Ben Fankhauser dishes about the behind-the-scenes world of touring with ''Beautiful'' and meeting Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Plus, he gives us his exclusive reaction to getting to film ''Newsies'' for the big screen. It'll be released in early 2017, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the original movie.
So it's been official that Jeremy, Ben, Kara and Andrew are doing the Sept. 11 ''Newsies'' taping, but it also had been reported that ''additional cast from the Broadway ensemble will return.'' Anyone know who else will be back? ... And did all the original cast members have first right of refusal in their contract to film this?
Steve Blanchard and Aisha de Haas (from the tour) are playing Pulitzer and Medda, but I wonder if John Dossett and Capathia Jenkins were just not available. Or maybe it's just Disney's call.
There was no right of refusal, Disney re/cast roles as they saw fit. While not getting into specifics of which alumni cast members will be returning (I'm sure they'd like to announce on their own terms), there will be more actors in general, ie: much less doubling by some of the newsies and oldies.
OK, lovebway. Here's your chance! Charitybuzz is holding an online auction for a chance to meet Jeremy Jordan after enjoying the Sept. 11 taping of ''Newsies''! The winning bid will support the wonderful work at Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.
Hope this link works. If not, you'll find the story at BroadwayWorld's home page. And break a leg!
Lovebwy, if you're a new fan of Jeremy's, you might enjoy this exclusive N.Y. Daily News interview that we did with him in March 2012, just before ''Newsies'' opened on Broadway. In it, you might appreciate his talents even more when you realize what a tough childhood he survived (poverty, divorce, a then-alcoholic parent, etc.) and how this ''horribly shy'' kid re-created his image.