Carrie Manolakos News

Zac Efron could soon make a return to his musical roots.

At yesterday's CinemaCon in Las Vegas, 20th Century FOX announced that the highly anticipated musical movie GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH, starring Hugh Jackman is a 'go' for 2017.

Known for capturing the duality of strength and grace, Ariel Rivka Dance (ARD) celebrates its ninth season with a special, contemporary dance festival comprising five world premieres by four of today's top choreographers all on one stage. Curated by ARD, this elegant array of diverse dance and live musicians showcases new works by Ariel Grossman of ARD, soloist Elisa King, Heidi Latsky of Heidi Latsky Dance, and Pascal Rioult of RIOULT Dance NY. (Program details are below.)

This Sunday, RISE BAR is seeking it's next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadways Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden, Wicked), the RISING STAR competition begins Sunday March 6! The contestants will be competing in an 8 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cast prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to it's cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.

FOX's musical movie THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH is making progress, having just presented a reading to executives prior to filming. Starring the previously announced Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum and directed by Michael Gracey in his directorial debut, the reading also starred Cynthia Erivo, Keala Settle, Carrie Manolakos, Marcus Paul James, Adam Halpin, Natalie Weiss, Loren Allred, Tamika Lawrence, Alison Luff, and Ben Thompson.

Closing January 2016 with a bang, Broadway veteran and singer-songwriter Brian Gallagher shook Birdland Jazz Club with BRIAN GALLAGHER AND FRIENDS. He has been crafting new songs, writing a musical about a serial killer haunted by her victims, and even crafting a song cycle about rats. Utilizing his recent birthday as leverage, he assembled a roster of celebrated Broadway and musical theatre talent to debut his new work.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer/songwriter Brian Gallagher to the historic stage to celebrate his original material with an all-star concert on Monday, January 25.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Brian Gallagher & Friends; Ben Vereen at 54 Below; New Musicals at 54: An Americain Boy by Amanda Green & Richard Thomas; Elizabeth A. Davis at 54 Below; and Linda Lavin in 'My First Farewell Concert.'

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) and the American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will present the 11th Annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project. The weeklong songwriting workshop for emerging songwriters and writing teams will take place from June 19 through 25, on Northwestern's Evanston campus. 

Birdland Jazz Club has just announced its January 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Birdland Big Band, Musette Explosion, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Mack Avenue Superband, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!

After a sold-out developmental production at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, STILLWATER comes to Joe's Pub for a one-night only event. Rock, pop, and alt-country tunes tell the story of two love triangles catastrophically intersecting in a modern-day drug-fueled trailer park in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Birdland Jazz Club has just announced its January 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Birdland Big Band, Musette Explosion, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Mack Avenue Superband, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!

Songwriter Jonathan Reid Gealt just released his third studio album, 'Whatever I Want It To Be'- a fun and eclectic album of songs with influences ranging from jazz to big band, soul to pop, rock and roll to singer/songwriter, Motown and beyond. The album is currently available on iTunes and we've got an exclusive track. Below, check out 'Mean to You', featuring SCHOOL OF ROCK's Alex Brightman!

Tonight, November 10th, Broadway's most distinctive vocalists will celebrate five-time Grammy award winner Mariah Carey at Feinstein's/54 Below in a concert featuring a career-spanning setlist of her most beloved hit singles, including 'Vision of Love,' 'Hero,' 'We Belong Together,' 'Always Be My Baby,' 'Heartbreaker,' 'Fantasy,' and countless others!

This week Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. Scroll down for details!

On November 10th, Broadway's most distinctive vocalists will celebrate five-time Grammy award winner Mariah Carey at Feinstein's/54 Below in a concert featuring a career-spanning setlist of her most beloved hit singles, including "Vision of Love," "Hero," "We Belong Together," "Always Be My Baby," "Heartbreaker," "Fantasy," and countless others!

This November, FEINSTEIN'S/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.

Robert Nederlander, Jr. and Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment have announced that their production of BROADWAY ROX will open the Havana International Theatre Festival in Cuba. The production will perform this weekend, October 23, 24, and 25 at the Teatro Mella.

After six long years, the wait is finally over! The musical web series THE BATTERY'S DOWN, which wrapped up its final season in late 2009, has returned for a reunion special (which aired on Hulu earlier this week) and a Joe's Pub concert, with performances from original cast members (and some very special guests). BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out highlights from the concert below!

After six long years, the wait is finally over! The musical web series THE BATTERY'S DOWN, which wrapped up its final season in late 2009, returns for a reunion special on Hulu and a Joe's Pub concert tonight, October 20, with performances from original cast members (and some very special guests).