Marissa McGowan News

To think that Hamlisch's involvement in The Nutty Professor goes back to the handshake that sealed the deal between him and the show's creator Jerry Lewis is at once down-to-earth and almost shockingly unbelievable. It could well be the genesis of another musical in and of itself, but make no mistake about it, that's exactly how the story began…

Nashville and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will host the world premiere of "The Nutty Professor" Musical this Summer. Directed by Jerry Lewis, the show is a new musical comedy based on the 1963 film of the same name.

There's just something about Klea Blackhurst: The very first moment you meet her you know you're gonna like her and that, given the chance to perform for you, she's sure to wow you, to put you in your place, to make you fall in love with her. Consider yourself forewarned.

Today, our spotlight focuses in on the show's leading lady, the luminously beautiful Marissa McGowan, the actress who plays Stella Purdy, the love interest of the musical's repressed and shy Professor Julius Kelp and his suave and sophisticated doppelganger Buddy Love. During a media look-in at the company's rehearsals, McGowan knocked the socks off of all those cynical folk, delivering a beautiful rendition of a new Hamlisch-penned power ballad that we're likely to hear for years to come.

Today the spotlight falls on Sarah Marie Jenkins. And I've gotta tell you, there's just something about Sarah-she's charming and funny and disarmingly appealing, she's pretty and talented and, well, you're just gonna love her. Hell, I've only shared emails and Facebook messages and posts with her and I'm already crazy about her (but in a talented girl-crush sort of way, not like some creepy stalker kind of way)! Seriously, if you're not just absolutely taken with her after reading this interview, then read it again.

The Broadway-bound new musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, premiering next week at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadway favorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan and Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively.

Welcome to the fifth installment of Music City Confidential, my column to collect the flotsam and jetsam, informationally speaking, of theatre in Tennessee. Sorry for the long delay since the last installment, but I've been theatering my butt off all over the Volunteer State in search of intriguing gossip and riveting news stories just for you, my gentle readers.

The Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadway favorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively. In the video below, Andrew chats about playing the iconic character!

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Music City has officially gone "Nutty" with the arrival of the company, cast and crew of the Broadway-bound musical The Nutty Professor has taken up residence at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre to make final preparations for their first preview on July 24. Led by director Jerry Lewis, upon whose 1963 classic movie comedy the musical is based, the company was introduced to Nashville media during a press conference Wednesday morning.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadwayfavorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively.

It's supposed to be 108 degrees in the Nashville area by week's end, which means stepping outside will likely leave you melted, quite literally and figuratively. But if you do have to venture out of doors, perhaps a trip to the theater is a good idea…it'll be dark and cool (with any luck, the AC will be working-and you know which theaters we're talking about) and you'll be entertained, perhaps even transported to another world. Or not. In the meantime, we present you with installment number four of Music City Confidential-our continuing effort to create a sense of community and build up some enthusiasm and excitement for the live theater industry here in our alarmingly sweaty region. So, press on, gentle readers and catch up on the latest adventures of the theaterati…

The original Broadway cast recording of Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE AND CLYDE is set for release today, April 24, 2012.

The original Broadway cast recording of Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE AND CLYDE is set for release by Broadway Records on April 24, 2012. Amazon.com is currently accepting pre-orders. The cast and crew recently gathered at the Little Times Square Theatre where they got a first listen of the new album.

The original Broadway cast recording of Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE AND CLYDE is set for release on April 24, 2012 and is currently accepting pre-orders.

BONNIE & CLYDE played its final performance this past weekend at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway but the cast got back together to record the official cast album on January 2, 2012. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the in-studio action with Frank Wildhorn, Jeff Calhoun, Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes and more and, below we bring you full photo coverage.

BONNIE & CLYDE played its final performance this past weekend at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway but the cast got back together to record the official cast album on January 2, 2012. On a break from recording, the show's cast talked to BroadwayWorld.com and we couldn't resist asking the question that's been on everyone's minds -- will Jeremy Jordan star in NEWSIES on Broadway? For the answer & more - click play below!

BONNIE & CLYDE played its final performance this past weekend at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway but the cast got back together to record the official cast album on January 2, 2012 and BWW was there! Stay tuned for more special coverage shortly!

BONNIE & CLYDE plays its final performance today at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway. Take a look back at the production through this video montage!