THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: January 28- February 3

Sierra Boggess, Brian d'Arcy James, Nikki M. James, and Paulo Szot. Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

Manhattan Theatre Club presented its annual Winter Benefit, an evening of cocktails and dinner followed by a special one-night-only cabaret-style show last weekend, January 30, at The Plaza. This year’s Winter Benefit was directed by MTC’s Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and featured performances by Sierra Boggess, Tony nominee Brian d’Arcy James, Tony Award winner Paulo Szot and Tony Award winner Nikki M. James. Click here for full coverage of the event!

Telly Leung and the men of Godspell. Photo James Zielinski

The 40th Anniversary production and first-ever Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz's rock musical GODSPELL is currently playing at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre. Directed by Daniel Goldstein and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Christopher Gattelli, the show opened on Monday, November 7. Earlier this week, the cast visited Barnes & Noble, where they treated visitors to a special performance and signed copies of the just-released album. For full coverage of the special event, click here.

Cameron Mackintosh and Samantha Barks. Photo Credit: Phil Tragen

Cameron Mackintosh announced on stage at the Manchester Palace at the end of one of this week’s performances of Oliver! that Samantha Barks is set to play Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables - the role she played at the 25th anniversary concert and on stage in London. Samantha Barks trained at the Arts Educational school for a year before entering “I’d Do Anything”, the BBC search for the new ‘Nancy’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s “Oliver!” where she finished in the top three. Check out more photos from throughout her career here.

Jeff Goldblum, Lea Michele, Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo Credit: Adam Rose/FOX

In an upcoming February episode of GLEE, TV and film veterans Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jeff Goldblum will play the parts of Rachel's (Lea Michele) adoptive parents. Click here for more of the first photos of the actors on the hit show, in the February 14 episode!

Christina Sajous. Photo Credit: Jacob Cohl

Newest to the cast of SPIDER-MAN are Rebecca Faulkenberry (Rock of Ages) and Christina Sajous (Baby It's You, American Idiot), who play "Mary Jane Watson" and "Arachne," respectively. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark has been seen by over 500,000 audience members from around the world. It features music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy® Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. For more photos of the duo in action, click here.

Michael McKean, Candice Bergen, Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette, James Earl Jones, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler, Jefferson Mays, Donna Hanover, and Michael Wilson. Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN began rehearsals on Monday, January 30th, with the first preview performance set for Tuesday, March 6th, in anticipation of an April 1st, 2012 opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The show is coming to Broadway in an all-star theatrical event with two time Tony Award winner James Earl Jones, John Larroquette, Candice Bergen, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler, Jefferson Mays, Michael McKean and five time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury. The company just met the press, and you can check out full coverage of the event here.

Tyne Daly and Naomi O'Connell

Stephen Wadsworth's new production of Terrence McNally's Master Class starring Tyne Daly as the legendary opera soprano Maria Callas is currently playing the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre following its critically acclaimed, sell-out run on Broadway. Joining Daly are Gerard Carey (Stagehand), Jeremy Cohen(Emmanuel Weinstock), Naomi O'Connell (Sharon Graham), Dianne Pilkington (Sophie De Palma) and Garrett Sorenson (Anthony Candolino). Click here for a closer look at the London production.

Norbert Leo Butz, Elizabeth Reaser

Second Stage Theatre’s current season will continue with a new production of Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, How I Learned To Drive, directed by Kate Whoriskey and starring Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Reaser. Currently in previews, the production will officially open on February 13. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE explores the complex relationship between Li'l Bit (Elizabeth Reaser) and her Uncle Peck (Norbert Leo Butz), as a series of driving lessons progresses from innocence to something much darker. Click here for additional production shots!

Matthew Rhys, Charlotte Parry, Sarah Goldberg & Adam Driver. Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Last night, February 2, Roundabout Theatre Company opened its new production of John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, directed by Roundabout Associate Artist Sam Gold. The cast features Adam Driver as “Cliff,” Sarah Goldberg as “Allison,” Charlotte Parry as “Helena,” and Matthew Rhys as “Jimmy”. Look Back in Anger opens at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. The production will play a limited engagement through April 8, 2012. Click here for more photos from opening night!