Nicole Rosky - Page 593

NBC and iTheatrics are teaming up for the national launch of "NBC's 'Smash': Make a Musical," a philanthropic initiative that will help create sustainable musical theater programs in underserved schools nationwide.

Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley (Next to Normal; Side Show) will play a series of concerts in New York City later this month, it was announced today. "Alice Ripley's Daily Practice," which features Ms. Ripley on vocals and guitar (along with a few surprise guests), will play Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street) on Monday, January 9 and January 30 at 9:15 PM and The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street) on Monday, January 16; Sunday, January 22 and Tuesday, January 24 at 9:30 PM.

According to the New York Times, Broadway producing team Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller decided to end their partnership to produce independently. The duo, which has been working together for 21 years, are the founders of The Producing Office, established in 1994. They described their decision as a 'natural evolution.'

Broadway veteran Taye Diggs recently released a childrens' book titled Chocolate Me. In the video below, Diggs visits 'The Talk' where he chats about the book, his youth, and more! Click below to check it out!

IN THE HEIGHTS opened on Broadway to wide critical acclaim on March 9, 2008. In addition to winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show's creator, won the Tony Award for Best Music and Lyrics; Andy Blankenbuehler won for Best Choreography; and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won for Best Orchestrations. Back in March, Universal Pictures dropped the movie from its projects, because they didn't see any firm commitments on big names in the supporting roles. Today in the New York Times, Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed that the movie is 'back under discussion.'

The Rockettes Summer Intensive is holding auditions for the 2012 training program on Sunday, January 8, 2PM at Stage Door Dance Studio.

Joyce Friedmann, former president of Friedmann Theatrical and director of Press, Publications and Advertising, Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of Drama, has joined O&M Co., it was announced today by Rick Miramontez, President. Ms. Friedmann will oversee her own roster of accounts, and launch O&M Co.'s new theatrical touring division.

On Monday January 9, Red Bull Theatre will hold a staged reading of PIRANDELLO'S HENRY IV, a new version of the classic play written by Tom Stoppard. Jack Obrien will direct the reading, which will feature the talents of: Richard Easton, Jennifer Ehle, John Elison Conlee, Victor Garber, Darren Goldstein, Mamie Gummer, Aaron Krohn, Patrick Page, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Benjamin Walker, and Paxton Whitehead. DANIEL STEWART SHERMAN

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.

LYSISTRATA JONES may be giving its final performance on Sunday, January 8, 2012, but as revealed last night at Seth's Broadway Chatterbox, an original cast album is on its way! Upon closing, the musical will have played 34 previews and 30 performances. Written by Tony nominee Douglas Carter Beane (book) and Lewis Flinn (music/lyrics), LYSISTRATA JONES is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges. No official announcement has been made about a release date.

According to Variety, Broadway director Alex Timbers will directthe upcoming big screen adaptation of Dale E. Basye's Children's book- Heck. THe movie will feature a screenplay by Bob Iserson and will be produced by Karen Rosenfelt.

Tony winner Lin-Manuel MIrda will drop by MSNBC's 'Up w/ Chris Hayes' on Sunday, January 8. While he's there, the IN THE HEIGHTS creator will give a special exclusive performance.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 MGM movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, this award-winning Broadway sensation previews January 18, opens January 27, and runs through March 25 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. LEGALLY BLONDE will star Chelsea Packard (Broadway: WICKED and PROMISES, PROMISES; First National Tour of WICKED) as 'Elle', Cole Burden (25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLES) as 'Warner', and David Larsen (Broadway: AMERICAN IDIOT, BILLY ELLIOT and GOOD VIBRATIONS) as 'Emmett'. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Marc Robin.

Playwrights Horizons just announced complete casting for the New York premiere of ASSISTANCE, a new play by Leslye Headland (Bachelorette). Directed by Trip Cullman (A Small Fire, The Drunken City and Manic Flight Reaction at Playwrights Horizons, Bachelorette), the production will begin previews Friday, February 3 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, February 28 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, March 11 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Fresh off seven overwhelmingly successful Holiday POPS! performances, the musical magic continues for another season of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops! Four fabulous concert series are planned for the 2011-2012 season.

Darren Criss visited 'Live! with Kelly' this morning, where he chatted with Kelly Ripa and Rob Lowe about making his Broadway debut, starring on GLEE, and more. Clcik below to check out his full appearance!

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to share a weekly series developed by the Theatre Communications Group! This week Ben Cameron shares pivotal moments in his theatre career and why the arts matter to him!

Today in 1981, Joe Papp's revival of THe Pirates of Penzance opened at the Uris Theatre, where it ran for 787 performances. The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences and critics. Pirates was the fifth Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration and introduced the much-parodied Major-General's Song.

Today in 1985, the second Broadway revival of THe King and I opened at the Broadway THeatre, where it ran for 191 performances. The King and I is the fifth musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The story deals with the experiences of the British schoolteacher, who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict through much of the play, as well as by a love that neither is able to express. The musical premiered on March 29, 1951 at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

Today in 1963, Oliver! opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 774 performances. Oliver! is a British musical, with script, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, a successful Broadway production in 1963 and further tours and revivals. It was made into a musical film in 1968. Major London revivals played from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2011.