David Rooney News

Manoel Felciano, currently playing Tobias in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, will bring his multi-instrumentalist talents and pop stylings to Joe's Pub for an evening of originals and uniquely reinvented covers, with Musical Direction by Peter Foley, and surprise guest appearances.

Grey Gardens, which recently concluded its sold out World Premiere production at Playwrights Horizons, will open on Broadway this Fall with performances beginning in October at The Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street).

The History Boys, by Alan Bennett, today won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play of the 2005-2006 season. The Best Musical award was given to The Drowsy Chaperone (book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison).

Adam Feldman, president of the New York Drama Critics' Circle (NYDCC), announced today that the Circle will meet at the offices of Time Out New York magazine on Thursday, May 11, to select the winners of the 70th annual New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, which will be announced at approximately 7pm, immediately following the meeting.

THE COLOR PURPLE set a new house record, grossing $1,394.446.28 for the week ending January 1, 2006 at the Broadway Theatre, besting La Boheme's previous record set three years ago by more than 40%.

JESSE GREEN of The New York Times, MICHAEL MUSTO of The Village Voice and DAVID ROONEY of Variety join MICHAEL RIEDEL of The New York Post and producer SUSAN HASKINS to handicap the upcoming season on Broadway.

Doubt by John Patrick Shanley today won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best play of the 2004-2005 season. The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh received the award for best foreign play. No award was given for best musical.