Beth Leavel News

Broadway legend Joy Franz, who starred in the original and revival companies of Into the Woods on Broadway, is the final cast member to join Tim Realbuto's July 24th star-studded 54 Below show entitled Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help). Throughout the evening, each guest star will play a different person in Tim's life. Franz will play Tim's mother.

New York City is the place where stars flock to take their turns on the grandest stages in the world. Throughout the past year, Broadway has welcomed such film and television stars as Daniel Radcliffe, Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, Debra Messing and Ian McKellen, as well as a slew of celebrated Broadway favorites such as Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Neil Patrick Harris and many more. The Great White Way isn't the only place for stars to shine on stage though. During the summer months, many cherished performers travel to regional theatres around the country to share their extraordinary talents with the rest of America. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of this summer's starriest productions at a theatre near you!

Tim Realbuto has announced a contest involving his upcoming star-studded 54 Below concert entitled Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help). Realbuto released the following statement: 'Calling all up-and-coming songwriters! As a writer myself, I know the importance of having your work performed live. Do you have any songs collecting dust in an old trunk somewhere? Do you want to test out a new song? Do you want to hear your song sung by a former Elphaba? Send me your songs and I will pick one to sing at my upcoming 54 Below show along with Wicked star Jenna Leigh Green.'

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Award winning writer/performer Tim Realbuto will be guest on several upcoming television shows to promote his star-studded (not-so-solo) solo show at 54 Below, which is entitled Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help) and will tell the story of his life growing up in show business with hilarity and poignancy. He's enlisted the help of some top stars to play characters in his life, voices in his head, and sometimes (when things get too tough), they will even play Tim himself.

This July and August 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Broadway stars, producers and the Company of Jonathan Brielle's much acclaimed new musical, Himself and Nora about the tumultuous romance of famed writer James Joyce and his muse, lover and most ardent supporter, chambermaid Nora Barnacle, gathered to celebrate the release of the album produced by John Yap for noted theatrical music label Jay Records. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Award winning writer/performer Tim Realbuto will be guest on several upcoming television shows to promote his star-studded (not-so-solo) solo show at 54 Below, which is entitled Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help) and will tell the story of his life growing up in show business with hilarity and poignancy. He's enlisted the help of some top stars to play characters in his life, voices in his head, and sometimes (when things get too tough), they will even play Tim himself.

The Long Island Musical Theatre Festival is a non-profit program dedicated to producing a full-length musical with a professional orchestra in two weeks. During that time, students receive training from industry professionals while being surrounded by peers who share the same passion and skill set. Students will have the opportunity to work with a Broadway guest artist, discuss resume building, and learn audition techniques.

Tim Realbuto has announced that he has added a four-person ensemble to his upcoming 54 Below show, which has previously announced a starry line-up of guests.

Drama Desk Award Nominee CHRISTINA BIANCO (Forbidden Broadway; NEWSical The Musical) and South Pacific's LAURISSA ROMAIN ('Finally Famous'; 'The Voice') join the starry line-up of special guests for Tim Realbuto's upcoming (not so) solo show at 54 Below entitled Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help).

This week, Jay Productions LTD released the original cast album of Jonathan Brielle's critically acclaimed musical 'Himself and Nora' about the tumultuous romance of famed writer James Joyce and his muse, lover and most ardent supporter, chambermaid Nora Barnacle. After it's success at the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival in July, 2012 at The Theater at St. Clements, Michael Bush's critically production was then presented last season at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, New Jersey.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our annual Regional Summer Musical Theater Guide, featuring the best summer theaters in Illinois, Wisconsin, western Michigan and northern Indiana, plus the Muny in St. Louis! Timber Lake, American Folklore, Mason Street, Wagon Wheel, Little Theatre On The Square and more!

Musician/composer/lyricist Michael Patrick Walker is world premiering a new musical Dog and Pony at the Old Globe in San Diego. Walker is best known as one of the composers of the hit musical Altar Boyz. He was nominated for a 2005 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and for two 2005 Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and for Best Lyrics for Altar Boyz. The show also won the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. In our chat, Walker talks in depth about Dog and Pony and working with the cast and creative team at the Old Globe.

An Idaho film festival reunites a pair of estranged screenwriters in the new musical DOG AND PONY by Rick Elise (Peter and the Starcatcher, Jersey Boys) and Michael Patrick Walker (Altar Boyz). As Mags (Nicole Parker) and Andy (Jon Patrick Walker) rehash memories from their 13-year partnership, we quickly see that this dysfunctional relationship was doomed from the start. We also know from the beginning how this musical is going to end.

Tim Realbuto's 54 Below Concert with Anneliese van der Pol scheduled for July 24th has been cancelled due to a scheduling commitment van der Pol could not postpone. However, the venue has asked Realbuto to perform a solo show instead.

The Old Globe presents the World Premiere of Dog and Pony, a new musical with book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker. From the award-winning talents behind Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Altar Boyz, Dog and Pony is a romantic musical comedy that follows Mags and Andy, a successful screenwriting team, as their professional relationship evolves into something more. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Old Globe presents the World Premiere of Dog and Pony, a new musical with book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker. From the award-winning talents behind Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Altar Boyz, Dog and Pony is a romantic musical comedy that follows Mags and Andy, a successful screenwriting team, as their professional relationship evolves into something more. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: We're kicking off the week leading up to the Tonys with an awards-filled Monday -- stay tuned for our coverage of the Theatre World Awards, Lilly Awards and Astaire Awards (oh my!), plus HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME begins on Broadway tonight!

Here are Summer Stages Picks from Broadwayworld's Ellen Dostal for what to see in Los Angeles and San Diego.