Jessica Lewis - Page 53

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched May 9 as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George).

On Monday, May 23, Harvey Fierstein hosted the 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Matthew Rodrigues was in the winners room for the evening to catch up with the talent, and to figure out what a 'Drama Desk,' well, is. Click below for the theories (and to hear from the winners, too)!

The revival of Godspell, which has long been expected to head to Broadway next season, will reportedly open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on November 7, 2011. according to a report in the New York Times. Performances will begin on October 13, 2011.

The Stage News reports this morning that the special 25th Anniversary performance of The Phantom of the Opera will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The show's original choreographer, Gillian Lynne will stage the production. Cameron Mackintosh Ltd and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group will produce. While production details have yet to be released, it has been confirmed that Love Never Dies co-stars Raimon Karimloo and Sierra Boggess will play the Phantom and Christine.

As reported in the New York Daily News, The Motherfuck**er With The Hat star Bobby Cannavale sustained a head injury backstage during last night's performance about an hour into the performance. Though bleeding, the injusry was not serious. The production was paused and an ambulence called as a precaution, Cannavale finished the performance.

As has been speculated, Barbra Streisand may still play Mama Rose in a new GYPSY movie despite author Arthur Laurents' recent death. The sixty-nine-year-old legend was enlisted to play Mama Rose but then, Laurents decided not to go ahead with the idea, mostly because he didn't think another movie version was necessary, only to have seconds thoughts just before he passed.

L. Glenn Poppleton (Producer) announced today that Lucky Guy, a new musical comedy, will end its limited engagement following the evening performance on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The show, which began previews at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th & Dyer Avenues) on April 29 and opened on Thursday, May 19, will have played 23 preview performance and 14 regular performances. The production had been announced to run through July 24.

This week, Arena Stage opened the highly anticipated A TIME TO KILL, starring Broadway's Sebastian Arcelus (ELF, JERSEY BOYS). The play is a Rupert Holmes' adaptation of a novel by John Grisham. Previews began on May 6. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look a performance highlights from the production!

The original cast recording of SPIDER-MAN will be released on the show's expected opening night, June 14, 2011, according to Amazon.com. The disc, which is now available for pre-orders is available through the outlet for just over $16.00. The album features 14 new tracks and was produced by frequent U2 collaborator Steve Lillywhite.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that The Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells will perform the song 'I Believe' for the Tony Awards ceremony. This was reportedly a plan B for the production, which had wanted to open the telecast by knocking on the doors of nominated celebrities in character, hitting up Neil Patrick Harris last who would also emerge as a Mormon. This idea, according to Riedel, was reportedly nixed and Harris will simply open the show with a musical medley instead.

The producers of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN announced today that the 2011 Tony Award-nominated Best Musical will launch its first national tour in the fall of 2012 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark unveiled the first in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the newly revamped production on May 20 on 'Nightline' along with a sneak peek on 'World News with Diane Sawyer'. For the segments, correspondent Cynthia McFadden attended rehearsals for the new production and interviewed composers Bono and The Edge, director Philip William McKinley, and actors Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano, and Christopher Tierney, among others involved with the production. The story also featured never-before-seen footage of the actual show. Click below to hear what Bono and Edge have to say about the new production, what they've learned, and how their first crack was perhaps a bit too hubristic.

Kirstie Alley is back in the spotlight due to her success on 'Dancing with the Stars.' As previously reported, the actress has been vocal about her her desire to take her talents to the Broadway stage in a play. On last night's episode, Alley revealed that she may be one step closer to the dream, as she has already been offered a role. As reported in EW.com, she stated: 'I was offered a Broadway play...I'm not going to do it, because my friends said, `don't do one if you can't get a Tony!' But I am tempted. There a couple I want to do.' She revealed no further details about the gig.

Play Dead, the Off-Broadway comic thriller co-written and directed by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and co-written & performed by Todd Robbins is now playing an open-ended run at The Player's Theater. The recipient of a 2011 Drama Desk nomination for Unique Theatrical Experience, the show also features Geri Berman, Charlotte Pines, Drea Lorraine and Don Meehan. BroadwayWorld was recently invited into Robbins' lair backstage at Play Dead. Click below for the tour...if you dare.

The Awards ceremony was hosted by Harvey Fierstein last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan Center! BroadwayWorld was updating the winners list live throughout the evening.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched May 9 as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld brought you a glimpse of the panel discussion then. Today, we bring a look at the second talkback in the series which took place last week, May 16, following a screening of Every Little Step, which follows the real-life dancers as they struggled through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. The film also takes a look at the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and revival Broadway shows. This panel was moderated by John Breglio, Every Little Step executive producer, and producer of the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line. Panalists included Baayork Lee, the original 'Connie' from the 1976 Tony Award-winning production of A Chorus Line and choreographer for the 2006 revival, and Donna McKechnie, who won the Tony Award for her performance as 'Cassie' in the original 1976 production of A Chorus Line.

Interested in joining BroadwayWorld's worldwide network of published authors? BroadwayWorld.com is now accepting inquiries for Connecticut Contributing Editor positions! Applicants should be industry enthusiasts and have an interest in giving local theater prominence on the largest theater site on the net.

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced that full casting is complete for the west coast premiere of the new musical TWIST - An American Musical by William F. Brown and Tina Tippit (book), Tena Clark (lyrics and music) and Gary Prim (music). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen directs a cast of 31 performers led by Tamyra Gray ('American Idol,' Rent and Bombay Dreams) and Cleavant Derricks (Tony Award-winner, Dreamgirls). The five-week limited engagement performs June 14 - July 17, 2011 with the official press opening on June 26, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

On May 23, more than 2,500 employees, friends and benefactors of New York Hospital Queens will celebrate the extraordinary contributions of entrepreneur Eugene M. Lang, who created diverse manufacturing enterprises, participated in trade and economic policy missions for the U.S. and is nationally heralded for his philanthropic endeavors in education and health care. New York Hospital Queens will honor him for his longstanding service and support of the hospital.

BroadwayWorld has learned that today, May 20, Ars Nova is hosting a private industry reading of Nick Blaemire's When the World Ends, a new musical for which he wrote the book, music and lyrics. Blaemire is best known for penning Broadway's Glory Days and performing in Cry Baby on Broadway. The reading is being directed by John Simpkins and musical directed by Jesse Vargas, who also did the arrangements.