Jerry Mitchell News

Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing announced today that Award-winning Canadian actress Chilina Kennedy, who made her Broadway debut as 'Mary Magdalene' in Jesus Christ Superstar, has nabbed the title role in Beautiful-The Carole King Musical, the smash hit musical about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter. Kennedy begins performances on March 7, 2015, succeeding Tony Award-winner Jessie Mueller, who will play her final performance in Beautiful on March 6 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43rd Street).

Honeymoon in Vegas, the eagerly anticipated new musical comedy with book by Blazing Saddles and Fletch writer Andrew Bergman and score by three-time Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown, opens tonight, January 15, at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). Scroll down to learn more about the cast and watch interviews with the stars!

KINKY BOOTS has taken South Korea by storm, marking the first international production of the Tony-winning musical. The show is set to run through February 22, 2015 in Seoul at the Chungmu Art Hall Grand Theatre. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

For the current episode of the Theater People Podcast, host Patrick Hinds interviews Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone, hosts of 'The Ensemblist' Podcast. The episode concludes with section of 'The Ensemblist' episode In Tech. Mo and Nikka are both Broadway performers in their own right--Mo is an THE ADDAMS FAMILY alum and Nikka was seen in WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and as Velma Kelly in CHICAGO.

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 transfer to the West End August, 2015, according to a casting notice for the production.

Audiences attending KINKY BOOTS at Segerstrom Center for the Arts will enjoy free lobby activities starting one hour prior to show time and during intermission for all performances.

The Daily Mail reports that Sheridan Smith is in negotiations to star in a London workshop of Irving Merlin's EASTER PARADE, featuring a new book by Ken Ludwig and additional songs by Berlin. Jerry Mitchell will direct.

Pittsburgh CLO announced today that Tony Award-winner and Pittsburgh native Billy Porter will star as 'Lola' for ONE WEEK ONLY when the National Touring production of the 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical KINKY BOOTS plays Pittsburgh CLO August 4-9, 2015 at the Benedum Center. Tickets are on sale exclusively to subscribers of Pittsburgh CLO's 2015 Summer Season.

Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig announced today that Kyle Taylor Parker, who is currently earning raves as 'Lola' in the National Tour of the Tony Award®-winning musical Kinky Boots, will step into the role on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) for three months, taking over for Tony® Award-winner Billy Porter from January 27 – April 26, 2015. Porter will return toKinky Boots on April 28, 2015, and has extended his contract through January 2016.

When it comes to film-to-stage adaptations, the sassy, Tony Award-winning Best Musical KINKY BOOTS---whose touring company is now on stage at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through January 11---is that rare phenomenon we all wish would happen more often: a stage show that actually improves upon its cinematic source material. On stage, the sparkly stage version certainly amps up the hilarity, high-jinks, and heart, thanks to Harvey Fierstein's even cheekier book that complements Cyndi Lauper's Tony-winning, pop-tastic music and lyrics. Along with the added bonus of Jerry Mitchell's fiery choreography balanced within his even-paced direction, the stage adaptation very much deserves every accolade it has received and continues to enjoy. KINKY BOOTS is, no question, one feel-good, winner of a show.

Rachelle Rak has been performing at the Broadway level for the majority of her life and is one of the most resilient people in the business. With almost 30 years of experience, she has seen it all and more. But she has never backed down and never refused to stop growing as a performer. I got the chance to speak to this strong Broadway gypsy about her experiences with mentors like Ann Reinking and Gwen Verdon, her upcoming show at 54 Below, and of course her signature mantra, SAS.

Ambassador Theatre Group's Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE have topped the The Stage 100 for a record-breaking sixth consecutive year. The exclusive list, compiled annually by the industry's leading newspaper, ranks the powerhouses of British theatre.

Todd Montesi and Pat Rigby present awesome comics in front of a cool supportive crowd in the epicenter of hip NYC the East Village. Featuring both established comic veterans you've seen on TV to the up and comers, UG! guarantees a swell time all for FREE! We've also got tons of drink specials! So what are you waiting for? Come down and UG! it with us!!!

Audiences attending KINKY BOOTS at Segerstrom Center for the Arts will enjoy free lobby activities starting one hour prior to show time and during intermission for all performances.

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), opens at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from tonight, December 30, 2014 - January 11, 2015.

Todd Montesi and Pat Rigby present awesome comics in front of a cool supportive crowd in the epicenter of hip NYC the East Village. Featuring both established comic veterans you've seen on TV to the up and comers, UG! guarantees a swell time all for FREE! We've also got tons of drink specials! So what are you waiting for? Come down and UG! it with us!!!

On Monday, December 29, Theater People podcast welcomes beloved Broadway belter, Lindsay Mendez. Mendez, who is well known for having taken on the role of Elphaba in the Broadway mega-hit WICKED for the show's 10th anniversary, made her Broadway debut as Jan in the 2007 Kathleen Marshall helmed GREASE. She was seen on Broadway in the 2010 Roundabout Theater production of EVERYDAY RAPTURE, as well as the 2011 Broadway revival of GODSPELL before being hand picked by famed director Joe Mantello to star in the off-Broadway Pasek and Paul musical DOGFIGHT at Second Stage. She also memorably appeared alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in Miranda's short musical 21 CHUMP STREET which was commissioned by the NPR show 'This American Life' and performed at BAM.

Audiences attending KINKY BOOTS at Segerstrom Center for the Arts will enjoy free lobby activities starting one hour prior to show time and during intermission for all performances.

Dozens of shows celebrated opening nights over the past twelve months, making 2014 a truly epic year in theatre. While some of those shows are still around and others have already wrapped up their Broadway runs, all of them had equally thrilling opening celebrations- welcoming celebrities of the stage and screen to the red carpet. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of red carpet photo coverage from the past year!