Harvey Fierstein News

It's not unusual for movies to be adapted for the stage these days, in fact, it's become rather commonplace. But typically, musicals written for the screen that flop (even though they might have a rather substantial cult following), are usually avoided for obvious reasons. Although, that didn't stop the producers of XANADU from plowing forward, go figure. The Disney film NEWSIES actually seems likes a logical choice to revamp and produce on the stage, and it wound up winning Tony Awards for best score and choreography back in 2012, and becoming quite the hit. So why am I so surprised? I guess because the current touring production, while occasionally dazzling, comes off slightly uninspired and flat. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really fine performances, an eye catching scenic design, cool effects, and energetic choreography that certainly lives up to expectations. And, like the film, an awful lot of people, both young and old, are guaranteed to truly love this show, as evidenced by the very enthusiastic response from the audience at the performance I attended.

Toronto audiences refuse to let KINKY BOOTS end at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The show, which had its Canadian debut on June 16, 2015, was originally booked for a 12-week run. The demand from audiences was so strong, it has already been extended three times. In fact, GASLIGHT, which was supposed to play at the Royal Alex was moved to a reconfigured Ed Mirvish Theatre, so that KINKY BOOTS could be extended.

Since its founding in 1974 by Paul Zimet and Ellen Maddow -- former members of Joseph Chaikin's seminal Open Theater -- the Talking Band has remained a cornerstone of New York City's avant-garde theater community. La MaMa in association with Talking Band will present the world premiere of its latest work, BURNISHED BY GRIEF, a sinister, music infused romantic comedy, at La MaMa's first floor theater from tonight, January 22, through February 7.

Company of Fools (COF) and The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will present an evening reading of the play CASA VALENTINA, from four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Newsies, La Cage aux Folles). The reading takes place tonight, January 16, 2016, at 6:30pm at The Liberty Theatre in Hailey and is part of The Center's BIG IDEA multidisciplinary project, Role Play: Changing Ideas about Gender.

Social Media has been abuzz with casting ideas once Harirspray Live was announced.

Disney's Tony Award-winning smash hit musical NEWSIES is coming to Omaha's Orpheum Theater Tuesday, February 16, for a limited engagement of six days through Sunday, February 21. NEWSIES is presented by Omaha Performing Arts as part of its Broadway series. Tickets start at $40 each and are available at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 12th and Douglas streets, online at TicketOmaha.com; or by phone 402.345.0606. Group orders may be placed by calling 402.661.8516.

Back by popular demand, Kinky Boots, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for Kinky Boots), will return to DPAC September 13-18 as part of the Encore Broadway at DPAC series.

Broadway in Indianapolis, presenting Disney's NEWSIES at Clowes Memorial Hall March 15-20, and IndyStar have partnered to create a unique student journalism contest.  The top three winners will have the chance to interview cast members of NEWISES before the March 15 opening, attend a journalism "story pitch and editing" session with IndyStar arts reporter Wei-Huan Chen and other Star reporters and editors, get their work published in the IndyStar and/or IndyStar.com, and receive tickets to opening night on March 15 and have a chance to meet cast. 

Just in!  BroadwayWorld brings you brand new photos from the National Tour of Kinky Boots! Take a look at the new cast below! ? 

The Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES begins performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts tonight, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.

The KINKY BOOTS tour just celebrated its 500th performance on Saturday, January 2, 2016 in Charlotte NC. Scroll down for photos of the cast with a festive cake to mark the occasion!

Company of Fools (COF) and The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will present an evening reading of the play CASA VALENTINA, from four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Newsies, La Cage aux Folles).

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF lead actors Alfred Molina, Harvey Fierstein and star of the current revival Danny Burstein discuss taking on the iconic role of Tevye in the Broadway musical. 

You can change the world when you can change your mind.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), in association with Sue Vaccaro, Ricky Stevens & The Rivet Gang announce the third show of their 2015-2016 season, the pre-Broadway engagement of EMPIRE, book, music & lyrics by Caroline Sherman and Robert Hull, musical direction by Sariva Goetz, and directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime).  EMPIRE will preview on Friday, January 22, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 23) and run through Sunday, February 14, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

With this strong ratings report, NBC will air an encore telecast of its holiday production on Saturday, Dec. 19 (8-11 p.m. ET).

Now that NBC's live production of THE WIZ has aired, the show keeps on leading fans down the yellow brick road to Oz. Broadway Records and Masterworks release THE WIZ LIVE! Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event physically today, December 18, 2015. Order the album now!

Grammy-winning singer Ne-Yo and Shanice Williams starred in THE WIZ LIVE! on NBC on December 3rd, and together they conquered Oz and social media.

For the first time ever, performing arts centers, promoters, producers, sports teams and more from across the country are joining together to declare December 26 Show Day. This is a live entertainment industry initiative to proclaim the 26th the day to take family, friends and loved ones to a live event.

Deck the halls, trim the tree, and spin the dreidel. BroadwayWorld is continuing our tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a special countdown. This year we've invited Director of Programming at Feinstein's/54 Below and author of The Untold Stories of Broadway book series Jennifer Ashley Tepper to share her favorites holiday performances. Check back daily to get in the holiday spirit in time for December 25 and to find out what else made her list!