Baayork Lee News

As we approach TONY Awards weekend, we thought we'd catch up with Broadway veteran Baayork Lee, who last week proudly brought her National Asian Artists Project (NAAP) Chorus to the Lillian Booth Actors Home of The Actors Fund, in Engelwood, NJ, on Thursday, May 31. The revered Fund's Home takes care of our own in the industry, whether actor, stagehand, usher, company manager, producer, etc. The Chorus loves going there. This was their second year and, next year, they hope to go twice a year, as it's such a satisfying exchange on both sides. Among the many residents of interest are Fran Liebergall, former assistant to Marvin Hamlisch and Billy Porter's Mom, Cloerinda Ford.

The 74th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony was held at Circle in the Square on the set of the TONY Nominated Broadway Revival of Once on This Island yesterday, Monday, June 4. BroadwayWorld was in attendance at the big event. Check out photos from the ceremony below!

An afternoon Island Celebration! The 74th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony was held at Circle in the Square on the set of the TONY Nominated Broadway Revival of Once on This Island on Monday afternoon. Check out photos below to see the stars of the season stroll down the red carpet, sporting their 'festive island' best!

Broadway heads to the beach to celebrate the 74th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony on the set of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway Revival of the musical Once on This Island today, June 4, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m at Circle in the Square (1633 Broadway, entrance on West 50th Street).

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature A CHORUS LINE, BEAUTIFUL, and More!

Broadway heads to the beach to celebrate the 74th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony on the set of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway Revival of the musical Once on This Island on Monday afternoon, June 4, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m at Circle in the Square (1633 Broadway, entrance on West 50th Street).

The original Broadway production of 1975s 'A Chorus Line' ran 6,137 performances because it caught something true and sometimes sad about all those people who labor in the background of musical theater. This new iteration produced by 'Big League Productions,' a non-equity tour company, captures something of the original.

From the stage of last year's premiere edition of the bootcamp's Kristi Awards show at the Broken Arrow PAC, the world renowned 'local girl makes good' Kristin Chenoweth told the audience it took her three years to figure out what she wanted for the program.

New York City Center is sure to be a singular sensation this fall!

It has just been announced that stars Ana Gasteyer as ("Miss Hannigan') and Megan Hilty ("Lily St. Regis.") have joined the cast of the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of ANNIE, which will take place Friday, July 27, at 8 pm, Saturday, July 28, at 8 pm, and Sunday, July 29, at 7:30 pm. 

On Monday, May 7th The League of Professional Theatre Women (Kelli Lynn Harrison & Lisa Rothe, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been leading the gender parity conversation and championing women in the professional theatre for over 35 years, presented the final Oral History event of their 2017-18 season with two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (111 Amsterdam Avenue at 65th Street). Ms. Rivera talked about her life and illustrious career with Broadway World's lead correspondent, Richard Ridge, host of Backstage with Richard Ridge. 

Just last night, the 2018 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out to recipients in 19 categories, with three honorary awards also bestowed. The Lortel Awards were distributed in a ceremony at NYU Skirball Center hosted by Meteor Shower co-stars Laura Benanti and Jeremy Shamos. This year's event was once again a benefit for The Actors Fund.

Known across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga has been announced for the role of Grace Farrell in Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Annie, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, which will be this summer's annual staged musical at the Bowl.  

Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Inc. presents New York Jazz Choreography Project for its semiannual dance concert devoted exclusively to jazz. JCE features works from emerging to established choreographers.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - has announced the winners of their first annual vocal competition, "NextGen: Finding The Voices of Tomorrow." The First Place female winner is Nia Savoy (Howard University) and the First Place male winner is Evan LaChance (The Catholic University of America).

Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Inc. presents New York Jazz Choreography Project for its semiannual dance concert devoted exclusively to jazz. JCE features works from emerging to established choreographers.

On Monday, April 2nd at 9:30pm, Christopher Sloan & Gavin Esham want YOU to vote them to Broadway after getting to know them during Chris & Gavin's Broadway Campaign Spectacular, an evening of sketch comedy, song and unintentional nudity that tackles hot topics.

Theater League's national tour of 'A Chorus Line' features a stellar cast, fabulous singing and dancing, but above all, the rock solid directing by Baayork Lee, the original Connie, who has ensured that Michael Bennett's original conception from over 40 years ago remains the same as he intended, as if Lee were encasing the show in amber.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (Kelli Lynn Harrison & Lisa Rothe, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been leading the gender parity conversation and championing women in the professional theatre for over 35 years, will present the final Oral History event of their 2017-18 season with two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera.

One hundred and fifty talented NYC public school students made their Broadway debuts last night at the 4th annual SHUBERT FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL for NYC Public Schools at the fabled Shubert Theatre (225 W. 45 St. -- currently home to the Broadway smash HELLO, DOLLY!) This high-energy arts and education experience for students is presented by The Shubert Foundation and NYC Department of Education.