Complete casting has been announced for the brand new production of GREASE, starring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, playing the Golden Gate Theatre beginning Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, April 19. Taylor Hicks made his debut on Broadway in the role of 'Teen Angel' this past summer. This brand new production of GREASE will feature songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture performed for the first time ever in a Broadway production. GREASE is presented as a part of the 2008-2009 Citibank Best of Broadway series season under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. Tickets on sale now. Taylor Hicks achieved widespread fame in 2006 as a contestant on the hugely successful FOX singing competition 'American Idol.' On May 24, 2006, Hicks was named the winner of the fifth season of 'Idol' with over 63.4 million votes in total. Winning the title over Katharine McPhee, the announcement was made during the live finale episode which aired to a worldwide audience of over 200 million viewers. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Taylor Hicks' passion for music began at an early age. He toured the Southeastern Unites States during his teenage years and released two independent albums. Known for his energetic performances with influences derived from classic soul, blues and R&B music, he quickly grew a large fan base among the millions of viewers and voters who tuned in to 'Idol' each week. His fans ultimately dubbed themselves the 'Soul Patrol.'

Tickets for the brand new production of GREASE, starring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, go on sale Wednesday, December 17. Taylor Hicks made his debut on Broadway in the role of 'Teen Angel' this past summer. GREASE will play the Golden Gate Theatre beginning Tuesday, March 24 through Sunday, April 19. This brand new production of GREASE will feature songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture performed for the first time ever on stage. GREASE is presented as a part of the 2008-2009 Citibank Best of Broadway series season under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays.

American Idol runner-up, Justin Guarini, will star in the industry only Equity staged reading of the new musical THE AWAKENING OF ANGEL DeLUNA - with book & lyrics by Judylynn Schmidt, and music & lyrics by Lee Ellis - produced by Kate Griffler on Monday, March 23rd at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Tracy Bersley directs and Barbara Anselmi acts as music director.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Caf? (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue our Friday night soiree, THE AFTER PARTY. Now going strong it's third, THE AFTER PARTY is billed as 'a weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined.' Every Friday from 10:30 pm until the wee hours, pros from Broadway and aspiring stars alike belt it out on the stage of The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Experience the beauty, talent and exuberance of the African Children's Choir as they bring their effervescent music to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 29 at 2 pm. 'These are talented kids, but not so overly drilled that they have lost their raw charm or sense of excitement...In fact, it's difficult to say who is having more fun - the choir or the audience' cheers The Scotsman.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today that Clay Aiken will present the Excellence in Media Award to Tyra Banks at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by IBM and New York presenting partner Prudential. T.R. Knight will present the Vito Russo Award to Suze Orman. Special Recognition awards will be presented to Phil Donahue and The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later - The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard, a two-hour documentary broadcast on Sirius XM Radio.

Theatre World Award-winner Mary Birdsong ('Reno 911!'), 'American Idol' and Broadway star Diana DeGarmo, West End musical actor and 'American idol' contestant Tom Lowe, and musical and film actress Tressa Thomas have been cast in 'Back to Bacharach and David,' the Off-Broadway hit having a 23-performance limited engagement, April 15 to May 17 (press opening April 19) at The Music Box @ Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Caf? (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue our Friday night soiree, THE AFTER PARTY. Now going strong it's third, THE AFTER PARTY is billed as 'a weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined.' Every Friday from 10:30 pm until the wee hours, pros from Broadway and aspiring stars alike belt it out on the stage of The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Join hosts BRANDON CUTRELL (Bistor, MAC and Nightlife Award winner) and ALYSHA UMPHRESS (Make Me A Song) with RAY FELLMAN (Bistro Award winner) at the piano for this weekly party in the theatre district. There is no cover charge for this event. Come and sing yourself as the mic is always open, or sit back and enjoy a cocktail with friends. Located just blocks from the Great White Way, you never know who might drop in.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, announces a special performance by Filipina Broadway Star Lea Salonga at the 43rd Anniversary Visionary Award Dinner & Silent Auction. EWP also happily announces two newly confirmed honorees, Academy Award winning director Jessica Yu and MTV's America's Best Dance Crew winner Quest Crew. Yu and Quest Crew will join Actor John Cho and the California Community Foundation as this year's 43rd Anniversary's honorees. The award winning event will take place at the Hilton Universal City on Monday, April 27, 2009. Proceeds from the event will benefit East West Players' educational and artistic programs.

The brand new production of GREASE, stars American Idol winner Taylor Hicks alongside Eric Schneider as 'Danny' and Emily Padgett as 'Sandy.' Eric made his Broadway debut in Jersey Boys. His previous credits include Altar Boyz (Off-Broadway) and the national tours of Altar Boyz and The Full Monty. Emily made her Broadway debut in GREASE, where she understudied the role of Sandy. Her other credits include Legally Blonde on Broadway and the national tours of CATS. Starring as 'Rizzo' will be Allie Schulz, a contestant on NBC's 'Grease: You're the One That I Want.' Allie comes directly from the Broadway company of GREASE.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today that Clay Aiken will present the Excellence in Media Award to Tyra Banks at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by IBM and New York presenting partner Prudential. T.R. Knight will present the Vito Russo Award to Suze Orman. Special Recognition awards will be presented to Phil Donahue and The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later - The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard, a two-hour documentary broadcast on Sirius XM Radio.

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) President and CEO John C. Breckenridge announces TUTS' 2009-2010 Season: The One That You Want! September 2009 to May 2010 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. 'The quality and beauty of this lineup is something TUTS is very excited about,' said Breckenridge. 'This is the type of season that exemplifies the soul of TUTS. The incomparable energy of Grease, beauty of South Pacific, the over-the-top production quality of Miss Saigon, and the quintessential nostalgia of The Sound of Music are all at the heart of why theatre is so emotionally impactful.' In its 2009-2010 Season, TUTS combines powerful Broadway classics with innovative new creations and revivals.

Five exciting productions are slated for the 2009 season, running twenty-one weeks from Memorial Day to Columbus Day Weekends.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the most fantasmagorical Broadway musical in the history of everything, flies into Pittsburgh's Benedum Center beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2009, for eight performances only! Based on the timeless novel by famed James Bond author and creator Ian Fleming, the production features the music and lyrics by the legendary Sherman brothers, composers of Mary Poppins. The national tour features an original script and fresh adaptation directed by Ray Roderick.

March 2, 2009 Los Angeles - The Off-Broadway hit ?Back to Bacharach and David? will have a short 23 performance engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda April 15 to May 17 (opening April 19).

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Caf? (407 West 42nd St.), is pleased to continue our Friday night soiree, THE AFTER PARTY. Now going strong it's third, THE AFTER PARTY is billed as 'a weekly schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined.' Every Friday from 10:30 pm until the wee hours, pros from Broadway and aspiring stars alike belt it out on the stage of The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Washington, D.C. engagement. The Kennedy Center will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for five weeks, June 30 - August 2, 2009. Tickets are on sale now.

Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx' head up ROCK OF AGES, the cast met the press at the New 42nd Street Studios on March 3, 2009 and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there!

Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx' head up ROCK OF AGES, the leads 'rocked' the first day of rehearsal at the New 42nd Street Studios on March 3, 2009 and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there!

Season Ticket holders of Theater of the Stars receive several special services and benefits including personalized customer service, access to good seats, great package pricing, ticket exchange privileges, advance notice about specials and season highlights and much, much more! Here's what's coming up for the 2009 Season.

Jennifer Hudson has announced that she'll be kicking off her first solo tour. Hudson and R&B singer Robin Thicke will co-headline a five-week tour which will kick off April 2 in Philadelphia and concludes May 8 in Houston. The Concert will play the Fox Theater Thursday, April 23rd 8 PM.