Norm Lewis News

Lena Hall, 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), recently surprised students of Broadway Artists Alliance'a Summer Intensive. Hall spoke of the start of her career, auditioning for her award winning role, and making time for her rock band, The Deafening. Hall also participated in a Q&A with students, answering questions and offering advice for young performers. Get a look at her appearance below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's '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. Highlights this week include Milly and Abigail Shapiro at 54 Below, the red carpet at the Emmy Awards, NEWSIES final curtain call, and more!

Today in 2009, The Little Mermaid closed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for 685 performances. The Little Mermaid is based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical's book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (written for the film) and new lyrics by Glenn Slater. The original cast featured Sierra Boggess in the title role of Ariel, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Brian D'Addario and Trevor Braun alternate as Flounder, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, and John Treacy Egan as Chef Louis.

Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington is thrilled to announce its exciting 2014-15 Season, which includes magical evenings with some of Broadway's Brightest Stars!

Earlier this week, SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky hosted and music directed Not Since High School, a benefit concert that showcased Broadway performers singing the classic roles they played as teens while wearing braces and/or breaking out. Performers included Sierra Boggess, Mario Cantone, Jerry Dixon, Christine Ebersole, James Monroe Iglehart, LaChanze, Jose Llana, Jessie Mueller, Julia Murney, Emily Skinner, Keala Settle, and more.

Husband-and-wife stage stars Audra McDonald and Will Swenson took on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today while visiting Zoo Atlanta. Watch their submission -- featuring help from Kelly the elephant -- below! Plus, the pair nominated Norm Lewis and Patti LuPone to get wet and/or donate over the next 24 hours.

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, is currently starring Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess. Below, check out a video of Lewis in action as he sings 'The Music of the Night' on stage at the Majestic Theatre!

There is No Town Like Motown! Saycon Sengbloh (Hollar If Ya Hear Me, Motown, Fela), Marty Thomas (Pageant:The Musical, Xanadu, Wicked) and more are set to perform for Motown's First Baby Shower, honoring N'Kenge 'Mary Wells' (Motown: The Musical, Sondheim on Sondheim).

Tom Andersen, the 5-time MAC Award winner, wrapped up his sold-out run of 'My Favorite Sings' on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St., NYC. BroadwayWorld was on the scene to photograph the many acclaimed cabaret performers who flocked to his final show, including Scott Coulter, Frank Dain, Tim DiPasqua, Julie Gold, Christine Lavin, Marcus Simeone, Steve Ross and Lennie Watts.

Sirius XM On Broadway debuts a new interview this weekend: Broadway Names With Julie James has Richard Jay-Alexander in the Studio and in the Guest chair. Recorded on his last New York trip, Julie talks EVERYTHING with Richard Jay, and we're told that no topic was off limits.

Two-time Tony Award winner (and six-time nominee) Sutton Foster is coming to Utah! Direct from her critically acclaimed turn in VIOLET on Broadway, she will be gracing the stage of Brigham Young University's de Jong Concert Hall as part of its BRAVO! professional performing arts series, on Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6, 2014. For more information and to buy tickets, visit arts.byu.edu.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, launches its 11th season this fall at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room with an Opening Night Gala celebrating the work of songwriter/composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt). The evening will feature two on-stage interviews with Mr. Schwartz by ASCAP's Director of Musical Theatre Michael Kerker, and performances by Saturday Night Live's Ana Gasteyer, who performed the role of 'Elphaba' in Wicked on Broadway, and by two masterful interpreters of Schwartz' work, Liz Callaway and Michael McCorry Rose. Bay Area Cabaret's Opening Night Gala Tribute to Stephen Swartz will take place 8 pm, Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street, atop Nob Hill, San Francisco.

The Broadway Experience returned for a seventh summer program at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center from July 28th - August 10th. With over 20 professional educators from the Broadway community, TBE offered over 75 classes, workshops, lectures, a performance based second week and invited Jonathan Groff as guest speaker. Jonathan spoke about his life on and off the stage, and took the time to answer questions and offer advice and inspiration. He was even kind enough to give an impromptu performance from Disney's recent hit film, Frozen.

Chris Isaacson Presents has announced a one-night-only concert event at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 16 at 8pm. Broadway Under the Stars will star Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls) and will also feature (in alphabetical order) Obba Babatunde (Dreamgirls), Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, stage and film), Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (In the Heights), Danny Gurwin (Little Women) and Tony Award-nominee Chad Kimball (Memphis). David Galligan will direct, and the music director is Gerald Sternbach.

Famed composer Scott Alan recently took part in the Broadway Gets GLAAD: A Benefit Concert on August 4, where he performed a rendition of his song 'Blessing' from his album KEYS: THE SONGS OF SCOTT ALAN. Check out his performance below!

Tom Andersen , the 5-time MAC Award winner, sings 'Derek,' his musical salute to legendary Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, in'My Favorite Sings' on Saturdays, Aug. 2, 9 and 16 at 7 p.m . at Don't Tell Mama , 343 W. 46th St., NYC. In his first solo act in nearly a decade, he also will perform tunes from Tony-winning musicals and introduce a few numbers from 'Simply Sinclair,' a new show he's written with his musical director, James Followell. Cover is $15 with a two-drink minimum. Reservations: (212) 757-0788.

How would you like to join composer Scott Alan on his new BroadwayWorld.com series 'SONGS FROM MY LIVING ROOM'?

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 11th season this fall with a sparkling lineup at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. The new season features a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites. The season kicks off on Saturday, September 27, 2014 with a tribute to songwriter Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt), starring Mr. Schwartz, SNL's Ana Gasteyer, Broadway's Liz Callaway and Michael McCorry Rose. The season continues November 2 with Tony winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!, Beulah, Roots) and December 7 with Andrew Lloyd Webber protege and star of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera and Little Mermaid Sierra Boggess.

Tom Andersen, the 5-time MAC Award winner, returns to New York cabaret with 'My Favorite Sings' on Saturdays, Aug. 2, 9, and 16 at 7 p.m. at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St., NYC. BroadwayWorld was on the scene for the show and snapped pictures of the special event. Check them out below!

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA below!