Piven Exits SPEED-THE-PLOW, Mamet Comments on IllnessDecember 17, 2008Variety is reporting that Jeremy Piven will abruptly end his run in Broadway's 'Speed-the-Plow,' after missing Tuesday evening's performance and a Wednesday matinee. Sources revealed to Variety that Piven has informed the producers that he hasn't been feeling well and that the condition is attributable to a high mercury count.
MAMMA MIA! DVD Takes In 30 Million In First Day Of SalesDecember 17, 2008Universal is reporting that consumers said 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' to Mamma Mia! The Movie, the most successful film musical of all time worldwide, as first day domestic DVD and Blu-rayTM consumer spend totaled over $30 million.
BROADWAY KIDS CARE Appear On ABC's Good Morning America 12/22December 17, 2008Broadway Kids Care (BKC), the organization of theater kids for kids (and others), will appear on 'Good Morning America' on Monday, December 22, 2008 during the 8:30 a.m. half hour as part of GMA's ?Warm Coats & Warm Hearts' Drive.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival Forced To Cancel Planned 'LES MIZ'December 17, 2008'Les Mis?rables,' the biggest show on the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's 2008-2009 schedule has become the casualty of the nation's economic downturn reports the Montgomery Advertiser.
The Advertiser details that 'ASF, the 'state theater' and one of the top Shakespeare theaters in the world, has prided itself on productions that reflect current issues. But it hadn't planned on this year's biggest issue, the economic crisis, to take center stage at the festival. In fact, one of the most important performances at ASF has become the theater's economic performance.
South Pacific 50th Anniv. Collector's Edition Blu-ray & DVD Released 3/31December 17, 200820th Century Fox 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'South Pacific: 50th Anniversary Edition' to Blu-ray on March 31st, day-and-date with the DVD re-release. This two disc set will present both the theatrical and roadshow versions of the film utilizing 2.20:1 1080p video accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.
UPRIGHT CABARET'S EAST COAST CAVALCADE OF STARS Debuts at Joe's Pub 1/11December 17, 2008UPRIGHT CABARET'S EAST COAST CAVALCADE OF STARS debuts at Joe's Pub on Sunday, January 11 at 11:00 PM. Upright Cabaret is described in press notes as, 'L.A.'s famed 'new generation cabaret' is a wildly popular night of music featuring an eclectic mix of artists from stage, record and screen. Sunny southern Californian Producer/Hosts Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel along with Music Director Chris Bratten, have turned their show into a hip and contemporary social swirl of young Broadway and young Hollywood. Scheduled performers T.B.A. tickets $25
'HELL'S KITCHEN THE MUSICAL Opens Off-Broadway 2/11/09December 17, 2008Hell's Kitchen is the musical story of an era in New York City history that will never come again. It takes place in the early 1960's in a neighborhood both feared and respected by those who stepped within it's borders. It follows the life of Danny Vincente and his friends and family through the warmth and the heartbreak of their lives. It has doowop on street corners, street smart scams, rooftop sanctuaries, mobsters, strippers and the scintillating rock scene of the true 1960's. It has 25 songs based on the values of old Broadway.
'BROADWAY IN CHICAGO' Celebrates Holidays with Discounts/Events!December 17, 2008Broadway In Chicago have announced they hope to provide the perfect celebration this holiday season. All audience members attending the 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. performance of JERSEY BOYS, WICKED or DIRTY DANCING - THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE on New Year's Eve will automatically be entered in a drawing to win $2009. All performances on December 31, 2008 will end with plenty of time to celebrate the New Year with friends and family.
SLEEPWALK WITH ME Extends Through 3/22December 17, 2008The new comedy Sleepwalk With Me by Mike Birbiglia has announced that is extending through March 22nd, 2009 at The Bleecker Street Theatre (45 Bleecker Street just East of Lafayette). In addition, there will now be a Saturday matinee at 4pm, which replaces the 10pm performance.
Noseworthy, Toro and Gibson Among Guests for Barbour's Sardi's Holiday Concert SeriesDecember 17, 2008The special guest are list has been announced foor James Barbour'S HOLIDAY CONCERT at Sardi's (234 West 44th Street - between Broadway & Eighth Avenue).
The starry list is as follows, Brandi Burkhardt (December 20), Natalie Toro (December 23), Derek Keeling and Kate Shindle (December 24), Jodi Graham (December 26), Deborah Gibson (December 27), Marla Schaffel (December 30), Marc Kudisch (January 2), Natalie Toro and Kevin Earley (January 3), and film and stage star Jack Noseworthy (January 4).
The Concert is at 8:30 pm. THE HOLIDAY CONCERT will play at Sardi's through Sunday, January 4th where it intends to become an annual event. It is being presented by Treehouse Entertainment, Inc. and Roberta Nusim for TMA (Theatrical Marketing Associates).
Photo Flash: David Pittsinger in SOUTH PACIFICDecember 17, 2008Bass-Baritone David Pittsinger has assumed the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater for a limited time. He has stepped in for the production's current Emile de Becque, Tony Winning baritone Paulo Szot, who had to leave the musical to honor two previously scheduled opera commitments.
NYC Council Honors IN THE HEIGHTS with Special Proclamation 1/18December 17, 2008The New York City Council will honor the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS with a special Proclamation. Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC Councilmember Miguel Martinez and Councilmember Robert Jackson will present the Proclamation to IN THE HEIGHTS' producer Jill Furman and composer/leading actor Lin-Manuel Miranda for the show's success in introducing millions of people to the vibrant neighborhood and its residents situated at the top of the island of Manhattan. The event will take place on Thursday December 18th in the City Hall Chambers.
Vital Theatre Co. Presents World Premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY 1/21-2/8December 17, 2008VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL.
The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.
Public's UNDER THE RADAR Series Begins 1/7December 17, 2008The Public Theater will begin performances for UNDER THE RADAR 2009 on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. This 12-day festival, committed to tracking new theater from across the U.S. and around the world, will run through Sunday, January 18. Tickets are $15 to UNDER THE RADAR shows at The Public and are currently on-sale.
Kelly Ripa's 'WHITE CHRISTMAS' Backstage Visit Available OnlineDecember 17, 2008'Live with Regis & Kelly' host Kelly Ripa made her holiday dreams true with a visit to the hit Broadway musical IRVING BERLIN?S WHITE CHRISTMAS to play dress up with Meredith Patterson in costume designer Carrie Robbins' 1950's inspired dresses.
CHICAGO, Coca Cola and Duane Reade Team Up For Holiday DiscountsDecember 17, 2008The Coca Cola Company, in conjunction with the smash hit musical, CHICAGO, will bring a bit of Broadway to consumers this holiday season as the company announced a promotion of unprecedented value to drive theater goers to the Tony Award-winning smash hit.
THE JOE ICONIS CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Opens 12/17December 17, 2008Join Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks in an insane celebration of all things red and green, wherein Joe and his friends learn the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, this promises to be the happiest and wildest holiday hoedown you've ever seen. Yes, Virginia - Joe's gonna give you something to wassail about, all right.
Goodspeed's EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS Opens 12/17December 17, 2008Due to the overwhelming audience response to this new holiday favorite, Goodspeed Musicals has added two performances to the schedule of the sensational world premiere stage musical based on Jim Henson's classic holiday favorite Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. The two new performances are Sunday, December 28 and Sunday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m.. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will run December 7, 2008, through January 4, 2009, at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut.