A real BROADWAY News

This is the second workshop in a series of NEW workshops at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

This is the second workshop in a series of NEW workshops at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

Today we have the penultimate entry in our twelve-part series dedicated to Lifetime's hit dramedy DROP DEAD DIVA with an all-encompassing chat with the show's heavenly agent himself, Fred, portrayed by stage and screen star Ben Feldman! In this illuminating conversation we talk all about his three years on DROP DEAD DIVA and what the future holds for Fred, Jane, Stacey and company, as well as his favorite guest stars and memories so far. Additionally, Ben and I discuss his training for the stage and his work on Broadway, opposite Kathleen Turner in THE GRADUATE, as well as his performances in the recent remake of FRIDAY THE 13th and shooting the avant garde thriller CLOVERFIELD, in addition to his thoughts on various pilots with the likes of Christine Ebersole, Fran Drescher, Marc Blucas, Amy Smart and more!

Ali Ewoldt, the standout star of the on-going national tour of the latest Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY, wanted to really follow her dreams. Though always drawn to musical theater all her life, she decided to graduate from Yale with a degree in Psychology, thinking it was a 'safer' bet than to pursue a life in the theater. But her dreams proved to powerful to ignore, prompting her to take on musicals full-tilt, culminating in her Broadway debut as Cosette in LES MISERABLES. Now she's wowing audiences across America with her take on Maria, in the smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY, now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, CA through September 18. Before landing in Costa Mesa with the tour, Ewoldt chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about her early theater experiences and working with the late Arthur Laurents.

Bridging the gap between theatre, television and film in a thrilling and revolutionary new way with this week's premiere of STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S COMPANY, in select movie theaters nationwide Wednesday through Saturday (with a return engagement already scheduled for early July), director Lonny Price has introduced Sondheim's seminal concept musical comedy to a whole new generation of gleeks, as well as reverently keep the flame of the fire in the heart, soul and mind of this complex, rich and rewarding show for Broadway babies who already know its genius. Additionally, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Hendricks, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Katie Finneran, Aaron Lazar, Martha Plimpton, Patti Lupone and the rest of the cast are absolutely perfect for their roles and bring a live spontaneity and verve to their material - the kind which you usually only see in the very best shows on Broadway - and that sense of timing, precise editing and overall polished presentation style is a sure credit to Price's positively sublime direction of the live stage production with the NY Philharmonic, as well as - and maybe even more so - the movie version of the live show in theaters now. It bursts with energy and, well, aliveness, just like a real Broadway show. Make that: Just like a real Broadway smash hit. Talking all aspects of COMPANY: THE MOVIE while still editing it last month, Price was kind enough to open up about what the rehearsal process was like, filming it live and working with the all-star cast, as well as much, much more - all coming on the heels of last year‘s rapturously received Ellen Krass production of SONDHEIM! THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT, undoubtedly the finest Broadway concert capture of our age. Price discusses his affection for the material and the man behind the music, plus his smashing leading ladies. Plus: what's next? Be sure to stay tuned for the complete InDepth InterView featuring Price's recollections on Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (and his forthcoming documentary about it), A CLASS ACT, directing DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and news about the feature film version of Athol Fugard's MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS coming later this year - a play which he starred in on Broadway twenty-five years ago. Actor, producer, director and, now, filmmaker - Price can clearly do it all!

Camp Broadway, presented by The Artist Series, is returning to Jacksonville for its 11th year on June 13 - 17, 2011 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM!

Liza. Four letters say all you need to know about Broadway. She is Broadway, after all, and in many ways the ultimate Broadway icon, just as her mother Judy Garland was the ultimate Hollywood icon. No one in their prime was better. Just recently in Tony Awards history, Miss Minnelli proved she could rock the socks off of the entire world with her magnificent performance of "And The World Goes Round" - the capper of the 2009 Tony Awards opening number, perhaps the biggest of all time. Today, we take a look at Liza at the Tony Awards - and, considering today is Tony's Eve, the timing is just right. How else does a real Broadway baby spend a Saturday night - all alone in your room (or not) - than with Miss Minnelli?

Camp Broadway, presented by The Artist Series, is returning to Jacksonville for its 11th year on June 13 - 17, 2011 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM!

'We're all just really, really happy! Tuesdays are the busiest day for us because South Park airs on Wednesdays and we're rushing to make final changes to the episodes, so this was a nice break. I read about the nominations on the internet and was a little worried about someone being left out. But as I scrolled down the list I got happier and happier to see that so many of these amazing people were recognized. Though we've been working on this show for almost 7 years, my favorite part was tech week, and seeing it as a real Broadway show for the very first time. No matter how many workshops you sit through, the first time you see it with the set and lights, it's a whole different experience. This whole process has felt so natural. Matt and I met Bobby several years ago and just started talking about how we wanted to do a musical about Joseph Smith and Mormon sort of evolved from that. It will be nice to reconnect with everyone at the Tonys once South Park is done. We're really looking forward to it and are so proud!'

Past Tony winners Anika Noni Rose and Matthew Broderick announced the 2011 Tony Awards nominees live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City. BroadwayWorld.com will be talking to all of the nominees to hear their exciting stories of how they heard, who they told and more!

Ms. Howard shares with me all about the filming of the highly anticipated conclusion of the TWILIGHT series, TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN Parts 1 & 2 in which she plays a central role: that of Siobahn, an ancient Irish vampire. William Finn, Dan Fogler, Bill Condon, Michael Sheen, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and stories about working with many more of her exciting co-stars and collaborators await in this comprehensive conversation.

This week marks the release of Lisa Howard's stunning new collection of William Finn songs, SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE, as well as a showcase at Birdland featuring the selections from the album and some special surprises, so now is certainly the best time to catch up with the 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE star before she takes on Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Paulette in LEGALLY BLONDE later this year.

Holding the world's record for playing the longest-running role in entertainment history, Erica Kane on ABC‘S ALL MY CHILDREN, is just one mere jewel amongst the scores in the fifty-year career crown tiara of television icon Susan Lucci. Having appeared on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and performed in nightclubs across the country with Regis Philbin, she is certainly no stranger to the stage - and what could better define working actor than memorizing scripts for a new hour-long drama every day, five days a week, for forty-one years? Commitment to her craft, an intense love of performance, and an affinity for the expression of human emotion - as well as an instant likeability and irrepressible allure - are just a few of the many features that make up the impressive journey of two women - Erica, included - over the course of Lucci's compelling and personally revealing new autobiography ALL MY LIFE, in stores today - as well as our warm and candid discussion about it. From Broadway to Hollywood; New York to LA to Vienna; from Broadway stages, concert stages, cabarets, to screens large and small - and, also, to some of the strongest television films of all time (plus, some starry stories and DANCING WITH THE STARS tidbits, too) - see some of the reasons why she is simply known as La Lucci, just as any grand opera diva (soaps, stage or otherwise) should undoubtedly be.

Today we are talking to one of the biggest and youngest sensations of the season, Al Pacino's highly-lauded Portia to his Shylock in the sold-out MERCHANT OF VENICE, as well as a recurring star on THE GOOD WIFE and MEDIUM - following an unforgettable appearance on NIP/TUCK last year - this year's recipient of USA's CHARACTER APPROVED Award for Theatre, Lily Rabe. In this enlivened discussion, Rabe and I dissect her work on stages and screens large and small as well as what the future holds for her on Broadway, in Hollywood and beyond - including starring in a new independent film, LETTERS TO THE BIG MAN, and a revival of A DOLL'S HOUSE co-starring Hamish Linklater at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Performing as part of THE TOWN HALL's Sixth Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival was Betty Buckley on Saturday, October 16th at 8:00 PM. Buckley is one of only a handful of women who can be referred to as a real Broadway star and a true legend. Tony Award winner and three-time Grammy nominee, she has acted in films, starred on television, and on Broadway. Buckley made her Broadway debut in 1969 and has been called 'The Voice of Broadway' by New York Magazine. Her rendition of 'Memory' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, established her reputation. She has recorded 12 solo albums and now tours extensively across the U.S. each year. She is also a composer; her first recording contains mostly songs she wrote.

Lucie Arnaz (They're Playing Our Song), Sarah Uriarte Berry (A Light in the Piazza), Carole Demas (Grease), Loni Ackerman (So Long, 174th Street) and Nancy Opel (Urinetown), join the cast of The Town Hall's Broadway Originals on Sunday, October 17th at 3:00 PM.

Judy Kaye Completes the Cast of Broadway Melody Makers on October 15th forTHE TOWN HALL'SAnnual Broadway Cabaret FestivalOctober 15th, 16th and 17th Tony Award ® winner Judy Kaye (Phantom, Souvenir, Mama Mia) completes the cast of THE TOWN HALL's Broadway Melody Makers on Friday, October 15th.

Lucie Arnaz (They're Playing Our Song), Sarah Uriarte Berry (A Light in the Piazza), Carole Demas (Grease), Loni Ackerman (So Long, 174th Street) and Nancy Opel (Urinetown), join the cast of The Town Hall's Broadway Originals on Sunday, October 17th at 3:00 PM.

Judy Kaye Completes the Cast of Broadway Melody Makers on October 15th forTHE TOWN HALL'SAnnual Broadway Cabaret FestivalOctober 15th, 16th and 17th Tony Award ® winner Judy Kaye (Phantom, Souvenir, Mama Mia) completes the cast of THE TOWN HALL's Broadway Melody Makers on Friday, October 15th.

Alice Ripley, Tony Award®-winner for her starring role in Next to Normal, and Michael Cerveris, Tony Award®-winner for Assasins and 4-time Tony Award® nominee, join the cast of THE TOWN HALL's Broadway Melody Makers on Friday, October 15th. The evening celebrates legendary composers of The Great White Way and is the first concert in THE TOWN HALL's 5th Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival. This three-concert series, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for THE TOWN HALL, takes place over one weekend and includes Betty Buckley in Concert on Saturday, October 16 at 8PM and Broadway Originals on Sunday, October 17th at 3PM. Tickets are $55 and $50 at Ticketmaster.com, (800) 982-2787, or at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43rd Street) between noon and 6PM (except Sundays), 212-840-2824. For more information, visit www.the-townhall-nyc.org.