Neil Patrick Harris News

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!

Watch the 2012 Tony Awards' 'In Memoriam' tribute to those in the Broadway community who passed away during this past season, including Davy Jones, Stephen Douglass, Anna Massey, Tom Aldredge, Theodore Mann, Howard Kissel, Donald Schoenbaum, Buddy Freitag and more.

Named by Orson Welles as "the most original mind in magic", world famous mentalist and master magician Max Maven makes his Off-Broadway debut in the summer's most mind bending supernatural attraction, MAX MAVEN: THINKING IN PERSON. Previews began at The Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex (312 W. 36th Street -1st floor) on June 12th. Presented by Alexander Marshall and Giles Cole, Maven's electrifyingform of on-stage mentalism, officially opened last night, June 14th and continues until Sunday, July 1st. Check out photos from opening night below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: ONCE scores big at the Tonys, ROCK OF AGES hits the big screen, HARVEY returns to Broadway, and so much more!

The 2012 Tony Awards have come and gone! This year's ceremony was especially exciting, featuring awesome hosting by Neil Patrick Harris, cameos from Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Amanda Seyfreid, and performances by the nominated productions- including: NEWSIES, FOLLIES, GHOST, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, PORGY & BESS, ONCE, EVITA, and GODSPELL.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation and Chris Isaacson Presents concludes their smash season in Upright Cabaret's American Icon Series with VIVA LAS VEGAS tonight, June 15, 2012 at 8:00pm at the new Cabaret Lounge in the Scherr Forum Theatre.

On Monday, June 25, 2012, the band fun. will be the headlining musical act at "Trevor Live" presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo at Chelsea Piers (Pier 60) in New York.

Happy Birthday, Neil Patrick Harris! A veteran of the theater, Harris recently tackled the role of Bobby in the New York Philharmonic's production of Stephen Sondheim's "Company" at Lincoln Center. Harris made his Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Proof," and subsequently starred on the Great White Way as the Emcee in "Cabaret," and as The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of "Assassins." His additional theater credits include roles in "All My Sons," "Tick, Tick... Boom," "The Paris Letter," "Sweeney Todd," "Rent" and "Romeo and Juliet." Harris made his theatrical directorial debut with "I Am Grock" at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Additionally, he directed a production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent" at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and more recently he helmed a production of "The Expert at the Card Table" at the Broad Stage Theater.

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the theater once again, we welcome you to the debut installment of Music City Confidential, all the news that's fit to print (or not-depending on your perspective) from Nashville's ever-growing, ever-fascinating (okay, so we obviously don't have enough to occupy ourselves) live theater industry (we're trying that out-does it work? Let us know, theaterati!) Here amid the florid prose and flowery praise, you'll find all the stories that don't quite fit elsewhere, some of 'em kind of gossipy, some of 'em stone-cold serious, some of 'em just lists of names you need to know. You'll also find photos from our new "Intermission@" series, details about the latest cast parties and various and sundry minutiae-the veritable flotsam and jetsam-from backstage, onstage, offstage and beyond…

Feathers, glitter, and lace are the norm for Broadway talent, but at the 2012 Tony Awards on Sunday, the stars transformed from showgirl to sophisticated on the red carpet. BroadwayWorld was there to capture each and every one in their evening finest and brings you the best of the best - and quesitonable of the questionable - below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Tony Award wrap-up, all that 'Rock Of Ages,' three musical tribute shows, two operettas, a stellar TYA 'Beauty' and Kristin Chenoweth, plus more!

On Twitter Watch, Neil Patrick Harris wrote ' Finally got some rest. The Tonys are over! Had a blast. Thanks so much for watching! Happy to answer any questions... "@CinWicked: How uncomfortable was the Spiderman rig?" Not so bad when upside down. Upright? Hulk Smash! "@Chris_M_Stern: what's next for you?? Any features?" Yup. I'm back in Montreal, still filming the Smurf sequel. "@caseyimperial: What does Steve Kazee smell like?" Heaven. "@CulbeK: did you write the songs?" No, David Javerbaum & Adam Schlesinger: opening and closing. Michael John Lachiusa: mid show mashup.'

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was broadcast on CBS last night, June 10, and BroadwayWorld was on hand throughout the celebratory night to bring you the best and most comprehensive coverage on the net! CLICK HERE for the full list of winners for the 2012 Tonys Awards! Miss the festivites altogether? CLICK HERE to watch the full ceremony!

Earlier today I had the extreme privilege of speaking to one of the biggest Broadway stars of the new millennium all about her new ABC Family original series BUNHEADS - two-time Tony Award-winning triple-threat dynamo Sutton Foster. Candidly recalling her professional beginnings, auditioning for the national tour of THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at only 17 for director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun - our recent 2012 Tony Awards special chat available here - and starring in GREASE on Broadway under his direction shortly thereafter, Foster also shares her post-Tony Awards night memories from ten years ago today, when she first won a trophy for her star-making turn in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. Clearly, Foster has remained busy since her Tony-winning Reno Sweeney in the hit revival of ANYTHING GOES last season, as well, with the fantastic new Amy Sherman-Palladino-penned BUNHEADS proving to be the ideal opportunity for her to bring her considerable stage chops to the small screen and show off her serious skills as a comedienne, dancer, singer and actress to a whole new audience in a major way. Of course, Broadway babies have known for over a decade that Sutton Foster is the rare star that comes along once a generation and BUNHEADS now gives her the national stage so that she may give the world everything she's got to give - and that's a whole lot. In addition to an analysis of the central character on BUNHEADS, Michelle, and a look ahead to what we can expect in the ensuing season that kicks off tonight at 9 PM on ABC Family with the enchanting and hilarious pilot episode, Sutton and I also shine a light on the many musical theatre associations in the BUNHEADS universe, current and future - such as the razzle dazzle Las Vegas opening number of the pilot, penned by songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, which was originally performed on Broadway in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN; BUNHEADS series regular and A CHORUS LINE original cast standout Kelly Bishop as Michelle's domineering ballet instructor mother-in-law; Michelle's determination to land a lead role in CHICAGO someday; and, we even discuss some possibilities for musical numbers and song sequences on BUNHEADS in the future ("At The Ballet", perhaps?). Plus, Sutton shares her thoughts on SMASH, expresses her interest in exploring a revival of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN onstage soon and much, much more!

Neil Patrick Harris. Singing. Tony Awards recap. Need we say anything more? Check out the video below.

Last night's Tony Awards show last evening may have impressed fans and critics alike but failed to score in the ratings, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter. Despite little broadcast competition, The Hollywood Reporter reveals: 'The three-hour telecast averaged 6 million total viewers, down nearly 1 million viewers from the 6.9 million who watched in 2011 when the Tonys went up against the NBA Finals, and posted a 1.0 in the ad-coveted 18-49 demo, a 17 percent dip from its previous effort.'

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are through! The ceremony was broadcast last night, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. Below check out this year's hilarious opening number (with all the lyrics), which featured host Neil Patrick Harris and appearances by Amanda Seyfried, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Patti LuPone, and more! The song was written by CRY BABY writers and Tony nominees David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger.

Backstage Creations, specialists in award show gifts and custom backstage Celebrity Retreats™, produced the gift suite at the 2012 Tony Awards® at the Beacon Theater, in New York City. The 66th Annual Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, were televised live on Sunday, June 10th 8/7c on CBS.

The 2012 Tony Awards have now come and gone! Just last night, the best of Broadway gathered with host Neil Patrick Harris at the Beacon Theatre for a three-hour ceremony, which was broadcast on CBS television network. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners!

Overflowing with enthusiasm and energy, the true star of the 2012 Tony Awards was unquestionably three-time host and affable Broadway spokesman extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris, doing what he does best - namely, being the host with the most. Whether web-slinging behind Angela Lansbury and Ted Chapin or leading a spectacular production number with Patti LuPone and a lawnmower, Harris proved yet again why is he is the best in the biz at this sort of thing - well, right up there along with Hugh Jackman, at least. Speaking of whom, in addition to a goosebump-inducing trailer for the forthcoming Tom Hooper-directed film adaptation of the Broadway sensation LES MISERABLES, Hugh Jackman was featured on the Tony Awards telecast and personally on hand to receive a well-earned special Tony Award for his many fundraising successes over the course of his three-show Broadway career, as was crossover superstar Bernadette Peters who took home a special Tony Award for her BC/EFA and Broadway Barks efforts. Adding to the star quotient of the night was Broadway/Hollywood super direct Mike Nichols, giving one of the classiest (despite the CBS-sanction bleep; on the same word as during Danny Burstein's FOLLIES turn, "godammit", incidentlly) and most profound acceptance speeches on the Tony Awards in recent memory - breaking the current record with, now, six Best Director statuettes, by the way. As far as musical performances go, in addition to Harris's triptych of showstoppers throughout the show - without even mentioning the many biting and sassy remarks, jokes and offhand commets; staged and otherwise - there were some seriously strong showings from almost all new musicals and revivals currently running, and even one or two terrific turns from productions already shuttered. The musical highlights of the night were Josh Young and the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in a spirited and divine take on the title song from the celebrated Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, as well as good showings from new musical head-to-head, nail-bite-worthy competitors, ONCE and NEWSIES, plus one or two other swoon-worthy moments, too. The 2011-2012 Broadway season may not have been a record-breaker insofar as outstanding content and memorable modern classics - while NEWSIES is certainly a smash, last year's THE BOOK OF MORMON is the type of hit we only see once a decade or so, and, therefore, is a bit eclipsed; and, ONCE won Best Musical, anyway - but Harris and the team of this year's show made it an unusually entertaining and unique Tony telecast, even when compared to the finest shows on the past - particularly those from the rightly lauded Cohen era. ONCE may have dominated the wins, but the many musical numbers showed that there is a lot of room for enjoyment whether or not your personal favorite show took home the prizes. Most of all, Neil Patrick Harris proved he was once, twice, three times a Tony triumph.