Nicole Rosky - Page 257

ELMER GANTRY is a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. Signature Theatre's presentation will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre now through November 9, Signature's production includes several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the production below!

Campbell took the time to chat with BroadwayWorld about stepping into Goffin's shoes, sharing the stage with Tony winner Jessie Mueller, and more. Check out the full interview below!

Happy Birthday Anthony Rapp! An actor since the age of six, Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons, Rent, Six Degrees of Separation, The Little Prince and the Aviator, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, and more. He will next starr on Broadway opposite Idina Menzel in IF/THEN.

Happy Birthday Adam Pascal! Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for Rent. On Broadway, he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation and Goyband. He most recently starred in Memphis on Broadway.

Happy Birthday Raul Esparza! Since making his Broadway debut, Esparza has become only the second actor to receive Tony nominations in all four eligible acting categories. Most recently he took on the role of con artist Jonas Nightingale in the Broadway musical adaptation of Leap of Faith directed by Christopher Ashley. Additional Broadway credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Taboo, Company, Arcadia, and more!

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

To kick off the release of famed Sirius XM radio host Seth Rudetsky new book Seth's Broadway Diary, Dress Circle Publishing (Brisa Trinchero and Roberta Pereira, founders) hosted a special book launch concert event last night at Don't Tell Mama (343 W 46th St). Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kuhn, Anika Larsen, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen,Chip Zien and Marc Shaiman who are featured in the book performed excerpts and some of Seth's favorite songs. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the special event below!

The Tony Award-winning hit Beautiful-TheCarole King Musical, about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, has been breaking box office records at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) since it opened in January. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (Ghostlight Records) is available on CD, digitally, and on vinyl and can be purchased at http://www.sh-k-boom.com/, iTunes, Amazon, or wherever CDs are sold. Below, tune in to a playlist released by Ghostlight which features track from the album and accompanying commentary from the cast and creative team!

Beginning November 25 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Chris Mann will portray the man behind the mask, 'The Phantom,' with Katie Travis as 'Christine Daae.' Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a video roundup of the duo in action, including videos from some of Mann's performances on NBC's THE VOICE and Travis in LES MISERABLES at The Muny!

Today in 1998, Footloose opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 709 performances. Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The music is by Tom Snow (among others), the lyrics by Dean Pitchford (with additional lyrics by Kenny Loggins), and the book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It starred Jeremy Kushnier as Ren McCormack, Stephen Lee Anderson as Reverend Shaw Moore, Jennifer Laura Thompson as Ariel Moore, Tom Plotkin as Willard Hewitt, and Dee Hoty as Vi Moore.

On October 17, Pivot will debuted a new series- Freestyle Love Supreme, a new comedic improv series inspired by the acclaimed stage show from Tony and Grammy award-winners, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail. Below, go behind the scenes of the show with several clips of the group in action!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the five-time Tony Award-nominated Rock of Ages announced today that 'Big Brother' star Frankie J. Grande will return to Broadway in the smash-hit musical beginning November 10, 2014. Grande will star in the role of 'Franz' - the free-spirited son of German developer Hertz Klineman, who threatens to tear down the Sunset Strip - through January 18, 2015. Below, BroadwayWorld celebrates his return to Broadway with a collection of some of his past performances, including some duets with his Broadway veteran sister, Ariana Grande!

The Pulitzer Prize winning play Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar will have its Broadway premiere this fall starring Hari Dhillon (star of the acclaimed London's Bush Theatre production), Gretchen Mol ('Boardwalk Empire'), Karen Pittman (Domesticated) and Josh Radnor ('How I Met Your Mother'). In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Disgraced has received Obie and Joseph Jefferson Awards. Kimberly Senior, who helmed the two previous US productions, will direct. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Happy Birthday, Aaron Tveit! Tveit recently shined as Enjolras in the critically acclaimed film adaption of LES MISERABLES, and has since then starred in the original USA Network series GRACELAND. Tveit starred on Broadway in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, in the role of Frank Abagnale Jr and also created the role of 'Gabe' in the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, which he developed off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre and debuted on Broadway. In addition to WICKED and HAIRSPRAY on Broadway, he starred in the national tours of Hairspray and Rent.

SIDE SHOW will begin previews performances at Broadway's St. James Theatre on Tuesday, October 28 with an official Opening Night on Monday, November 17. The company just met the press, and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the big event. Check out interviews with the whole creative team and get a sneak peek of the freaks in costume below!

Happy Birthday Jerry Orbach! Jerry Orbach, best known for his starring role as wisecracking Detective Lennie Briscoe in the long-running television series 'Law & Order,' was also an accomplished Tony Award-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway actor. His theatre career began in 1960 as El Gallo in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks. He later went on to star on Broadway in such musicals as 42nd Street, Chicago (Tony Award nomination), Guys and Dolls (Tony Award nomination) and Promises, Promises which earned him the 1969 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

The new Broadway revival of On The Town, directed by John Rando and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse opened last night on Broadway to rave reviews at the Lyric (formerly Foxwoods) Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on hand for the after party and you can check out interviews with the full gang after the curtain went down below!

The Belle of Amherst, William Luce's acclaimed one-woman play of the private yet prolific poet Emily Dickinson, opens this Sunday, October 19 in a new production starring Golden Globe Award nomineeJoely Richardson ('Nip/Tuck,' Side Effects) and directed by Steve Cosson (The Civilians, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play). Check out a first look below!

Country-pop beltress and Broadway veteran Rachel Potter has just released a cover of Taylor Swift's latest song- 'Out of the Woods.' Watch the music video below! Potter a became household name on the television show The X Factor. Potter has also appeared on Broadway, starring in Evita and The Adams Family, as well as the national tour of Wicked.

Today in 2001, Mamma Mia opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it is still running. Mamma Mia! is a stage musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA, composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. The musical includes such hits as 'Super Trouper', 'Lay All Your Love On Me', 'Dancing Queen', 'Knowing Me, Knowing You', 'Take A Chance On Me', 'Thank You for the Music', 'Money, Money, Money', 'The Winner Takes It All', 'Voulez Vous' and 'SOS'. Over 42 million people have seen the show, which has grossed $2 billion dollars worldwide since its 1999 debut.