Marc Shaiman News

Broadway In Chicago has announced that the real Frank Abagnale, Jr., the man whose life inspired CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, will make a special appearance in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a post-show Q&A after the evening performance tonight, April 13, 2013.

Today we are talking to a uniquely gifted talent who has found a featured spotlight of late with some of his most celebrated tunes being included on NBC's musical drama series SMASH just as his new album project and series of 54 Below shows kick off this month - songwriter Joe Iconis. Illuminating the composition of, inspiration behind and depiction on SMASH of both the memorable “Broadway, Here I Come” as well as the forthcoming emotional coda “The Goodbye Song”, Iconis reveals facets of the moving melodies only the creator himself could possibly hope to provide. Additionally, Iconis explores many of the standout songs on the brand new Ghostlight album THE JOE ICONIS ROCK N ROLL JAMBOREE and the sterling host of talents involved with it. Also, Iconis shares details about what we can expect from his string of upcoming shows at cabaret venue 54 Below beginning April 15 through May 5 and the story behind his storied Family, including NEW NORMAL star Andrew Rannells (who appears at the April 15 54 Below show) and SMASH standout Krysta Rodriguez (who appears on the album. Plus, Iconis opens up about his many theatre projects, new and old, including an upcoming solo musical written expressly for Annie Golden and a Hunter S. Thompson biomusical, as well as reveals first news about a new production of THE BLACK SUITS. All of that and much, much more awaits!

Greenlist Productions presents Ryan Raftery's return to the Laurie Beechman Theatre for his fifth solo show, 'Ryan Raftery is Black and Better Than Ever: A Caucasian Celebration of the African-American Songbook'. The show sold out on March 3rd, and Raftery has added a second performance tonight, April 10 at 9:30 p.m.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that the real Frank Abagnale, Jr., the man whose life inspired CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, will make a special appearance in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a post-show Q&A after the evening performance on Saturday, April 13, 2013.

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Broadway headliner and SMASH Season Two Breakout star Jeremy Jordan about a wide range of topics, covering the vast majority of his career thus far in anticipation of the upcoming New York Pops Stephen Schwartz concert event, THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, on April 12 at Carnegie Hall. So, today, in this all-encompassing conversation, Jordan and I discuss his preparation for the sure-to-be sensational Schwartz event and provides analysis and ideas on the songs he will be performing as well as Schwartz's oeuvre in general. Also, Schwartz reveals a plethora of information about Season Two of NBC's musical drama series SMASH and what we can expect from the series over the next several weeks as the drama heats up and HIT LIST hits the stage. Also, Jordan reveals preliminary information about the forthcoming feature film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's celebrated Off Broadway musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS, co-starring fellow Broadway/Hollywood crossover Anna Kendrick, and he shares some initial impressions of the project, as well as new details about what we can expect from the highly anticipated Richard LaGravenese-directed movie musical that is set to start shooting in June. Additionally, Jordan reflects upon his time playing Tony in WEST SIDE STORY under the direction of Arthur Laurents, in addition to remarking upon roles he would enjoy pursuing in the future, near and far, as well as much, much more!

Select songs from tomorrow's episode of NBC's Golden Globe-nominated musical drama series Smash (Saturdays, 9-10pm ET) will be available from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Columbia Records in the Smash iTunes store: http://www.itunes.com/NBCSmash.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the smash-hit Broadway Musical Hairspray, April 25 - May 5, 2013 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the Storrs campus. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing tonight, March 30 - May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Fans of the Disney film 'Hocus Pocus' starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson sisters, wicked witches brought back to life on Halloween to steal the souls of children, are gathering online as a grassroots movement to bring it to Broadway. Following the success of musicals such as NEWSIES, MARY POPPINS, SISTER ACT and MATILDA; Winnie, Mary and Sarah are ready to enchant Broadway audiences.

SMASH star and Broadway regular Leslie Odom Jr. has established a Kickstarter account to fund completion of his first solo album project.

Today we are talking to a divinely gifted triple-threat talent who made a name on the Great White Way with her starring parts in 9-TO-5 and WICKED and has shot to international stardom with her leading role on NBC's musical drama series SMASH - the gorgeous vocal powerhouse Megan Hilty. Analyzing all aspects of her new solo album, the expressive and sexy IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, Hilty shares her inspirations, considerations, ruminations and dedications in regards to the new release, explicating the meanings behind both the original songs and covers. In addition to all about IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, Hilty also shares stories about some of her own favorite performers, songs and performances as well as what elements had to converge in order to create this fantastic first solo album. Additionally, Hilty shares details about her day job on SMASH Season Two and what we can expect in the coming weeks - including behind-the-scenes stories involving guest stars Bernadette Peters and Liza Minnelli, no less - as well as what musical material we will be hearing from the reclaimed bombshell of BOMBSHELL, Marilyn Monroe, now that she is back in the show. All of that, news on sharing a soundtrack duet with GLEE star Lea Michele in LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY'S RETURN and her experiences working on that upcoming animated film and much, much more awaits!

Select songs from tonight's episode of NBC's Golden Globe-nominated musical drama series Smash (Tuesdays, 10-11pm ET) will be available today from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Columbia Records in the Smash iTunes store: http://www.itunes.com/NBCSmash.

Debra Messing isn't wasting any time since filming wrapped recently on SMASH's second season: the actress has already been cast in a CBS comedy pilot.

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will begin previews on May 17 instead of May 18 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Opening night is still set for June 25. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will star Olivier and Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the story is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy winners for Hairspray; Smash), with a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet). Check out a just-released promo for the show below!

While certainly a fun, buoyant little show---featuring some enjoyable music from HAIRSPRAY composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, as well as a very likable, extremely talented young actor, Stephen Anthony, at the center of its semi-autobiographical tale of successful grifting---CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE MUSICAL focuses much of its creative raison d'etre on its eye-catching razzle dazzle, and not enough on the fascinating story that's bubbling underneath. The non-Equity touring version of the short-lived 2011 four-time Tony nominated show, is now on a two-week layover at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles through March 24.

According to the Daily Mail, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will begin previews on May 17 instead of May 18 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Opening night is still set for June 25. Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will star Olivier and Tony Award-winning Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the story is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (Grammy winners for Hairspray; Smash), with a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig (The Bacchae; Tintin In Tibet).

SMASH has just announced that Liza Minnelli will guest star as herself in the tenth episode of the NBC musical drama series on April 6. She will perform an original song, written by SMASH producers Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman, along with Christian Borle, who plays 'Tom'.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN officially opened its run March 12 - 24, 2013 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Broadway World's own Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the JLE Media Group were on hand to chat with the stars at the glamorous red carpet event. Celebrity guests included Max Ehrich, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Bruce Vilanch, Anna Trebunskaya, Davis Gaines, Linda Hart, Raphael Sabarge, Charlene Tilton and Ed Ames among others. Check out the video below!