99 and Under the Radar: Being forced to not look away...June 17, 2011The concept of Ajax in Iraq by Ellen McLaughlin is one that instantly intrigues. Taking the classic Sophocles legend and drawing parallels to the war in Iraq certainly raises an eyebrow or two. That being said, even though I am sure this play is an engaging read, when put into the hands of the masterful Flux Theatre Ensemble it becomes all encompassing. Flux has chosen to call it's current season of theatre 'Don't Look Away' and this very accurately describes the inner monologue of the audience at this fascinating production. It's rare to have an experience at the theatre that won't let you go, but this is one of those occasions.
Photo Flash: Tom Cruise in ROCK OF AGES Film!June 17, 2011ROCK OF AGES, directed by Adam Shankman, recently started filming in Miami Florida. The film stars Tom Cruise as 'Stacee Jaxx,' Diego Boneta as 'Drew,' Julianne Hough as 'Sherrie,' Russell Brand as 'Lonny,' Alec Baldwin as 'Dennis,' Mary J. Blige as 'Justice,' Brian Cranston as the Mayor, Malin Ackerman as 'Constance Sack,' Catherine Zeta-Jones as the wife of the Mayor and Paul Giamatti as 'Paul Gill.' The first photo of Tom Crusie as Stacey Jaxx has surfaced and appears below!
STAGE TUBE: Sarah Palin Hopes National Endowment for the Arts Meets the Chopping BlockJune 17, 2011Yesterday, June 16, Sarah Palin appeared on Fox's Hannity talk show with Sean Hannity. In addition to the general Democrat-bashing, among the topics of discussion were unions, health care, her feelings on Julianne Moore portraying her in an upcoming HBO movie and her views on goverment programs, including The National Endowment for the Arts.
Never one to white wash her views, the half-term Alaskan Governor and former VP candidate was clear in her disdain for the arts support organization, saying: 'NPR, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, all those kind of frivolous things that government shouldn't be in the business of funding with tax dollars -- those should all be on the chopping block as we talk about the $14 trillion debt that we're going to hand to our kids and our grandkids. Yes, those are the type of things that for more than one reason need to be cut.'
BroadwayWorld Seeks Video Interviewer in San Francisco!June 17, 2011Interested in joining BroadwayWorld's video team in the Bay Area? BroadwayWorld.com is now accepting inquiries for San Francisco video interviewers! Applicants should be industry enthusiasts and have an interest in giving your local theater prominence on the largest theater site on the net through video.
Kara DioGuardi to Make Broadway Debut as 'Roxie' in CHICAGO in Sept.June 17, 2011As announced on the Friday, June 17 edition of 'Live with Regis and Kelly,' this fall, Kara DioGuardi, Grammy nominated songwriter and star of 'American Idol' and Bravo's 'Platinum Hit', will make her Broadway stage debut as merry murderess Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO for an eight-week limited engagement, Monday, September 5 through Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the Ambassador Theatre.
STAGE TUBE: SPIDER-MAN: A Dramatic Reading, by Patrick PageJune 17, 2011Patrick Paige, currently appearing as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway took to a different stage last night. Putting on his best poker face, Page performed a dramatic reading of the 1967 Spider-Man Theme Song by Paul Francis Webster and Robert 'Bob' Harris at 'Broadway Sessions with Ben D' at the Ha! Comedy Club, accompaniment by Joshua Steven Kartes. Click below for the hilarity.
STAGE TUBE: Terrence McNally Talks MASTER CLASS and Power of OperaJune 17, 2011Manhattan Theatre Club's new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's MASTER CLASS, directed by Stephen Wadsworth, began previews tomorrow at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The limited engagement will open Thursday, July 7. Click below to hear all about Master Class from playwright McNally!
DRIVING MISS DAISY Heads to London with Bway Cast for 12 Weeks, Dates AnnouncedJune 16, 2011The producers of Driving Miss Daisy have just announced on the Tony red carpet that the Broadway production will play a limited engagement in London for 12 weeks beginning in October with the Broadway cast, including James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Boyd Gaines. BroadwayWorld will keep you updated as more details are revealed!
Arden-Helmed FOR THE RECORD: JOHN HUGHES Adds Second Show at City Winery, 6/27June 16, 2011Celebrate songs and scenes of a motion picture master. FOR THE RECORD: JOHN HUGHES celebrates the soundtracks that defined a generation. Immerse yourself in 80's movie magic with Bender, Ferris, Ducky, Sam, Kevin and the Griswolds. Hollywood's critically acclaimed 360-degree concert and dining experience makes it's New York debut at City Winery on June 27th at 8PM.
Photo Flash: Paice, Luker & More in DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY at the Roundabout!June 16, 2011Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of the new musical Death Takes a Holiday, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, and directed by Doug Hughes. Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris, and originally produced by Messrs. Shubert. The production shots have just been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!
Daniel Radcliffe Offers Free Tix to HOW TO SUCCEED Fans, 6/22June 16, 2011Daniel Radcliffe announced on his official facebook page today that to celebrate the 100th performance of HOW TO SUCCEED, the first 50 people in line to purchase general rush tickets to the 8PM performance on June 22nd will receive their pair of tickets for free, courtesy of the screen-turned-stage star himself. General rush tickets become available beginning at 10AM at the Al Hischfeld Theatre on June 22. Fans are encoured to line up earlier to save their place.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Returns To Broadway Starring Blair Underwood in 2012; Emily Mann DirectsJune 16, 2011The Hollywood Reporter has reveals today that A Streetcar Named Desire will get a Broadway revival in the spring of 2012, directed by Emily Mann and starring The Event's Blair Underwood as Stanley Kowalski. The production will be presented on Broadway by Front Row Productions. This will be the nineth revival of the famous Tennessee Williams play, the most recent being in 2005 starring the late Natasha Richardson, Amy Ryan and John C. Reilly.
CARRIE Preview Set for Aug. 1 at Lucille Lortel Theatre with Marin Mazzie & Molly RansonJune 16, 2011As previously reported, the musical revival of CARRIE, which recently finished up a development lab at MCC on June 7, will get at off-Broadway run at MCC next year. Directed byt Stafford Arima, choreographed by Matt Williams and musical directed by Mary Mitchell-Campell, preview performances will begin at MCC on January 31, 2012. Carrie will be led by the previously announced Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie (Next to Normal, Kiss Me Kate) as Carrie's evangelical mother, Margaret White, and Molly Ranson (Jerusalem, August: Osage County) as the lonely, vengeful, yet fragile girl at the center of it all.
Linda Lavin, Michael Esper & Gregory Wooddell Lead THE LYONS at Vineyard this FallJune 16, 2011The Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin will head the cast of Nicky Silver's new play THE LYONS, to be given its world-premiere production Off-Broadway by the Vineyard Theatre. this fall with previews starting Wednesday, September 21, 2011 prior to its official opening night October 11, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, artistic director of Vineyard Theatre. Mark Brokaw (HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE) will direct.
OTHER DESERT CITIES Hits Broadway 's Booth Theatre Next Season; Lavin Departs for Vineyard's THE LYONSJune 16, 2011Lincoln Center Theater production of Jon Robin Baitz' OTHER DESERT CITIES, directed by Joe Mantello, opened on January 13 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The cast features Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Linda Lavin, Elizabeth Marvel and Thomas Sadoski. Today, the New York Times suggests that the show is looking to transfer to Broadway, however, a full house on the Great White Way will prevent the show from making a spring move.
Idina Menzel Takes London; Brings Tour to Royal Albert Hall 10/6June 16, 2011Tony Award winning performer Idina Menzel, best known for her roles in Wicked, Rent and Glee, has just added a new date to her tour and will be performing in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 6, Baz Bamigboye has just reported in the UK Daily Mail. Ticket sales officially launch Saturday, June 18. This engagement preceeds a new US tour the songstress is launching in Philadelphia in November, as BroadwayWorld previously reported. Menzel will be touring the country in concert with local symphonies.
STAGE TUBE: Trey Parker and Matt Stone Talk Beating Out Bono with Jon StewartJune 16, 2011The creators of this season's breakout blockbuster, THE BOOK OF MORMON's Trey Parker and Matt Stone, visited Jon Stewart on The Daily Show last night to talk about the show's success and being in the company of SPIDER-MAN's Bono and Edge at the Beacon. To hear the funnymen talk Mormon and rock stars, click below!
STAGE TUBE: THE NORMAL HEART Box Office Triples Since Tony Wins; Broadway Community Shows SupportJune 15, 2011On Sunday night, June 12th, the Broadway premiere production of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart took home the Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play (John Benjamin Hickey) and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Ellen Barkin). These wins helped 'The Normal Heart' become the number one search term on Google all across America on 'Tony Sunday.' Since then, The Normal Heart's daily box office wrap has more than tripled from their average daily sales before Sunday's Tony Awards.