P. J. Benjamin News

In honor of Throwback Thursday, BroadwayWorld is celebrating the past with a new series that will take you back in time with some of our favorite vintage video features. That's right- we are opening up the BroadwayWorld Vaults to reminisce on shows are long gone from the Broadway-scene, but have left an indelible mark on the world of theatre as a whole. Today, we bring you a vintage video from 2008. Relive the magic of Encores! DAMN YANKEES below!

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, will appear at the historic Birdland stage for a sold-out performance tonight, June 15 at 7pm. Directed by Igor Goldin (Yank) the cast features (in alphabetical order) P.J. Benjamin, Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Bill Nolte, and Elizabeth Teeter supported by a six-piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel.

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans' musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, is SOLD OUT for its Monday, June 15th show.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: 'Merman's Apprentice' In Concert, Starring: Klea Blackhurst & Anita Gillette; BLAME CANADA! Featuring Broadway's Canadian Talent; Ann Hampton Callaway: On My Way to You; Sara Chase at 54 Below; and The Melody Lingers On: A 'Benefit' for Victims of Earworm.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for June 15 - June 21, featuring "Four Generations of Miles,' with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams, Sonny Fortune; Erich Bergen; Merman's Apprentice featuring Richard Kind, Klea Blackhurst and Anita Gillette; and more!

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series is proud to announce that Stephen Cole and David Evans musical fable, Merman's Apprentice, will appear at the historic Birdland stage One Night Only, Monday, June 15 at 7pm. Directed by Igor Goldin (Yank) the cast features (in alphabetical order) P.J. Benjamin, Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Richard Kind, and Elizabeth Teeter supported by a six-piece band with orchestrations by Lynn Shankel.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, a musical comedy by John Markus (head writer for The Cosby Show) and Mark St. Germain (Freud's Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth), directed by Peter Flynn, and starring Broadway veterans P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago), Scott Mikita (Phantom of the Opera), and Joe Ricci (A View from the Bridge), joined by Rachid Sabitri, from today, August 8 through August 31 in Stony Point, New York.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the New York premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, a musical comedy by John Markus (head writer for The Cosby Show) and Mark St. Germain (Freud's Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth), directed by Peter Flynn, and starring Broadway veterans P.J. Benjamin (Wicked, Chicago), Scott Mikita (Phantom of the Opera), and Joe Ricci (A View from the Bridge), joined by Rachid Sabitri, from August 8 through August 31 in Stony Point, New York.

The 16th Annual Broadway Barks took place yesterday, July 12, in Shubert Alley. Founded by Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters, this star-studded dog and cat adoption event featured celebrities from the hottest shows on Broadway to benefit New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies.

BROADWAY BARKS announces their 16th annual star-studded dog and cat adoption event featuring celebrities from the hottest shows on Broadway to benefit New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. Founded by Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters, the event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will take place on Saturday, July 12 in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. where you can meet all the adoptable dogs and cats; celebrity presentations of pets from animal shelters citywide will take place between 5-6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, October 30th, the blockbuster musical, WICKED, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Broadway, a milestone achieved by only ten other Broadway productions in history. The creative team and many of the musical's previous cast members will celebrate WICKED's first decade with a special performance, followed by a company party, on October 30th at 7:00pm. BroadwayWorld will be counting down to the milestone with daily flashbacks of Wicked's biggest events, most memorable cast members, and best performances. In today's installment, we remember the actors that have taken on the role of Oz's leader- the Wizard!

Featured this week was the cast of COUGAR THE MUSICAL (Brenda Braxton, Babs Winn, and Mary Mossberg), WICKED (Lindsay Mendez, Tiffany Haas and Derek Klena), ANNIE (Sadie Sink, Taylor Richardson, Gaby Bradbury, Tyrah Skye Odoms, Emily Rosenfeld, Brooklyn Shuck, Amaya Braganza, and Danette Holden) and The Fantasticks (Jim Schubin, Jeremiah James, Rita Markova, Daniel Marcus and Joseph Dellger). Check out photos below!

The producers of I Forgive You, Ronald Reagan, the new play by John S. Anastasi, in which the present is on a collision course with the past, present a limited Off-Broadway run this summer. Directed by Charles Abbott, performances began at The Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Aves.) on Monday, July 15. Opening Night was last night, July 30. The show is scheduled to play through August 25th. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), has announced full casting for a staged concert production - similar in style to their acclaimed Musicals in Mufti Series - of the 1966 musical Man with a Load of Mischief, with music by John Clifton, lyrics by Clifton and Ben Tarver, and book by Tarver. Directed by Jenn Thompson with music direction by Bryan L. Wade, the cast will feature P.J. Benjamin (Wicked), Naomi Brockwell, Stephen R. Buntrock (A Little Night Music), Rachel de Benedet (Catch Me If You Can), Nancy Johnston (Elf) and Robert Petkoff (Anything Goes).

On Monday, April 25, Jim Caruso and the Broadway at Birdland concert series were thrilled to present the 30 Year Reunion Celebration of the Broadway Opening of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, with the Duke Ellington Big Band and original cast members. Onstage for the historic performance were Adrian Bailay, P.J. Benjamin, Mercedes Ellington, Ken Hanson, Bruce Heath, Terri Klausner, Frank Owens, Valarie Pettiford and Ty Stephens.

WICKED will honor the Actors Fund with a special, added performance on Sunday, April 3 at 8pm at the Gershwin Theatre. All procedes will go to benefit The Actor's Fund's programs and services. The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.

WICKED will honor the Actors Fund with a special, added performance on Sunday, April 3 at 8pm at the Gershwin Theatre. All procedes will go to benefit The Actor's Fund's programs and services. The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, March 29, RICHARD H. BLAKE will assume the role of Fiyero in the Broadway company of WICKED. He joins a cast which includes Teal Wicks as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Etai BenShlomo as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond. Kyle Dean Massey, who is currently playing the role of Fiyero, will play his final performance on Sunday, March 27.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, March 29, RICHARD H. BLAKE will assume the role of Fiyero in the Broadway company of WICKED. He joins a cast which includes Teal Wicks as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Etai BenShlomo as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond. Kyle Dean Massey, who is currently playing the role of Fiyero, will play his final performance on Sunday, March 27.