Marc Shaiman News

As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, 'In any great adventure, if you don't want to lose...you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.' Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy is a new, 90-minute documentary by Michael Kantor, creator of the Emmy-winning series, Broadway: The American Musical. The special just aired on Great Performances yesterday, January 1 on PBS. Click below to watch!

As Sir Robin carols merrily to King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot, 'In any great adventure, if you don't want to lose…you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.' Eric Idle's cheeky lyric, which unfailingly generated knowing guffaws from Broadway audiences, proves to be more than a little grounded in truth, as BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY convincingly attests.

TVGuide reports that more original music and lyrics from the award-winning team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman is on the way for the upcoming second season of NBC's SMASH. The site confirms that the duo has 'composed tunes for other faux Broadway shows that will compete with Bombshell for ticket sales as the Marilyn Monroe-themed production nears its premiere.'

Entertainment superstar Liza Minnelli - winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, an Emmy and multiple Tony Awards - will guest-star as herself in NBC's musical drama SMASH in the upcoming season, and will sing an original song with series star Christian Borle that was written by the show's celebrated composer and lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Minnelli recently appeared on the show's set to shoot a scene with stars Megan Hilty and Christian Borle. Click below to watch footage and interviews the Minnelli and the cast!

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can will make a stop at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement tonight, December 18-23.

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

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominations for the 2013 Golden Globes Awards this morning, live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Among the nominations was the hit NBC musical drama SMASH, which was given a nod for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical. SMASH stars Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty commented on the news this morning.

Jessica Alba, Megan Fox, and Ed Helms joined the Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly at the Beverly Hilton Hotel this morning to announce the nominations for the 2013 Golden Globes Awards, and NBC's SMASH earned a nod for Best Comedy Series.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will land in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music for a limited engagement Jan. 15 - 20. The press opening is scheduled for Tues. Jan. 15 at 7:30 pm.

Hollywood star Anjelica Huston visited CBS's 'The Talk' yesterday and shared stories about life among Hollywood royalty, dating Jack Nicholson and revealed some of the upcoming guest stars on the upcoming season of SMASH. Check out her appearance below!

One hundred four scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

The Orpheum Theater is set to bring CATCH ME IF YOU CAN to Minneapolis audiences from tonight, December 11 through the 16th.

"Smash" returns to the NBC lineup for a second season on Tuesday, February 5 (9-10 p.m. ET) and will continue in its regular time slot on Tuesday, February 12 (10-11 p.m. ET). Below, check out the just-released behind-the-scenes first look at Season 2, featuring Jennifer Hudson as 'Veronica', Karen (Katharine McPhee)'s new love interest played by Newsies' Jeremy Jordan, tensions growing between songwriting collaborators Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle)!

The Broadway Dreams Foundation will hold its second annual Champagne & Caroling Gala at Celsius, a restaurant, bar and event space within Citi Pond at Bryant Park (5th Ave and 42nd Street) on Monday, December 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. At this one of a kind urban winter wonderland in of the heart of midtown Manhattan, Broadway's brightest stars and patrons of the arts will join together for a festive celebration of the country's premier musical theatre training program. The evening will include festive cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and performances by Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Marc Shaiman, BDF Artistic Director Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan, "One Life to Live"), teaching artists Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Matthew Scott (Jersey Boys), Kirsten Scott (Follies), Morgan James (Godspell), BDF alumni Ryann Redmond (Bring It On The Musical), current Broadway Dreams students from across the country.

Leading up to SMASH's midseason premiere in February, the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly (Dec. 14, 2012) gave viewers the scoop on what to expect from the new season, from A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL's composing team Pasek & Paul's new tunes to NEWSIES star Jeremy Jordan and his character's budding rock musical.

Tonight, December 8, Tony Award-winning songstress Debbie Gravitte returns to Pace Presents and The Michael Schimmel Center for a reprisal of last year's tremendously popular All-Star Holiday Show. Deemed 'one of the best voices on Broadway' by the Associated Press, Ms. Gravitte celebrates this winter holiday season with the support of a stellar team of Braodway veterans including academy Award-nominated, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award-winning composer Marc Shaiman (Hairspray, NBC's 'Smash,' Sleepless in Seattle, First Wives Club) as well as Broadway star and Tony-nominee Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess, The Little Mermaid, Les Miserables) for this all-ages evening of holiday fun.