John Doyle News

Now, Baz Bamigboye of the UK Daily Mail has revealed that 'Stephen Sondheim has given director Jonathan Kent's Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sweeney Todd (with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton delivering the stage performances of their lives) his seal of approval. He'd love the two stars to take the deliciously grisly musical to Broadway when they complete their run at the Adelphi Theatre. There's no official word this will happen yet, because both actors have crazy schedules, but it would be fantastic if they did manage to cross the Atlantic with this Sweeney.'

This spring, JACQUES BREL RETURNS will continue to enchant audiences with March performances taking place on March 14th at 7pm and March 26th at 7pm.

Last night, March 13, The Acting Company of New York presented the special event PATTI'S TURN!, a tribute to Patti LuPone, at the Kaye Playhouse. The all-star event saluted the career of one of Broadway's finest actresses and musical theater performers as evidenced by her two Tony Awards and legions of fans. BroadwayWorld was there for the big event and brings you full photo coverage below!

The Acting Company of New York will present the special event PATTI'S TURN!, a tribute to Patti LuPone, at 7pm tonight at the Kaye Playhouse.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 11, 2012 - Sunday, March 11, 2012.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, actor Jason Donovan and former member of the Spice Girls Mel C have signed on to assist Andrew Lloyd Webber in his search for the character of Jesus in the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tour. The show, entitled 'Superstar,' and will air on ITV1.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is where Doyle debuted his actor-musician production of Sondheim and George Furth's COMPANY which transferred to Broadway in 2006. The production earned Doyle the Tony Award for Best Revival and a nomination for Best Direction. Has he struck gold again? Let's see what the local critics had to say...

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

It is a rare enough occurrence for a genuine born and bred Broadway star to emerge post-millennium, but one as astonishingly versatile as Raul Esparza, having scored accolades since his blazing debut in a string of hit plays and musicals, ranging from Mamet and Sondheim and Pinter to CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and his aforementioned Broadway bow in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, is a downright cause for celebration. Esparza makes his grand return to the Broadway stage in a musical with his upcoming starring role in Alan Menken & Glenn Slater's adaptation of the Steve Martin film LEAP OF FAITH, featuring a country and gospel influenced score and a spirited, energetic production by Christopher Ashley (who, incidentally, helmed Esparza's first Broadway show, ROCKY HORROR). While Esparza has been seen in many - most, if not quite all - Broadway seasons in the decade since 2001, he has also scored in leading roles in regional productions such as 2002's spectacular SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revivals, part of the unprecedented Sondheim Celebration, as well as the Cincinnati Playhouse COMPANY, directed by John Doyle, which transferred to Broadway and was subsequently preserved on DVD and Blu-ray, in addition to being presented on PBS as part of Great Performances. Besides Esparza's many notable musical revival performances (lest we forget his essaying of the Emcee in CABARET), he also created the Broadway iterations of his roles in the controversial and brilliantly scored TABOO, produced by Rosie O'Donnell and composed by Boy George, as well as the stage adaptation of the hit family classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, as well as originating the lead role in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Having played three of Sondheim's most memorable male roles was not enough, though, apparently, for Esparza recently took on the part of the hapless Hapgood in Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE when it was revived at City Center's Encores! - with Tony-winners Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster his co-stars, no less - with much success. Yet, in one of a myriad of examples of the broad spectrum of Esparza's abilities, it is instructive to remember he first made a name for himself with the role of Che in an Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice show, directed by no less than the ultimate man of the theatre himself, Harold Prince - EVITA, which, of course, is being revived this season with Ricky Martin in the role of Che. Besides Esparza's many musical roles throughout the past decade and prior, he has also carved out a seriously impressive straight drama resume, having appeared in plays by the great playwrights of our age, such as Pinter (THE HOMECOMING), Mamet (SPEED-THE-PLOW), Stoppard (ARCADIA) and, the greatest of all, Shakespeare (AS YOU LIKE IT, part of Shakespeare In The Park). ROCKY HORROR to ARCADIA to, now, with LEAP OF FAITH, Esparza constantly and consistently surprises fans and audiences alike with his audacious choice in roles and electrifying performances that are indelibly enjoyable in their uniqueness, variety and sheer breadth of emotion - time and time again. Yes, indeed, Raul Esparza is the best of the best Broadway has to offer, so let us hope LEAP OF FAITH is the ideal star vehicle for one of the most charismatic and multi-talented leading men of the 21st century and that it brings him his well-deserved Best Actor Tony at last.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Jesus is back on Broadway, Raul Esparza feels the spirit, Norm Lewis sings for the Public, and so much more!

Tony Award-winning director John Doyle, who has previously staged Broadway revivals of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY, directs the composer-lyricist's musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park which runs through March 31. Check out just-released performance highlights below!

Tony Award-winning director John Doyle, who has previously staged Broadway revivals of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY directs the composer-lyricist's musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park which runS through March 31. Check out just-released production shots below!

Tony Award-winning director John Doyle, who has previously staged Broadway revivals of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY directs the composer-lyricist's musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park which opens tonight. The production will run through March 31.

Lynn Cohen and Jake Robards set to headline the cast of the world premiere of Rivka Beekerman-Greenberg's EAVESDROPPING ON DREAMS, presented Off-Broadway by Barefoot Theatre Company with previews beginning April 20 prior to an official press opening of Friday, April 27 at the Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in Manhattan. Ronald Cohen will direct.