Nicole Rosky - Page 197

The HAIRSPRAY UK tour is currently playing at Cambridge Corn Exchange, through February 20, and will soon move on to Edinburgh Playhouse. Below, watch as the cast performed a rousing 'I Know Where I've Been.'

Today in 2008, the first Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 149 performances. Sunday in the Park with George is a 1983 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical was inspired by the painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte' by Georges Seurat. The musical won the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards for design (and a nomination for Best Musical), numerous Drama Desk Awards, the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Musical and the 2007 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production.

Today in 1957, The Taming of the Shrew openend at the Phoenix Theatre, where it ran for 23 performances. A comedy by William Shakespeare, the play is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship, but Petruchio tempers her with various psychological torments-the 'taming'-until she becomes a compliant and obedient bride. The subplot features a competition between the suitors of Katherina's more desirable sister, Bianca.

Today in 1992, Crazy for You opened at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 1622 performances. Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as 'The New Gershwin Musical Comedy', it is largely based on the songwriting team's 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well. Crazy for You won the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical. The Broadway production was directed by Mike Ockrent and choreographed by Susan Stroman.The cast included Jodi Benson as Polly, Harry Groener as Bobby Child, Bruce Adler as Bela Zangler, John Hillner as Lank Hawkins, Michele Pawk as Irene Roth, Jane Connell as Mother, and Beth Leavel as Tess.

Happy Birthday, Christopher Sieber! Sieber made his Broadway debut as Agis in the musical Triumph of Love with Betty Buckley and F. Murray Abraham. Following this role, he appeared as a replacement in the roles of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Billy Flynn in Chicago. Sieber played the role of Rapunzel's Prince and shared the role of the Wolf with Gregg Edelman in the revival of Into the Woods in 2002. In March 2005, Sieber originated the role of Sir Dennis Galahad in the Broadway musical Monty Python's Spamalot. He starred as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical which opened on Broadway on December 14, 2008, after an out-of-town tryout in Seattle. On March 11, 2011, Sieber replaced Jeffrey Tambor as Georges in the Broadway production of La Cage Aux Folles opposite Harvey Fierstein.

Happy Birthday, Billie Joe Armstrong! Best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day, Armstrong recently brought one of his most popular albums to Broadway- American Idiot. In 2010, Armstrong joined the cast of American Idiot, which won two Tonys, for one week in the role of St. Jimmy. He replaced the original Broadway cast member Tony Vincent in fall of 2010 and returned to the role for 50 performances in January 2011.

Coming to Broadway, come hell or high water is the new musical comedy Disaster!, currently in previews at the Nederlander Theatre. Earthquakes, tidal waves, infernos and rampant wildlife can't stop an outrageous cast of characters from dancing, gambling and singing the night away aboard New York's first floating casino and discotheque. While we're waiting for the show's epic Broadway arrival, BroadwayWorld will be getting you ready with an inside look at the cast's 'Road to Disaster!' Below, watch as Broadway favorite Adam Pascal gets his guitar ready for opening night!

Let's see what the critics had to say...

While most of music's biggest night was being celebrated in LA, for the first time in history, Broadway was also gearing up to truly be a part of the festivities last night. You were likely witness to it- about ninety minutes into the 58th annual Grammy Awards, the company of Broadway's biggest hit, Hamilton, performed live from their New York City stage (the first ever live performance from a Broadway theatre to be broadcast on the Grammys), finally giving the rest of the world a taste of what the fuss is all about. The company was electric; the performance was flawless; and I was there.

Happy Birthday, John Tartaglia! Tartaglia created and puppeteered the roles of Princeton (the recent college grad) and Rod (the closeted Republican investment banker) in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Avenue Q, which opened July 31, 2003. For the roles, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 2004. He joined the cast of Beauty and the Beast as Lumiere on November 21, 2006 and played the roles of Pinocchio and the Magic Mirror in Shrek the Musical. He most recently produced Imaginocean, which is currently on a national tour!

Who better to hear from on Presidents Day 2016, than Actors' Equity Association President, Kate Shindle? Below, watch as she discusses the challenges of her new position (which she took on in May 2015), as well as goals for the future, and more! And now, a word from your President...

FINDING NEVERLAND has welcomed its new leading man! Tony Award nominee Tony Yazbeck (On The Town) recently took over the role of Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie in the smash hit, record-breaking Broadway musical. BroadwayWorld recently stopped by the the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre to check in with Yazbeck about the role and while we were there, he gave us a tour of his new dressing room!

Jackson Harris recently released a new music video for his original song, 'Dance with the Devil,' featuring and choreographed by Hamilton's Jon Rua. To capture the passion and sentiment of the song, the video features an elderly couple traveling back in time to expose the lasting and sometimes turbulent nature of a profound relationship. Check out the full video HERE and watch below for a special interview with Jon and Jackson!

Today in 1905, Harold Arlen was born. Having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over, Arlen is best known for writing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, 'Over the Rainbow.' Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the Great American Songbook. Harlen's music has been featured in a number of other early Broadway shows including Hooray for What!, Bloomer Girl, St. Louis Woman, House of Flowers, Mr. Imperium, Jamaica, Saratoga, and many more.

THE COLOR PURPLE recently recorded its official cast album, which will be released by Broadway Records on February 19 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and atwww.BroadwayRecords.com. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, the production stars Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Danielle Brooks- all making their Broadway debuts. The company just got together for a listening party and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out highlights from the special night below!

Cirque du Soleil Theatrical will soon present Cirque du Soleil -PARAMOUR, the organization's first production created specifically for Broadway. PARAMOUR will begin previews on Saturday, April 16, 2016 and open on Broadway on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at the Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld just stopped by Long Island's Grumman Studios to take a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal, and you can check out highlights from the special day below!

What happens when theatre & tech merge at Jordan Roth's #Making Mondays? Below, Randi Zuckerberg and Eric Kuhn join forces  for 'Summer Lovin' 2.0'!

Carly Fiorina has officially dropped out of the Presidential race, and BroadwayWorld's own Randy Rainbow has something to say about it- GREASE style. Check it out below!

Below, Tveit stops by Sydney's 'Morning Show' to chat about the upcoming concert, his new TV series, and his past costars!

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, just presented Broadway Rocks Kelly Clarkson a one-night concert featuring Broadway and up-and-coming performers singing their favorite songs by the first American Idol. The show was was directed/produced by Brandon Beynon and Music Directed/Arrangements by Joshua Zecher-Ross, with Micah Burgess (Guitar), Lorenzo Wolff (Bass), Kenny Hildebrandt (Drums).