Michael Mayer News

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming North American tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, the two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway hit called 'wonderfully raucous' and 'emotionally charged' by The New York Times, which will premiere in Toronto December 28 - January 15 before continuing on to 14 other markets across the United States.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

The first official photos have been released of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER stars, David Turner, Jessie Mueller & Harry Connick, Jr.!

On Twitter Watch, Megan Hilty wrote 'There are no words to properly describe how beautiful, generous and kind Miss Bernadette Peters is. We are so so lucky to have her at #Smash The show, which is about a group of people who come together to put on a Broadway musical was developed by NBC's Robert Greenblatt, Steven Spielberg, and Broadway producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (HAIRSPRAY, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN), wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script. The plot will follow an out-of-town tryout of a Broadway musical, and centers around a songwriting team (Debra Messing and Christian Borle) who write a musical about Marilyn Monroe based on an offhanded remark. They post a showstopping number on YouTube. When it's a viral hit, a producer (Anjelica Huston) who's looking to recapture success long past decides to produce the musical. There are two choices to play Marilyn: Karen (Katharine McPhee), a talented young newcomer, and Ivy (Megan Hilty), a theater veteran. Brian d'Arcy James has also been cast as Debra Messing's character's husband. SMASH will premeiere on NBC on February 6, 2012. '

Today we are talking to one of the brightest stars on Broadway whose career has virtually exploded over the last few years with recurring roles on Fox's hit musical dramedy series GLEE, as well as NBC's multi-award-winning 30 ROCK - in addition to his newly minted classic character in the canon of unforgettable personalities on Larry David's HBO series CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - the astonishingly gifted Cheyenne Jackson. Talking all about his Broadway roots and starring in musicals such as XANADU, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, ALL SHOOK UP and more, Jackson and I also discuss some of his favorite performers and co-stars and he shares fond remembrances of musicals and appearances past, as well as looks ahead to what he would like to do in the future, both near and far. Jackson also reveals what the next few months hold - the early 2012 return of 30 ROCK; the release of his new film THE GREEN - and describes what audiences can expect from his 50s and 60s-themed Carnegie Hall concert on November 18, CHEYENNE JACKSON'S COCKTAIL HOUR: MUSIC OF THE MAD MEN ERA. Plus, first news on his self-penned solo album with collaborator/muse Sia, as well as his upcoming film appearances - and much, much more!

Joining Robert Lindsay (Henry II) and Joanna Lumley (Eleanor of Aquitane) in Trevor Nunn's production of James Goldman's The Lion in Winter are Tom Bateman (Richard), Sonya Cassidy (Alais), Joseph Drake (John), Rory Fleck-Byrne (Philip) and James Norton (Geoffrey). The Lion in Winter, produced by the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company, runs from 5 November 2011 - 28 January 2012, with press night on 15 November 2011. Set and costume designs are by Stephen Brimson Lewis with music by Steven Edis, sound by Paul Groothuis and video design by Ian William Galloway.

On Sunday, November 6, stage and screen producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron were honored at the Eighth Annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) Gala by some of their most famed stars including Daniel Radcliffe - of the pair's hit revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - and the company of the upcoming NBC series Smash, including Debra Messing, Angelica Houston, Megan Hilty, Christian Borle, Jack Davenport, Raza Jaffrey, Michael Mayer, Theresa Rebeck and more.

Theatres are usually dark on Monday nights, but several times each year Berkeley Repertory Theatre makes them glow with Page to Stage, a series of talks that engage brilliant guests in sparkling conversation

The show, which is about a group of people who come together to put on a Broadway musical was developed by NBC's Robert Greenblatt, Steven Spielberg, and Broadway producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Broadway's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (HAIRSPRAY, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN), wrote the music for the show. Michael Mayer directed the project, and playwright Theresa Rebeck penned the script. Hear what the stars of the show had to say below!

Daniel Radcliffe and the stars of Smash were on hand last night, November 6, at the Eighth Annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) gala to honor Neil Meron and Craig Zadan for their work in bringing musical theatre to a worldwide, pop-culture audience. Meron and Zadan are represented on Broadway with How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and are currently producing the new NBC television drama Smash about the behind-the-scenes creation of a Broadway musical. Smash premieres on NBC on February 6th. BroadwayWorld was there for the star-studded event honoring the duo and celebrating this year's NYFM productions, and brings you full photo coverage below!

Eclipse Theatre today announced the recipient of its Third Annual Corona Award: Erica Daniels, Associate Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming North American tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT, the two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway hit called 'wonderfully raucous' and 'emotionally charged' by The New York Times, which will premiere in Toronto December 28 - January 15 before continuing on to 14 other markets across the United States.

92nd Street Y feautred Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, in his popular multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, 'Broadway Talks with Jordan Roth' with Golden Globe Award-winning stage and screen star Angela Bassett. Roth and Bassett discussed her upcoming role opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Broadway premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, as well as her remarkable career on the silver screen, at 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) yesterday. Check out photos from the event below!

Academy and Golden Globe Award winner Melissa Leo and acclaimed film, television and theater star Zachary Quinto will star in a one night only benefit staged reading of celebrated playwright Warren Leight's Tony Award-winning play Side Man.

The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, have announced that the cast of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media's 'The Help' - Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O'Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel - will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the 'Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award.'

92nd Street Y has announced that Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, will continue his popular multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, 'Broadway Talks with Jordan Roth' with Golden Globe Award-winning stage and screen star Angela Bassett. Roth and Bassett will discuss her upcoming role opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Broadway premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, as well as her remarkable career on the silver screen, at 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) on Sunday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 and are available at www.92Y.org/BroadwayTalks or by calling 212.415.5500.