Justin Guarini News

Week two of American Idol auditions has come to a close, and in tonight's episode Randy, JLo, and Mr. Tyler left Wisconsin and headed for the country music capital of the world- Nashville. In this second trip to Music City in the past ten seasons, the judges set up headquarters at the iconic Ryman Auditorium of Grand Ole Opry fame and were soon met by 17,000 Idol hopefuls. But would any of the 17,000 prove as promising as Nashville native and country music superstar Carrie Underwood? Hmmmm, maybe a few.

Week two of American Idol auditions have officially begun, and with episode three of America's favorite reality series came a trip to the Midwest! In tonight's two hour episode, Randy Jackson and Idol's two still fresh-faced judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler took a trip to Milwaukee to seek out Wisconsin's biggest and brightest stars.

The Drama League is pleased to announce that its annual online silent auction - presented in conjunction with its annual all-star benefit gala "A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY" - is now underway.

Last night's season ten premiere of American Idol dominated primetime television as only American Idol can. But will 2011 treat the series as well as the last seven years have? Can the show maintain its appeal sans Simon Cowell? Well, if last night's ratings are any indication, yes and no. While Idol ratings surpassed all other major networks combined ( including Idol alum Paula Abdul's Live to Dance), last night's 26.2 million viewers were down 17 percent from last year's almost 30 million. So Idol still achieved outstanding numbers, but they didn't quite hold up to those of past seasons.

It's back! After months of anticipation, Idol fans can finally sit back and enjoy this much anticipated season 10 return of Fox's highly addictive reality competition. With this tenth installment of the series, however, comes more changes than ever to the program that we are all so accustomed. Could such drastic alterations spark a new interest in a show that has been otherwise lack-luster for the past few seasons? I, for one have been very intrigued, but only tomorrow's ratings can say for sure. Have no idea what changes I'm talking about? Been living under a rock for the past six months? Let's review.

The cast of Lincoln Center Theater's production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, the new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, reunite today, January 19, to record the original cast recording of the musical, which ended its limited engagement run on Sunday, January 2 at the Belasco Theatre. The CD, to be released by Ghostlight Records in the spring of 2011 will be produced by David Yazbek and Dean Sharenow with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer.

Television's No. 1 series, AMERICAN IDOL, will move to Wednesdays and Thursdays this season beginning with a two-night premiere event Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

The Drama League is pleased to announce the complete line-up of performers for the 27th annual all-star gala, 'A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY.' This year's black-tie event, to be held in the Grand Ballroom at The Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at 5th Avenue) on Monday, February 7, 2011, will honor two-time Tony Award winner and celebrated Broadway actress-singer Patti LuPone.

TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com are getting ready to welcome viewers to Hollywood's most exciting time of the year - Awards Season. This year, TV Guide Network's awards season programming will include LIVE red carpet shows executive produced and hosted by Chris Harrison ('Hollywood 411' and 'The Bachelor') at the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R), Grammy(R) Awards and Academy Awards(R).

It has been widely reported that Fox's 'American Idol' will be revamped for its upcoming season. The Hollywood Reporter has now published a list of the changes.

The cast of Lincoln Center Theater's production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, the new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodovar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will reunite later this month to record the original cast recording of the musical, which ended its limited engagement run on Sunday, January 2 at the Belasco Theatre.

The cast of Lincoln Center Theater's production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, the new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will reunite later this month to record the original cast recording of the musical, which ended its limited engagement run on Sunday, January 2 at the Belasco Theatre. The CD, to be released by Ghostlight Records in the spring will be produced by David Yazbek and Dean Sharenow with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer.

Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opened on November 4 at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway 111 West 44 Street and Broadway Beat was there to talk to the cast!

BroadwayWorld offers highlights of the several productions which will complete their Broadway runs in January.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that its production of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, the new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will end its run this Sunday, January 2 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). The musical, which was originally scheduled to run through Sunday, January 23, will have played 30 previews and 69 performances.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Lincoln Center Theater's productions of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and A FREE MAN OF COLOR will not extend their limited engagement runs. WOMEN ON THE VERGE will close on January 23 as previously scheduled, and FREE MAN OF COLOR on January 9.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fox's American Idol is aiming for 'transparency' in season ten, meaning 'producers are looking to add behind-the-scenes elements and find ways to have the singers interact with fans.'

While there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the new musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 film, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - David Yazbek's jaunty Latin-based score, the winning performances of a star-studded cast (three Tony winners and four other nominees) and the kinetic flashiness of Bartlett Sher's kicky production - the show is also a prime example of how the sum of the pieces can add up to more than the whole when the missing ingredient is a strong book.  Not that the talented Jeffrey Lane doesn't make a game try at it.  Sticking closely to the source, his work is frequently clever and he and Yazbek concoct some quirkily fun musical scenes, but the odds are working against him in this one.

A winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a national treasure, Chita Rivera made her annual pilgrimage to Birdland for four very special concerts this past weekend. Of course, the theatrical community showed up to celebrate the ultimate singer/dancer, including Cherry Jones, Stephanie J. Block, Phyllis Newman, Tommy Tune, John McDaniel, David Cromer, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Billy Stritch, Rob Bowman, Louis St. Louis, Gerald McCullouch, Valarie Pettiford, Erich Bergen, Eric Ulloa, and Women on the Verge cast members Laura Benanti, Nikka Lanzarone, Justin Guarini, and Mary Beth Peil. The concerts were part of the Broadway at Birdland series, which celebrate performers and composers from the Great White Way.

Television's No. 1 series, AMERICAN IDOL, will move to Wednesdays and Thursdays this season beginning with a two-night premiere event Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).