Wake Up With BWW 3/22: MJ THE MUSICAL Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE Film Cast, and More!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Scroll down for the latest news.

Today's top stories include an upcoming North American tour of MJ the Musical, set to begin in 2023. Plus, Ben Levi Ross returns to Dear Evan Hansen, additional casting for The Color Purple film, and more!

Read more about these and other top stories below!

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Today's Top Stories

Mill Mountain Theatre Will Stage Previously Canceled Production Of IN THE HEIGHTS
by BWW Staff

Over the weekend, cast members at Mill Mountain Theatre were told they were being let go after bringing to leadership complaints of whitewashing of the role of Vanessa in the production.. (more...)

Photos: First Look at Jackie Burns, Jonah Platt & More in A WALK ON THE MOON Rehearsals
by Bruce Glikas

George Street Playhouse shared photos today from the first rehearsal for the East Coast premiere of the new musical A Walk on the Moon, which begins preview performances April 26 and opens May 6 at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, only a short train ride from New York City.. (more...)

MJ Will Embark on North American Tour in 2023
by Stephi Wild

The new musical MJ will launch a coast-to-coast North American tour at Broadway In Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre on July 15, 2023, and will play in 17 major cities (and more than 60 engagement weeks) in its first season, while MJ continues its Broadway run at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City.. (more...)

Ben Levi Ross Returns to DEAR EVAN HANSEN Beginning Tomorrow For Eight Weeks Only
by Chloe Rabinowitz

Ben Levi Ross will be welcomed back to the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) this Tuesday, March 22, where he will re-join the Broadway company of Dear Evan Hansen as 'Evan Hansen.'. (more...)

Death of Broadway Singing Coach Barbara Maier Gustern Has Been Classified As a Homicide
by Chloe Rabinowitz

The death last week of Broadway singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern has been classified by New York police as a homicide. Her attacker remains at large.. (more...)

Jarrod Spector Will Play Steven Spielberg in the World Premiere of BRUCE at Seattle Rep
by Chloe Rabinowitz

Seattle Rep announced that Tony-nominated leading man Jarrod Spector has been cast in the highly anticipated role of Steven Spielberg in the world-premiere production of BRUCE.. (more...)

Final Week To Vote In The 2021 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; See The Current Standings!
by Marianka Swain

It's the final week of voting for the 2021 BroadwayWorld UK Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favourites. Voting closes on Friday, 25 March.. (more...)

THE COLOR PURPLE Film Adds David Alan Grier, Louis Gossett, Jr., and More!
by Stephi Wild

Joining the cast are Louis Gossett, Jr. as 'Ol' Mister', David Alan Grier as 'Reverend Avery', Tamela J. Mann as 'First Lady', Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as 'Young Celie', Deon Cole as 'Alfonso', and Stephen Hill as 'Buster'.. (more...)

Photos: First Look at Fra Fee, Amy Lennox, and More in CABARET
by Stephi Wild

Cabaret gets its new leads beginning tonight! Fra Fee will play 'The Emcee' and Amy Lennox will play 'Sally Bowles' from 21 March - 25 June 2022. This unique production opened in December last year to critical and audience acclaim.. (more...)

Broadway Birthdays

Happy Birthday shout-out to Broadway legends, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber!

Today we remember Stephen Sondheim, and celebrate the birthday of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Without a doubt, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim have collectively created many of the most highly-awarded and most universally recognizable musicals of the 20th and 21st century, both firmly establishing themselves as perhaps the most major composers on Broadway and beyond.

"The Music Of The Night". "Send In The Clowns". "Memory". "Being Alive". "Jesus Christ Superstar". "No One Is Alone". "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". "Not While I'm Around". And, those are just their biggest hit songs!

See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!