FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT FLASH SPECIAL

FLASH SPECIAL: Always - An Irving Berlin 125th Birthday Celebration

Today we are tipping our best top hat to one of Broadway and Hollywood's most significant songwriters, the one and only Irving Berlin, in honor of what would have been his 125th birthday this week. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Bring It Home! LES MISERABLES On DVD/Blu-ray

Now one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, LES MISERABLES triumphantly arrives on DVD and Blu-ray today, so it is an exceptionally apropos time to assess the many vaunted virtues and the legendary history of this spectacular mega musical and pay tribute to some of the best versions of some of its famous anthems now that we can, well, bring it home. (more...)

BWW TV: Two Exclusive Clips From JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST?

To go along with today's extensive InDepth InterView with comedy legend Joan Rivers, enjoy two exclusive clips from tonight's episode of JOAN & MELISSA: JOAN KNOWS BEST? on WE TV at 9 PM. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: In Her Own Little Corner - A CINDERELLA Celebration!

Today we are celebrating one of the most beloved special entertainment events of all time - originally an original musical written for television, presented live, actually - which has now been retrofitted, refigured and wholly reinvented into an entirely new experience live on Broadway byway of the brand new stage adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, which opens this weekend! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Unforgettable Oscars Performances

Today we are shifting our focus from the stages of Broadway and beyond to the stages of the previous 84 Academy Awards telecasts that have transpired to date, in anticipation of Sunday night's big, big, big show. After all, this year's Academy Awards is of particular interest and excitement to theatre fans around the globe, especially because super-producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are behind it - the men responsible for the hit stage-to-screen adaptations of CHICAGO and HAIRSPRAY, as well as the small-screen successes GYPSY, LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME & MY SHADOWS, ANNIE, and, most recently, NBC's musical series SMASH, to name a few of their many marvelous musical-friendly credits. They told me themselves earlier this week that this year's telecast would be the most music-packed Academy Awards show to date, and, just judging from the announced tributes, performers and presenters thus far it is clear to see that they were not kidding - reunions of the casts of the film versions of CHICAGO and LES MISERABLES live onstage, singing their film's most famous songs to Jennifer Hudson leading a DREAMGIRLS tribute all the way to a James Bond 50th anniversary celebration featuring Adele and Shirley Bassey on some famous Bond themes, as well as Barbra Streisand herself singing 'The Way We Were' in memory of friend and collaborator, three-time Oscar-winner Marvin Hamlisch. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: S'Romantic! Top Ten Gershwin Love Songs

As enticing as a Valentine's Day bouquet, as delectable as a box of chocolates and as heartwarming as a kiss from your betrothed, today we are honoring one of Broadway's most romantic musicals - absolutely perfect to take in on a big date-night like tonight, no doubt - NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, as well as the sumptuous, sonorous songs of George & Ira Gershwin - those featured within it and far beyond. "S'Wonderful" to "Someone To Watch Over Me" to "An American In Paris", "Rhapsody In Blue" and more, this clip collection is the ideal way to fall under the spell of Cupid's arrow and enjoy Broadway songwriting at its very best. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: ONE NIGHT STAND Gets On Its Feet, Featuring Four Familiar Faces

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...)

FLASH SPECIAL: We Can CAN-CAN Again! A Parisian Cole Porter Celebration

With news coming late this week of a revised and reworked edition of the Cole Porter/Abe Burrows Golden Age musical CAN-CAN aiming for a reading in October and the possibility of a potential major production thereafter, now seems like a tres bien moment in time to glance back at the underappreciated charms of this alluring, Paris-set show. Plus, from Gwen Verdon, Patti LuPone, Eartha Kitt, Shirley MacLaine and Chita Rivera to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Kelly Clarkson, MAD MEN's Christina Hendricks and many more, this clip collection has more than just an errant bright bulb or two to add to the already magnificent and romantic sights of the city of lights. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Magic To Do! PIPPIN Prepares For First Broadway Revival

"We've got magic to do, just for you!" sing the weird and slightly worrisome band of players in the uniquely compelling 1970s classic PIPPIN, by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson. While the creation of the original Broadway production in 1972 was plagued with problems - none the least of which being the composer/lyricist, Schwartz, and the show's choreographer/director, Bob Fosse, failing to see eye to eye on virtually anything, resulting in Schwartz's barring from rehearsals and much of his input denied - it went on to become a Tony Award-winning mega-hit, running for nearly 2000 performances before it closed in 1977. The score even had a few crossover pop/rock bids thanks to the Jackson 5 and The Supremes utilizing the sounds of Schartz's contemporary and radio-friendly score, with a cast album on the Motown record label, no less (and some funky new arrangements and orchestrations augmenting the sterling Ralph Burns originals, as a result). Starring Fosse muse Ben Vereen in one of his most sensational and unforgettable musical roles - which is really saying something - PIPPIN is an indescribable musical in many ways, but the powerful pull that the music and Fosse's original staging had, mixed with the narcissistic flower power message at the core, made it a hit. While the book may have its flaws - and, believe me, it does - the sassy, spunky, try-anything vibe of the show makes it an endearing, playful, and, ultimately, rewarding theatrical experience. With news coming this week that the new Boston Conservatory production of PIPPIN is coming to Broadway later this season, directed by lauded HAIR revival helmer Diane Paulus and produced by CHICAGO super-producers Fran and Barry Weissler, 2013 will mark the first time Charlemagne's son will had treaded the boards in almost forty years. From PIPPIN, PIPPIN at Carnegie Mellon in 1967, written by Schwartz as an undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, through to the Broadway production in 1972, titled PIPPIN: HIS LIFE & TIMES, and, now, with the new Paulus circus-style staging (choreographed "in the style of Bob Fosse", natch, by Chet Walker), PIPPIN is poised to come alight once more - and, based on the preliminary reviews, the new production seems to be more than merely "on the right track", to crib a phrase from the musical's hit-packed song stack. Come the dawn of some say this spring, "Morning Glow" will be here, once more… at last. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: SMASH Sparkles, Shimmers & Shines On DVD

Today, in honor of the release of the complete Season One of NBC's hit musical drama series SMASH on DVD, we are revisiting some of the most memorable and truly tremendous musical numbers from the show so far - all available on the four-disc box set, available now - as we anticipate the grand return of the show on February 5. A look at Season Two, too! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Will LES MISERABLES Lead To MISS SAIGON Onscreen For Mackintosh In 2013? The Heat Is On!

With the resounding success of the page-to-stage-to-screen adaptation of LES MISERABLES in movie theaters this week - having already grossed more than $100 million since its Christmas Day debut, the biggest ever opening in movie musical history - the eyes of many entertainment enthusiasts are on mega-producer Cameron Mackintosh for what he will do next as a follow-up, as the box office receipts begin to pile up. More than a merely spurious notion, his next project seems to be set in stone should LES MIZ journey on to mega-hit movie musical status (and it very well might) - according to Mackintosh in a recent promotional interview, if the film version of LES MIZ actually breaks the half-billion mark he will indeed proceed to produce a film adaptation of another Boublil/Schonberg hit mega-musical from the 1980s that he originally presented to the world - the Vietnam-set, MADAME BUTTERFLY-inspired MISS SAIGON. While the film adaptation of LES MISERABLES virtually has set a new standard insofar as the realism and grittiness achievable in a modern movie musical - coming particularly as a result of the entirely live, onset singing; as well as the extended, extreme POV shots and overall minimal artifice - MISS SAIGON touches upon much more recent history and thus explores themes and topics much closer to home for many of us, to say nothing of the story, which largely concerns an American GI and his doomed romance with a bar girl in the last days of Saigon before it falls and Ho Chi Minh City rises. Then, there is the seedy and slimy Engineer who sets the wheels in motion and greases up the cogs of the dramatic motor on more than one occasion - and stops the show for a knock-out fantasy sequence before the final denouement, too. The casting possibilities for the four central male roles - The Engineer, Chris, John (his friend) and Thuy (Kim's cousin) - provide unique and compelling roles for the more capable singing actors amongst the vastly talented flock on Broadway and Hollywood who could potentially more than fill the fatigues and fill out the leisure suits or uniforms necessary for those roles, but what about the titular leading lady? Well, Mackintosh apparently has already got that covered - as BroadwayWorld reported, as a matter of fact - since auditions have apparently already begun in one form or another, with preliminary auditions being held for the role of Kim in Manila, Philippines, just a few weeks ago, though that was reportedly exclusively for a future theatrical mounting (a 2014 West End revival, perhaps?). Thanks to the boffo box office of LES MIZ, MISS SAIGON could very well arrive just in time for Christmas 2013 if all goes well, so now is just as good a time to speculate on the logistics as any until we know more. The heat is on! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: LES MISERABLES Triumphantly Journeys On From Page To Stage To Screen

While many MIZ-heads may have assumed the film adaptation of their beloved musical would never actually come to fruition, here it really is, all too soon available for all to see - lo, more than twenty years after it was first announced byway of an official promo ad in a tour souvenir going as far back as the late-1980s. I was lucky enough to catch an advance screening during the dawning days of December and many small moments, full musical sequences and my first impressions themselves have filled me with a certain kind of inexpressible enrapturing ecstasy heretofore inexperienced, coming as a direct result, no doubt, of the sheer force of power the film exacts in its relentless, barreling, blazingly bravado-bedecked style - a style, I can firmly say, is completely unique in movie history. LES MISERABLES is a lot of things, but, first and foremost, it is that which it is unlike that makes it most remarkable of all; that is: it is unlike any movie musical ever made. And, it is a masterpiece. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Top Ten EVITA Revival Replacements That Never Were

One of the most deliciously juicy parlor games employed by Broadway babies the world round is fantasy casting - the man who made a mint off of sports fans and fantasy football was not too far off, after all, even when it comes to theatre lovers - and one of the most delectable of musicals to discuss, debate, dissect and deliberate upon insofar as its rich casting possibilities, now and then (and always), is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's EVITA. With the news of producers announcing this week that the lucrative 2011 revival of the 1979 seven-time Tony Award-winning tuner would be closing at the end of January in lieu of replacing stars Elena Roger, Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, though they had previously announced forthcoming star replacements, the interest in what might have been reached a fever pitch. The New York Times reported Friday night that among the replacements considered for the role of fiery revolutionary Che - interpreted as more "an everyman" (their words) in this production as opposed to a Che Guevera homage like Hal Prince's original with Mandy Patinkin in the role (winning a well-earned Tony Award for his efforts; as did original Eva, Patti LuPone) - were no less than Broadway marquee name Raul Esparza and West End notable Ramin Karimloo, but also international pop star Enrique Iglesias, THE CAPEMAN on Broadway lead Marc Anthony and movie star/NINE revival headliner Antonio Banderas. Evidently, among the leading ladies considered or even outright offered for the role of Eva were GLEE star Lea Michele and LITTLE MERMAID and PHANTOM 25's Sierra Boggess, with the other candidates seemingly most likely for the role according to Broadway insiders to be former WICKED and GLEE superstar Idina Menzel (who purportedly turned down the West End revival upon which this Broadway edition was based), Tony Award-winning WEST SIDE STORY revival standout Karen Olivo (who is currently otherwise occupied with MURDER BALLAD) and AMERICAN IDOL winner and IN THE HEIGHTS replacement player Jordin Sparks (who appears to now be primarily concerned with her movie career). Whether or not any of these Ches or Evas would have ever actually materialized is anyone's guess, though the mere idea of many of these names in those roles certainly inspires some seriously enticing holiday day-dreaming, no? (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Twenty Takes Of Triple-Threat Patrick Wilson

As a companion column to this weekend's extensive, exclusive InDepth InterView with Broadway and Hollywood star Patrick Wilson, today, let's take a look at twenty takes (or so) of this versatile and multi-talented stage and screen star in a vast array of impressive roles - everything from showing off his vocal chops with a live duet of an Andrew Lloyd Webber anthem from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with SHAMELESS star Emmy Rossum to showing it all with a fully-bared FULL MONTY performance to trailers for some of his most impressive film performances (ANGELS IN AMERICA, LITTLE CHILDREN, HARD CANDY, WATCHMEN and INSIDIOUS among them) to his most recent work in PROMETHEUS, YOUNG ADULT and the forthcoming THE CONJURING. Plus, a charming GAP ad with Claire Danes, a hilarious College Humor Clip, the National Anthem and much, much more! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER In 3D, In Theaters & In History

Today we are celebrating the classic holiday-themed ballet that originally premiered one week prior to Christmas Day exactly 120 years ago, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER. The ideal respite from the holiday rush, Fathom Events will be presenting the all new 3D film presentation of Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER on December 3, starring members of the very ballet company of the theater in which the fantastical family-friendly fable first debuted, the Russian Imperial Mariinsky Theatre. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Thirteen Tip-Topmost Tommy Tune Moments To Treasure

As a super-special companion column to this week's extensive InDepth InterView with nine-time Tony Award-winning performer/choreographer/director Tommy Tune, please enjoy this selection of the most pertinent and eye-popping moments from Tune's tremendous career, covering many of his best-loved and most fondly remembered musicals to date - among them: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, NINE, GRAND HOTEL, MY ONE & ONLY, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and more! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: A Bernadette Peters Celebration! From DAMES AT SEA To Dot To Desiree To DOROTHY OF OZ

Sondheim! SMASH! Sailors! Let's take a closer look at the most memorable and most stupendous moments from the fifty-year career of Bernadette Peters - DAMES AT SEA to Dot to Desiree and beyond. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Hallelujah! Broadway's Recent Religious Fervor, From JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR To THE BOOK OF MORMON To SCANDALOUS

To mark the start of previews for the Biblically-themed SCANDALOUS, subtitled "The Life And Trials Of Aimee Semple McPherson" and based on her impossible-to-believe, yet real-life story, today we are taking a look back at the recent religious fervor on the Great White Way, particularly given the faith-centered original musicals THE BOOK OF MORMON, SISTER ACT and LEAP OF FAITH, to say nothing of the recent revivals of the seminal 70s rock musicals JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and GODSPELL. Hell - ahem, heck - we even just got an Off-Broadway revival of CARRIE (and a new cast album, too)! (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Barbra Streisand, Back To Brooklyn & Still Like Buttah

Anything Barbra Streisand-related is well worth attending (are you kidding?!), and on Friday, October 5, there was an invited dress rehearsal on the Temple University campus in the Liacouras Center as Barbra Streisand: BACK TO BROOKLYN got its feet wet for the first time in front of about a thousand people. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: THE BIRDS Wings Its Way Back On Wednesday

Flocking back to movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, September 19, Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS is the latest in a seriously impressive series of classic films being re-released for one night only in HD with special attendant interviews and behind-the-scenes features, hosted by noted film historian Robert Osborne, as part of an unprecedented, ongoing Turner Classic Movies film festival hosted by NCM Fathom-equipped cinemas. This special presentation of THE BIRDS will begin with an introduction, mini-documentary and interview with film star Tippi Hedren prior to the presentation of the film itself, so, today let us take a look back at one of the most influential and terrifying films of the 1960s, as well as the formidable icon who made it, Alfred Hitchcock. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: THE BIRDS Wings Its Way Back On Wednesday

Flocking back to movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, September 19, Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS is the latest in a seriously impressive series of classic films being re-released for one night only in HD with special attendant interviews and behind-the-scenes features, hosted by noted film historian Robert Osborne, as part of an unprecedented, ongoing Turner Classic Movies film festival hosted by NCM Fathom-equipped cinemas. This special presentation of THE BIRDS will begin with an introduction, mini-documentary and interview with film star Tippi Hedren prior to the presentation of the film itself, so, today let us take a look back at one of the most influential and terrifying films of the 1960s, as well as the formidable icon who made it, Alfred Hitchcock. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Kids Take Over Broadway This Season - A Look At ANNIE, MATILDA, CINDERELLA, A CHRISTMAS STORY, ELF & More

The 2012-2013 Broadway season is positively brimming with musicals featuring characters under the age of 18, so today we will take a special anticipatory look at the many kid-themed properties that have already begun to flood the Great White Way. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: A Hal David Remembrance

Early Saturday morning, legendary lyricist Hal David passed away at the age of 91, so today we will be celebrating his life by partaking in some of the most memorable and entertaining moments from his starry, sixty-year career as captured on the internet. (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Splashes Back

Slipping and sliding back into Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide for an encore engagement on August 22 in honor of its sixtieth anniversary, the iconic and legendary 1952 movie musical masterpiece SINGIN' IN THE RAIN makes its grand return to the silver screen in a brand new HD remastering that any movie musical fan, film fanatic or Broadway baby will definitely want to experience first hand - especially on the very night before Gene Kelly's 100th birthday. A special event presented by Turner Classic Movies - also featuring an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Robert Osborne and spotlighting original film star Debbie Reynolds - this Wednesday's encore showing of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is one more enduring entry in a continuing series of classic releases shown in HD for the first time in Fathom-equipped movie theaters across the country - past highlighted films have included SCARFACE, WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CASABLANCA and many more. So, in celebration of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN splashing its way back to the silver screen one more time, today we are going to take a look back at some of the most well-known and best-loved scenes from the film - boasting a star-studded cast led by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner and Debbie Reynolds; directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, with songs by Nacio Herb Brown and movie musical magnate Arthur Freed - as well as partake in the many famous and infamous homages paying tribute to the rightly well-regarded movie musical gem over the years since its release. Gene Kelly to Gwyneth Paltrow to Kurt Browning to Usher; GLEE to THE MUPPET SHOW to FAMILY GUY; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to FAME to SPAMALOT and far, far beyond; this retrospective look at one of the most important and influential - and just plain fun - American movie musicals ever produced certainly has it all; and then some! Ain't it great to stay up late (again)? (more...)

FLASH SPECIAL: Focus On ROBOT & FRANK's Frank Langella

Today we are shining a special solo spotlight on one of the most revered actors of the stage and screen on the premiere of his newest feature film lead role, in ROBOT & FRANK - which recently received the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film Festival - the incomparable Frank Langella. (more...)