BWW's Top 40 Theatre Stories of 2009!

By: Dec. 28, 2009
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Below are BroadwayWorld.com's most popular articles from 2009 - it's been quite a year.

Here's a look at 40 of BroadwayWorld.com's most popular stories of the year in date order.

Catch up below on anything that you might have missed from the past year on BroadwayWorld.com! To see BroadwayWorld.com's "10 for '10" of who and what to watch for 2010, click here.

IN DATE ORDER: 

*)  Laura Bell Bundy to Join LEGALLY BLONDE Tour as Temporary Replacement 
January 10, 2009

Back in January, BroadwayWorld.com was buzzing with the news that Laura Bell Bundy briefly returned to the role of Elle Woods, taking over the part on tour, temporarily replacing Becky Gulsvig who has broken a toe. Bundy flew to Washington, DC, the tour's current stop and began performances on January 13, 2009 in East Lansing, Michigan, the tour's next stop. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: SNL's 'Save Broadway' with Neil Patrick Harris 
January 11, 2009

Neil Patrick Harris hosted Saturday Night Live on January 10th. One of the show's many hilarious sketches was entitled "Save Broadway" in which Broadway characters, past and present, ranging from Annie to The Phantom of the Opera debated ways to "save" the industry. (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: SPRING AWAKENING The Final Curtain Call 
January 19, 2009

After an amazing run from Off-Broadway sleeper to Tony Award winning Best Musical Spring Awakening ended its run on Broadway, Sunday, January 18, following the 7pm performance. BroadwayWorld was there to cheer on the ground breaking musical as it bid Broadway farewell. When Spring Awakening closed, it had played 859 performances and 29 previews. Its eight 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, made Spring Awakening one of the biggest Tony winners in the past decade. In addition to the Tony Award wins, Spring Awakening won four Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the Drama League award for Distinguished Production of a Musical, and the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, among other notable citations. (more...)

*)  Photo Flash: Nicole Parker Stars in WICKED 
February 02, 2009

Beginning performances on Friday, January 16, Nicole Parker (from "MADtv" and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) assumed the role of Elphaba Wicked on January 16th and BroadwayWorld.com got our hands on her first official press photos. (more...)

*)  'ADDAMS FAMILY' Musical Website Open, Broadway Previews Begin March 2010 
February 26, 2009

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, opened its official website, www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com and announced on the website that Broadway previews are scheduled to start on Broadway on March 5th, 2010 with April 8th, 2010 set for Opening Night. (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: 'ABC and SOAPnet Salutes BC/EFA' Benefit at Town Hall 
March 11, 2009

The curtain rose for the fifth consecutive year as the spotlight shined center stage on stars from ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital" as they sang and danced on Broadway for one night only in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The show, hosted by Cameron Mathison, was held on Monday, March 9 at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street). (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: WEST SIDE STORY Opening Arrivals 
March 20, 2009

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) last night, Thursday, March 19, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras caught the starry crowd as they arrived for the opening night! (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: HAIR Opening Night Party 
April 01, 2009

HAIR began preview performances on Friday, March 6th, and celebrated its official opening last night, Tuesday, March 31, 2009. After a smash-hit run at Central Park's Delacorte Theater last summer, HAIR returned to Broadway for the first time in over 30 years. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras partied down with the cast as the post show celebration began! (more...)

*)  Mamet's RACE to Run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Previews Begin Nov. 17 
May 06, 2009

RACE, the new play written and directed by David Mamet was announced that its world premiere would take place at the ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE (located at 243 West 47th St.) beginning on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 with the official opening night on Thursday, December 6, 2009. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: Big Screen 'NINE THE MUSICAL' Official Trailer Released, Hits Cinemas on Nov. 25th! 
May 14, 2009

The big screen adaptation of NINE THE MUSICAL starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman, hit cinemas in December. The official trailer was released back in May and we brought it to you right here on BWW TV! (more...)

*)  BWW TV Exclusive: 'Just Another Day' Backstage at Bdwy's Next To Normal 
May 18, 2009

The stars of Broadway's Next to Normal, Jennifer Damiano and Adam Chanler-Berat, joined BroadwayWorld's James Sims and Eddie Varley for an exclusive backstage tour of the Booth Theatre. Follow the two young actors as they take our cameras into their cast mate's dressing rooms and on stage... (more...)

*)  Photo Flash: The Cast of Fox's New Series 'GLEE' Starring Morrison and Michele Hits NYC 
May 20, 2009

In a broadcast first, GLEE, the new one-hour musical comedy series from Ryan Murphy ("Nip/Tuck"), had a special preview following AMERICAN IDOL last night, Tuesday, May 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The show premiered this fall and Broadway well in love. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: Encores! Summer Stars THE WIZ Sneak Peek - Ashanti Sings 'Home' 
May 20, 2009

Ashanti, joined by Thomas Kail and Alex Lacamoire, gave a special behind-the-scenes, sneak peek performance on Tuesday May 19th, for the media and BWW TV was there! (more...)

*)  STAGE TUBE: Menzel, Groban and Pascal Led CHESS IN CONCERT: The DVD Trailer 
May 29, 2009

PBS's Great Performances aired the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. The concert is now available on DVD. (more...)

*)  STAGE TUBE: Britain's Got Talent Final - Susan Boyle Sings 'I Dreamed a Dream' 
May 30, 2009

Susan Boyle captured the imagination of the world this year. Here she is going back to her old faithful song final of 'Britain's Got Talent' as she once again sang "I Dreamed a Dream" during the show's finals. (more...)

*)  Hugh Jackman Confirms 'A STEADY RAIN' Broadway Role To ET
June 04, 2009

Stage and screen superstar Hugh Jackman confirmed back in June that he was indeed coming to Broadway in "A Steady Rain" alongside Daniel Craig. The actor first revealed the news to Entertainment Tonight while attending a private party for Joel Grey's new book of photography, 1.3 - Images from My Phone in Manhattan and we brought you the scoop. (more...)

*)  BILLY ELLIOT, HAIR, 'CARNAGE' and 'NORMAN' Among 2009 Tony Award Winners! 
June 07, 2009

It was Broadway's biggest day of the year and BroadwayWorld brought you the 2009 Tony Award winners as part of our complete Tony Award coverage! (more...)

*)  Photo Flash Exclusive: THE LITTLE MERMAID's New Ariel and Prince Eric, Chelsea Morgan Stock And Drew Seeley! 
June 11, 2009

Broadway's new Ariel and Prince Eric took time out of their rehearsal schedule to pose for publicity photos with photographer Joan Marcus at her New York City studio. BroadwayWorld has the exclusive pictures of Disney's new super couple. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: 2009 TONY AWARDS Backstage Pass 
June 15, 2009

The American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2009 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: Broadway Beat Summer Special - BROADWAY BARES 19.0 'CLICK IT' Highlights! 
June 24, 2009

BROADWAY BARES 19.0: "CLICK IT!" was an astounding success raising $808,819 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Both performances of BROADWAY BARES sold out faster than any previous edition with all 5,902 available tickets being sold by Friday, June 19. (more...)

*)  Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID To Close On Broadway 8/30, National Tour Planned For 2010 
June 30, 2009

Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID played its final Broadway performance on Sunday, August 30th after 50 previews and 685 performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).  (more...)

*)  Lloyd Webber Confirms Boggess And Karimloo For Leading Roles In 'LOVE NEVER DIES' 
July 03, 2009

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye was the first to report that Andrew Lloyd Webber had confirmed the much rumored news that soprano Sierra Boggess and baritone Ramin Karimloo will star in the world premiere in London of his "Phantom" sequel, Love Never Dies. (more...)

*)  BWW Announces Coast to Coast and International Expansion Plus Broadway's First 'Twitter Watch' 
July 27, 2009

The largest theatre site on the net announced that it was now covering 100 markets nationally and worldwide and that it expanded into 'Showcial Networking'. BroadwayWorld.com announced plenty of expansion in 2009 and we've got lots more exciting news coming in early 2010. Thanks as always for your support! (more...)

*)  Actors Equity Releases Statement on 'Twittering Casting Director' 
August 12, 2009

It was brought to BroadwayWorld.com's attention back in August via a rapid slew of emails to our "Twitter Watch" inbox, that one of the more than 200 Broadway-related Tweeters that we were picking up the feed of, was a casting director, who was 'tweeting' during auditions with her take on some of the performers (mentioning none by name) with live comments, both good and bad, after they'd auditioned. (more...)

*)  President Obama's Comments On Chita Rivera From Medal Of Freedom Ceremony 
August 12, 2009

Two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama during a special ceremony held on August 12 at 3pm EST. (more...)

*)  BWW Interview: 'Tweeting' Casting Director Daryl Eisenberg on Twitter, Equity, An Apology & More 
August 13, 2009

As the Twitter-gate story started being picked up by publications ranging from Backstage to The New York Times, BroadwayWorld.com conducted the first interview with the casting director herself. (more...)

*)  Over 100 Theatres To Premiere 'Laramie Project' Epiologue 10/12, New Online Community Launched 
August 31, 2009

The creators of the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which since 2000 has been one of the most performed plays in America, premiered a compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the original piece. Entitled THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER, the play was performed in New York at Lincoln Center, over 100 other theaters across the country on October 12, 2009. (more...)

*)  AVENUE Q Headed Back Off-Broadway - Show to Open October 9 at New World Stages! 
September 13, 2009

Some things aren't only for now! Announced from the stage after the show's final performance on Broadway by producer Kevin McCollum was the unprecedented news that AVENUE Q was making theatre history by moving BACK off Broadway and that it will re-open on October 9, 2009 at New World Stages. The show will be presented in its entirety and from the same production, design and producer team as its current Broadway incarnation. (more...)

*)  Stage And Screen Star Patrick Swayze Has Passed Away At Age 57 
September 14, 2009

The Associated Press was the first to report that actor Patrick Swayze had lost his long battle with cancer. This sad news struck Broadway as well and Swayze's talent and humanity will be missed. (more...)

*)  BWW TV: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Celebrates 9000th Performance on Broadway! 
September 16, 2009

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA reached another new milestone as musical became the first Broadway show ever to reach 9,000 performances. The occasion was marked with a special presentation during the 2PM matinee's curtain call. Now in its phenomenal 22nd Year, the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. production, directed by Harold Prince, continues to play at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), with no end in sight. (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: Kerry Butler And Tom Lenk Join Broadway's ROCK OF AGES - Curtain Call! 
September 19, 2009

On Friday, September 18, 2009, Kerry Butler as "Sherrie" and Tom Lenk as "Franz" began performances in the five-time Tony nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street) for a six month engagement. (more...)

*)  Lansbury & Zeta-Jones Set for NIGHT MUSIC; Lazar, Davie, Hanson, Larkin, Herdlicka, Mallory Star 
September 22, 2009

Academy Award-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones, five-time Tony Award®-winner Angela Lansbury and Olivier Award-nominee Alexander Hanson were announced to star in the first Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning masterpiece A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tony Award®-winner Trevor Nunn. The show has been selling out ever since... (more...)

*)  Photo Flash: John Barrowman and Simon Burke Star In Menier Chocolate Factory's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 
September 22, 2009

John Barrowman (Albin) and Simon Burke (Georges) lead the sparkling new cast at the West End production of La Cage aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. The production will make its way to Broadway in April 2010 (more...)

*)  BWW Photo Exclusive: The 'Men Of ROCK OF AGES' Calendar Sneak Peek! 
September 24, 2009

At the annual BC/EFA Flea Market, ROCK OF AGES unveiled a hot off the presses, limited edition MEN of ROCK OF AGES Calendar. Designed in the hilarious, raunchy spirit of the show, the calendar exposes all of the men's finest assets from January to December. They've since released a follow-up calendar with the Women of ROCK OF AGES.  (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: Barbra Streisand Performs at Village Vanguard 
September 27, 2009

New York City’s 7th Avenue was buzzing with excitement on Saturday night, September 26, when Barbra Streisand performed a free concert at the historic Village Vanguard to an audience of 100 of her luckiest fans from around the world, who'd been chosen from tens of thousands of entrants in a variety of contests launched on the artist's website, BarbraStreisand.com. (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction - Celebrity Tables 
September 28, 2009

The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction held on Sunday, September 27 raised a grand total of $403,929 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). (more...)

*)  Photo Coverage: HAIR's Special Finale to Honor the Upcoming National Equality March 
October 09, 2009

A new version of HAIR's iconic dance-party finale, created to motivate New Yorkers to join in the National Equality March, was presented at the matinee performance on Wednesday, October 7th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre - 302 West 45th Street. The producers of the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR also, in an unprecedented move, cancelled the show's Sunday, October 11th performance so that the entire cast could join the National Equality March in Washington, D.C. (more...)

*)  STAGE TUBE: GLEE Sneak Preview - WICKED's 'Defying Gravity' 
October 22, 2009

GLEE star Lea Michele was featured singing WICKED's powerful anthem "Defying Gravity" in a new vocal snippet from the hit Fox series. You can check it out right here on STAGE TUBE! (more...)

*)  Photo Flash: Wildhorn's WONDERLAND: Alice's New Musical Adventure in Tampa Bay 
November 30, 2009

Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure with music by Frank Wildhorn is playing TBPAC's Ferguson Hall Dec. 5, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010, with preview performances scheduled Nov. 24 through Dec. 4. Following the Tampa run, Wonderland will play a limited engagement at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas, beginning Jan. 15, 2010. The production which is expected to announce a tour or Broadway production after its Houston run has been sparking much interest and discussion on the BroadwayWorld boards. (more...)

*)  BWW TV Video Preview: A Sneak Peek of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC! 
December 12, 2009

Performances began on Tuesday, November 24th, for the first Broadway revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC starring Academy Award-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones, five-time Tony Award®-winner Angela Lansbury and Olivier Award-nominee Alexander Hanson. Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning masterpiece A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, directed by Tony Award®-winner Trevor Nunn, opened on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Walter Kerr Theatre and audiences have been packing the house ever since. (more...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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