Michael Mayer News

Tony-winner, Broadway star and BroadwayWorld.com fave Norbert Leo Butz is on set today filming a guest starring role in the upcoming NBC series - SMASH. Butz will play the lead character in HEAVEN ON EARTH, the 'currently running show within a show' written by the characters played by Debra Messing and Christian Borle. He will perform an original tune, entitled 'The Higher You Get, the Farther You Fall' written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Check out Broadway vet and one of the show's stars, Megan Hilty, talking her audition for SMASH, what it's like returning to the stage and more!

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH? According to The Hollywood Reporter, you won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16.

On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!

Casting has been announced for the upcoming national tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, the explosive Broadway hit called "wonderfully raucous" and "emotionally charged" by The New York Times, which will make its Raleigh premiere January 31 - February 5, 2012 at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

The producers of the newly imagined production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER starring Grammy and Emmy Award winner, Tony Award nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick Jr announce the show will play its final performance on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at The St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th Street. The musical will have played 29 preview and 57 regular performances.

A day-of-performance student rush for a limited number of orchestra pit seats will take place daily for Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, playing at the Detroit Opera House from January 17 - 22.

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing, Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James. In the videos below, Hilty, Huston, McPhee, and Messing chat about what to expect from the show and their characters. Click below to check it out!

For all of those who can't get enough of SMASH, check out this new video below that details the making of the Marilyn musical within the series, written by Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), featuring interviews with team members and more!

NBC showcased its upcoming winter shows earlier this week. Along with returning hits, the network also featured SMASH, which debuts February 6. Check out the red carpet below!

Can't wait until February to see NBC's new Broadway-themed show SMASH? According to The Hollywood Reporter, you won't have to: the pilot episode will be available for free on several media platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Xbox on January 16.

Three-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick Jr. will have a multi-episode, guest-starring turn on the Wolf Films/NBC drama 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET).

Barbara Ligeti and Wishing Well Productions by special arrangement with The Cherry Lane Theatre will present the world premiere production of Frank Strausser's PSYCHO THERAPY - a new play about couples therapy…for three.

The buzz surrounding the premiere has been deafening, and we have just gotten our hands on the first official full-length clips! Click below for a SMASH, episode 1 preview!

Boasting a stellar cast from stage and screen, SMASH stars Emmy award winning actress Debra Messing, Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, Katharine McPhee, Jack Davenport, Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, Megan Hilty and Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James. McPhee has added another role to her busy schedule: Malaria No More spokesperson.

Entertainment Weekly has released a first look at SMASH stars Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee in costume as the title character in the show's musical, Marilyn. See it below!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, January 1, 2012 - Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Jessie Mueller is currently making her Broadway debut in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER alongside Grammy and Emmy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick, Jr. The production opened on December 11, 2011at the St. James Theater.