Hottest Articles on BWW from Thursday, Oct. 29

1) Photo Coverage: 2009 'BROADWAY WISHES' Benefit Concert After-Party

On Saturday, October 24, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, threw a star-studded benefit concert that showcased unforgettable performances by some of the hottest talents on Broadway. The concert, BROADWAY WISHES, took place at the beautiful OC Pavilion Performing Arts Theater located in Santa Ana,CA. (more...)

2) Photo Flash: From Encores! to Broadway, FINIAN'S RAINBOW Opens at the ST. James Tonight!

Finian's Rainbow began previews at Broadway's ST. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, on Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, and celebrates Opening Night, this evening, Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm. (more...)

3) STAGE TUBE: FINIAN'S RAINBOW on Broadway - Highlights!

Finian's Rainbow began previews at Broadway's ST. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, on Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, and celebrates Opening Night, this evening, Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm. (more...)

4) Ana Gasteyer, Wayne Knight & Marc Kudisch to Star in Encores! GIRL CRAZY

Girl Crazy, the first Encores! production of the New York City Center season, will star Ana Gasteyer, Wayne Knight and Marc Kudisch and will run November 19 - 22. Girl Crazy, directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Warren Carlyle with Guest Music Director Rob Fisher, has music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and Jack McGowan. (more...)

5) Photo Coverage: 2009 'BROADWAY WISHES' Benefit Concert in O.C.

On Saturday, October 24, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, threw a star-studded benefit concert that showcased unforgettable performances by some of the hottest talents on Broadway. The concert, BROADWAY WISHES, took place at the beautiful OC Pavilion Performing Arts Theater located in Santa Ana,CA. (more...)

6) STAGE TUBE: Aaron Tveit Guests on CW's 'Gossip Girl' - Preview Promo

Aaron Tveit is reprising his Gossip Girl role as Nate's wealthy cousin, Tripp Vanderbilt, this November for at least six episodes. The politically minded Tripp will announce that he's running for office and Nate will get involved with his campaign. "Gossip Girl" airs at 8:00p.m. on The CW (channel 11 in NYC). (more...)

7) Advocacy Groups Challenge THE MIRACLE WORKER Casting

According to a report in the New York Times this morning, members of advocacy groups such the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts - an advocacy group for blind and deaf actors - are none to pleased with the casting of Abigail Breslin as Hellen Keller in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Miracle Worker. (more...)

8) 'Thrillifying' WICKED Pop-Up Compendium Preview Video Available to View on Amazon.com

The new book, 'Wicked The Musical: A Pop-Up Compendium of Splendiferous Delight and Thrillifying Intrigue' spotlights the many magical moments in the hit production and you can watch a sneak peek video of all the OZ filled fun on Amazon.com. (more...)

9) BURN THE FLOOR Welcomes DWTS' Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kym Johnson Post-Thanksgiving

The New York Post is reporting that DWTS' Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kym Johnson will be dancing their way into Broadway's recently extended BURN THE FLOOR after Thanksgiving. A representative for the show has confirmed that the pair will perform through mid-January, 2010. (more...)

10) Carrie Fisher on Wishful Drinking with Charlie Rose: Re-Airs Tonight on Bloomberg TV, 10/29

Actress Carrie Fisher was on ‘Charlie Rose' last night and to discuss her new one woman Broadway show Wishful Drinking, a Roundabout production. (more...)

11) Neil Simon & Michael Riedel Talk Theater, 10/30

Theater Talk, a weekly expose of American theater that airs on PBS Friday nights (PBS/Thirteen) and 5 times weekly on CUNY TV will feature Broadway heavyweights Michael Korie, Arthur Perlman, Neil Simon and more in it's upcoming broadcasts this fall. (more...)

12) BC/EFA Presents 21st Annual 'Gypsy of the Year' Competition, 12/7 & 12/8

Throughout the years, the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION has become one of the hottest and most anticipated tickets of the fall season. New York's most talented "gypsies," chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, join in a competition/variety show as six weeks of intensive fundraising to benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) come to a close with the 21st ANNUAL GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. (more...)

13) Los Lonely Boys Announce The Release Of 1969- Their New EP Of Covers

Los Lonely Boys (Henry, Ringo, and Jojo Garza) announce the upcoming release of 1969 (Lonely Tone/Playing in Traffic), an EP of covers that pays tribute to one of America's most musically hailed years. (more...)

14) GLEE Cast's Rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' Goes Gold

In yet another sign that Glee has gone from smash comedy hit to cultural phenomenon, the cast's rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" has just been certified Gold for digital sales in excess of 500,000 downloads, and to date, over two million Glee songs have been purchased online. Seven songs from Glee now occupy spots in the top 200 of iTunes' Top Songs chart and Newsweek recently observed that the FOX series' "rabid online fanbase has given the show's music a life of its own." (more...)

15) 'Exhausted' Ortega Discusses FOOTLOOSE Departure with EW

It was reported earlier this week that director Kenny Ortega has exited the upcoming big screen musical remake of "Footloose." (more...)

16) California Institute of the Arts School of Theater To Highlight the Work of Adrienne Kennedy during the 2009/2010 Season

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) School of Theater celebrates the work of playwright, poet, and essayist Adrienne Kennedy with the study and presentation of three of her groundbreaking pieces during its 2009-2010 season. (more...)

17) Liz Smith Chats Broadway with Jujamcyn Theaters' New President Jordan Roth on WowOWow

Producer Jordan Roth has succeeded Rocco Landesman as President of Jujamcyn Theaters, the owner and operator of five major Broadway theatres. Roth, 33, has taken over leadership of the organization which Landesman presided over from 1987 until his recent confirmation as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts on August 7. Roth is also acquiring a 50% ownership interest in the privately held company. Gossip maven Liz Smith spoke to Roth about his new position and what excites and inspires him in the world of theatre. (more...)

18) BWW Reader Feedback - 10/29/09

BWW Reader Feedback for 10/29/09. (more...)

19) Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis at Metropolitan Room, 11/3

Jenna Esposito - the 2008 and 2009 MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs) Award Nominee for "Best Female Vocalist" - will bring poodle skirts and puppy love back into fashion with her second CD "To Connie, Love Jenna - Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis," the world's first-ever tribute CD to one of the most beloved and best-selling female vocalists of the 20th Century. The disc will be available at iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby.com. (more...)

20) Jamie deRoy Hosts 'MAC/ASAPC Songwriters' Showcase,' 10/31; Features Melissa Manchester, Mark Winkler & More

Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy will host a special edition of the acclaimed "MAC/ASAPC Songwriters' Showcase," an ongoing series exploring the role of Songwriters in America on Saturday, October 31st from 2pm to 4Ppm at the Metropolitan Room. The afternoon program will focus on Songwriters from the West Coast with participants including Melissa Manchester, Mark Winkler, Shelly Markham and Geoffrey Leigh Tozer. (more...)