Jessica Lewis - Page 50

In one of the most highly anticipated openings in recent Broadway memory, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark officially celebrates their opening night on Tuesday, June 14 th at the Foxwoods Theatre. The show features creative consultation by Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz), original direction by Tony® Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Across The Universe, Frida), music and lyrics by 22- time Grammy® Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics, "Big Love"). The newest production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, A Fish Called Wanda is being given musical treatment by original screenwriter John Cleese and his daughter Camilla. Bill Bailey has been recruited to compose. In an interview with The Hour, Cleese reveals that he has altered the last 20 minutes of the show in the stage version. Of the new plot addition he says: 'So we changed the last 20 minutes completely, they now escape in a helicopter from London Zoo so it's been great fun changing it.' The project has yet to commit to a director. Click below to hear Cleese on all things Wanda!

Last night, the American Film Institute awarded Morgan Freeman with their 39th Life Achievement Award in Culver City, Los Angeles. During the evening, clips of Freeman's films were presented by stars such as Clint Eastwood, Tim Robbins, Forest Whitaker, Garth Brooks and Betty White.

In the wake of the news of an online search for the next 'Funny Girl' Fanny Brice in the upcoming revival of the show, The New York Times reveals today that director Bartlett Sher was in talks with GLEE diva Lea Michele for the role, though her participation is unlikely due to her GLEE commitments next season when Funny Girl begins production.

On Wednesday, June 8, the English National Ballet performed their 'Strictly Gershwin' performance, presented by Raymond Gubbay and The Royal Albert Hall. BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage of the dancers in performance below.

Jump, the internationally-renowned live-action martial arts comedy created by Yegam, Inc. Productions, currently playing at Off-Broadway's New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) will play its final performance Sunday, June 12th at 7PM after 39 preview performances.

As previously reported, the cast of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT will be performing the show stopper 'It's Raining Men' at the Tony Awards ceremony on Sunday, June 12. The performance will be broadcast as part of the ceremony on CBS. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the rehearsal run with special guest performers Paul Shaffer (who wrote the tune) and Martha Wash (the song's original songstress). Click below for a video preview of Sunday's production number!

Every Tony Needs a Tina! BestofOffBroadway.com has announced the winners of the 2011 Tina Awards, honoring the best Off-Broadway productions and performances of the 2010-2011 season. Nominees were announced on May 12 by Emmy and Drama Critics Circle Award Winner Leslie Jordan on BestofOffBroadway.com. Thousands of Off-Broadway fans cast their votes, which were tallied on June 9th.

The Lismore Music Festival took place Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 and featured a new production of Mozart's much loved classic Don Giovanni, directed by Dieter Kaegi in the stunning surroundings of Lismore Castle. A new arrangement was commissioned by LMF and was especially arranged by Nick Roth for violin, cello, flute, trombone, saxophones, piano & harpsichord. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the production below!

The Public Theater began previews yesterday, June 6 for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring MEASURE FOR MEASURE, directed by David Esbjornson, and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, directed by Daniel Sullivan. The two shows will run in repertory with the same company of actors through Saturday, July 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Check out the new photos from All's Well That Ends Well below!

The Public Theater began previews June 6 for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring MEASURE FOR MEASURE, directed by David Esbjornson, and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, directed by Daniel Sullivan. The two shows will run in repertory with the same company of actors through Saturday, July 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Check out the full batch of photos from Measure for Measure below!

On June 9, 2011, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) formally filed an arbitration claim against Spider-Man Broadway, LLC, the Producer of 'Spider-Man/Turn Off the Dark' (the 'Producer'), for failure to pay royalties to the Director Julie Taymor.

Telsey and Co., casting office for the new Broadway production of ANNIE, will hold an open call on Sunday, June 12, for girls ages 6-12 to audition for the roles of Annie and the orphans. The production, directed by Tony Award-winner James Lapine, will open in fall 2012 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced.

Only three weeks remain in the 16-week strictly-limited engagement of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO -- Rajiv Joseph's critically-acclaimed play starring Robin Williams -- set to conclude its Broadway run on July 3 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.) in Manhattan. Directed by Moises Kaufman and starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut, BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO remains one of the most widely-praised new plays of the season.

The New York Times reports today that Susan Stromen will direct a musical adaptation of Tim Burton's film, Big Fish. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Hugh Jackman and Laura Benanti recently participated in a reading of the show. The musical is aiming for a spring 2012 Broadway opening. No word from the Times if either Jackman or Benanti are confirmed for the project. Additional creative team members have yet to be announced.

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will host the 13th annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is sponsored by official charity partner, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) with additional sponsorship by the New York Times. The event will take place on Saturday, July 9 in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Berkshire Theatre Festival has announced additional casting for this summer's productions. The new cast members include Tony winners and nominees, multiple veterans of Broadway and Off Broadway as well as many returning BTF alumni. Husband and wife Stephen R. Buntrock and Erin Dilly will be working together on the world premiere of In the Mood. Jenny Powers and Angela Robinson have joined the cast of The Who's Tommy. Rachel Bay Jones of Broadway's Hair will take on the famed title character in Sylvia. Tony Winner Mia Dillon is joining Broadway and BTF alum C.J. Wilson and the previously announced Rebecca Brooksher in Tennessee Williams's serious comedy Period of Adjustment. Film actors Christian Coulson and Amari Cheatom will take on the world premiere two-hander Dutch Masters.

Casts from some of Broadway's hottest tickets will take the stage at the Tony Awards this year - including the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert featuring Nick Adams, Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson and special appearances by Paul Shaffer and the legendary Martha Wash. BroadwayWorld has learned that the men of Priscilla will be taking the stage with Wash for a rendition of 'It's Raining Men,' a number written by Paul Shaffer and originally performed by Martha Wash. Click below for Wash singing the hit tune from days past!

Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy lead the cast of Ghost The Musical playing Sam and Molly in Matthew Warchus' stage musical version of the Academy Award® winning film. Accompanied by Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown and Andrew Langtree as Carl, Ghost The Musical has new music and lyrics by Grammy® award winning Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard as well as featuring the iconic song Unchained Melody. Oscar® winning Bruce Joel Rubin has adapted his original screen play for the stage. Set and costume designs are by Rob Howell, choreography is by Ashley Wallen with musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale, illusions by Paul Kieve, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and projection design by Jon Driscoll. Matthew Wachus directs. Click below for the official trailer for the West End production, just released!

The 65th Annual Tony Awards will be simulcast live to Times Square on Sunday, June 12th. The Tony Awards, in partnership with the Times Square Alliance and Clear Channel Spectacolor, in addition to simulcast co-sponsors, Daktronics Inc., Cohen & Perfetto LLP and the Broadway Association, will air the Tony Awards Red Carpet courtesy of NY1 and the entirety of the Tony Awards show, including the Creative Arts Awards, on Clear Channel's SpectacolorHD screen in Times Square on Sunday, June 12th, from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.