Joan Marcus News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Chita turns 80, STARCATCHER takes its final bow, ROCK OF AGES starts a party in Vegas, and so much more!

Direct from Broadway, the National Tour of the five-time Tony-nominated SISTER ACT is in town, featuring an original score by award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Based on the Touchstone Pictures 1992 motion picture written by Joseph Howard, the live stage show has an ensemble cast that will have you dancing in the aisles to its variety of musical styles.

According to the Daily Mail, One Man, Two Guvnors star James Corden and Dominic Cooper are set to reunite in a production by the National Theatre. Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner is still searching for the right script, which includes having asked writers to create new shows or adapt classics. The Mail guesses the collaboration will begin in 2014.

Beginning Monday, January 28th listen to SiriusXM's "On Broadway" channel for "Once a Week" a special series with the cast of the Tony winning Best Musical, ONCE. The cast of ONCE will play some of their favorite songs from their cast album, as well as some songs performed live at the SiriusXM studios. They'll even throw in some of their personal picks and tell you some great stories along the way. Join Tony winner Steve Kazee, nominee Cristin Milioti and the cast every Monday from 8-10AM & 8-10PM ET, only "On Broadway" (channel 72).

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Company, Inc., once again makes theater history when it becomes the first Broadway show ever to celebrate its 25th Anniversary tonight, January 26, 2013. While much of the Phantom family will reunite for this special event, the current cast will also be a big part of the festivities. Check out photos of the newest cast members in action below!

Bock and Harnick's Fiorello!, the opening musical of the Encores! 20th Anniversary season, will star Kate Baldwin, Erin Dilly, Jenn Gambatese, Shuler Hensley and Emily Skinner, with Danny Rutigliano as Fiorello LaGuardia. Fiorello! will be directed by Gary Griffin with choreography by Alex Sanchez and music direction by Rob Berman. The show will run for seven performances from January 30 - February 3 at New York City Center.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandalby Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunter in her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement is now in previews with an opening slated for January 31. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America - Orlando announces the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, will headline the FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America - Orlando 2013-2014 season. FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America - Orlando season ticket holders will have the first chance to purchase tickets to THE BOOK OF MORMON on Tuesday, February 12 as part of their subscription package. The full schedule for the 2013-2014 season will be announced on February 11.

Laurie Metcalf is already seated center stage as patrons enter the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre for Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Other Place, tempting less-sophisticated playgoers to yell out, “We loved you in Roseanne!”

Though there have been a few modifications to the tour over the last few years (the set design is slightly simpler and some moments have been cut for time) The Lion King is still majestic, astonishing, thrilling, and thoroughly entertaining.

In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Americans were looking for escapist entertainment and they found it in Cole Porter's frothy, screw-ball comedy, 'Anything Goes.'

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: LES MIS wins big at the Golden Globes, Sierra Boggess returns to PHANTOM, PICNIC and CAT return to Broadway and so much more!

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Company, Inc., will welcome Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess to the New York cast this month for a limited engagement as leading lady Christine Daaé. Ms. Boggess, whose long history with the musical began when she originated the role in the revised Las Vegas production in 2006, has been specifically chosen by the creative team to join the cast in time for the production becoming the first Broadway show ever to celebrate 25 Years. Get a first look below!

What can I write about Wicked that hasn't already been written? The musical has been a hit since opening on Broadway in 2004 and now has productions around the globe and two touring productions in the United States. Some write of the power of its' message and others lament its' shortcomings. But I am writing this piece and therefore I have the freedom to say that Wicked is my favorite musical, hands down. Wicked played in St. Louis through January 6th and lucky for me the Fox Theatre is just a short journey down the yellow brick road from Des Moines.

Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of Picnic, in association with Darren Bagert and Martin Massman, opens officially today, Sunday, January 13, 2013, at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement through February 24, 2013.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: CINDERELLA preps for Broadway, Blythe Danner joins NICE WORK, FLASHDANCE launches its national tour, and so much more!

Performances of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson as Maggie, Ciarán Hinds as Big Daddy, Benjamin Walker as Brick and Debra Monk as Big Mama, directed by Rob Ashford, began on December 18. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens January 17 and will play a limited engagement for 15 weeks only, through March 30, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

Buyi Zama was born in South Africa and enjoyed many opportunities to travel all over the world. Now, Buyi is enjoying the experience of traveling all over the United States as she plays Rafiki with the tour of THE LION KING. I recently had the opportunity to ask Buyi Zama questions about her experiences playing Rafiki with the tour.

JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical, is pleased to announce the return of John Lloyd Young who won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Frankie Valli in the original Broadway cast. Young will again perform the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway beginning Friday, January 11 for a limited engagement.

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.