Ahmanson Theatre News

R&B superstar Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame has joined the cast of 'Fela!' The musical, produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Stephen and Ruth Hendel, is filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and will be presented from April 26 through May 5, 2013.

Deadline reports that two-time Tony Award winning actress Katie Finneran has joined the cast of Michael J. Fox's upcoming NBC comedy series. The show, which is scheduled to premiere in the fall, has received a 22-episode order from the network.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. 'Backbeat' will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of Mary Poppins, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, Nicolas Dromard returns to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances tonight, January 9. Check out the video below of various cast members from MARY POPPINS and EVITA wishing him a Happy 'Bertday!'

Votes are cast, polls are closed, and results have been tabulated! This was our BIGGEST year yet! After a record number of voters in over 30 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is VERY excited to announce the 2012 Los Angeles Winners! Thanks to all who voted and HUGE congrats to all the winners!

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of Mary Poppins, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, Nicolas DromarD will return to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances tonight, January 9.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that the New York premiere of Belleville, written by Amy Herzog and directed by Anne Kauffman, will begin performances Tuesday, February 12 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Sunday, March 3 at 7pm. Belleville is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 31.

Cyndi Lauper just visited the Today Show where she chatted with Hoda Kotb and Meredith Vieira about her new reality show, "Cyndi Lauper: Still so Unusual," as well as her Broadway-bound musical KINKY BOOTS. Check out what she had to say below!

After playing the role of Bert for over two years on the North American tour of MARY POPPINS, with a stint on Broadway in Summer 2010, NICOLAS DROMARD will return to the New Amsterdam Theatre, beginning performances on Wednesday, January 9. Tony Award nominee GAVIN LEE played his final performance before taking a leave of absence on Friday, January 4, 2013. He departs to join the West End production of Top Hat through Summer 2013.

War Horse, the 2011 Tony Award-winning Best Play and international sensation seen by more than 2 million people worldwide, will conclude its Broadway run today, January 6, 2013, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater as the longest-running, Tony Award-winning Best Play of the last decade. At time of closing, the production will have played 718 performances and 33 previews. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through War Horse's battle onto Broadway and beyond with photos, video and more.

The cast is set for the U.S. premiere of "Backbeat," the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles. "Backbeat" will have its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre, with previews beginning January 20 and performances continuing through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.

As expected (thankfully) 2012 provided Southern California audiences--specifically here in Orange County and nearby Los Angeles and San Diego--a season full of outstanding, remarkable theater offerings from touring companies, impressive regional productions, and even some tiny black box theaters. And, of course, as is the common practice during the ushering of a new year, the enjoyable past-time of putting together a year-end 'best of' list is something contributor Michael Lawrence Quintos truly looks forward to doing, especially when there's a plethora of great work to choose from--many of which he had the pleasure of reviewing exclusively for BroadwayWorld.

Bring It On: The Musical will play the final performance of its limited engagement today, December 30, 2012, after 21 previews and 173 regular performances at Broadway's St. James Theatre. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a multimedia flashback with highlights from the musical's run on the Great White Way!

Check out the recently released commercial for the show below and meet the cast with videos of them from past productions and roles!