BRING IT ON Launches National Tour in LA Nov. 1February 17, 2011High-flying original musical comedy 'Bring It On: The Musical' launches its national tour with a six-week engagement at the Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre from November 1 through December 11, 2011, with opening night set for November 11. 'Bring It On: The Musical' will open the Ahmanson's 2011-2012 season.
TV: BWW Goes Inside EMMA at The Old Globe!February 17, 2011Jane Austen's Emma- A Musical Romantic Comedy with Music, Lyrics and Book by Paul Gordon and Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Calhoun runs through January 15, 2011 - March 6, 2011 at the Old Globe Theatre. BroadwayWorld reporter Audra Stafford went backstage at the Old Globe and spoke to the show's creators about how they musicalized and staged this timeless tale. Click below for the spot!
Trudie Styler Leads A DISH OF TEA WITH DR. JOHNSON in the UK, Mar. 4 - 5 February 17, 2011Whatsonstage.com reports today that Trudie Styler will take the stage with Ian Redford and Russell Barr in Out of Joint's A Dish Of Tea with Dr. Johnson at Customs House in South Shields on Tyneside, March 4th and 5th. Styler will play society hostess Mrs. Thrale, the 'unrequited' love of writer Samuel Jognson (played by Russell). Out of Joint's artistic director Max Stafford-Clark directs.
Batt, Dixon et al. Lead Director's Company's BECOMING TENNESSEE Reading, 3/2February 16, 2011Bryan Batt (actor, designer, civic activist) portrays 'Salvatore Romano' on AMC's critically acclaimed dramatic series MAD MEN by the multi Emmy award winning writer/ producer, Matthew Wiener. The hit series has received numerous awards from the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Peabody award. Broadway leading and principal roles include: 2005 revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL, SUNSET BLVD., SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, and CATS. Off Broadway: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY STRIKES BACK, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY CLEANS UP ITS ACT (Drama Desk Nomination). Theatrically Bryan is most proud to have created the role of DARIUS in both the N.Y. and L.A (Drama Logue Award) productions as well as the film adaptation of Paul Rudnick's ground braking comedy JEFFREY.
TV: Bway Beat Chats with Cast of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERTFebruary 16, 2011Following its critically acclaimed North American debut engagement in Toronto, the spectacular new stage musical arrives on Broadway at The Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) when previews begin Monday, February 28 toward an official opening on Sunday, March 20, 2011. This morning, the show met the press in New York for the first time, and Broadway Beat was there, of course.
RIALTO CHATTER: Will Sierra Boggess Lead REBECCA Musical on Broadway?February 16, 2011Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Love Never Dies star Sierra Boggess will headline the 16 million production of Rebecca, The Musical, based on the eponymous Daphne du Maurier novel. Boggess also lead a recent industry reading of the show.
Sondheim's Second Book Available for Pre-Order and Title Revealed February 15, 2011According to Amazon.com, Stephen Sondheim's second book, a follow up to his 'Finishing The Hat, is now available for pre-order. Entitled, 'Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes,' Amazon is taking pre-orders here. The book is scheduled for release on October 25, 2011.
Former Patrons File 4M Lawsuit Against BILLY ELLIOT for 2009 InjuriesFebruary 15, 2011The New York Post reports today that two former patrons of BILLY ELLIOT have filed a 4 million dollar law suit against the production in reposonse to injuries they suffered as a result of a prop accident in 2009. Kansas City residents Elaine Rosen and Cynthia Noblit were sitting in the front row at the November 23, 2009 performance, when a plastic crate accidentally fell from the stage directly onto them. It is unclear if the crate fell out of the hands of an actor or was accidentally kicked into the audience by a performer.
TV: Inside NAKED ANGELS 25th Anniversary GalaFebruary 15, 2011Last night, February 14, NAKED ANGELS celebrated its 25th anniversary as one of the most innovative theatre companies in New York with a spectacular Gala, including cocktails, an elegant dinner and skits written and performed by Naked Angels company members. Company Members Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick served as Honorary Co-Chairs for the evening, with entertainment directed by Tony Award-winning Company Member Joe Mantello.
Sierra Boggess Joins Tyne Daly in MTC's MASTER CLASS This SeasonFebruary 14, 2011Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) are pleased to announce that Sierra Boggess, who last week received an Olivier nomination, will appear opposite Tony and Emmy Award winner Tyne Daly in Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming Broadway production of MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally, directed by Stephen Wadsworth.
STAGE TUBE: Cyndi Lauper Performs at Grammy Pre-Show CeremonyFebruary 14, 2011Last night, February 13, the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards took place live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Prior to the 8pm EST broadcast, Cyndi Lauper performed during the pre-ceremony live stream. Click below for her performance.
AMERICAN IDIOT Wins GRAMMY for Best Musical Show Album!February 13, 2011The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles tonight, Feb. 13, 2011 and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The award for Best Musical Show album has been revealed during the pre-ceremony live stream here and the winner is...the AMERICAN IDIOT Original Cast Recording!
Photos: Betty Buckley & Tovah Felshuh in ARSENIC & OLD LACE at DTCFebruary 11, 2011Tovah Feldshuh and Betty Buckly are currently starring in Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring at the Kalita Humphreys Theater at the Dallas Theater Center. Directed by Scott Schwartz, the production began performances on February 4, 2011 and runs through March 13, 2011. Production shots appear below!
STAGE TUBE: Stritch-Narrated MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT Commercial Released!February 11, 2011THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT, starring Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vázquez and directed by Anna D. Shapiro will open on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street, New York City). The strictly limited 15-week engagement will begin previews on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The first commercial, narrated by Elaine Stritch, has been released and appears below!
STAGE TUBE: HOW TO SUCCEED's Rose Hemingway on 'Rosemary Pilkington'February 11, 2011Starring the multi award-winning international stage and film actor Daniel Radcliffe (Equus on Broadway, Harry Potter film series) and five-time Emmy® Award winner John Larroquette (Night Court, The Practice) in their Broadway musical debuts, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is the fable of executive dreams and office romance.