Hugh Panaro News

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA below!

Director Bill Condon envisions a new and exciting SIDE SHOW that includes new music.

Hi BroadwayWorlders!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 4, 2014 - Sunday, May 4, 2014.

Hugh Panaro is ending his run as the Phantom in Broadway's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Before playing the phantom, Panaro played the role of Raoul, which he played for 900 performances. As the the Phantom, Panaro played 2227 performances. His fellow cast members did the math and found that he has appeared in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for over 3000 performances.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: It's a busy Monday! The NY Drama Critics' circle announces its 2014 winners today, Playwrights Horizons and Second Stage are both hosting their annual galas tonight, SEA MARKS opens off-Broadway, the National August Wilson Monologue Competition is today, and Joe Iconis stops by MURDER FOR TWO tonight!

With such hits as 'Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the May Philly POPS concert series is going to have audiences dancing in their seats! On May 16, 17 and 18, it's SIXTIES HITS with the Midtown Men, the original cast members of Broadway's Jersey Boys, who are bringing their sensational sound to Philadelphia to Verizon Hall in The Kimmel Center. The talented quartet consists of Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. They will join conductor Michael Krajewski and The Philly POPS and perform the music of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, of course, The Four Seasons and more.

The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 26th year on Broadway, will welcome former 'LITTLE MERMAID' co-stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to the cast on Monday, May 12, at the Majestic Theater. BroadwayWorld has learned that while Lewis will perform in eight shows a week, Boggess will assume the usual 'Christine' schedule of six per week. Boggess will appear in all performances Tuesdays through Saturdays. Alternate Sara Jean Fordwill perform the role on Saturdays and Mondays.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced complete casting for its production of Side Show that runs in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater from June 14 to July 13, 2014. Side Show features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger, and is directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon. Sam Davis will serve as musical director and arranger and will conduct the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. The Kennedy Center production of Side Show is produced in association with La Jolla Playhouse. Press opening night is Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Broadway veterans will share the stage with celebrated newcomers as Bryan Cranston, Fran Drescher, James Franco, Idina Menzel,Denzel Washington and more than 200 of Broadway and off-Broadway's most talented performers come together for the 28th AnnualEaster Bonnet Competition. Presented by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, this year's Easter Bonnet Competition(#bcefabonnets) will be held Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22.

Broadway veterans will share the stage with celebrated newcomers as Bryan Cranston, Fran Drescher, James Franco, Idina Menzel,Denzel Washington and more than 200 of Broadway and off-Broadway's most talented performers come together for the 28th AnnualEaster Bonnet Competition. Presented by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, this year's Easter Bonnet Competition(#bcefabonnets) will be held Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22.

With such hits as 'Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the May Philly POPS concert series is going to have audiences dancing in their seats! On May 16, 17 and 18, it's SIXTIES HITS with the Midtown Men, the original cast members of Broadway's Jersey Boys, who are bringing their sensational sound to Philadelphia to Verizon Hall in The Kimmel Center. The talented quartet consists of Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. They will join conductor Michael Krajewski and The Philly POPS and perform the music of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, of course, The Four Seasons and more.

In honor of Les Miserables' opening tonight, BroadwayWord brings you the actors who've taken on the many complex and vocally challenging roles of Victor Hugo's world, from the unscrupulous Thenardiers to innocent Cosette, or principled Javert against the compassionate and strong-willed Jean Valjean. From Fantine and Eponine, unfortunate in life and romance, to Enjolras and Marius, the fiery young leaders of the French Revolution.

Come look at the freaks! Last night at 54 Below, performers celebrated Bill Russell and Henry Krieger's Side Show in 'I Will Never Leave You: 54 Sings Side Show.' Directed by Russell, the special concert featured the talents of Lauren Kennedy, Norm Lewis, Jeff McCarthy, Hugh Panaro, Alice Ripley, The Skivvies and more. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you two performances from the Skivvies, including 'Come Look at the Freaks' and 'The Devil You Know' featuring original Side Show star Norm Lewis.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 9, 2014 - Sunday, March 9, 2014.

Lauren Kennedy, Norm Lewis, Jeff McCarthy, Hugh Panaro, Alice Ripley, The Skivvies and more will take part in 'I Will Never Leave You: 54 Sings Side Show' tonight, March 9, 2014 at 54 Below.

Music Director and Conductor Michael Krajewski, the nationally recognized Pops conductor who performs with orchestras throughout the country, brings back his innovative programming and lighthearted approach with the 2014-2015 concert season of The Philly POPS. Encore Series, Inc, the presenter of The Philly POPS, is pleased to introduce this exciting series of concerts which begins in October, 2014 with the Era of ABBA, followed by Classic Soul. It continues with a salute to the American Songbook Then and Now and a visit to the movies with Epic Hollywood Soundtracks. The season ends with the Legends of Rock.

Norm Lewis makes his eagerly anticipated solo debut at American Songbook on Saturday night at 8:30pm. The show is SOLD OUT, and has been for weeks, and he has been in what he calls 'training' for the last few months. His musical director is Joseph Joubert (Motown, The Color Purple, Violet, Leap of Faith) and the evening is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander., for whom Norm did 'Javert' along with Hugh Panaro as 'Valjean' in last summer's blockbuster success of LES MISERABLES at The Muny in St. Louis.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

This March, April and May at 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.