Brian Estrada

Casting was recently completed for the Broadway premiere of Rajiv Joseph's play BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO - set to begin previews March 11 and open March 31 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.), starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut - it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Center Theatre Group.

The spectacular new stage musical just finished its pre-Broadway engagement at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada on January 2, 2011 prior to beginning performances at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on February 28, and opening on March 20. A couple of weeks ago, BroadwayWorld brought you the first shots of the marquee going up. Below, we bring you a look at the finished product!

Fran Sancisco took the stage at the D-Lounge on Sunday, August 22. The duo, comprised of American Idiot cast members Brian Charles Johnson and Chase Peacock, performed their original pop/hip-hop music in their first headlining show. American Idiot cast mate Declan Bennett opened the show, which also featured additional American Idiot cast member Alysha Umphress. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Yesterday, June 9, the Empire State Building hosted a reception in honor of the 2010 Tony nominees on the famed rooftop observatory. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photo op and to take in the view.

Last night, May 20, the producers of FELA! hosted a post-theater reception at The Palm in midtown for Broadway national tour presenters from across the country who are in town for the Spring League Conference and for members of the FELA! company in celebration of thier 11 Tony Award nominations - the most of any show this season. In attendence were Tony nominated producers Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Stephen & Ruth Hendel, Tony-nominated director & choreographer Bill T. Jones, and Tony-nominated stars Sahr Ngaujah and Lillias White. BroadwayWorld was also on hand to celebrate.

Yesterday, April 27, cast members from AMERICAN IDIOT helped unveil the IDIOT-themed windows at Bloomingdale's on 59th Street. The Nudie denim line sold at the superstore is partnering with the production. The window displays honor the cast and celebrate the show's recent opening on April 20, 2010. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos of the afternoon event.

Here, we've got a few great snaps of the 'signing wall' at the St. James Theatre where fans can (and HAVE!) leave messages by writing on the wall - similar to what was done for RENT at the Nederlander Theatre.

On Sunday, March 28, Macy's Herald Square launched the 36th annual Macy's Flower Show with the help of some of Broadway's finest, including Twyla Tharp, the cast of Come Fly Away, and Avenue Q alumnus John Tartaglia, who is preparing to open Imaginocean at New World Stages on March 31, 2010. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the opening ceremony to famed flower show, wherein visitors experience a floral sanctuary on the main floor of the world's largest store.

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, women modeling the famous red sequined dresses from David Mament's critically acclaimed new play RACE, took over Times Square on Wednesday, March 24, to promote the show which stars James Spader, Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier and Richard Thomas. The women handed out flyers and posed for pictures with passerby's.

Broadway's busy spring season has begun, as each week brings the opening of the year's most highly anticipated shows. The talk this week is all about RED, a new American play by John Logan about the master of twentieth century abstract impressionism, Mark Rothko, which opens on Broadway on Thursday, April 1 at the Golden Theatre. Previews began on Thursday, March 11. BroadwayWorld brings you a look at the show's marquee going up and complete!

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009. Karen Olivo won a 2009 Tony Award for her performance as 'Anita,' and the new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. WEST SIDE STORY recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks (247 performances), and a touring production is set to tour North America beginning in the fall of 2010.

Members of Broadway Bares, Tom Viola (Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS), David Ludwigson (God's Love We Deliver), and The Imperial Court of New York's Emperor XVIII Tony Monteleone & Empress XXIII Anne Tique assembled at Times Square's Red Stairs yesterday in anticipation of the extravagant charity event - the 24th Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns.

It has been 15 years since RIVERDANCE first stomped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe. Now, the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance has returned to where it was first introduced to American audiences...the famed Radio City Music Hall, to play 8 farewell performances through March 21st, 2010. Opening was last night, March 17, 2010. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the rehearsal room and the special opening night celebration.

The court of Disney Princesses was joined by Anika Noni Rose ('Tiana') and a host of celebrity guests as Tiana was officially crowned the ninth member of the beloved Disney Princess Royal Court. A magical ceremony took place in the Grand Ballroom at the historic New York Palace in Manhattan on March 14, 2010. As the newest Disney Princess, Tiana will forever be celebrated and recognized as a Disney Princess across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company and will be included in all Disney Princess merchandise featuring multiple Disney Princess characters. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the red carpet.

The cast of The Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway-bound COLLECTED STORIES met with the press last week. Rehearsals for the production began on March 3, in preparation for a Wednesday, April 27 opening night at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production will start previews on Friday, April 9. COLLECTED STORIES stars Tony Award winner Linda Lavin (THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, THE NEW CENTURY) and Golden Globe nominee Sarah Paulson ('Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,' THE GLASS MENAGERIE on Broadway).

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson and Board Chairman Warren Spector officially launched the GOING PUBLIC Capital Campaign on Tuesday, March 9 at a ceremonial groundbreaking event attended by more than 150 people including, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and Board Members Gail Papp, Liev Schreiber and Sam Waterston.

The American Theatre Wing Presented the 2010 Jonathan Larson® Grants on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. This year, Peter Lerman, Daniel Maté, and songwriting team Michael Kooman (music) and Christopher Dimond (book & lyrics) were selected to receive the prestigious grants, totaling $10,000. The evening included special performances of the recipients' work by Brian d'Arcy James and Kerry Butler. Brad Bass, John Eric Parker, and Ephraim Sykes from Memphis performed a rarely heard Jonathan Larson song. BroadwayWorld was there for the ceremony.

This week, off-Broadway's The Play Company brought together some of NYC's top chefs and theater artists for its seventh annual gala Cabaret Gourmet 2010, a unique evening hosted by Bryan Batt, the beloved Broadway performer and star of the hit television series 'Mad Men.' The evening featured a performance by Tony-nominee Barbara Walsh and savory and sweet dishes prepared by chefs from several of the city's most celebrated restaurants.

The cast of FELA! recorded the soundtrack of their acclaimed hit Broadway musical this week, with a release date set for June 8, 2010. BroadwayWorld was there to shoot the session.

Premieres, in association with Primary Stages, introduced the cast of the world premiere of Inner Voices: Solo Musicals, to the press this week. Inner Voices consists of two one-act musicals: Mosaic with book & lyrics by Cheri Steinkellner and music and lyrics by Georgia Stitt, featuring Heidi Blickenstaff; and Whida Peru: Resurrection Tangle, with book and lyrics by David Simpatico and music by Josh Schmidt, featuring Judith Blazer. Jonathan Butterell directs both musicals, with musical direction by Andy Boroson, J. Oconer Navarro and Steve Marzullo.