Top Stories You Missed on BWW This Weekend - 10/1-10/2/2016

Apparently the call of the Saturday Night Live stage was too strong for Lin-Manuel Miranda to wait for a visit until his hosting gig this upcoming Saturday; everyone's favorite PBS rapper (as Steve Harvey likes to call him) joined the show one week early to appear on the Celebrity Family Feud: Political Edition segment. Of course, as we all know, Miranda's a little busy right now, so comedian Cecily Strong stepped up to fill in for the freestyle icon. (more...)

Finding Neverland, the enchanting Broadway musical set to soar on tour this fall, just began rehearsals under the visionary direction of Tony Award-winnerDiane Paulus. The cast is led by Kevin Kern (Bridges of Madison County, Wicked) and Christine Dwyer (Wicked, Rent), with Tom Hewitt (Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago), Joanna Glushak (A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, After the Night and the Music), Jordan Cole, Finn Faulconer, Ben Krieger, Jacob Morrell, Gregory Trechel, and Mitchell Wray. (more...)

The audience of Michael Feinstein's concert at Feinstein's at the Nikko got lucky last night when he invited legend of the star and stage, his friend Liza Minnelli, up to the stage with him to perform 'I Love A Piano.' The number was dedicated to the celebration and memory of Minnelli's mother, beloved actress Judy Garland.  (more...)

Heather Headley played her last performance as Shug Avery in The Color Purple today, and the entire cast gathered together at curtain call to send her off with the most fitting tribute: a group performance of the Gospel song 'I Won't Complain.' (more...)

Heather Headley will take her final bow as Shug Avery in the Tony-winning Broadway revival of The Color Purple this evening. Headley joined the company on May 10th after taking over the role from Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer Holliday will assume the role beginning October 4th. (more...)

In 1935, on the set of the movie musical, Top Hat, composer Irving Berlin hummed a then unfamiliar tune to the film's star, Fred Astaire. He had envisioned the song as a centerpiece for a future film starring Astaire and his dance partner, Ginger Rogers. At the time, Berlin was in the midst of a project writing songs for each of the major holidays of the year, but based on his Jewish upbringing, the composer found that Christmas was the most difficult holiday to write for. Nevertheless, the legendary composer rose to the challenge and gave us what is now one of the most popular holiday songs in history, 'White Christmas.' (more...)

As if one Donald Trump wasn't scary enough, Saturday Night Live returned last night for a new season and with it came the return of the show's election commentary, including Alec Baldwin as the new Donald Trump, following the departure of former cast member Taran Killam. Featuring Trump complaining about his microphone being 'bad,' frequently interrupting Secretary Clinton, and his continued lies about issues such as his support of the Iraq war, the cold open sketch takes on a recap of the first Presidential Debate, with Emmy-winner Kate McKinnon resuming her role as Hillary Clinton, and Michael Che taking on the role of the debate moderator, Lester Holt. (more...)

Direct from London and an international tour, Complicite's acclaimed production of The Encounter, conceived, directed and performed by Simon McBurney, opened just last night at Broadway's John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). The production began performances on September 20 and will play a limited engagement through January 8, 2017. (more...)

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on October 2 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events! (more...)

Four of the MUNY's favorite former leading ladies are returning to the popular St. Louis venue. This time, they're coming together for the concert series Muny Magic at the Sheldon. The concert, fittingly titled 'Today's Muny Stars Celebrate the Legends,' will celebrate beloved stage icons who have also performed at the MUNY, including Ethel Merman and Bernadette Peters.  (more...)