Jerry Mitchell News

Beginning Thursday, July 29th, Daniel Robinson (The Big Gay Musical, Hairspray) steps up to the altar as he assumes the role of ‘Andrew,' one half of the happy couple, in My Big Gay Italian Wedding, the hilarious comedy now playing at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street.

Actress Sheridan Smith will depart the West End's LEGALLY BLONDE on October 23, whatsonstage.com reports. Smith, who plays Elle Woods, made the announcement via her twitter account. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, Jennifer Ellison is being considered to replaced Smith; however, no official announcement has been made.

Children Will Listen On Monday night, the Obamas hosted a starry event at the White House that was streamed live on the White House Official Website and right here on Broadway World that featured the top talents of the Great White Way singing the very best songs by (mostly) American composers. Among the participants were Elaine Stritch, Nathan Lane, Tonya Pinkins, Brian D'Arcy James, Audra McDonald, Chad Kimball, Karen Olivo and Idina Menzel. Additionally, the concert featured Marvin Hamlisch, who accompanied Idina Menzel on his song from A CHORUS LINE, 'What I Did For Love', who I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing yesterday and whose InDepth InterView will be going live tomorrow. First, a review of the Washingtonian events that were online only until the concert premieres on PBS on October 20. Free

Appearing for the first time in London, Broadway diva Shoshana Bean is to star in two exclusive West End concerts at The Ambassadors Theatre on Tuesday 17 August.

Yesterday, I had the exceptional privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with legendary Oscar-winning Hollywood and Broadway legend Julie Andrews, star of films like MARY POPPINS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC; original TV musicals like Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA; and stage shows like the original productions of MY FAIR LADY, CAMELOT and VICTOR/VICTORIA. In our exclusive conversation we discussed everything from her favorite cast albums and theatre scores to working with Robert Wise on THE SOUND OF MUSIC and STAR! to ENCHANTED, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, SHREK and this summer's smash-hit Pharrell Williams/Neptunes-composed animated musical DESPICABLE ME. We also discuss plans for a US tour and the resounding success of her children's book series - even after all these years she still was at the top of the book charts and featured in the top movie of the week last week! Additionally, We also discuss her opinions on co-stars Russell Brand and Steve Carell, rock music in the theatre, GLEE, the Obamas, Sondheim, the Tony Awards and much more. Here is much more than a mere spoonful of the endless vat of sweetness - as well as generosity, beauty, elegance and class - that defines Ms. Julie Andrews.

On Tuesday night I had the privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with legendary composer, conductor and musical director Marvin Hamlisch. The three-time Oscar-winner has also won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony, Emmys and Golden Globes making him the only individual besides Richard Rodgers to accomplish as much in his forty-year-plus career. His scores for A CHORUS LINE, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG and SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, along with his work on classic films like THE WAY WE WERE and THE STING surely cement his place in the pantheon of great American artists, a legend in his own time. On Monday night he also participated - accompanying Idina Menzel on a song from A CHORUS LINE - in the White House celebration of Broadway also starring Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald and the First Family themselves which will be airing on PBS in October. He also hosts the 70s music special THE WAY WE WERE, MUSIC OF THE SEVENTIES airing in August on PBS, as well.

Last night, July 19, Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated the arts, innovation and creativity with the Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House event, featuring top Broadway talent including Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Brian D'Arcy James, Chad Kimball, Tonya Pinkins, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, and Assata Alston. The event was streamed live on BroadwayWorld.

Here are the remarks by the President at White House Music Series Event Saluting Broadway from last night, Monday, July 19th, 2010. Scroll down for the video.

Here are the remarks by the President at White House Music Series Event Saluting Broadway from tonight, Monday, July 19th, 2010.

Tonight, the President and the First Lady will host White House events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity while at the same time encouraging continued outreach to students and the community. This event, featuring top Broadway talent including Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Brian D'Arcy James, Chad Kimball, Tonya Pinkins, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, and Assata Alston will be streamed LIVE on BroadwayWorld.com starting at 7pm on Monday right here!

Audiences will be whisked away to 1960s Baltimore when Pittsburgh CLO presents Hairspray July 20 - August 1 at the Benedum Center. Adapted for the stage from John Water's 1988 film, Hairspray ran on Broadway for over six years and has since become a toe-tapping hit all over the world.

Next week, the President and the First Lady will host White House events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity while at the same time encouraging continued outreach to students and the community.

Tonight, the President and the First Lady will host White House events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity while at the same time encouraging continued outreach to students and the community. This event, featuring top Broadway talent including Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Brian D'Arcy James, Chad Kimball, Tonya Pinkins, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, and Assata Alston will be streamed LIVE on BroadwayWorld.com starting at 7pm on Monday right here!

Next week, the President and the First Lady will host White House events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity while at the same time encouraging continued outreach to students and the community. This event, featuring top Broadway talent including Nathan Lane, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Brian D'Arcy James, Chad Kimball, Tonya Pinkins, Marvin Hamlisch, Karen Olivo, and Assata Alston will be streamed LIVE on BroadwayWorld.com starting at 7pm on Monday!

John Barrowman will host WEST END BARES: STRIP BRITANNIA! on September 5, 2010, the Make a Difference Trust has announced. The show will feature male and female dancers from the West End 'strutting their stuff' and will benefit TheatreMAD and the Make a Difference Trust. This show is the first West End Bares event and is based on the popular Broadway Bares series created by Jerry Mitchell. There will be two performances, one at 9:30pm and one at midnight.

Next week, the President and the First Lady will host White House events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity while at the same time encouraging continued outreach to students and the community.

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that Brian Yorkey, who just won the Pulitzer Prize for NEXT TO NORMAL has joined the creative team of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, working on Terrence McNally's book. His work is said to have been very well received and the show is said to be fully on track for a Spring opening on Broadway.

Tonight, I conducted an InDepth InterView with Tony- winning choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell in which we discussed his irreproachable and much-celebrated work on each year's Broadway Bares benefits in addition to his Broadway credits which include YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, HAIRSPRAY, LEGALLY BLONDE, as well as the forthcoming Broadway productions LOVE NEVER DIES and a revival of BALLROOM. We also discussed working with legendary stars of Hollywood and Broadway like Ann Miller, Lauren Bacall, Donna McKechnie, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Morrison, Laura Bell Bundy and many more! Here is an exclusive Sneak Peek coming in the wake of raising more than a million dollars for the BC/EFA with Broadway Bares XX: Strip-Opoly, setting a new record!

Audiences will be whisked away to 1960s Baltimore when Pittsburgh CLO presents Hairspray July 20 - August 1 at the Benedum Center. Adapted for the stage from John Water's 1988 film, Hairspray ran on Broadway for over six years and has since become a toe-tapping hit all over the world.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post today that LOVE NEVER DIES may be getting a new leader before it makes the leap to Broadway - PHANTOM OF THE OPERA helmer Hal Prince, to be precise. According to the report, Prince recently had lunch with Andrew Lloyd Webber in London during which Webber asked Prince to take the reins on the project for Broadway.