Mamie Parris News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: NeNe Leakes takes the stage, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY starts previews, David Burtka comes to 54 Below and more!

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for the new Broadway production of the classic musical On the Twentieth Century starring Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, Golden Globe & SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher, Tony nominee Andy Karl, Mark Linn-Baker, Tony winner Michael McGrath and Tony winner Mary Louise Wilson. On the Twentieth Century will be choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle and directed by six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis, and features music by Cy Coleman and book & lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. On the Twentieth Century is based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur & Bruce Millholland. The original Broadway production was directed by Harold Prince.

On Thursday, November 6th it was announced that Cafe Edison in Times Square is being denied a new lease by The Hotel Edison management. The diner -- which has served as a hub for the Broadway community for more than 30 years -- is expected to close at the end of the year. The story has sparked an outpouring of support from the Broadway community and New Yorkers at large, as well as produced a widely circulated online petition. Among the signees -- numbered at 6,357 supporters (as of 6:30 p.m. on Nov 11) -- are stars Glenn Close, Martha Plimpton, Christine Pedi, Karen Mason, Mary Testa, Joey Parnes, Rob McClure, Teal Wicks, Mamie Parris, Michael Cerveris, Sean Connery, Marc Shaiman, and more. Scroll down for some of the comments!

On Thursday, November 6th it was announced that Cafe Edison in Times Square is being denied a new lease by The Hotel Edison management. The diner -- which has served as a hub for the Broadway community for 30+ years, and over the decades has counted Neil Simon, August Wilson, Jackie Mason, Martha Plimpton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda among its many fans -- is expected to close at the end of the year to make way for a new restaurant with a 'name chef.' The story -- which was broken by the popular blog Jeremiah's Vanishing New York and has since been covered by The New York Times, New York Magazine, Eater NY, and BroadwayWorld -- has sparked an outpouring of support from the Broadway community and New Yorkers at large, as well as produced a widely circulated online petition.

The 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, presented by the National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT), kicked off with THE 46TH MINUTE, a concert hosted by Lindsay Mendez and featuring performances by Heidi Blickenstaff, Doreen Montalvo, Mamie Parris, Bryce Ryness, and more. Musical presentations started October 23 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) and included Beautiful Poison, Cubamor, Great Wall, How To Break, Mary Marie, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, String and Stu For Silverton. The Festival concluded on October 24, 2014. Scroll down for photos!

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced casting for the additional concerts and events surrounding their 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Today, October 22nd the Festival kicks off with The 46th Minute, a concert featuring cut songs and new material from all eight 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals selections, followed by The 2014 Songwriters Showcase on October 23rd and The Songwriters Sessions on October 23rd and 24th, all at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) is proud to announce final casting for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Michael Cassara Casting serves as the resident casting office for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Online Festival registration ends Friday, October 17.

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) has announced casting for the additional concerts and events surrounding their 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. On October 22nd the Festival kicks off with The 46th Minute, a concert featuring cut songs and new material from all eight 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals selections, followed by The 2014 Songwriters Showcase on October 23rd and The Songwriters Sessions on October 23rd and 24th, all at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Jason Daunter, producing director for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and a veteran Broadway stage manager, will make his solo cabaret debut -- and farewell performance -- on October 5 and 6, 2014, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street, NYC).

The Ogunquit Playhouse, America's Foremost Summer Theatre was honored to have John Dempsey, the author and lyricist of the musical comedy The Witches of Eastwick, in the audience on the evening of September 18th. After the show Mr. Dempsey joined Executive Artistic Director Bradford T. Kenney and the cast backstage to congratulate them on their performances and to take a group photo. He visited with James Barbour who stars in the Ogunquit production as Darryl Van Horne, as well as with Sally Struthers (Felicia Gabriel), and the three leading actresses Nancy Anderson (Sukie Rougemont), Sara Gettelfinger (Alexandra Spofford)and Mamie Parris (Jane Smart). The Witches of Eastwick runs through September 27th. Scroll down for a photo!

There are hot, sassy witches flying about the Ogunquit Playhouse in a production of The Witches of Eastwick, a musical comedy that has some memorable characters, high energy music and a fabulous set design.

Ogunquit continues its 'high-flying' 82nd season with the American Northeast premiere of Cameron Mackintosh's THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, a musical adaptation based on John Updike's novel and the 1987 Warner Brothers hit motion picture.

The Muny's seventh and final show of its 96th season, HELLO, DOLLY!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction by James Moore, ran through August 17, 2014. Below, check out a fun behind-the-scenes remix from the company, featuring Beth Leavel, John O'Hurley, Rob McClure, Mamie Parris, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Eloise Kropp and more!

Get ready for a wickedly good time when the bewitching musical comedy, The Witches of Eastwick, hits the Ogunquit Playhouse stage September 3 through 27. Based on the Warner Brothers hit motion picture, this hysterical and devilish show with its beautiful original score was declared "musical comedy heaven" by London's Daily Mail. The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to have been selected by world-renowned theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh as the American Northeast premiere of his hit stage adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick.

The MUNY presents the seventh and final show of its 96th season, Hello, Dolly!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction byJames Moore. The show runs through August 17, 2014. Check out a look at the opening night celebration below!

The Muny presents the seventh and final show of its 96th season, Hello, Dolly!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction byJames Moore. The show runs through August 17, 2014. Check out a first look below!

The Muny presents the seventh and final show of its 96th season, Hello, Dolly!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction byJames Moore. The show opens tonight, August 11, and runs through August 17, 2014.

The Muny presents the seventh and final show of its 96th season, Hello, Dolly!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction by James Moore. The show opens tonight, August 11, and runs through August 17, 2014. Below, meet returning star Rob McClure, who will play Cornelius Hackl!

The Muny presents the seventh and final show of its 96th season, Hello, Dolly!, directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Ralph Perkins, with music direction by James Moore. The show opens tonight, August 11, and runs through August 17, 2014.