Kevin Thomas Garcia News

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions and NETworks Presentations, LLC announced today that Ben Cook and Noah Parets will join the national touring cast of the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, in the role of 'Billy.' Cook and Parets will become the 10th and 11th young actors to perform as 'Billy' in the national tour; their debuts will also mark the 65th and 66th boys to play 'Billy' on stage worldwide and the 26th and 27th boys to play 'Billy' in North America since the show opened on Broadway. Their first performance dates will be announced soon.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Trevor Project celebrates Susan Sarandon, Woody meets the press, Broadway sings for pride, and so much more!

Last night, June 25, Broadway Sings for Pride held its Second Annual Gay Pride Concert, featuring rousing songs from Broadway and pop hits, as well as feature stories of LGBT pride as told by celebrities, activists and the TADA! Youth Theater. The event was held at the Mainstage Theatre on 42nd Street. The concert benefits the Hetrick-Martin Institute, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York City and Broadway Sings for Pride. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below!

On Monday, June 25th, The Trevor Project will honor Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci. President of MTV, Stephen Friedman will also be on hand to accept the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at "Trevor Live" in New York, (Pier 60, Chelsea Piers). This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults. The show will be directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer. Trevor Live is presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo and features fun., Stanley Tucci, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, and many more.

On June 22, the cast of NEWSIES, led by Jeremy Jordan, performed and signed copies of their cast album, which was released in April, at UES Barnes & Noble (86th/Lex). BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos of Jordan, Harvey Fierstein and Jack Feldman, Kara Lindsay, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Ben Fankhauser and the cast of NEWSIES below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway Bares earns big money, Meryl & Kevin reunite, Laura gets a solo show, and so much more!

Today, June 21, Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis was the guest of honor at a private luncheon benefitting The Actor's Fund. Producer Randie Levine-Miller is launching a new celebrity luncheon series to benefit the Fund and their efforts to support talent. BroadwayWorld was thrilled to be on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, presented its one-night-only, all-star concert of the acclaimed 1983 Broadway musical Baby at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, last night, June 18.

Manhattan Theatre Club celebrated Artistic Director Lynne Meadow's 40th anniversary as the visionary and artistic leader of the organization with a special tribute last night, June 18. The event will began at 6:30 PM with a VIP cocktail reception, followed by a 7:30 tribute event at the Samuel J. Friedman and a party at Copacabana. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration and brings you photo coverage of the stars who came out to honor Meadow below!

The Kleban Foundation last night presented the 22nd Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist to Marcy Heisler. For the Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist, the judges declared a tie between Andrew Gerle and Matt Schatz. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!

BROADWAY BARES XXII: HAPPY ENDINGS, a fairytale evening of modern-day burlesque featuring 227 of New York's sexiest dancers, made history for the third year in a row Sunday by raising a record-breaking $1,254,176 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Check out highlights below!

According to Variety, Kristine Nielsen, Michael Countryman, Laura Heisler and more are among the lineup of actors set for the 2012 O'Neill Playwrights Conference.

THE WATER DREAM SUMMER PARTY!, with live rock and contemporary music theatre performed by Anthony Rapp (RENT) with Doug Chapman, Alexis Hightower, Justin Hines, Emily Otto & Kris Rogers under the musical direction of Emily Otto (Southern Comfort, Stolen Chair), will take place on Saturday June 30, 2012 8-10 PM at The Irish Rogue, 356 West 44th Street - Upstairs. There will be a live auction. Proceeds go towards the New York premiere of The Water Dream in 2013.

Last night, June 12, homeless youth working towards brighter futures got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform with Broadway stars at Covenant House's A Night of Broadway Stars gala on the stage of Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

ONCE was the big winner atlast night's Tony Awards ceremony and there was no happier place to be in the wee hours of the morning than at the show's celebratory after party. BroadwayWorld was on hand to congratulate Steve Kazee and the company and takes you inside the party below!

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, just yesterday gave a free fan performance for entrants of the show's wildly popular ticket lottery. The performance also marked the final show for Josh Gad, who has been replaced Jared Gertner as Elder Cunningham. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special event below!