Top Stories You Missed on BWW This Weekend - 3/8-3/9/2014

This just in! New York City Center's acclaimed Encores! Off-Center series, under the artistic direction of Jeanine Tesori, will return this summer for a second season of landmark Off-Broadway musicals. The season opens with Jonathan Larson's tick, tick… BOOM!, June 25 - 28, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo, directed by Oliver Butler, and continues with a one-night only performance of Randy Newman'sFaust: The Concert, with Randy Newman as the Devil, directed by Thomas Kail, on July 1. Pump Boys and Dinettes, withbook, music and lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann , directed by Lear deBessonet and choreographed by Danny Mefford, wraps up the season, running July 16 - 19. Chris Fenwick is the Encores! Off-Center music director. (more...)

The hotly anticipated revival of international smash hit mega-musical MISS SAIGON by the team of Alain Boublil and Claude Michel-Schonberg is gearing up for a West End revival spearheaded by original producer Cameron Mackintosh and one of the stars of the new production is already on location in the UK preparing to play her part - Rachelle Ann Go. (more...)

Broadway headliner and GLEE breakout star Lea Michele has found considerable success in just a few days with the international embrace of her new solo album LOUDER. (more...)

Just released by HBO is a powerful teaser for their upcoming presentation of THE NORMAL HEART, which will air on Sunday, May 25th at 9pm on HBO. (more...)

Last month, Cutting Edge Composers held their concert at 54 Below, and one of the highlights of the evening included 'The Last Loser in the Universe' by Drew Gasparini being sung by the incredibly talented Ben Platt, who is currently starring in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. Check out Platt's performance below! (more...)

Yesterday's shots come from CTG/Mark Taper Form's VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE with Christine Ebersole, David Hull, Kristine Nielsen and more; Broadway's IF/THEN; Max von Essen, currently taking part in York's TENDERLOIN, and others! (more...)

Today in 2008, In the Heights opened at the Richard Rogers Theatre, where it ran for 1184 performances. In the Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegria Hudes. The story explores three days in the characters' lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights. The Broadway production was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning four: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler), and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman). It was also a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. (more...)

Sheila MacRae, film, TV and Broadway actress known for her portrayal of 'Alice Kramden' on the TV series THE HONEYMOONERS, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2014. She was 92. Below, BroadwayWorld remembers the famed stage and screen actress. (more...)

The new musical Rocky is currently in previews at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre ahead of an official bow on March 13. ROCKY brings to life the iconic and inspiring story of struggling small time Philly boxer, Rocky Balboa, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to go the distance against heavyweight champ Apollo Creed. The production is directed by Alex Timbers, and features choreography by Steven Hoggett and Kelly Devine. BroadwayWorld was with the trio as they were hanging out in Times Square and you can check out photos from the special photo shoot below! (more...)

All the Way, the new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan, starring BREAKING BAD's Bryan Cranston, opened on March 6, 2014, on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre. The play is directed by Bill Rauch, Artistic Director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where All the Way began its theatrical life. BroadwayWorld was on the scene to capture the starry red carpet arrivals - check out photos below! (more...)

Broadway stars might boast the biggest fan-bases, but without their directors, the vehicle driving their talents could easily swerve off the tracks. Keeping the runaway train at bay are season's bold Broadway 'conductors'. Scroll down to learn more about this season's intrepid and imaginative leaders! (more...)

Lauren Kennedy, Norm Lewis, Jeff McCarthy, Hugh Panaro, Alice Ripley, The Skivvies and more will take part in 'I Will Never Leave You: 54 Sings Side Show' tonight, March 9, 2014 at 54 Below. (more...)

On Friday, March 7, Lincoln Center's American Songbook Presented 'Jim Caruso's Cast Party Goes To The Movies,' with two shows at The Allen Room overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park South. Host Jim Caruso and Musical Director Billy Stritch, along with the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (David Katzenberg on bass and Daniel Glass on drums) celebrated the Golden Age of Hollywood with a variety show starring a dazzling roster of friends including Christina Bianco, Jeffry Denman, Natalie Douglas, Clarke Thorell, Marilyn Maye, and Jane Monheit. Jim Luigs directed the festivities. Check out a look back below! (more...)

Marymount Manhattan College presented FOOTLOOSE this past week. Jeremy Kushnier and Catherine Cox-Broadway's original Ren and Ethel McCormack-attended a cocktail party held by President Judson Shaver prior to the sold-out performance. FOOTLOOSE was directed and choreographed by Bethany Christine Elkin with Music Direction by Justin. S. Fischer. Check out a photo from their visit below! (more...)

Tony Award-winning Rupert Holmes will headline the second annual master class benefit event for the New York-based non-profit theatre company New York Theatre Barn called A Conversation with Rupert Holmes: From Platinum Piña Coladas to Tony-winning Playwright on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 2pm at the SVA Theatre in New York City. All proceeds will support New York Theatre Barn's convention-defying process for new musical development and its ongoing operations. This event follows on the heels of 2013's sold-out benefit event starring living legend Barry Manilow, and will be hosted by The New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel. (more...)

Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Stew (Passing Strange), recently gathered at 54 Below for a press performance of his his show THE NEW STEW REVIEW, which he performed at the venue this weekend. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special preview below! (more...)

On Saturday evening, March 1st at 7:30pm Pace University presented American Showstoppers, with the 13 piece Fred Barton Orchestra, AN EVENING OF JERRY HERMAN. The evening was directed and choreographed by Scott Thompson and produced, orchestrated and hosted by Fred Barton, and starred Klea Blackhurst, Toni DiBuono, Jeffry Denman, Tari Kelly, Damon Kirsche, Beth Leavel, Karen Murphy and the inimitable Lee Roy Reams. The cast also featured Lianne Marie Dobbs, AJ Hunsucker, Jesse Luttrell and the Scott Thompson dancers. Check out a look back at the evening below! (more...)

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on March 9 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events! (more...)