Patti LuPone News

'Everyone knows ANNIE. Even my dog knows ANNIE,' says Tyrah Odom, currently appearing as one of the orphans in the new Broadway revival of the beloved musical.

Season Two of the Emmy-nominated HBO series YoungArts MasterClass, in which renowned artists and masters teach and mentor young artists selected by the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts), concludes with two nights of back-to-back episodes including encore presentations and premieres. Beginning at 6:30PM ET/PT on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 HBO2 will air encore presentations of Season Two episodes featuring master teachers Patti LuPone,Bobby McFerrin and John Guare.

It's time for the newest episode of BWW's exclusive TV series - CHEWING THE SCENERY WITH Randy Rainbow! In this week's episode, Randy lip-syncs Patti LuPone's 2008 Tony Awards acceptance speech for her portral of 'Mama Rose' in Gypsy. Click below to watch episode 30!

BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the men from the Drama League red carpet arrivals below, including: Tom Sturridge, Constantine Maroulis, Billy Porter, Anthony Warlow, Bryan Terrell Clark, Paul Rudd, Jerry Mitchell, Brandon J. Dirden, Bertie Carvel, Stark Sands, Rob McClure, Courtney B. Vance, Stephen Tyrone Williams, David Hyde Pierce, Jason Tam, Bobby Cannavale, Brandon Victor Dixon, Dave Malloy, Harvey Fierstein, Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, Alan Cumming, Tommy Tune, Ryan Silverman, Bill Irwin, Berry Gordy, Dale Badway, Charl Brown, Michael A. Alden and more!

BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the ladies from the Drama League red carpet arrivals below, including: Laura Osnes, Holland Taylor, Cisely Tyson, Andrea Martin, Shalita Grant, Kristine Nielsen, Cyndi Lauper, Vanessa Williams, Phillipa Soo, Patina Miller, Annaleigh Ashford, Lauren Molina, Valisia LeKae, Saycon Senbloh, Judy Kuhn, Jessica Hecht, Tracee Chimo, Judith Ivey, Chiristiane Noll, Diane Paulus, Bernadette Peters, Debra Messing, Lindsay Mendez, Judith Light and Roslyn Ruff!

Today we are talking to a five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer celebrated for her stupendous work on CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT, THE FROGS, THOU SHALT NOT, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and many more - the master musicals director Susan Stroman. In discussing a vast array of topics, Stroman and I touch upon many of her past projects as well as look ahead to her current and future endeavors - that is: the forthcoming Broadway bow of the new musical BIG FISH, starring Norbert Leo Butz, as well as the world premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER next year. Most importantly, Stroman shines a light on her enduring artistic partnership with Mel Brooks in bringing to life the screen-to-stage musical adaptations of both THE PRODUCERS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, with BLAZING SADDLES on the way - their rich collaboration also being highlighted in this week's AMERICAN MASTERS tribute to Mel Brooks on PBS. Additionally, Stroman reflects on some of her lesser-known entities and casts a light on some of her foremost influences as well as candidly discusses her specialty work for a bevy of major stars - such as at SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL in 1992 - and the finer points of working with Stephen Sondheim and Nathan Lane on Sondheim's most recent original Broadway musical, THE FROGS. Plus, Stroman shares first details of her upcoming collaboration with comedy master Woody Allen on the musical stage adaptation of Allen's Academy Award-winning BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and also offers the 411 on the upcoming Los Angeles and West End productions of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - including the real-life role the musical has played in the pardoning of the originally accused nine just last month. Stroman also comments on her work with Hal Prince on the career revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY, opening in Japan in 2015, and also touches upon her ongoing desire to pursue a film adaptation of her multi-Tony Award-winning and genre-redefining 2000 Best Musical, CONTACT. All of that and much, much awaits in this wide-ranging conversation!

The Drama League announced today the winners for the 79th Annual Drama League Awards: Distinguished Production of a Musical, Kinky Boots; presented by Diane Paulus; Distinguished Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, presented by Pam MacKinnon; Distinguished Revival of a Musical, Pippin, presented by Alex Timbers; Distinguished Revival of a Play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, presented by Rachel Chavkin; Distinguished Performance, Nathan Lane, presented by Debra Messing at a star-studded luncheon ceremony hosted by Ms. Messing and David Hyde Pierce at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). BroadwayWorld was there and brings you coverage of the red carpet arrivals below!

The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks) announced today the winners for the 79th Annual Drama League Awards: Distinguished Production of a Musical, Kinky Boots; presented by Diane Paulus; Distinguished Play,Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, presented by Pam MacKinnon; Distinguished Revival of a Musical, Pippin, presented by Alex Timbers; Distinguished Revival of a Play,Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, presented by Rachel Chavkin; Distinguished Performance, Nathan Lane, presented by Debra Messing at a star-studded luncheon ceremony hosted by Ms. Messing and David Hyde Pierce at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway).

And this Monday, May 20th, John Bantay will do his farewell SPIN as he leaves to continue pursuing his career and becomes a stage manager at the long-running musical, Avenue Q. Speaking to John Bantay, I, of course, was curious as to what his favorite video clips have been over the years. He was reticent to put them in 'Top 10' format because, to him, he considers them all number 1's. So here's his hit list, in no particular order:

VJ John Bantay will play his final night at Spash's Musical Mondays next Monday May 20th after 10 smash years. Bantay leaves to join Avenue Q as stage manager.

Laura Benanti's forthcoming engagement at New York's 54 BELOW will be recorded and released by Broadway Records. 'In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention: Live At 54 BELOW' will be released digitally on September 6th and on CD on September 10, 2013. The CD is now available for pre-order at http://amzn.com/B00CRU5YW0.

Monty Python's Spamalot is currently making it's Southeast Regional premiere at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island. The show is directed by Casey Colgan with choreography by Nic Thompson, and musical direction by Jeffrey Bierling. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below!

A dazzling new production of the long-running Broadway revival CHICAGO directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Gerry McIntyre opens Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's 45th anniversary season June 13-23. Starring Broadway's Angie Schworer as Roxie Hart, Sara Gettelfinger as Velma Kelly, and Rick Pessagno as Billy Flynn, CHICAGO gets Reagle's spectacular summer season off to a bang with all-new staging and exciting choreography in the style of Bob Fosse.

Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes world premieres, highly-anticipated debuts and the return of many esteemed performers this May and June. Funny girl JULIE KLAUSNER makes her debut with two evenings of cabaret. Legendary downtown performance artist JOHN KELLY returns to premiere Rebel Songs. The 60s-inspired flight attendant PAM ANN returns for five nights in the Cockpit. Elsewhere: Tony Award-winners TONYA PINKINS and LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, Once star CRISTIN MILIOTI, TAYLOR MAC'S epic exploration of popular music, a special appearance from Justin Vivian Bond, JOEY ARIAS, the greatest rapper in the world, CHAMPAGNE JERRY and more. Read on for more May and June cabaret, comedy, Broadway and musical theater highlights at Joe's Pub at The Public.

"John Rando (Urinetown, A Christmas Story, Lincoln Centers's Carousel, All in the Timing) will direct Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for The Acting Company," announced its producer, Margot Harley. Tom Stoppard's TONY-winning play will run off-Broadway in rotating repertory with Hamlet, directed by Ian Belknap,beginning in January 2014. Prior to New York, Hamlet will play a fall tour of western states beginning at Cal State-Northridge. A national tour of both plays, including an extended stay at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, begins in February. This is the 41st season and tour for The Acting Company, the sixth tour in association with the Guthrie.

Following the tremendous success of her first solo show, which played sold out venues across the country, stage and television star Laura Benanti will bring her brand new piece, 'In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention' to 54 Below, May 20-25. In the special interview below, Benanti chats about the upcoming concerts, winning her Tony Award for Gypsy, and so much more. Click below to check it out!