George Akram

VIDEO: On This Day, March 19- WEST SIDE STORY Returns to Broadway

On this day in 2009, the beloved musical West Side Story made its way back to Broadway in a brand new production from the show's book writer, Arthur Laurents. 

UN DÍA COMO HOY… WEST SIDE STORY llega a Broadway

Era 26 de septiembre de 1957 cuando el Winter Garden Theater de Broadway acogía el nuevo musical WEST SIDE STORY, con música de Leonard Bernstein, letras del entonces novato Stephen Sondheim, libreto de Arthur Laurents y coreografías de Jerome Robbins. Nadie sabía en aquel momento que lo que estaban viviendo era un acontecimiento que marcaría la historia de Broadway para siempre: El nacimiento de uno de los más grandes clásicos del Teatro Musical.

BWW Review: FALLA & FLAMENCO. FASCINATING RHYTHMS at The Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl presented Siudy Flamenco Dance Theatre and Los Angeles guest artist, dancer Manuel Gutierrez with percussionist Diego Alvarez and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for an evening of fabulous Flamenco music and a production of El Amor Brujo. With the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Palio Bortolameolli, the first half of the evening began, playing an extraordinary Ravel piece, 'Alborada del gracioso,' or 'Morning Song of the Jester' that was a perfect intro for the evening ahead. Originally composed as a piano piece, it became part of a full length composition entitled 'Miroirs' and has a definite Spanish influence to it, akin to the seguidilla. Different sections went from a wide sweeping melody by the string and wind instruments, to pizzicato violins and harps hinting of Flamenco rhythms and a descriptive bassoon solo passage that led to an intricate full-sounding, rich ending.

STAGE TUBE: Watch Solea Pfeiffer & Jeremy Jordan in WEST SIDE STORY at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel July 14, through July 19, the cast features Jeremy Jordan as Tony, Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her take on the role in the 2009 Broadway revival, as Anita and newcomer Solea Pfeiffer as Maria.

Review Roundup: WEST SIDE STORY, Starring Jeremy Jordan & Karen Olivo, at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel last night, July 14, through July 19, the cast features Jeremy Jordan as Tony and Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her take on the role in the 2009 Broadway revival, as Anita. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Karen Olivo, Jeremy Jordan & More to Lead WEST SIDE STORY in Concert at The Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's upcoming concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer.

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Yurel Echezarreta of 'Aladdin'

After playing a child, a Cagelle and a Shark, Yurel is now a denizen of Agrabah--and one of the 'hottest chorus boys' on Broadway.

Photo Flash: Karen Olivo and George Akram Visit CHICO'S ANGELS in LA

Tony Award-winning Broadway star Karen Olivo (West Side Story, RENT) and fellow Broadway star George Akram (West Side Story) attended Chico's Angles last night, July 29, 2012. Check out photos of the pair with the cast below!

BWW's 2012 Valentine's Day Spectacular! 700+ Stars Tell Us 'What is the Most Romantic Broadway Love Song Ever?'

From Nick Jonas and Michael Urie to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza, Barbra Streisand to Alan Menken, Bernadette Peters to Susan Boyle, Colin Quinn to GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2012 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

Ganadores del Sorteo BWW: ¡Vive la R.Evolución Latina!

Gracias a todos los que habéis participado en el sorteo de los dos packs de R.Evolución Latina, que incluyen 1 CD y 2 DVDs 'Dare To Go Beyond'. ¿Eres uno de los afortunados? ¡Entra y descúbrelo!

Photo Coverage: Remembering Arthur Laurents

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Arthur Laurents, who passed away Thursday night at age 93.

TV Closing Night Flashback: WEST SIDE STORY

West Side Story returned to Broadway in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. Broadway Beat and BWW were there to cover every exciting moment of Opening Night-get ready to 'rumble' with this Sneak Peek!

BroadwayWorld.com's Guide to January 2011 Show Closings

BroadwayWorld offers highlights of the several productions which will complete their Broadway runs in January.

WEST SIDE STORY Revival Becomes Longest Running WSS On Broadway

On Monday, December 20, 2010, the Tony Award-winning production of WEST SIDE STORY becomes the longest running incarnation of the groundbreaking musical, playing its 733 performance surpassing the original production which held the record having played 732 Performances on Broadway.

STAGE TUBE: Blackwell, Bell, Vogel Create 'It Gets Better' Video For BC/EFA

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, and Broadway Impact present Broadway's 'It Gets Better' video featuring 63 members of the New York theatrical community speaking to LGBTQ youth.

WEST SIDE STORY to Close January 2

The hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY, directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents with the original Jerome Robbins choreography restaged by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely, will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 2, 2011, having played 27 preview and 748 regular performances.

Scaglione Departs WEST SIDE STORY 9/19; Sarah Amengual Takes Over 9/21

The producers of the revival of WEST SIDE STORY announced today that Broadway newcomer Sarah Amengual will be Broadway's 'Maria' beginning Tuesday, September 21, 2010. 2009 Tony Award nominee Josefina Scaglione will play her final performance as 'Maria' on Sunday, September 19, 2010. Ms. Amengual follows in this production's tradition of brining fresh new talent to the role of 'Maria.'

Photo Coverage Preview: Broadway Barks 2010

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters hosted the 12th annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies.

Bleu, Grammer et al. Join Moore & Peters for Broadway Barks 7/10

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will host the 12th annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is sponsored by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and Pedigree® Food for Dogs with additional sponsorship by the New York Times. The event will take place on Saturday, July 10th in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Celebrity participation begins at 5:15 PM).

Blue, Grammer et al. Join Moore & Peters for Broadway Barks 7/10

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will host the 12th annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is sponsored by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and Pedigree® Food for Dogs with additional sponsorship by the New York Times. The event will take place on Saturday, July 10th in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Celebrity participation begins at 5:15 PM).