Nicole Rosky - Page 589

Today in 1925, the late Broadway legend Gwen Verdon was born. Verdon was an actress and dancer who won four Tony awards for her musical comedy performances. With flaming red hair and an endearing quaver in her voice, Verdon was a critically acclaimed dancer on Broadway in the 1950s and 1960s. She is also strongly identified with her second husband, director-choreographer Bob Fosse, remembered as the dancer-collaborator-muse for whom he choreographed much of his work and as the guardian of his legacy after his death. Verdon is most remembered for starring in Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Damn Yankees.

Today in 1939, The Importance of Being Earnest opened at the Vanderbilt Theatre, where it ran for 61 performances. Written by Oscar Wilde, the show was first performed on 14 February 1895 at St. James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personae in order to escape burdensome social obligations. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play.

Jennifer Hundson is busy promoting the release of her new book, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the diva in action below!

Beginning tonight, Thursday, January 12, 2012, Harlan Bengel, Lute Breuer, Hunter Canning, Anthony Cochrane, Andrew Durand, Ben Horner, Leah Hofmann, Tessa Klein, David Lansbury, David Manis, Nat McIntyre, Geoffrey Murphy, Andy Murray, Tommy Schrider, Jack Spann and Katrina Yaukey join the 37 member acting company of the Tony Award winning production of WAR HORSE. The National Theatre of Great Britain's production, presented by Lincoln Center Theater and the National Theatre of Great Britain in association with Bob Boyett, continues its open ended run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

According to People Magazine, Broadway veterans Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young have just revealed that they are indeed a couple. The duo has not only shared the the American Idol stage, but they also both starred in Broadway's HAIR back in 2010.

Music superstar RickyMartin will soon star as Che alongside Elena Roger and Michael Cerveris in the upcoming Broadway revival of EVITA, ans Martin revealed to V Magazine that he's excited to take on the character. Martin told V: 'Che is a really cool character and you can do so much with him. The director said, 'I don't want you to just be Che Guevara. Let's take it to another level. One night you can be him, but the next night I want you to be the taxi driver, the next evening the bartender. Literally, be the voice of the people.' So I won't get bored, that's for sure.'

As a part of its 30th Anniversary Season, the Huntington Theatre Company presents God of Carnage- the scathing Tony and Olivier Award-winning New York smash hit by Yasmina Reza (Art). The production runs through February 5, 2012 at the B.U. Theatre. BroadwayWorld brings you performance highlights from the production below!

In advance of the Broadway transfer of Ghost The Musical, this morning Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy handed over the leading roles of Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen as they are headed for Broadway. Mark Evans (Welsh TV star and last on stage in the West End as Fiyero in Wicked) and Siobhan Dillon (finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber's first reality TV show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and most recently on stage in the West End in Legally Blonde The Musical) will take on the West End roles on Friday January 13th. They were joined at London's Picadilly Theatre today by Sharon D. Clarke and Andrew Langtree (West End) and Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Bryce Pinkham (Broadway) who play Oda Mae Brown and Carl Bruner. Check out photos from the event below!

Last night, American theatergoers experienced for the first time the comfort of the revolutionary ProBax® seating technology, when Jujamcyn Theaters unveiled the August Wilson Theatre's brand new seats. Setting a new standard in comfort, the Broadway house -- currently home to the smash hit Jersey Boys -- is the first American theater to utilize this ergonomic seating. Using dual density foams to encourage an anatomically correct posture, the patented ProBax® cushions reduce back ache and muscle fatigue from sitting. In a theatrical setting, they allow the audience to focus more freely on the show, while reducing the need to shift and fidget. Also, by encouraging a more upright posture, they allow for more comfortable leg space. Widely used in the automotive industry, and in select theaters abroad, this cutting-edge technology had never been used in a North American entertainment venue until now.

JOYFUL NOISE is coming to theaters on Friday, January 13th from Warner Brothers Pictures. The comedy is written and directed by Todd Graff and stars Jeremy Jordan, Kris Kristofferson, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance, Dolly Parton, Jesse L. Martin, Judd Lormand and Chloe Bailey. In the video below hear from choreographer Michele Lynch as featured by DanceOn!

JOYFUL NOISE is coming to theaters on Friday, January 13th from Warner Brothers Pictures. The comedy is written and directed by Todd Graff and stars Jeremy Jordan, Kris Kristofferson, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance, Dolly Parton, Jesse L. Martin, Judd Lormand and Chloe Bailey. Check out clips of 'Man in the Mirror' and 'Mighty High,' as featured by DanceOn, by click ing below!

Even before the show opened today Off-Broadway, producers Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, and Executive Producer Robert Cole announced that ONCE, the new musical based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film, will play Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre this spring. Previews will begin Tuesday, February 28, 2012 with opening night set for Sunday, March 18, 2012. Tickets for the Broadway run will go on sale Wednesday, December 7 at 12:01am via Telecharge.com or by phone at 212-239-6200. Check out highlights from the new musical by clicking below!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that the New York premiere of An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad translated by Robert Fagles, directed by Ms. Peterson, will begin performances on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Mr. O'Hare and Stephen Spinella will alternate performances of the play. Opening nights are Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (Mr. O'Hare) and Wednesday, March 7, 2012 (Mr. Spinella).

Shakespeare & Company has just announced their 35th Season with is set to include an appearance by Olypia Dukakis in an all-female version of 'The Tempest.' "From the perspective of someone who witnessed first hand the beginnings of our Company," says Artistic Director Tony Simotes. "It is astonishing to look back at what we've achieved. I am proud to say that we are at the forefront of actor training and education programs in terms of objective and scope. It is a tremendous privilege to be Shakespeare & Company's Artistic Director during this exciting time, and I feel that we've compiled a riveting and daring list of productions this season that not only reflect the best of what Shakespeare & Company has to offer, but will take us to the next level.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, New York City Councilman Ruben Wills (Queens District 28) will present a New York City Proclamation to the Broadway production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. Citations will be given to cast members Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, director Kenny Leon and producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman, following the Sunday matinee performance, January 15th.

The Town Hall has just announced the 12th Season of their acclaimed BROADWAY BY THE YEAR® concert series which kicks off with THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1946 on Monday, February 13, 2012. The show is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Initial casting includes Alice Ripley, the Tony® Award winning star of Next to Normal, Tom Wopat (Tony® Award nominated for his role of Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun revival/Catch Me if You Can), Kerry O'Malley (On a Clear Day…Annie Get Your Gun revival) and Noah Racey (Curtains), who will also choreograph. The evening will feature songs and dance from Irving Berlin's classic Annie Get Your Gun and other musicals including Call Me Mister, St. Louis Woman and Park Avenue. Ross Patterson is the musical director.

According to the New York Times, Broadway producer Daryl Roth is currently working on bringing a handful of shows to the Great White Way. Roth revealed in a newletter that she's currently casting for a stage adaptation of John Grisham's 'A Time to Kill, ' and is working on bringing David Hyde Pierce's 'It Shoulda Been You' to a Broadway stage.

According to the New York Times, the musical version of KINKY BOOTS, which had a New York reading back in October, is aiing to open on Broadway next season. Producer Daryl Roth revealed in a newsletter that the production would include the talents of Broadway veterans Stark Sands and Billy Porter. The musical features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

Contirbuting to the 'Shit Girls Say' phenomenon that has been blowing up Youtube recently is Broadway veteran Christine Pedi, who in the video below pays tribute to stage legend Liza Minnelli. Click below to check out her hilarious impersonation in 'Shit Liza Minnelli Says.'

Triple-platinum recording artist Aaron Carter, originally scheduled to complete his run as Matt in The Fantasticks on January 22, 2012, will remain with the production through April 22, 2012. A new block of tickets is now on sale at Ticketmaster.com.