Joan Marcus News

When Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's moralistic take on traditional European fairy tales, mostly penned by The Brothers Grimm, last hit town in a major production, it was April of 2002.  The city was still very much rattled by the events of the past September, but a positive spirit was growing from our observances of acts of heroism surrounding us.

Before a frustrated New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses grumbled, 'Well, let's build the bastard a theater,' and designated city funds to build the Delacorte, Joseph Papp's dream of bringing free Shakespeare to everyone was being achieved by mobile units of actors that toured the city in small scale productions.  Now in its second year, The Public Theater's Mobile Shakespeare Unit has been recreating that experience for audiences that free Shakespeare In The Park cannot reach.

Two days after the death of its author, I had the pleasure of taking in director Michael Wilson's outstanding revival of The Best Man – one of the best evenings Broadway had to offer last season – for the third time.  Gore Vidal most certainly went out with a landslide victory.

...we'll still be playin' his songs.

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of HEARTLESS by Sam Shepard and directed by Daniel Aukin, through September 16, 2012 with an August 27 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you production shots below!

The world's most famous nanny returns to Los Angeles for four weeks only with MARY POPPINS. Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, Mary Poppins will begin previews on August 9 (2pm and 7.30pm) and open August 10 (7.20pm) through September 2 at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that it will extend Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS one final week through Saturday, September 1. The Shakespeare in the Park production, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, will officially open on Thursday, August 9.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that it will extend Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS one final week through Saturday, September 1. The Shakespeare in the Park production, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, will officially open on Thursday, August 9.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables, Florida!

We caught up with the very, very busy Rob McClure, who has been seen waddling around New York City, baggy pants, cane-in-hand, twitchy mustache tickling and already capturing the crowd as the incomparable Charlie Chaplin.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway production of Mary Chase's Harvey ends its limited engagement today, August 5th. A special added benefit performance will play this evening at 7PM. Harvey will have played 32 previews and 62 regular performances at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street).

With New York's mayor pushing for size limits on sugary drinks and for keeping baby formula safely locked away until new moms are reminded of the benefits of breast milk, it seems like a good time for Bill Russell and Peter Melnick's tuneful and amusing new musical, The Last Smoker In America, which eschews debates over the health issues of tobacco use in favor of spoofing government control over personal choices.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions/Glenn Ross, Beacon Communications/Armyan Bernstein and Charlie Lyons and Executive Producers Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson present the new musical comedy Bring It On: The Musical, opening on Broadway tonight, August 1, 2012 at The St. James Theatre (246 W. 44th Street) direct from a 13-city National Tour, for a 12-week limited engagement through Sunday, October 7, 2012.

The Public Theater announced today that there will be a special family-friendly matinee of the free Shakespeare in the Park production of INTO THE WOODS on Wednesday, August 22 at 3 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater. This matinee is designed to engage younger audiences and to serve families unable to attend evening performances. The 95-minute production will comprise act one only of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS. There will still be an 8 p.m. evening performance of INTO THE WOODS on August 22. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production with a photo preview of the cast in action below!

Candice Bergen, Eric McCormack, Kerry Butler, Michael McKean, and Angela Lansbury have now been replaced in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN by Cybill Shepherd, John Stamos, Kristin Davis, Mark Blum, and Elizabeth Ashley, respectively. Original cast members James Earl Jones, John Larroquette and Jefferson Mays will remain with the production through its final performance on Sunday, September 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the new cast of THE BEST MAN on stage in the photos below!

The raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Drama Desk Nominee Peter Melnick (Adrift in Macao), with direction by Tony Award winning producer and director Andy Sandberg (Hair; Gore Vidal's The Best Man), choreography by Tony Award nominee AC Ciulla (Footloose) and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Fred Lassen (The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess), began performances Wednesday, July 11, 2012 upstairs at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Thursday, August 2, 2012. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!

MAMMA MIA!'s new Broadway company, led by Judy McLane, Felicia Finley, Lauren Cohn, Aaron Lazar, Graham Rowat, Daniel Cooney, Christy Altomare and Zak Resnick, just danced and jived in front of photographer Joan Marcus's camera for the hit musical's new advertising campaign shoot. Check out a behind the scenes look at the new cast in action below!

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway production of Mary Chase's Harvey will end its limited engagement on Sunday, August 5th. A special added benefit performance will play on Sunday, August 5th at 7PM. Harvey will have played 32 previews and 62 regular performances at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street).

The cast of ONCE will appear on NBC's 'America's Got Talent' tonight, July 25th at 9:00 pm ET.

The legendary bite sized candy M&M'S® announced today that MAMMA MIA! is now the only Broadway musical whose logo visitors to the M&M'S® store in Times Square may custom print on their special chocolate buttons. All "Big Apple" souvenirs should taste this good!