Christian Borle News

As BroadwayWorld previously reported the second season of SMASH will include a growing list of high-profile guest stars, including the just-announced Nikki Blonsky of Hairspray, as well as Jesse L. Martin, Jeremy Jordan, Sean Hayes and Jennifer Hudson. Now according to Vulture, Bernadette Peters, who guest starred last season as Ivy's (Megan Hilty) mom, will return in season two. The Broadway favorite will begin filming soon in New York City.

Hey readers! Today's blog should be fun. If it's not fun, I guarantee it will be informative (I don't think anyone has formally documented these two theatre phenomenons). I have to give a shout out to my pal Chris Hoch, who is always willing to debate these fringe theatre subjects in the dressing room!

The York Theatre Company has announced the first Off-Broadway revival of the of Closer Than Ever, with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire, will end its extended run with its 150th performance on Sunday evening, November 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue) where performances began June 5, 2012.

On Sunday October 14, 2012, Broadway Workshop hosted a one day musical theatre master class with Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, NBC's SMASH). 18 lucky Broadway Workshop students between the ages of 13-18 participated in this 4 hour class. In addition to working with Mr. Borle on song interpretation and audition technique, students also took part in a dance master class with season 1 SMASH associate choreographer, Valerie Salgado. The sold out workshop was held at Ripley Grier Studios and is part of Broadway Workshop's fall master class series.

Broadway for Obama founders and Broadway siblings Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) presented one-night-only event for Obama supporters, "Broadway Gets Out the Vote," this evening, October 14th. Members of the broadway community and their friends and fans joined together to show their support, phone bank and fight the good fight. Watch their pledge to President Obama below!

Broadway for Obama founders and Broadway siblings Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) previously announced a one-night-only event for Obama supporters, "Broadway Gets Out the Vote," to be held tonight, October 14th from 7 to 10 p.m. at 405 West 55th Street.

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, welcomes Marya Grandy (Les Miserables, Damn Yankees) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for Jacquelyn Piro Donovan from October 13 - November 4, due to a prior commitment.

As previously announced, Sean Hayes will be on Smash season 2 for a few episodes. He has already finished filming, but throughout the process, he tweeted lots of pictures of himself as the actor Terrence Falls in Smash's other musical (besides the Marilyn Monroe show BOMBSHELL) called LIASONS.

Broadway for Obama founders and Broadway siblings Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) announced today a one-night-only event for Obama supporters, "Broadway Gets Out the Vote," to be held on Sunday, October 14th from 7 - 10:00 PM at 405 West 55th Street.

According to TV Guide, while at the premiere of his Lifetime remake of Steel Magnolias, SMASH's executive producer Neil Meron let loose some details about the NBC show's second season, to premiere in January.

According to EW.com, Broadway favorite Daphne Rubin-Vega has joined SMASH's all-star cast for season two. Rubin-Vega will play a Broadway publicist on the show, which returns on NBC in 2013. Also joining the cast for season 2 are Jennifer Hudson, Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin, Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus and Jeremy Jordan.

Tasti D-Lite has named a new flavor, "MISS BYRD'S RED VELVET D-LITE," to honor one of the best reviewed Off-Broadway shows of the year, Closer Than Ever with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire. Current cast members of The York Theatre Company production, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, Anika Larsen, James Moye, and Sal Viviano, will be on hand on Thursday, October 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Times Square Tasti D-Lite (1588 Broadway between 47th & 48th St) to introduce the world to the deliciously decadent new treat. There will also be an in-store raffle to win two tickets to Closer Than Ever and a $25 Tasti Treat Card.

When I first moved to NY, I had two amazing roommates, Eric Christian (dancer, singer and actor extrordinaire) and Jennifer Stetor (now Stetor Eggars... see previous description!). Jen Stet (as we called her) was in 'The Will Rogers Follies', and Eric and I were sweating to the oldies in the Radio City Music Hall's Easter Show. One day, Jen posed the question to me, 'Why do audiences applaud? I mean think about it, human beings slapping their frontal appendages together to give praise...it's just weird.' She may not know it, but I have been fascinated by her query since that day.

Season 2 of NBC's SMASH won't premiere until mid season, but fans will get a chance to relive Season 1 beginning January 8. Clcik here to preorder the first season on DVD!

MUSICIANS ON CALL-the non-profit organization that provides live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities-has gathered 20 exclusive 'VIP Experiences' from some of the top names in music and entertainment . Funds raised from all of the auctions-which run from September 27-October 18-will provide support for Musicians On Call's inaugural program at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA Medical Center and expand its new Los Angeles branch to include additional programs, increasing the number of patients and hospitals served nationwide.

The new weekly web interview series "The Graham Show," hosted by Graham Douglass, premieres today, Friday, September 28. The inaugural episode features an interview with Tony Award-winning actor Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, "Smash"). Watch the episode below or at www.TheGrahamShow.com!

Graham Douglass announced the launch of "The Graham Show", an all-new, weekly web series featuring intimate one-on-one chats with New York's top stage stars and theater professionals, aimed at young theater-lovers everywhere. The series, set to launch today, September 28, will be available, free of charge, at www.TheGrahamShow.com. Get a sneak peek of the show in the video below!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported the second season of SMASH will include a growing list of high-profile guest stars, including the just-announced Nikki Blonsky of Hairspray, as well as Jesse L. Martin, Jeremy Jordan, Sean Hayes and Jennifer Hudson. Now according to Vulture, Bernadette Peters, who guest starred last season as Ivy's (Megan Hilty) mom, will return in season two. The Broadway favorite will begin filming soon in New York City.

The York Theatre Company in association with Edward Negley, Neil Berg and Adam Friedson, will welcome James Moye (Dogfight, Million Dollar Quartet) to the cast of Closer Than Ever with Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Music by David Shire, filling in for George Dvorsky from September 25 - October 7, due to a prior commitment.

The NBC television show Smash's Facebook page just released these snapshots of Anjelica Houston and Wesley Taylor on the set! Check them out below.