Joseph Smith News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Traces,' 'Departure Lounge,' 'The Story Of My Life,' two productions of 'Cats,' Stew in concert, 'Kiss Me, Kate,' more....

Daniel Radcliffe will make his Broadway musical debut as J. Pierrepont Finch in a new production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING opening at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 5pm. Radcliffe has just completed his decade-long, critically-acclaimed performance starring as Harry Potter in the largest grossing franchise in motion picture history. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING has a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's satirical self-help book of the same name and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Further casting will be announced shortly. The 50th Anniversary production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING begins previews Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 8pm, and is produced by Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Joseph Smith, Michael McCabe, and Candy Spelling.

Four Boys, One Girl... the End of One Wild Summer Vacation!

DEPARTURE LOUNGE, a musical comedy by Dougal Irvine. Produced by Bailiwick Chicago in association with Andy Barnes, Joseph Smith and Hilary A. Williams. Directed & Choreographed by Tom Mullen with Music Direction by Kevin Mayes. Playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre (1641 N. Halsted St) from October 28 - December 12, 2010. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. No show November 25 (Thanksgiving). For more information visit www.bailiwickchicago.com.

niversal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to the Triangle's DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center from November 2-14, 2010. Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group and the Opera Company of Philadelphia announced the commission of a new American opera, DARK SISTERS, composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by Stephen Karam, conducted by Neal Goren, and directed by Rebecca Taichman at The Chelsea Art Museum on Thursday, October 28. The three organizations have co-commissioned and will co-produce the opera, which will have its World Premiere in November 2011 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue, NYC, one of the first works to be presented at the Theater following the creation of a new lobby at the space. The cast will be headed by Caitlin Lynch and Kevin Burdette, with Kristina Bachrach, Jennifer Check, Eve Gigliotti, Brenda Harris, and Jennifer Zetlan. Dark Sisters will also be presented in June 2012 as part of the Opera Company of Philadelphia's chamber opera series at the Perelman Theater.

Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group and the Opera Company of Philadelphia announce the commission of a new American opera, DARK SISTERS, composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by Stephen Karam, conducted by Neal Goren, and directed by Rebecca Taichman.

Four Boys, One Girl... the End of One Wild Summer Vacation!

Bailiwick Chicago will open its first full season with the new musical DEPARTURE LOUNGE. This coming-of-age high-energy show with a progressive pop score, close four-part harmonies, and a wicked sense of humor was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and The Public Theatre's SPF Festival.

Five-time Emmy Award winner John Larroquette will make his Broadway debut as J.B. Biggley joining multi award-winning international film and stage actor Daniel Radcliffe as J. Pierrepont Finch in a new production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (WITHOUT REALLY TRYING). Opening at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 5pm, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (WITHOUT REALLY TRYING) is directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford, has music and lyrics by Academy Award and Tony Award winner Frank Loesser, and a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, based on the book by Shepherd Mead. The 50th Anniversary production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (WITHOUT REALLY TRYING) begins previews Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 8pm, and is produced by Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Joseph Smith, Michael McCabe, and Candy Spelling.

The producers of PROMISES, PROMISES are thrilled to announce that Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will now be performing during 9 previously announced absences from the hit musical. Due to new scheduling conflicts Kristin Chenoweth will be performing in PROMISES, PROMISES from Tuesday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 27.

The producers of PROMISES, PROMISES announced that Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will now be performing during 9 previously announced absences from the hit musical. Due to new scheduling conflicts Kristin Chenoweth will be performing in PROMISES, PROMISES from Tuesday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 27.

Four Boys, One Girl... the End of One Wild Summer Vacation!

'Saturday Night Live' alumnus and 'Superstar' Molly Shannon will make her Broadway debut in the smash hit musical comedy PROMISES, PROMISES as Marge MacDougall for a limited 11 week run from Tuesday, October 12, 2010 through Sunday, December 26, 2010. This new production of PROMISES, PROMISES, directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford with Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score, began previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) Saturday, March 27, 2010, and opened on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

It has been a banner year for PROMISES, PROMISES' Katie Finneran. Her critically acclaimed performance as Marge MacDougall in the smash hit musical comedy PROMISES, PROMISES swept the 2010 awards season winning her the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award. On Sunday, August 22, Ms. Finneran married long time companion Darren Goldstein (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), and now the couple has announced that they are expecting a child this winter. It is with best wishes that the producers of PROMISES, PROMISES announced today that Tony Award winner Katie Finneran will play her final performance in the smash hit musical comedy on Sunday, October 10, 2010. This new production of PROMISES, PROMISES, directed and choreographed by Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford with Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score, began previews at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) Saturday, March 27, 2010, and opened on Sunday, April 25, 2010. Casting for Broadway's next Marge MacDougall will be announced shortly.

Bailiwick Chicago will open its first full season with the new musical DEPARTURE LOUNGE. This coming-of-age high-energy show with a progressive pop score, close four-part harmonies, and a wicked sense of humor was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and The Public Theatre's SPF Festival.

On September 7, Ellen DeGeneres made an appearance in Broadway's PROMISES, PROMISES alongside Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes. In the video below, DeGeneres visits backstage at the Broadway Theatre before her big debut. DeGeneres visited Chenoweth's dressing room where she met her dog, Maddie before being joined by Sean Hayes to practice breathing exercises with Hayes. DeGeneres then took the stage with the rest of the PROMISES, PROMISES cast to practice her singing.

As reported previously, Ellen Degeneres made a surprise cameo in PROMISES, PROMISES September 7, performing alongside Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. Footage from her surprise performance aired September 15 on the season premiere of her show on NBC. The clips have hit the internet today! Click here to watch her spot.

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge comes to London for the first time, opening at London's newest off-West end venue; Waterloo East Theatre. Opening on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September, the show is set to be the standout new British musical of the year.

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge opens at London's Waterloo East Theatre on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September.