Laura Osnes News

The American Theatre Wing announced today that its annual gala, held this past Monday evening at the Plaza Hotel, was the most successful in the organization's history, raising over $750,000 (besting the previous record, which was set in 2013, by more than $50,000). All proceeds from the evening will benefit the education and outreach programs of the American Theatre Wing, which include SpringboardNYC, the Theatre Intern Network, the National Theatre Company Grants and the Jonathan Larson Grants, and will also support free access for students, aspiring professionals, and the general public to programming on AmericanTheatreWing.org, including the long running 'Working in the Theatre' media program.

Two-time Tony Award nominee LAURA OSNES (Cinderella; Bonnie and Clyde) has joined the cast of Tim Realbuto's Wunderkind. Realbuto, the award winning performer and co-writer of Ghostlight the musical, has been touring his successful not-so-solo solo show about his life growing up in the theatre since July. The next stop on the tour is Monday, October 13th at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at 7:00 PM, with Osnes in tow.

The American Theatre Wing held its annual gala last night, September 15 at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), honoring Dame Angela Lansbury, who has served as Honorary Chairman of the American Theatre Wing Board of Trustees since 2010. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos from the glamorous red carpet arrivals below!

SoLuna Studio will produce the musical BONNIE & CLYDE as a part their professional mainstage season, with performances running today, September 13th-28th.

Laura Osnes, Jarrod Spector and Beth Leavel participated this week in a reading of a hot new musical called BANDSTAND

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: LOVE LETTERS begins previews Saturday, off-Broadway gets crowded with shows tonight, including STALKING THE BOGEYMAN, Broadway celebs get together to tribute Elaine Stritch this evening, and THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN hits the stage in Denver!

Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser are thrilled to welcome the addition of Broadway's beloved Marin Mazzie to the cast of GETTING TO KNOW YOU: An Enchanted Evening of Oscar Hammerstein II, the Saturday night benefit concert of the inaugural Oscar Hammerstein Festival.

The Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF) is expanding its support of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) by joining a group of prestigious sponsors for the second season of the well received American Songbook at NJPAC. Hosted by Ted Chapin and airing on New Jersey's public television NJTV, the series features live performances of America's finest interpreters of the Great American Songbook on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 7pm and Sunday, September 21 at 3pm. Slated to appear are Marilyn Maye, Tommy Tune, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, John Pizzarelli, Nellie McKay and Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana, with John Pizzarelli performing an entire show of songs by the great master himself, Johnny Mercer.

Encores! Celebrates Rodgers and Hammerstein and Hart, New York City Center's annual Gala on October 27, 2014, will feature the music and lyrics of Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Lorenz Hart

The Shapiro Sisters release their debut album Live Out Loud: Live at 54 BELOW today, September 9th, 2014. The Shapiro Sisters, 11-year old Milly Shapiro (Matilda, Original Broadway Cast of Matilda The Musical) and older sister, 14-year-old Abigail Shapiro (Cindy Lou Who, How The Grinch Stole Christmas), recorded the album live at the famed 54 BELOW over a series of three performances this past May and June.

On Monday, September 8th the Theater People Podcast welcomes the multi-talented Ellyn Marie Marsh. Topics discussed include her two Broadway heartbreaks: being cast as a replacement in the role of Hatchet Face Mona in CRY BABY, but never even making it into rehearsal because the show closed just after previews; and being cast as an understudy in ENRON, but never making it to the stage because the show suffered a similar fate.

Producers of the Tony Award-winning musical Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway) -- Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman and Stephen Kocis -- announce that the actress and reality television sensation NeNe Leakes (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA) will be the newest star to join the cast, startingNovember 25, when she steps into the role of Cinderella's wicked stepmother Madame.

Hello Broadway World! Our fourth cabaret at 54 BELOW went really well! Milly and I had such a great time-we had the chance to perform with some of our favorite actors, Ben Thompson, who Milly shared the stage with in Matilda The Musical, and the incredibly talented Laura Osnes who originated the title role in Cinderella. We got to try out some new material, including a medley in which we sing duets together with bits of choreography included which was a bit nerve-wracking but I think it paid off-the audience seemed to really enjoy the show.

Star of Broadway, film, and television, Jeremy Jordan will play The Cabaret at the Columbia Club on October 10 at 8PM and October 11 at 7PM & 9:30PM. The performances will include music from Broadway's Newsies, SMASH, and his upcoming film,The Last 5 Years, along with his own personal favorites. Jeremy will also be conducting a master class at 1:00pm on October 11. For tickets call 317.275.1169, or order online at www.TheCabaret.org.

Lena Hall, 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), recently surprised students of Broadway Artists Alliance'a Summer Intensive. Hall spoke of the start of her career, auditioning for her award winning role, and making time for her rock band, The Deafening. Hall also participated in a Q&A with students, answering questions and offering advice for young performers. Get a look at her appearance below!

Select sheet music for the material represented on hot new songwriter Michael Mott's debut compilation album WHERE THE SKY ENDS is now available to purchase.

The Shapiro Sisters' debut album LIVE OUT LOUD: LIVE AT 54 BELOW will be released on September 9th, 2014. The Shapiro Sisters, 11-year old Milly Shapiro (Matilda, Original Broadway Cast of Matilda The Musical) and older sister, 14-year-old Abigail Shapiro (Cindy Lou Who, How The Grinch Stole Christmas), recorded the album live at the famed 54 BELOW over a series of three performances this past May and June. The Shapiro Sisters are returned to 54 BELOW last night, August 28th at 7:00 PM, for an encore performance to celebrate the launch of their new CD. Check out photos from the special event below!

Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser announce the launch of a musical theatre development program focusing on the importance of lyrics in the creation of new musicals: The Oscar Hammerstein Festival - named in honor of the master writer whose countless accomplishments during his illustrious career include having mentored a young Stephen Sondheim at Hammerstein's Bucks County farm -- is a year-long program that offers expert mentorship to early career composers and lyricists. The Oscar Hammerstein Festival will culminate in a weekend with musical theatre experts, artists, and enthusiasts and various events open to the general public. The Festival will launch September 26 - 28, 2014.

The Shapiro Sisters' debut album LIVE OUT LOUD: LIVE AT 54 BELOW will be released on September 9th, 2014. The Shapiro Sisters, 11-year old Milly Shapiro (Matilda, Original Broadway Cast of Matilda The Musical) and older sister, 14-year-old Abigail Shapiro (Cindy Lou Who, How The Grinch Stole Christmas), recorded the album live at the famed 54 BELOW over a series of three performances this past May and June. The Shapiro Sisters are returning to 54 BELOW tonight, August 28th at 7:00 PM, for an encore performance to celebrate the launch of their new CD.