Norbert Leo Butz News

Once in a generation, if we are lucky, an extraordinary talent like no other arises - one who can ceaselessly, effortlessly caress the loftiest heights of comedy and drama onstage (and sometimes onscreen), while, simultaneously, imbuing musical theatre roles with the same skill set, plus a powerhouse, quintessentially unique and resplendent vocal instrument; and, of course, that indescribable 'it' factor, too - such is the tale of Broadway's grand dame, Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone is a part of that great pantheon of leading ladies of lore led by Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Angela Lansbury, Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters - that is, musical theatre royalty. Taking a look back at many moments in her long and varied career thus far, LuPone candidly opines about a vast array of topics and opens up about many of the remarkable figures who have played roles in her astounding time spent on Broadway, in Hollywood and on TV - among them: Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, Steven Spielberg, David Mamet, Ryan Murphy and many more. Most importantly, LuPone discusses various aspects of her ever-expanding new solo show upon which her sensational live album, FAR AWAY PLACES, is based - the songs, the stories, the themes, the collaborators and her future plans for the piece (such as her series of 54 Below shows coming up in February). Additionally, LuPone addresses appearing on GLEE, reflects on working with Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham on PARKER, shares her thoughts on her favorite films of the year, expounds upon what roles she would like to pursue and teases about her concert with David Yazbek and the debut of her new Carnegie Hall concert as well as a return to London where she made her mark with her Olivier-winning original Fantine in LES MISERABLES - all of that and much, much more!

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013. Check out a just-released television spot for the show below!

The board of directors of the Louisa Arts Center (LAC) announced the appointment of Michael Bollinger as their new Executive Director.

The board of directors of the Louisa Arts Center (LAC) announced the appointment of Michael Bollinger as their new Executive Director.

Happy Birthday Norbert Leo Butz! Butz made his Broadway debut as Adam Pascal's replacement as Roger Davis in Rent in 1996. Additional Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not (Camille Raquin, 2001-2002), for which he received a Tony Award nomination; Wicked (the original Fiyero, 2003) and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddy) for which he received the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, a Drama League Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. His Off-Broadway credits include The Last Five Years (Jamie), Songs for a New World (Lead Male 2), Saved (Fred), and Juno and the Paycock (Jerry Devine). Most recently, Butz originated the role of Carl Hanratty in the new musical Catch Me If You Can. For this role he won his second Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He most recently starred in Dead Accounts opposite Katie Holmes.

Happy Birthday Norbert Leo Butz! Butz made his Broadway debut as Adam Pascal's replacement as Roger Davis in Rent in 1996. Additional Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not (Camille Raquin, 2001-2002), for which he received a Tony Award nomination; Wicked (the original Fiyero, 2003) and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddy) for which he received the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, a Drama League Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. His Off-Broadway credits include The Last Five Years (Jamie), Songs for a New World (Lead Male 2), Saved (Fred), and Juno and the Paycock (Jerry Devine). MOst recently, Butz originated the role of Carl Hanratty in the new musical Catch Me If You Can. For this role he won his second Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical[14] and his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Broadway Across America-Houston is about to fly CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the thrilling tale of Frank Abagnale, Jr., into the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Merritt David Janes is starring as Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent that tirelessly pursued Frank Abagnale, Jr .He was wanted for posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, a Louisiana parish prosecutor, and check fraud, which was his primary crime. Merritt David Janes took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about his career, playing Carl Hanratty, touring, and the show CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013. The artwork for the show has just been revealed. Check it out below!

Single tickets will go on sale to the general public for Second Stage Theatre's revival of JASON ROBERT BROWN's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS on Saturday, January 19th at 10am. Starring ADAM KANTOR and BETSY WOLFE, the beloved two-character musical, which has received more than 500 regional productions and 3,000 performances around the world, is returning to New York City after eleven years in an all-new staging directed by Mr. Brown. THE LAST FIVE YEARS will begin previews on Thursday, March 7 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm.

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 Awards Celebration, Hershey Felder returns, shows at The Music Theater Company, a Broadway star in 'The Music Man,' the Lincoln Squares, and music in the sketch comedy world, from '50 Shades' to the opera to Team StarKid at Second City! And more....

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will open Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), BIG FISH begins previews on Broadway Thursday, September 5, 2013.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The pre-Broadway 'Big Fish,' a 'Fela!' tour, some long-running shows extend, Theo Ubique lights up the winter, Glencoe's 'Sweet Charity' jazz club, 'Lady Day,' two 'Grand Night' revues and more!

Today, in honor of the release of the complete Season One of NBC's hit musical drama series SMASH on DVD, we are revisiting some of the most memorable and truly tremendous musical numbers from the show so far - all available on the four-disc box set, available now - as we anticipate the grand return of the show on February 5. A look at Season Two, too!

Coming to the Mahalia Jackson Theater on January 8 is the national tour of the hit show JERSEY BOYS, which allows audiences a close up look at Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' rise to stardom. The show features hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." I recently spoke with Jason Kappus, who plays Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, about the show, the music, and life on tour.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, January 6, 2013 - Sunday, January 6, 2013.

With many shows pushing back their Broadway opening nights, PRINCE OF BROADWAY, BIG FISH, THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN and THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST are still on track for their upcoming productions.

Known for his thrilling live performances and irreverent style, award-winning musical troublemaker David Yazbek returns to the stage with his band in this ongoing series at 92YTribeca, presented the first Today of each month. On January 7, Yazbek welcomes Tony Award-winning special guest Norbert Leo Butz who is currently performing in Broadway's Dead Accounts.

DEAD ACCOUNTS, the new comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, and starring two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz and Katie Holmes, concludes its Broadway run today, January 6, at the Music Box Theater. As of today, Dead Accounts has played 27 preview performances and 44 regular performances. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you through the star-studded show's Broadway journey with photos, video and more.

Today in 1972, Broadway veteran Taye Diggs was born. In 1996, he originated the role of the landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent, which also starred his future wife, Idina Menzel. After Rent he appeared as Mr. Black alongside Idina Menzel's character of Kate in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs also played The Bandleader in the 2002 film version of the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago and filled in as Billy Flynn on Broadway. He also temporarily filled in for Norbert Leo Butz (an original Rent standby) as the love interest Fiyero of Idina Menzel's Elphaba character in Wicked.

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an inaugural filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The kick-off event, a two hour career Conversations with Judy Greer moderated by Broadway World's own Richard Ridge was recently held at the NYIT Auditorium, and you can check out highlights from the discussion below!