Josh Tower News

At this point-four years after it premiered on Broadway and took the world by storm, earning a record 16 Tony nominations and making Lin Manuel-Miranda a household name --it seems a superfluous task to write a review of Hamilton. What hot take can I offer on this groundbreaking, history-making musical that scores of other critics and millions of audience members from around the globe haven't offered already?

When you see a high student support another high school student that is one of the best moments you can ever witness, but when you see over 2,000 students support one another the experience is astounding and one you will never forget! This was exactly the experience that happened at the Fisher Theatre on Thursday morning for the Hamilton Education Program, better known as EduHam, when the second of the two high school only Hamilton matinee performances happened. The students were greeted by Chaundre Hall-Broomfield, who plays Hercules Mulligan / James Madison, and then selected student took the stage to perform original projects inspired by their analysis of primary source materials and lyrics from the musical. That was followed by a Q & A with some members of the Angelica Tour company of Hamilton that is currently here in Detroit as part of the Broadway in Detroit season and the special matinee student performance. It was an experience that these students will never forget!

What do you want me to say? HAMILTON is in Pittsburgh. If that doesn't sell you already, you already knew you weren't interested.

Every so often the musical theatre landscape experiences a swell of enthusiasm and excitement for a fresh, new and engaging play. Theatre fans (and casual viewers) alike can recall the hype when THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or LES MISERABLES first opened (and went on tour). More recently the WICKED phenomenon brought young and old alike out to experience the magic and electricity that only a live performance can elicit. Today, the show that everyone is talking about (and obsessing over) is Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony winning musical HAMILTON. Like its popular predecessors, it has recently begun touring around the country - riding the wave of enthusiasm and further cementing its place as a true pop-culture phenomenon. But unlike its flashy, big budget predecessors, HAMILTON, in many ways, lives in its own category. It is a show that is modern, fresh, and that pushes boundaries and delivers in two and a half hours an experience unlike anything this reviewer has experienced before. I am thrilled to say, in the production that has now arrived at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT - HAMILTON shines brilliantly, delivering in every way (and beyond) on the hype that precedes it.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced initial casting for the 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock - The Musical will welcome back to the halls of Horace Green, Mamie Parris, as Principal Rosalie Mullins beginning on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. She will play the role through the show's final performance on January 20, 2019 and succeeds Katherine McLaughlin, who plays her last performance on Sunday, September 23, 2018.

School of Rock - The Musical will welcome a new class of eight young rockers to Horace Green beginning on Monday, July 30, 2018. In addition, the show is excited to welcome Katherine McLaughlin, who will make her Broadway debut as "Principal Rosalie Mullins".

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical will welcome seven new cast members to the class on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Rocking their way to Broadway will be Montgomery Lamb as 'Katie' the bassist, Jim Kaplan as 'Lawrence' the keyboardist, Sarah Walsh as 'Marcy,' Iggy Rosado as 'Mason,'Madalen Yarbrough Mills as 'Sophie,' Madison Elizabeth Lagares as 'Shonelle,' and Katie Greendorfer as 'Madison.' Current cast member Gabrielle Greene will assume the role of 'Tomika.'

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock The Musical, which recently celebrated its second anniversary on Broadway on December 6, 2017, has just released its photos of the new cast, featuring Justin Collette as Dewey Finn and Analisa Leaming as Rosalie Mullins.

School of Rock celebrated two years on Broadway yesterday, December 6, 2017. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate with the cast and crew, and you can check out photo coverage here!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock The Musical will celebrate two years on Broadway, on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. The musical began preview performances at the Winter Garden Theatre (1654 Broadway) on November 9, 2015 and officially opened, to rave reviews, on December 6, 2015.

Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents J. Michael Zygo on Sunday, November 26th. Come hear an incredibly diverse mixtape of music from Once, Rock of Ages, Big River, The Who's Tommy, The Bridges of Madison County and others, as well as some originals, chronicling a life of making music and making it to Broadway!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical will welcome four new adult cast members to the show this November.

Hand-picked by producer and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, newcomers Justin Collette and Conner John Gillooly will join the cast of School of Rock - The Musical in the role of failed, wannabe rocker, Dewey Finn.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical will welcome five new cast members to the class on Monday, July 31, 2017. Rocking their way to Broadway will be Zachary Zwelling as 'Zack' the guitarist, Levi Buksbazen as 'Freddy' the drummer, John Allyn as 'Billy' the stylist, Gabrielle Greene as 'Shonelle' the back-up singer, and Cory Leventhal as 'James.'

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway smash hit School of Rock - The Musical has recouped its entire investment on Broadway, making the show an undisputed hit simultaneously on Broadway and the West End.

Alex Brightman returns to his Tony Award nominated role, 'Dewey Finn,' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit, School of Rock - The Musical tonight, Friday, April 14 - Sunday, April 30, 2017.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical celebrates one year on Broadway, today, Tuesday, December 6, 2016. The musical began preview performances at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on November 9, 2015 and officially opened, to rave reviews, on December 6, 2015.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical is entering its second smashing year on Broadway with a new class of cast members. Comedic actor Eric Petersen just assumed the role of wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn, last night, November 7, 2016. The Kid Band, who perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's score live at every performance, now includes new cast members Rachel Katzke as Katie the bass player and Walden Sullivan as Lawrence the keyboardist, along with returning cast members, Brandon Niederauer as Zack the guitarist and Raghav Mehrotra as Freddy on drums. Additionally, Olivia Chun assumes the role of super serious band manager Summer, Steven Booth assumes the role of Ned, Annabelle Wachtel plays Marcy, Terrance Bell, Jr. plays Mason, Chloe Bryanwill plays Madison, and Ellie Kim joins the cast as a swing.