Fran Weissler News

The producers of PROMISES, PROMISES are thrilled to announce that Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will now be performing during 9 previously announced absences from the hit musical. Due to new scheduling conflicts Kristin Chenoweth will be performing in PROMISES, PROMISES from Tuesday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 27.

The producers of PROMISES, PROMISES announced that Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will now be performing during 9 previously announced absences from the hit musical. Due to new scheduling conflicts Kristin Chenoweth will be performing in PROMISES, PROMISES from Tuesday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 27.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS began previews on October 7 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). In anticipation of its October 31 opening night, the production team has just released the latest television spot for the show. Click below for a first look!

The original cast recording for THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS , the exhilarating new Kander & Ebb musical, has been released today on JAY Records.

'Saturday Night Live' alumnus and 'Superstar' Molly Shannon will make her Broadway debut in the smash hit musical comedy PROMISES, PROMISES as Marge MacDougall for a limited 11 week run from Tuesday, October 12, 2010 through Sunday, December 26, 2010. This new production of PROMISES, PROMISES, directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford with Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score, began previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) Saturday, March 27, 2010, and opened on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will open on Broadway on Sunday, October 31 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Previews will begin on Thursday, October 7. Prior to Broadway, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is playing a limited engagement at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. The production opened on July 31 and runs through September 25 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.

Brent Barrett will revisit his role as Billy Flynn in CHICAGO for a limited engagement extending from October 11 through November 21. He joins a cast that includes other recent returns; Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, original cast member Leigh Zimmerman as Velma Kelly and Roz Ryan as 'Mama' Morton.

It has been a banner year for PROMISES, PROMISES' Katie Finneran. Her critically acclaimed performance as Marge MacDougall in the smash hit musical comedy PROMISES, PROMISES swept the 2010 awards season winning her the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award. On Sunday, August 22, Ms. Finneran married long time companion Darren Goldstein (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), and now the couple has announced that they are expecting a child this winter. It is with best wishes that the producers of PROMISES, PROMISES announced today that Tony Award winner Katie Finneran will play her final performance in the smash hit musical comedy on Sunday, October 10, 2010. This new production of PROMISES, PROMISES, directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford with Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score, began previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) Saturday, March 27, 2010, and opened on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Casting for Broadway's next Marge MacDougall will be announced shortly.

Brent Barrett will revisit his role as Billy Flynn in CHICAGO for a limited engagement extending from October 11 through November 21. He joins a cast that includes other recent returns; Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie Hart, original cast member Leigh Zimmerman as Velma Kelly and Roz Ryan as 'Mama' Morton.

Yesterday, October 6, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS company, including with legendary musical theatre composer John Kander, Tony and Emmy-nominated book writer David Thompson, five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Susan Stroman, and the acclaimed cast met the press in anticipation of their Broadway opening this fall. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the meet and greet and brings you photo coverage below!

This year's American Friends of Rabin Medical Center 'Best Of Israel / Best Of New York' Gala is shaping up to be an unforgettable evening. With Charlie Rose hosting for his 2nd year, the annual fundraising gala is being held in the newly renovated Empire Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt New York on Monday, November 1, 2010. Over 600 people will be in attendance, including diplomats, civic, business, medical and philanthropic leaders of their respective industries. Peter Riguardi, President of Jones Lang LaSalle is joining the gala as the dinner honoree.

The producers of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, the exhilarating new Kander & Ebb musical, are pleased to announce a student rush policy. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS begins previews on Thursday at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 31.

On September 7, Ellen DeGeneres made an appearance in Broadway's PROMISES, PROMISES alongside Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes. In the video below, DeGeneres visits backstage at the Broadway Theatre before her big debut. DeGeneres visited Chenoweth's dressing room where she met her dog, Maddie before being joined by Sean Hayes to practice breathing exercises with Hayes. DeGeneres then took the stage with the rest of the PROMISES, PROMISES cast to practice her singing.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, the exhilarating new Kander & Ebb musical, has been nominated for four AUDELCO Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre.

As reported previously, Ellen Degeneres made a surprise cameo in PROMISES, PROMISES September 7, performing alongside Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. Footage from her surprise performance aired September 15 on the season premiere of her show on NBC. The clips have hit the internet today! Click here to watch her spot.

The Broadway bound production of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will conclude its run at the Guthrie Theater on September 25, 2010, following an eight-week engagement that has played to full houses and standing ovations every night. Lauded by critics and audiences as a daring and wildly entertaining musical that explores a fascinating chapter in American history with brilliant originality, this thrilling final collaboration by musical theater giants JOHN KANDER and FRED EBB continues to spark community conversation well beyond the final bows.

Beginning Friday, October 8, 2010, the Broadway company of the international musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back original cast member Leigh Zimmerman in the starring role of merry murderess Velma Kelly.

The producers of PROMISES, PROMISES announced today that the smash hit, Tony Award-winning revival will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, January 2, 2011, having played 30 preview and 291 regular performances. The show's stars Sean Hayes, Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Goldwyn, Dick Latessa and Molly Shannon have all extended their contracts for an additional week to ring in the New Year. PROMISES, PROMISES is expected to recoup its investment in the coming weeks with complete details to be announced at that time. In addition the producers are excited to announce that discussions have begun for a possible tour of this new production of PROMISES, PROMISES, with more details to follow. PROMISES, PROMISES, directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford with Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score, began previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) Saturday, March 27, 2010, and since it opened Sunday, April 25, 2010, has been one of Broadway's top grossing shows week after week.

The Broadway bound production of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will conclude its run at the Guthrie Theater on September 25, 2010, following an eight-week engagement that has played to full houses and standing ovations every night. Lauded by critics and audiences as a daring and wildly entertaining musical that explores a fascinating chapter in American history with brilliant originality, this thrilling final collaboration by musical theater giants JOHN KANDER and FRED EBB continues to spark community conversation well beyond the final bows.

On Monday, September 13, 2010, the Broadway company of the international musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt in the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn.