TV: First Look at GORE VIDAL'S THE BEST MAN - Complete Show Highlights!March 30, 2012Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN begins previews on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 and will open official on Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN is coming to Broadway in an all-star theatrical event with two time Tony Award winner James Earl Jones, Tony and Emmy Award winner John Larroquette, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Candice Bergen, Emmy Award winner Eric McCormack, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, Drama Desk Award winner Michael McKean and five time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury. Production footage has just been released and below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look!
TV Exclusive: MEMPHIS Cast Members Share What Stirred the Music of Their Souls March 30, 2012The 2010 Tony Award winning Best Musical Memphis partnered with the American Alliance for Theatre and Education to celebrate March as Theatre in Our Schools Month. In this video, Memphis' rockin' cast members sit down with their very own Bobby 'Big Love,' James Monroe Iglehart, as they share what stirred the music of their souls and inspired them to pursue a career in the theatre.
TV: She's Fabulous Baby! Raven-Symone Takes Debut Bow in SISTER ACT!March 27, 2012Last night, March 27, Raven-Symone took over the leading role of Deloris Van Cartier in Broadway's SISTER ACT. She is stepping into the high-heeled boots of Tony and Olivier Award nominee Patina Miller, who gave her final performance on Sunday, March 18. SISTER ACT, which will celebrate its one-year Anniversary on Broadway on April 20, is playing at the Broadway Theater. BroadwayWorld was on hand for Raven's debut curtain call and brings you a very first look below! Stay tuned for complete coverage of her special opening night!
BWW Video Teaser: Catch a Glimpse of Michael Ball in SWEENEY TODD - New Footage!March 23, 2012The West-End production of SWEENEY TODD, starring Michael Ball as Sweeney Todd and Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Lovett, opened to raves on March 20 at the Adelphi Theatre following its sell-out success at the Chichester Festival Theatre. BroadwayWorld has just gotten ahold of the very first clip of Michael Ball as the demon barber himself singing 'Pretty Women.' Click below to catch a glimpse!
Benjamin Walker Returns to Joe's Pub With FIND THE FUNNY, 4/3March 23, 2012BENJAMIN WALKER (star of the upcoming 20th Century Fox action film ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER) will be back on stage Tuesday, April 3rd at 9:30pm for the return FIND THE FUNNY- which he created and hosts. The show will feature a line-up of comics and performers from clubs and colleges around the country. Special guests are to be announced. Recent guests include John Hodgman, Todd Barry, Reggie Watts, Pat Dixon, Carmen Lynch, Barron Vaughn, Hannibal Burress, Allison Castillo, Tom Shillue, Henry Wolfe, Livia Scott, Nick Kroll and Chappo.
TV Exclusive: Nikki M. James Records for OVER THE MOON: The Broadway Lullaby ProjectMarch 26, 2012Broadway's brightest stars, composers, and musicians are teaming up to create OVER THE MOON: The Broadway Lullaby Project. A 2-CD set of original lullabies plus 48-page children's book and ebook illustrated by America's best-loved artists. The project, executive produced by Kate Dawson and Jodi Glucksman, benefits breast cancer research, support and education.
BroadwayWorld is bringing you exclusive videos of some of your favorite Broadway stars inside the recording studio, contributing their talents to the album. In this episode, we bring you Tony Award-winning actress & singer Nikki M. James (Book of Mormon) recording 'All New' (Music by Marisa Michelson, Lyrics by Joshua H. Cohen). This original lullaby features Fred Hersch on piano and Dave Eggar on cello, produced by Matt Pierson. These are original scenes from the upcoming documentary and web series by Out of The Blue Films, Inc. (www.outofthebluefilms.com).
SPIDER-MAN Producers Make Motion to Dismiss Julie Taymor's Lawsuit; Taymor RespondsMarch 22, 2012Julie Taymor's SPIDER-MAN legal battle continues to press on, as producers 8 Legged Productions, LLC have filed a dismissal of her lawsuit, which claims that much of her work was used unrightfully by the new team. According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, Taymor has responded by filing a dismissal of this dismissal.
Photo Flash: San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Performs Stephen Schwartz's 'Testimony'March 22, 2012Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work.
Check out photos from the 'Testimony' performance below.
'Judas' is Back; Josh Young Returns to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for Opening Night TonightMarch 22, 2012As previously reported, Josh Young, who is starring as 'Judas' in Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR after originating the role in both the Startford and La Jolla productions of the show (receiving rave reviews in both cities), has been out of the show since March 20th, missing multiple critics performances. His role has been played by Jeremy Kushnier in his absence.
BroadwayWorld has now learned that Young is feeling much better and will be back in the show tonight for the highly anticipated opening performance.
TV: San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Premieres Stephen Schwartz's It Gets Better-Inspired 'Testimony'March 22, 2012Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work.
'Testimony' has been released by the Gay Men's Chorus and BroadwayWorld brings you the moving performance below.
Photo Flash: AH, WILDERNESS! Opens at Arena StageMarch 21, 2012Ah, Wilderness!, Eugene O'Neill's depiction of American family life at the turn of the 20th century, kicked off the two-month citywide Eugene O'Neill Festival at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. From a playwright better known for his darker stories comes the brilliant Ah, Wilderness!, O'Neill's singular comedy that represents a fantasy of what his own childhood might have been. Helen Hayes Award winner and former Arena Stage Associate Artistic Director Kyle Donnelly directed her 21st show at Arena Stage, which features an almost entirely local cast led by Rick Foucheux, Nancy Robinette and June Schreiner. Ah, Wilderness! runs March 9-April 8, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage. Check out the opening night photos below!
TV: Encores! PIPE DREAM in Rehearsal - Laura Osnes, Will Chase & More!March 21, 2012Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, the second Encores! production of the 2011-12 season, is now in rehearsal and will run from March 28 - April 1 at New York City Center. Pipe Dream is being directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the press rehearsal today and below BroadwayWorld brings you a first look!
FAT CAMP Opens at American Theatre of Actors 4/12; Carly Jibson et al. LeadMarch 21, 2012Producers Carl Levin, Michael Minarik and The Dodgers announced today that the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival's Outstanding Musical winner FAT CAMP will begin performances off Broadway on April 12, 2012 at the American Theatre of Actors. FAT CAMP features a book by Randy Blair (Perez Hilton Saves the Universe) and Tim Drucker (Perez Hilton Saves the Universe), music by Matthew roi Berger (NY Neo-Classical Ensemble's 12th Night), lyrics by Randy Blair, choreography by Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages) and direction by Casey Hushion (In the Heights, Drowsy Chaperone and Elf - as Associate Director).