last year's record breaking numbers over just the first few days of voting.
The BroadwayWorld.com Awards are unique in that they are the largest and most popular online Broadway polling event of its kind, open to all and with fully visible and audited results -- two very unique things. Click below to vote!
Posted on: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 @ 04:56 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Last week, we launched our official 2013 Awards Season Guide on BWW which is your one-stop-shopping spot for alllllllll the theatrical awards this Spring, which we'll naturally be covering extensively.
You can visit the section here, and keep an eye on our full calendar here. We're getting revved up here and have a slew of new features coming to the site over the next few weeks to embrace the wonderful season ahead with a brand-new Tony Awards section and lots more.
Posted on: Monday, April 15, 2013 @ 02:34 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Today's first neat press release has landed in my inbox, SPIDER-MAN and its online ad agency Situation Interactive have teamed up with a company called ePrize to allow ticket buyers to reserve tickets online, and pay for them later. So far, they claim a 59.5% conversion rate. We (I) love new theatre tech and will be watching!
SPIDER-MAN Turn off the Dark has created another Broadway first, partnering with their interactive agency Situation Interactive and ePrize, a leader in digital engagement for social, mobile and web campaigns, to design and implement a mobile ticket reservation system that allows audience members to reserve seats to upcoming performances without requiring a credit card. Non-paid reservations are common in many areas of live entertainment but, until now, have only been possible on Broadway for recognized Group Sales agents.
The SPIDER-MAN Mobile Reservations system was created to set the SPIDER-MAN experience apart from all other Broadway productions and to combat the industry-wide trend of decreasing advance sales. The system allows the user to hold seats while continuing to organize their evening; this in-pencil commitment not only makes setting the logistics and payment details easier but also decreases the likelihood that they will continue shopping around for a different Broadway experience.
Users take the following three steps to make a reservation:
Users visiting the mobile site are presented a page asking if they’d like to make a reservation. Other options include calling Ticketmaster, visiting the SPIDER-MAN website, and getting directions to the theatre.
After clicking “make a reservation,” users are taken to a form that asks them to input their name, mobile phone number, party size, performance date, and preferred seating section, then to click “submit.”
The user receives an SMS asking to confirm their reservation. Once the user responds YES, the reservation is in the system and the Foxwoods Box Office staff receives an alert.
Three days before, the day before, and the day of their performance, users receive reminder text messages prompting them to lock in their seats by purchasing right away. Alternately, users may select and pay for their seats up to one hour before the performance.
In just a month since beta launch, the mobile reservations site has seen a significant number of reservations and impressive conversion rates, with 59.5% of visitors who reserve tickets completing their purchase.
“We're looking at data that's predicting US mobile commerce will surpass $30 billion by the end of 2015,” said Peter Yagecic, Situation Interactive Director of Technology. “The comfort level of the typical mobile user is growing when it comes to making purchases on their smartphone, and so we asked ourselves how we could encourage that behavior to benefit SPIDER-MAN. By creating a reservations system targeted to mobile users that offers multiple ways to complete a purchase, we are helping the consumer build trust in mobile ticket purchasing. Our history working with ePrize and their expertise in the world of SMS engagement made them a great partner to bring the mobile reservation system to life.”
“Retailers are experiencing the year of mobile, and the box office is no exception. Brands are stepping up their game when it comes to mobile engagement,” explained David Wachs, SVP of Mobile at ePrize. “It was a pleasure partnering with a brand as vibrant as SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark. They understand the importance of providing the convenience of a mobile reservations system, as well as a foolproof tactic for boosting ticket reservations and sales. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of their mobile ticketing presence.”
To explore the site or reserve tickets from your mobile device, visit spidermanonbroadway.com from your smartphone or text SPIDEY to 35350.
Posted on: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 @ 09:59 AM Posted by:Robert Diamond
It's rare that we talk too much about the tech end of things here at BroadwayWorld.com. But we've made so many improvements over the last few weeks, and have gotten a slew of email kudos and questions, that I thought it'd be useful to compile a quick list of some of the more visible changes.
One of the challenges that we have, besides having the best editorial team in the business (a GOOD problem to have), is that we have a lot of content. We've been hard at work 'under the hood' to better optimize how to best get it all out to you.
We've made a ton of improvements on the back end of the site that I won't bore you with - like server and software upgrades. But here's some of the big and small changes to the public site:
* Since this project began in early January, we've got the average page size (the code) down by 33%. This has resulted in faster loading times, which are especially noticeable on older computers and mobile devices, but should be a little 'snappier' elsewhere too.
* Our homepage has been heavily tweaked as on both the back and front end. We've managed to reduce the size and to re-write a number of older elements to get its size and load time down by half. At the same time, we made a number of design and output tweaks to make our 300-500 stories a day less overwhelming when you hit the homepage. To that end, our top stories have been increased in size, with a larger top story and larger secondary stories with bigger images.
* All of our homepage news boxes (Feature Stories, Photo Coverage, Top News, More News and West End News) now feature 'infinite scrolling'. Basically, if you've got the time, you can now scroll back through several hundred stories reducing the risk that you will miss something.
* We've also introduced a major revamp to the lower half of the homepage, unveiling 'Around the Broadway World Today' - get it? Punny. This new feature, which I'm personally VERY excited about, automatically compiles the top stories from the past couple of days from ALL around the Broadway World, including all 150 US and International markets that the site covers. Want to know the top news from the West End, Los Angeles, Spain, or Off-Broadway? It's there.
* We simplified our left navigation bar, combining our popular CD, Book and Video databases into one major new site section, appropriately called CDs/Books/DVDs that brings together the latest news and a comprehensive database on all the bits of theatre that you can consume at home or on the go.
* On the right navigation bar, you will find easier and bigger access to some of the site's many exclusive features, including easy links to InDepth InterViews with Pat Cerasaro, Backstage with Richard Ridge, Chewing the Scenery with Randy Rainbow and Bruce Kimmel's Outside the Box. We've got a few more on the way too that I can NOT wait to share.
* All of our regional homepages have gotten a similar revamp and are faster loading and give all of our local editors more control over managing top stories. News stories will now appear faster as well, so look for these pages to be even more active (if you can believe it).
* Our show listings pages have gotten two major enhancements - glorious color visual cast pages like this one for ANNIE, and our Twitter Watch has undergone a major upgrade, now bringing in tweets for all your favorite shows - in real-time, like here.
* Last, but not least for the moment, we unveiled new Mega Stage Tubes, which are an enhanced version of BWW's Stage Tube feature. We were the first to start embedding third-party videos, and now we're offering 'Mega' versions as well that let you browse through more than a dozen videos, one at a time. The best part is that you can click from video to video WITHOUT the whole page reloading. It results in less page views for us, but we always prioritize the reader experience. Here's a fun one we ran yesterday in advance of the IN THE HEIGHTS concert, and if you enjoyed it as much as I did, you're clicking back through it all today.
* Ok, one more - BroadwayWorld.com correspondents will now appear on dedicated Citybuzz TV channels in 72,000 hotel rooms in New York and Chicago.
MUCH more to come and as always, thanks for reading!
Posted on: Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 01:39 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Back in November of 2012, we added 10 new web sites to the BWW family, covering TV, Movies, Fashion, Music, Dance, Opera, Classical Music, Comedy, Visual Arts and Books. I'm excited to report that all 10 are off to fantastic starts, each currently being staffed up with their own editorial teams that are as passionate about those areas of entertainment as we are about theatre here.
I've always been a (happily) self-proclaimed geek myself, always with a dual passion for theatre and technology (thus, BroadwayWorld.com). As the new sites ramped up with content, and traffic, it quickly became evident that we had room for 1 more BWW site.
Today we've officially launched BWW Geeks World, timed to the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas, for which our new geek gurus are covering left, right and center with hundreds of articles about the newest in consumer tech.
The new site will cover the geeky end of home entertainment, mobile, social media and more -- basically featuring all of the many devices and services on which our readers will be consuming entertainment over the years to come. We launched the other sites because the world of theatre continues to open up and to intersect with other areas of the arts. Today, as we're seeing more productions filmed, more technology making its way to the stage - well, it's another perfect fit.
If you're a fan of technology, I'd like to personally invite you to also check out the new BWW Geeks World here, otherwise, stay tuned for a SLEW of very exciting BroadwayWorld additions and upgrades that are being cooked up here in the virtual kitchen as I type. The Spring is shaping up to be a great theatre season and our continued, unmatched coverage is full steam ahead!
Happy 2013!
Posted on: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 @ 03:49 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre web site on the net, is pleased to announce the latest addition to its family of education centers with the launch of the BWW Student Center - Elementary School Edition, and the re-launch of BWW Classroom.
Modeled after BWW's College and High School Centers, the Elementary School Center features theatre related coverage of more than 1,000 K-9 schools nationwide, including such information as upcoming student productions, cast lists, photos, videos, ongoing stories featuring individual schools, and much more.
To visit the BWW Classroom, click here. To visit the new BWW Student Center - Elementary School Edition, click here.
In addition, the re-launch of BWW Classroom welcomes the return of the site's entertaining, informative behind-the-scenes video series, Stage Magic. The series includes exclusive features on WICKED, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and more, with many new episodes slated for 2013. Also new to BWW Classroom will be an ever-expanding selection of interactive study guides for Broadway and touring shows, presented by content partner StageNotes.net. These expertly composed resources will entertain, educate, and foster greater comprehension, and appreciation of stage productions for students, educators, and general show goers.
"Arts education is one of the things that we're most passionate about here at BWW" said CEO Robert Diamond "and we couldn't be more excited to launch these new additions to the web site, as well as introduce new content by the equally passionate StageNotes.net and CampBroadway.com".
"StageNotes® has been publishing authorized study guides for Broadway shows for over 10 years," says Lauren Sagnella, content manager for StageNotes.net. "We are excited to work with BroadwayWorld.com to help make this enriching content readily available to parents and educators.
"For nearly two decades, Camp Broadway® has been providing the authentic Broadway experience to children ages 8-17," says Melissa Caolo, Executive Director. "We are proud to collaborate with StageNotes.net and BroadwayWorld.com in presenting and promoting the theatres performing arts to audiences of all ages. By working together we can help Broadway retain a vital and relevant artform.
In 2010, BroadwayWorld.com launched its BWW Student Center - College Edition which features fully detailed information on more than 350 Universities, and over 2,500 upcoming student productions. In 2011, the BWW Student Center - High School Edition launched to include upcoming show listings for more than 1500 high schools nationwide. The Student Center also features a complete database of every University across the United States that offers performing arts programs, including searchable degrees, well-known alumni, web sites, social networking and more.
Across all of the student centers, schools can register for 'enhanced' listings on the site - adding in photos, cast lists, videos, links and more. Productions that take advantage of this will receive highlights on our listing pages, extra editorial mentions and potential spotlight features.
About BroadwayWorld.com
BroadwayWorld is the largest theatre site on the Internet covering Broadway, the West End and beyond to 100 US cities, and 35 countries worldwide. With over 3.5 million monthly visitors, BroadwayWorld delivers complete up-to-the-minute Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre news, in-depth interviews, extraordinary photo coverage, entertaining video features, lively message boards, ticket discounts, reviews, and more.
About Camp Broadway and Stagenotes.net
Founded in 1995, Camp Broadway® has worked at the intersection of entertainment and education to become the industry leader in theatre arts youth programming, special events and educational publishing. The company serves the Broadway industry by being an authorized channel for families, schools and social organizations that believe in the essential value of the arts as a means of life-long learning. In 2000, Camp Broadway LLC introduced StageNotes®: A Field Guide for Teachers, a study guide series that features standards-based activities and discussion questions for dozens of Broadway shows from classic musicals such as 42nd Street and Kiss Me Kate to contemporary works including Wicked, Legally Blonde, In The Heights, Billy Elliot: The Musical and The Addams Family. Camp Broadway has worked collaboratively with dozens of Broadway productions, estates and authors to develop and present interactive workshops that have enabled over 350,000 school children to attend Broadway shows. In 2002, Camp Broadway received the Educational Theatre Association's Standing Ovation Award for Leadership in Education.
StageNotes.net is sponsored in part by Camp Broadway LLC. The development of this online resource furthers the company's long-standing commitment to restore performing arts education in schools by opening lines of communication between professionals in the industry and the teachers around the nation who are inspiring future artists and audiences.
To visit the BWW Classroom, click here. To visit the new BWW Student Center - Elementary School Edition, click here.
Posted on: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 @ 03:37 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
After a record number of nominations in 30 regions worldwide, and careful proofing by our local editors, we are VERY excited to announce that voting has begun for this year's BWW Regional Awards. It's our BIGGEST EVER!
Voting is now open and in most regions will run through Dec. 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. You can only vote once, so make your vote count! As always, we'll provide open live statistics throughout the awards so make sure to check back often.
"We launched many of these sites as subsections of BroadwayWorld.com" explained CEO Robert Diamond "because of the increasing intersection between the stage and other areas of entertainment. After witnessing explosive traffic growth across the board, we decided to tap into, and exploit each market's full potential by launching them as their own comprehensive websites. We will take what we've learned from nearly 10 years of leading theatre coverage and apply it to these other major areas of entertainment."
Each site will have a dedicated Editor-in-Chief, fully supervising content along with a team of newsdesk managers, photographers, photo editors, video crews, advertising sales teams, and more. Already, new site teams are working closely together, offering both media and sales opportunities across different outlets with distinct audiences, demographics, and targets.
"We've already begun to run both editorial exclusives and advertising programs" said Miles Silverman, VP of Sales and Marketing "that target a more general TV or Film audience focused on big stars and pop culture, as well live theatre's coveted upscale, highly affluent consumer audience. The response thus far has been extraordinarily positive as advertisers are increasingly interested in reaching multiple audiences via one reliable publisher for maximum cost efficiency."
All of BroadwayWorld.com's market-leading features including Mobile Sites, Message Boards, Twitter Watch, Photo Flashes, Video Coverage, Exclusive Interviews and more, along with the best news team in the business will be launched across the board to service each individual entertainment category. Additionally, the sites will share a registration system, so one login will work across all the web sites, allowing fans to seamlessly jump into conversations across the board.
Over the coming weeks, BWWComedyWorld.com, BWWDanceWorld.com, BWWMusicWorld.com and BWWClassicalWorld.com will offer regional subsections devoted to the top 25 markets around the world for each genre.
Wisdom Digital Media
Wisdom Digital Media Publishing launched in 2001 and its first flagship site, BroadwayWorld.com in 2003. BroadwayWorld is the largest theatre site on the Internet covering Broadway, the West End and beyond to 100 US cities, and 35 countries worldwide. With over 3.5 million monthly visitors, BroadwayWorld delivers complete up-to-the-minute Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre news, in-depth interviews, extraordinary photo coverage, entertaining video features, lively message boards, ticket discounts, reviews, and more.
Contacts:
Editorial Robert Diamond CEO robert@wisdomdigital.com 914-623-8689
Advertising Miles Silverman VP Sales & Marketing miles@wisdomdigital.com 914-214-8177
Posted on: Monday, November 12, 2012 @ 12:23 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
We were the first Broadway app on the market back in 2009. The world has come a long way since then and our apps have too!
Just a few weeks back, Apple released their iPhone 5, with a bigger and better than ever screen and now, BroadwayWorld.com's App has been optimized to take full advantage of it. The screen now fits more news, more posts -- and even more great Broadway (and beyond) content.
If you already downloaded our new app, which was released just in time for the Tonys, you'll have received the update automatically via the App Store. New users can click the links below.
BWW's new apps were completely redesigned from the ground-up and release in June and feature all of our news, content, videos, show listings, message boards, special offers, radio channel, search features, regional news and lots more - all updated in real-time!
Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2012 BWW Regional Awards in 30 regions! Click on the link below to your region and nominate your favorites now!
You have until OCTOBER 26 to get in your nominations. After that, voting will open on November 5 and run until December 31. All productions which opened between September 2011 and October of 2012 are eligible.
Don't miss out! Fill in the nomination form and make sure that your favorite stars and shows get the recognition they deserve! Submit your nominations today!
Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang, Michael Feinstein, Chris Botti, Maria Friedman, Brian d'Arcy James, Rob Fisher, Essential Voices USA, former cast members of A Chorus Line and cast members of The Nutty Professor came together in top form for an invitation only event on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 to pay tribute to Marvin Hamlisch at the beautiful Peter J. Sharp Theatre at Juilliard.
The place was packed and 'Broadway heavy', with just about every star you could think of present for an emotional and thrilling evening devoted to the beloved Marvin Hamlisch.
A child prodigy, he was accepted into Juilliard before he was seven...yes, seven. We were reminded at the start of the evening by his wife Terre about just how early his talent shined through and about how he spent the rest of his life giving back to others with his friendship, time and musical genius. He never said "no" to a request to help out for a worthy cause, and tonight kicked off a very worthy cause in his name, of a new scholarship fund at the school. For information about giving online, visit www.juilliard.edu/giving. Let's help support the next generation of Marvin Hamlisch's.
From the 'Essential Voices USA' choir that started the show, to the skill of musicians like Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang and Chris Botti to the emotion of best friend Liza Minnelli, the acting of Maria Friedman and Brian d'Arcy James to the soaring vocal talents of Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand (yes, she's still got it, and then some - and also earned the only standing ovation of the night!), it was an unforgettable night. We also got a tease of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR which hopefully will make its way into town sooner rather than later.
Here's who sang what:
ESSTENTIAL VOICES USA - 'Anatomy of Peace'
CHRIS BOTTI - 'What I Did for Love' from A Chorus Line
LIZA MINNELLI - 'If You Really Knew Me' from They're Playing My Song
DENA DIGIACINTO, EMILY FLETCHER, HOLLIE HOWARD - 'At the Ballet' from A Chorus Line
ARETHA FRANKLIN - 'Nobody Does It Better' from The Spy Who Loved Me into 'Deep River'
ROB FISHER - 'Theme' from Sophie's Choice
BRIAN D'ARCY JAMES - 'At the Fountain' from Sweet Smell of Success
ENSEMBLE - 'While I Still Have the Time' from The Nutty Professor
MARIA FRIEDMAN - 'Nothing' from A Chorus Line
ITZHAK PERLMAN - 'I Cannot Hear the City' from Sweet Smell of Success
LANG LANG - 'Overture' from A Chorus Line
and
BARBRA STREISAND - 'The Way We Were' from The Way We Were and 'Through the Eyes of Love' from Ice Castles.
There will never be another talent like his, and tonight was most certainly a worthy celebration and reminder of that. Once again, for more information on the scholarship and how to donate, www.juilliard.edu/giving
Posted on: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 @ 10:00 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Alistair Smith over at THE STAGE has revealed details on a new controversy over in the UK that's worth reading... Time Out, the print publication that features listings and reviews launched a new production arm, appropriately titled as Time Out Live, "the events-producing arm and successful brand extension to the Time Out Group."
So far sounds OK, right? It does to me, who's always been a firm believer in expansion.
Now, here's the problem... The publication is now recommending its own shows as part of it's critic's choice 'top five best shows this week' and 'top five best outings this week' columns. If you read the fine print, it notes that the show is presented by Time Out, but Smith feels that "this is hardly clear to readers: Time Out is certainly not saying ‘we have a vested financial interest in you buying tickets to this show, for which we are a producer’." He ntoes that the shows have gotten a lot of coverage in the mag as well.
Conflict of interest - absolutely! I've been asked multiple times personally to take investor meetings for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, but have always begged off citing a conflict of interest myself. I most certainly would not be able to fully direct unbiased coverage of something that I had a financial stake in. In this case, I'd most certainly advocate separating any sort of promos for Time Out Live events from their editorial coverage.
Click here for the full blog, and it's your move Time Out...
Posted on: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10:26 AM Posted by:Robert Diamond
'Good times never seemed so good' on Saturday night as Neil Diamond performed to a sold out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. I've long maintained that Diamond's (sadly no relation) catalog of hits is ideally suited to the Broadway stage and I will continue waiting for someone to tap his goldmine of theatrical tunes.
New York City born and raised, at 71, he continues to perform high octane, intermission free two hour plus concerts (we share a last name, but sadly not an energy level) backed by a great band that's toured with him for 35+ years and truly rocked.
Four decades after his 'Hot August Night' at the Greek Theatre in LA became the quintessential live concert album, Saturday's concert paid tribute to that amazing success and the culmination of a 55 city tour. Filled with top notch lighting, sound, production and of course music, the Vegas crowd was up on its feet for much of the night.
The hit-filled set list Diamond performed included Soolaimon, Beautiful Noise, Forever in Blue Jeans, Love on the Rocks, Hello Again, Play Me, Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon, Red Red Wine, Solitary Man, Glory Road, I'm a Believer, Cracklin' Rosie, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Crunchy Granola Suite, Mornigside, Holly Holy, Sweet Caroline, I Am I Said, America and Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show.
Those 20 tunes are just the tip of the iceberg of a long list of song-writing credits that's helped him sell 115 million records since the 1960s and have made him one of my personal favorites along with tens of thousands of others who fill his always sold-out arena tours across the country and around the world.
Diamond's combination of songwriting talent, musicianship and a live stage presence make his concert performances soul-lifting experiences that are simply not to be missed. In the film WHAT ABOUT BOB? Bill Murray noted that "there are two kinds of people in this world, those that like Neil Diamond and those who don't." Well, I've never met anyone who's seen him live that falls in the latter category, and for good reason.
Here's hoping for a 50th Anniversary of Hot August Night, because as age shows no signs of slowing him down - if there's anyone that can do it, it's Neil Diamond. I'll be there. And, if you're listening Broadway producers - I'll be there as well.
Posted on: Sunday, September 02, 2012 @ 03:05 AM Posted by:Robert Diamond
A little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll and A LOT of Broadway is currently on display in the hit DONNY & MARIE show currently playing the showroom at The Flamingo in Las Vegas.
The show, recently voted #1 in 'The Best of Vegas', and directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, makes several stops on a trip down the memory lane of their almost 50 year careers. It was my first time seeing the duo live, and while familiar with both's theatrical appearances over the years (and loved Donny's performance as 'Gaston' in the closing of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and on record as JOSEPH), I only had a passing knowledge of some of their pop hits.
I of course was familiar with 'Puppy Love' and 'A Little Bit Country/Little Bit Rock and Roll' and the 90 minute show is filled with their highlights (including those two) and a ton of great footage which both reference throughout the show. The video clips work well to catch you up to speed if you're a newbie, or a great trip down your own memory lane if you grew up watching them on TV, as clearly much of the audience did. From their show to both's appearances on DANCING WITH THE STARS - it's all there.
Aside from their MANY pop hits, both paid significant tribute to the Great White Way, including songs from shows they each did - JOSEPH, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, THE KING & I and shows that they didn't, like CHICAGO, CABARET and WICKED (yes, WICKED - they close with 'For Good'). The show is briskly paced, and the backup includes a great dancing ensemble and an onstage band that are adept at all of their many styles of music. Definitely put this on your must see list if you're passing through Las Vegas.
Also, if anyone out there is taking requests - let's find another Broadway show for Donny please. Thank you.
Posted on: Saturday, September 01, 2012 @ 01:03 AM Posted by:Robert Diamond
We were a little late to the party when it came to catching Cirque's brilliant Viva ELVIS show at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. We saw the spectacular production last night, which sadly closes tonight, to be replaced in November by an updated and modified version of Zarakana (which had its premiere at Radio City in New York). To say that I'm shocked the show is closing would be an understatement.
There's NOTHING like a great Cirque experience that makes us all look upon the stage with childlike wonder at the feats of the human body, the artistry and the magic. What made Viva ELVIS special, and akin to their BEATLES LOVE show is that it also layered in the music and the great story of the one-of-a-kind American icon.
There never will be another like Elvis Presley, and there likely will never be a Cirque experience quite like Viva ELVIS either, so here's hoping that the show winds up touring or landing elsewhere.
Out here - we were all shook up.
Posted on: Friday, August 31, 2012 @ 09:27 AM Posted by:Robert Diamond
BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theater site on the net, is continuously striving to bring you the most comprehensive coverage of all things theater happening around the world - and we couldn't do this without our dedicated and talented team of interns and contributors!
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With the upcoming launch of the 2012-2013 Student Center, we want to engage even more students and faculty in a variety of ways, including Backstage Blogs, Interviews with students, faculty, cast and creative teams, Features & Profiles, Reviews and much more. Want to get involved? Contact Romina at romi@broadwayworld.com for more info!
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Posted on: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 @ 06:30 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
Today's first neat press release has landed in my inbox, SPIDER-MAN and its online ad agency Situation Interactive have teamed up with a company called ePrize to allow ticket buyers to reserve tickets online, and pay for them later. So far, they claim a 59.5% conversion rate. We (I) love new theatre tech and will be watching! 
* Our homepage has been heavily tweaked as on both the back and front end. We've managed to reduce the size and to re-write a number of older elements to get its size and load time down by half. At the same time, we made a number of design and output tweaks to make our 300-500 stories a day less overwhelming when you hit the homepage. To that end, our top stories have been increased in size, with a larger top story and larger secondary stories with bigger images. 
* We simplified our left navigation bar, combining our popular CD, Book and Video databases into one major new site section, appropriately called CDs/Books/DVDs that brings together the latest news and a comprehensive database on all the bits of theatre that you can consume at home or on the go. 
* Our show listings pages have gotten two major enhancements - glorious color visual cast pages like 
BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre web site on the net, is pleased to announce the latest addition to its family of education centers with the launch of the BWW Student Center - Elementary School Edition, and the re-launch of BWW Classroom.
10 New Sites Launch Devoted to Arts, Culture, Fashion & Entertainment 
Want to know what's playing in theatres in Singapore? Me too...
'Good times never seemed so good' on Saturday night as Neil Diamond performed to a sold out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. I've long maintained that Diamond's (sadly no relation) catalog of hits is ideally suited to the Broadway stage and I will continue waiting for someone to tap his goldmine of theatrical tunes. 
A little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll and A LOT of Broadway is currently on display in the hit DONNY & MARIE show currently playing the showroom at The Flamingo in Las Vegas.
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