Ken Billington News

Broadway heats up this summer when three-time Emmy Award nominee and 'Grey's Anatomy' star Chandra Wilson steps into the celebrated role of Matron 'Mama' Morton, the reigning cellblock diva of the smash hit musical CHICAGO, for a four-week limited engagement, Monday, June 8 through Sunday, July 5, 2009 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. You can catch all the 'Wiz' filled fun at up to 35% off with our special BWW Discount to the upcoming Encores! Summer Stars production!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that talks are under way to bring 'Minsky's,' the musical tale of Depression era burlesque that recently played in Los Angeles, to the West End in late 2010 or early 2011.

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home' Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30th at at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues). BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the 'WIZ' filled fun!

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home'Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 am at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

After a 48 year absence, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) will present the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.

The Great White Way continues to heat up this summer when two-time Emmy Award nominee and celebrated TV personality Samantha Harris ('The Insider,' 'Dancing with the Stars') makes her Broadway stage debut in the starring role of Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO for a six-week limited engagement, Tuesday, July 7 through Sunday, August 16, 2009 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris revealed on the final performance show tonight that she will be joining the Broadway production of the long running hit musical 'CHICAGO' this summer in the role of 'Roxie Hart'. Harris announced she'd be performing during July and August, there has been no official confirmation of her appearing at this time from the production.

?Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as...as a Fiddler on the Roof,? announces Tevye, a humble milkman from the Russian village of Anatevka. So begins a tale of love and laughter, devotion and defiance, and changing traditions. The Tony Award® winning Fiddler on the Roof continues to capture the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. This North American Tour offers audiences a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Jerome Robbins? original Broadway direction and choreography, complete with the star of the original West End production and the 1971 film, Chaim Topol. A Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation, it will play at San Diego Civic Theatre, July 14 ? 19, 2009.

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home'Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 am at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of Lucky Guy. This heartfelt musical comedy will begin May 14 and run through June 14 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut. Lucky Guy is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce that Lucky Guy, a new musical comedy, will be the spring production at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut. This heartfelt musical comedy will play May 14 through June 14. Lucky Guy is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce that Lucky Guy, a new musical comedy, will be the spring production at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut. This heartfelt musical comedy will play May 14 through June 14. Lucky Guy is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Nigel, a brindle-hair Cairn Terrier, will be making his professional stage debut as Toto in the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti as Dorothy, June 12 - July 5 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Designed to provide theatergoers with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of CHICAGO, the latest 'Talkback Tuesdays' celebrated 'Cinco de Mayo' with a talkback featuring Broadway's newest Matron 'Mama' Morton, Latina superstar Sofia Vergara! The sizzling Ms.Vergara made her Broadway debut on Monday, April 27th, 2009.

Broadway/L.A. today announces the lineup for its 2010 Season, with all productions scheduled to play at its flagship venue, Hollywood's historic Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood).

Orlando Jones will play The Wiz, and Tony Award-winning actress LaChanze will play Glinda, the good witch, in the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, June 12 July 5 at New York City Center. Glinda's sister-witches will include Tichina Arnold as Evillene and Dawnn Lewis as Addaperle. Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry as the Tinman, James Monroe Iglehart as the Lion and Christian White as the Scarecrow.

Leapin' Lizards! America's most beloved musical, ANNIE, is back in a 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will be coming to the Fisher Theatre in Detroit for eight performances from May 5 - 10, 2009. Tickets will go on sale February 22 at the Fisher Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.

Called one of America's most beloved musicals, Annie is back in a 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will be coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center for five performances from May 1 - 3, 2009