John Doyle News

Last weekend marked the opening of his new vampire-centric horror film STAKE LAND, and you can catch him every week on FOX's hit series FRINGE, but Michael Cerveris is certainly best known for his series of stunning performances in some of the finest musical theatre productions of the 21st century - John Doyle's SWEENEY TODD and Joe Mantello's ASSASSINS chief among them - as well as for originating the title role in Pete Townshend's singular Broadway foray, The Who's TOMMY. With a captivating new double-disc concept album - NINE LIVES - out now, it seems that Cerveris has found a way to juggle it all. In this extensive two-part conversation, we take a look back at his experiences in the aforementioned Sondheim musicals, as well as his series of performances in Sondheim shows under the direction of Lonny Price at the Ravinia Festival co-starring Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone, and also touch upon his work in plays, such as his recent Kent in Kevin Kline's KING LEAR at The Public, HEDDA GABLER opposite Mary Louise Parker, and Sarah Ruhl's IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY) with Laura Benanti. Additionally, he shares his Tony memories, singing SWEENEY TODD at the recent SONDHEIM! Celebration, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, TITANIC and much, much more in this compelling and comprehensive conversation - plus, first news on his upcoming TREME appearance and FRINGE renewal confirmation. His new feature film STAKE LAND is in selected cities now!

This weekend marks the opening of his new vampire-centric horror film STAKE LAND, and you can catch him every week on FOX's hit series FRINGE, but Michael Cerveris is certainly best known for his series of stunning performances in some of the finest musical theatre productions of the 21st century - John Doyle's SWEENEY TODD and Joe Mantello's ASSASSINS chief among them - as well as for originating the title role in Pete Townshend's singular Broadway foray, The Who's TOMMY. With a captivating new double-disc concept album - NINE LIVES - out now, it seems that Cerveris has found a way to juggle it all. In this extensive two-part conversation, we take a look back at his experiences in the aforementioned Sondheim musicals, as well as his series of performances in Sondheim shows under the direction of Lonny Price at the Ravinia Festival co-starring Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone, and also touch upon his work in plays, such as his recent Kent in Kevin Kline's KING LEAR at The Public, HEDDA GABLER opposite Mary Louise Parker, and Sarah Ruhl's IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY). Additionally, he shares his Tony memories, singing SWEENEY TODD at the recent SONDHEIM! Celebration, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, TITANIC and much, much more in this compelling and comprehensive conversation. His new feature film STAKE LAND opens in selected cities this weekend and Part II arrives next week!

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange announces BAX arts and artists in progress Awards at the BAX 20th Birthday Celebration

Legends aren't born, or merely made - they are created; and, so very, very carefully crafted. In equal parts due to her incomparable stage work creating roles in musicals by Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman, to her film work encompassing John Frankenheimer and Vincente Minnelli, to name but two, as well as a smash-hit television series - MURDER SHE WROTE - and hosting duties at various Tony Awards and Academy Awards broadcasts over the last half century, have certainly cemented her place in our hearts, minds and entertainment history itself - I am speaking, of course, of the simply exquisite Ms. Angela Lansbury. In this enlightening discussion conducted yesterday we dissect many of her most treasured roles and performances, and Ms. Lansbury provides many warm and wonderful recollections of her astonishingly varied and accomplished tenure onstage and onscreen over the course of her sixty-year-plus career. ANYONE CAN WHISTLE to SWEENEY TODD; MAME to GYPSY; BEDKNOBS AND BROOM STICKS to SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE to the forthcoming MR. POPPER‘S PENGUINS co-starring Jim Carrey - plus, acting with Bette Davis in DEATH ON THE NILE - and much, much more in this special interview! This is all coming in anticipation of Ms. Lansbury's tribute to Bob Hope at the NY Pops gala on May 2, which will also feature performances by Kelli O'Hara and more - whom we continue our SPOTLIGHT ON NY POPS series with later next week. Don't miss them! Further information about the NY POPS event - including tickets - is available here.

Conquering the Broadway stage in ASSASSINS, CABARET and PROOF; commanding the attention of Radio City (and the world) at the 2009 Tony Awards; racking up rave reviews for SWEENEY TODD at the NY Philharmonic and RENT on tour, plus directing the latter last year at the Hollywood Bowl - these are just a few of the reasons why Neil Patrick Harris made COMPANY: LIVE IN CONCERT, with the NY Philharmonic, one of the biggest nights on Broadway this - or any - year. With recent news confirming that the star-studded Lonny Prince-directed concert production of the timeless 1970 Stephen Sondheim/George Furth concept musical comedy would be filmed for release in movie theaters nationwide for airings in June, it has now become the theatrical event of the season world-wide when it opens in cinemas in June. Last night, Neil was kind enough to take some time out to talk about what the work of Stephen Sondheim means to him, his take on the tricky central role of Bobby, as well as working with his celebrated co-stars Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Christina Hendricks, and more, on this exceptionally exciting entertainment event! Plus, we take a look back at some of his past roles - plus, will he be returning in his Emmy-winning role of Bryan Ryan on GLEE? - and a look ahead to the season finale of his smash hit CBS comedy HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, and the third film in the HAROLD & KUMAR series, A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR CHRISTMAS, coming later this year - in addition to news on his self-directed pilot just completed - as well as a whole lot more! We also have first news on what roles Neil wants to tackle next - MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. perhaps? What about BARNUM? A solo album? Yet, one vital question remains above all else...

Huntington Theatre Company kicks off its spring of comedy with Educating Rita by Willy Russell (Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers), welcoming back celebrated British director Maria Aitken.

The New York Philharmonic presents Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking Company, with an all-star cast led by Neil Patrick Harris (Robert).

Last night, March 28, Broadway favorites teamed up to salute Terrence McNally at the Longacre Theatre. A benefit for The Acting Company, Angela Lansbury gathered Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Tyne Daly, Edie Falco, Roger Rees and Raul Esparza who sang, shared memories and recreated scenes from dozens of McNally hits. John Glover, Marin Mazzie, Joyce DiDonato, Malcolm Gets, Emily Skinner, Alexandra Silber, Bobby Steggert, Jason Danieley, Stephen Bogardus, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Barbara Walsh rounded out the evening. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage of the tribute below!

Last night, March 28, Broadway favorites teamed up to salute Terrence McNally at the Longacre Theatre. A benefit for The Acting Company, Angela Lansbury gathered Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Tyne Daly, Edie Falco, Roger Rees and Raul Esparza who sang, shared memories and recreated scenes from dozens of McNally hits. John Glover, Marin Mazzie, Joyce DiDonato, Malcolm Gets, Emily Skinner, Alexandra Silber, Bobby Steggert, Jason Danieley, Stephen Bogardus, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Barbara Walsh rounded out the evening. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage of the after-party arrivals below!

Broadway favorites Brian Stokes Mitchell and Barbara Walsh will join the all-star cast on stage to salute Terrence McNally on Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Longacre Theatre at 7:00pm. A benefit for The Acting Company, Ms. Lansbury has gathered Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Tyne Daly, Edie Falco, Roger Rees and Raul Esparza who will sing, share memories and recreate scenes from dozens of McNally hits. John Glover, Marin Mazzie, Joyce DiDonato, Malcolm Gets, Emily Skinner, Alexandra Silber, Bobby Steggert, Jason Danieley and Stephen Bogardus will round out the evening.

In its almost 20 year history, Iron Age Theatre Company has not played it safe. They produce unique new works-always a gamble-and aren't afraid to tackle difficult classics.

Brutus Jones, an African American train porter and ex-con, has taken control of an island in the Caribbean.

In its almost 20 year history, Iron Age Theatre Company has not played it safe. They produce unique new works-always a gamble-and aren't afraid to tackle difficult classics.

Although I'll admit to not being completely familiar with Cole Porter's See America First and George M. Cohan's The Governor's Son, it's quite possible that Frank Loesser's score for Where's Charley? could be considered the finest Broadway debut for a composer/lyricist who would eventually occupy a place on musical theatre's top tier.

Sebastian Arcelus, Rebecca Luker, Rob McClure, Howard McGillin, Jill Paice and Lauren Worsham led Frank Loesser's Where's Charley?, the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2010-11. Where's Charley?, based on BranDon Thomas' Charley's Aunt, has a book by George Abbott and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The show, which ran March 17 - 20, was directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Alex Sanchez with music direction by Rob Berman.

Today Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern announced his 20th - and final - season at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The Playhouse' s 52nd season includes two world premieres and three regional premiere productions, as well as the return of one of the most popular musicals in its history.

The musical opened at the St. James Theater on October 11, 1948, and hit the right chord with theatre goers, eventually playing 792 performances. Does it still strike the same note with today's audiences? Find out!

Broadway favorites Brian Stokes Mitchell and Barbara Walsh are now scheduled to join the all-star cast on stage to salute Terrence McNally on Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Longacre Theatre at 7:00pm. A benefit for The Acting Company, Ms. Lansbury has gathered Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Tyne Daly, Edie Falco, Roger Rees and Raul Esparza who will sing, share memories and recreate scenes from dozens of McNally hits. John Glover, Marin Mazzie, Joyce DiDonato, Malcolm Gets, Emily Skinner, Alexandra Silber, Bobby Steggert, Jason Danieley and Stephen Bogardus will round out the evening.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces that Tony Award winner and A.C.T. favorite Judy Kaye (Mamma Mia!, Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, On the Twentieth Century on Broadway; Sweeney Todd and Souvenir at A.C.T.) will be taking on the iconic role of Anna Madrigal in the world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.

Sebastian Arcelus, Rebecca Luker, Rob McClure, Howard McGillin, Jill Paice and Lauren Worsham star in Frank Loesser's Where's Charley?, the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2010-11. Where's Charley?, based on BranDon Thomas' Charley's Aunt, has a book by George Abbott and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The show, running March 17 - 20, will be directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Alex Sanchez with music direction by Rob Berman. Broadway Beat got an exclusive sneak peek at the production and here is a video preview!