Bob Boyett News

Minsky's is a big, racy, new musical comedy set in a time when entertainment was about legs and laughs, and you had to push the limits to keep the customers buying tickets. A rollicking backstage story, set in Prohibition Era New York City. Tony Award winning costume designer Gregg Barnes talked about his creations for MINSKY'S on the show's official site in a wonderful audio/video essay that we are excited to bring you here on BWW TV!

The Royal Court Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL has fully recouped its capitalization costs, officially entering the hit column. THE SEAGULL, in a new version by Christopher Hampton and directed by Ian Rickson, is now in its final two weeks, concluding its limited engagement as scheduled on Sunday, December 21 at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street).

Former SNL genius, Celebrity Autobiography mainstay and gifted comic actress Rachel Dratch is a member of the cast of the currently in rehearsal musical Minsky's, she reveals her joy of working with composer Charles Strouse and her hope of it continuing to Broadway in the future to NYMag.com's Diana Scholl.

Casting is complete and rehearsals have begun for the world premiere of 'Minsky's,' which opens February 6, 2009, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and continues through March 1 (previews begin January 21). Featuring music by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Charles Strouse ('Bye Bye Birdie,' 'Annie,' 'Applause') and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead ('Jelly's Last Jam' and 'Triumph of Love'), 'Minsky's' is Center Theatre Group's second collaboration with Tony Award-winning writer Bob Martin and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw ('The Drowsy Chaperone').

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS starts its second year on Broadway in a new home and with a new Hannay. Sean Mahon will join the Tony Award-winning quick-change comedy as Richard Hannay on Wednesday, January 21, when the production moves to the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street). Sam Robards will play his final performance as Richard Hannay on January 4 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street).

Carey Mulligan, who stars as Nina in the Royal Court Theatre's critically-acclaimed production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, will be interviewed this weekend on NY 1 'On Stage.' 'On Stage' airs Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 from 9:30 AM-10:00 AM, and again from 7:30 PM-8:00 PM. It also airs Monday, December 1 from 9:30 PM-10:00 PM and Tuesday, December 2 from 12:30 AM-1:00 AM.

The cast and band of 13, A New Musical: Graham Phillips, Allie Trimm, Aaron Simon Gross, Delaney Moro, Eric M. Nelson, Elizabeth Egan Gillies, Al Calderon, Malik Hammond, Caitlin Gann, Ariana Grande, Joey La Varco, Brynn Williams, Lexi Bodick, Zac Coe, Adam Michael Kaufman, Zach Page, Chris Raymond and Charlie Rosen gave a live performance of three songs from the show, followed by a CD signing to celebrate the in store release of the original cast recording on Tuesday, November 25th at the Borders in The Shops at Columbus Circle.

13, a new musical with music and lyrics by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown will play its final performance on Sunday, January 4, 2009 after 22 preview and 105 regular performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W. 45th Street). The first Broadway show to star an all teenage cast and band began previews on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 and opened on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

Jeffrey Kuhn and Francesca Faridany joined the cast of Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS on Tuesday, October 28.

Broadway's THE 39 STEPS, the Tony Award-winning quick change comedy, will welcome Halloween next Friday, October 31, with a special ticket offer and the Hitchcock-themed '39 Shrieks Halloween Costume Contest'. THE 39 STEPS is currently playing at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues).

Bob Boyett, Nice Productions, Inc., McCoy Rigby Entertainment, CBS Corporation, Tom Miller and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts are thrilled to present the second production of La Mirada Theatre's 2008-2009 season of shows, the launch of the national tour of HAPPY DAYS -A New Musical, book by Garry Marshall, music and lyrics by Paul Williams, directed by Gordon Greenberg, Music Arrangement and Music Supervision by John McDaniel and Choreographed by Michele Lynch. HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical will begin performances on Friday, October 31 (with a press opening on Saturday, November 1) and will run through Sunday, November 16 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.

Goodbye gray skies, hello blue - HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical launches its national tour at La Mirada Theatre in October 2008. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures' television series, HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical reintroduces one of America's best-loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee. This time capsule is complete with familiar friends: Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph, Joanie and Chachi, Pinky Tuscadero and of course, the king of cool: Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli. Arnold's, the famed drive-in malt shop, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match. Complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox sock-hoppin', HAPPY DAYS - A New Musical brings back the nostalgia of the '50s in a perfect family entertainment.

Jeffrey Kuhn and Francesca Faridany will join the cast of Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS on Tuesday, October 28. Kuhn will play the role of Man #1 and Faridany will play the roles of Annabella Schmidt, Margaret and Pamela. Current cast members Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders will play their final performances on Sunday, October 26. THE 39 STEPS, the winner of two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, is playing at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues).

Broadway's THE 39 STEPS, the Tony Award-winning quick change comedy, will welcome Halloween next Friday, October 31, with a special ticket offer and the Hitchcock-themed '39 Shrieks Halloween Costume Contest'. THE 39 STEPS is currently playing at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues).

Kristin Scott Thomas, the Olivier Award-winning star of the Royal Court Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, will be interviewed tomorrow, Friday, October 24 on CBS's 'Early Show' and ABC's 'The View'.

Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, composer/lyricist of the new musical '13', hosted '13 Questions' - a series of audience Q & A's - immediately following the 7pm performance on Tuesday, October 21st. Special co-hosts for the evening included 13's casting director, Mark Simon, 'fabulous' members of Broadway's first all teenage cast and band and other members of 13's creative staff.

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS will launch its second year on Broadway in a new home at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street), starting on Tuesday, January 20. THE 39 STEPS will play through Sunday, January 11 at its current home, the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street).

Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, composer/lyricist of the new musical 13, to host '13 Questions' - a series of audience Q & A's - immediately following the 7pm performances on Tuesday, October 21, Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, 2008. Special co-hosts to include 13's casting director, Mark Simon, 'fabulous' members of Broadway's first all teenage cast and band and other members of 13's creative staff. (Star Ledger) All audience members with tickets for that evening's performance are permitted to stay for that evening's talkback for free.

Arnie Burton, one of the stars of Broadway's THE 39 STEPS, was a guest on today's edition of 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on WNYC Radio.