Chita Rivera News

THE 69TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS is among the nominees for this year's WEBBY AWARDS. The show was recognized for its exemplary integrated digital experience, including a red-carpet live stream and social-media coverage.

The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks) has announced that Zachary Levi ('Chuck') and Megan Hilty ('Smash') will host the upcoming 82nd Annual Drama League Awards on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in the Broadway Ballroom (1535 Broadway)beginning at 11:30 a.m. Both Levi and Hilty are celebrated this season for their acclaimed performances in the Roundabout Theatre Company productions of She Loves Me and Noises Off, respectively.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, today announced that acclaimed actors (and married couple) Becky Ann Baker (currently featured on "Girls") and Dylan Baker (currently featured on "The Americans") have joined the cast of its upcoming production of Henrik Ibsen's PEER GYNT, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, who becomes the company's new Artistic Director in July. 

Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning actress Mary Louise Wilson will be the Guest of Honor at the 34th annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 7 PM, at Boston's Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre.  The ceremony will feature nominated musical performances, the awarding of The Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence, a post-ceremony party, and surprise appearances and performances.  Tickets for the much anticipated evening are on sale at the Citi Center Box Office, at www.citicenter.org or by calling (866) 348-9738.

The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as "probably the best place for cabaret on the planet" - is doing something completely different this year. For the first time in the 15-year history of the Royal Room, the world famous cabaret will not close at the end of "season" but will continue offering extraordinary entertainers straight-through the summer months with dinner shows every Friday and Saturday night.

In this episode: At the next Broadway-Con they should sell a game called '6 Degrees of Darren Lee,' because he's worked with the best of the best since being a child on the original Star Search.  In this episode, Darren talks about going from featured dancer to character man, working non-stop to taking a step back, and from playing against type and dealing with racial stereotypes. At the end of the day Darren talent got him his start, but acknowledging his weaknesses and making them better is what gave him longevity. 

The new musical Cagney, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton andChristopher McGovern, received its New York premiere at The York Theatre Company last spring, where it played a limited five-week, sold-out engagement. The production just transferred off-Broadway at at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the after party below!

Maestro Luke Frazier and The American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - are proud to present the closing concert of their successful inaugural season. MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY: A 60s Cocktail Party will debut at the George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Friday, May 6th at 8:00 PM.

?Award winning singer/ dancer/choreographer Paula Abdul has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.  Ms. Abdul will be honored on Sunday, April 24th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed choreographers Carl Jablonski and Kevin Carlisle will receive PDS Choreography Awards, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.  In a special tribute, legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke will receive The Dance Legacy Award.

Grammy-nominated, internationally acclaimed artist Ute Lemper's collaboration with renowned best-selling author Paulo Coelho, The 9 Secrets, is set for release on February 12 via Steinway & Sons. The album presents a song cycle composed and sung by Lemper, set to words by Coelho from his 2012 novel Manuscript Found in Accra, the thematic content of which may be encapsulated in the lines, "After lying undiscovered for over 700 years, a manuscript holding the answers to questions about life and humanity is unearthed. / Simple questions about our lives torn between happiness and sorrow and defined by hope, intelligence and desire to love as much as the capacity to hate and destroy." Coelho himself is featured on two tracks-see below for track list. In celebration, Lemper will perform the piece in its entirety in a fully staged production at Symphony Space in New York City on May 13, tickets and information here.

Watch below as Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck shows off impressive tapping skills in a high-spirited 'Forget About the Boy' from Thoroughly Modern Millie, joined by Eddie Korbich and the show's brilliant ensemble dancers: Stephen Carrasco, Michael Fatica, Drew Humphrey, Bryan Hunt, Drew King, Jess LeProtto, Cory Lingner, Christopher Rice, Clinton Sherwood and Jacob ben Widmar.

Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, celebrates its 47th Anniversary at a gala benefit tonight, Monday, March 28th, 2016 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center(East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award winning actress, singer and dancer Donna McKechnie.  The master of ceremonies for the evening is noted theatre journalist Peter Filichia.

At the 2016 edition of BROADWAY BACKWARDS, Jay Armstrong Johnson let his inner Marilyn Monroe fly in a glittery rendition of 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend' from GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Click below to watch the full performance!

Anxiously waiting for WAITRESS to begin previews tonight? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

Watch below as THE COLOR PURPLE's Danielle Brooks brought the first act to a close with her heart-wrenching rendition of "Hold Me in Your Heart," from the Tony Award-winning smash hit Kinky Boots, the longtime resident at the Hirschfeld. 

At the 2016 edition of BROADWAY BACKWARDS, Broadway legend Chita Rivera brought her own brand of 'razzle-dazzle' to Kander and Ebb's 'All I Care About is Love' from CHICAGO. The actress delivered an unforgettable take on swarmy lawyer Billy Flynn, surrounded by a bevy of feathery beauties, many from the original 1996 CHICAGO revival cast, including Nili Bassman, Mindy Cooper, Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Gabriela Garcia, Mary Ann Lamb, Dana Moore and Solange Sandy. Click below to watch the full number!

Below, watch as KINKY BOOTS star Wayne Brady performs FOOTLOOSE's 'Let's Hear It for the Boy,' backed up by Philippe Arroyo and Lauren Wright.

In this episode: Bright Star choreographer and associate choreographer Josh Rhodes and Lee Wilkins- this creative pair is a prime example of complimenting each other and making the show and process productive and enjoyable. This may be because of the 20 years offstage they've spent practicing their partnership. This married couple talks about how being part of the ensemble has paved the way for creating and choreographing the ensemble and how persistence and perseverance will pave a bumpy road.