Raymond J. Lee News

Life doesn't always work out the way we want, or expect it to. What would happen if you could turn back the clock to a younger version of yourself and start over? 17 Again - a new musical based on the popular 2009 film starring Zac Efron and Matthew Perry - tells the story of a married 35-year-old man who fears his best days have passed him by, until he mysteriously wakes up as a seventeen year-old high school basketball star with the chance to rewrite the future he believes he was meant to have.

Happy New Year, BroadwayWorld! As we eagerly anticipate the amazing musicals and plays coming up in 2016, we're taking a moment to look back at the significant Broadway closings of 2015.

CHANGING THE STATS: ASIAN AMERICANS ON BROADWAY, which took place on November 2nd at Symphony Space, welcomed Asian American actors to perform in dream roles not traditionally cast with Asian American stars. Click below to watch highlights from the concert!

BroadwayWorld has learned that Jose Llana (THE KING AND I), Ann Harada (AVENUE Q), Ali Ewoldt (THE KING AND I), and more will lead "Changing the Stats: Asian Americans on Broadway." The show will be a concert of excerpts from dream roles not traditionally cast with Asian American actors on Monday, November 2 at The Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.

Timothy Huang's musical is based on a true story involving two Chinese immigrant New York cab drivers.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre presents the 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place today, October 15 and tomorrow, October 16 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced final casting for the 27th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, THE WILD PARTY opened last night, July 15, at New York City Center. FUN HOME Tony winner Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's presentation of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of The Wild Party), Ryan Andes, Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Penelope Armstead-Williams, James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock, Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night after party below!

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's presentation of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of The Wild Party), Ryan Andes, Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Penelope Armstead-Williams, James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock, Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night bows below!

Andrew Lippa's tragic Jazz Age love story The Wild Party follows party girl Queenie (two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster) over the course of one decadent, booze-soaked night as she and her lover Burrs (Steven Pasquale) throw the party to end all parties-with a guest list of vaudevillians, hookers, and a handsome stranger (Brandon Victor Dixon) who offers Queenie the hope of a less tawdry life.

BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below!

Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, THE WILD PARTY will run tonight, July 15, through July 18 at New York City Center.

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of THE WILD PARTY), Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Ryan Andes, Penelope Armstead-Williams,James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock,Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the rehearsal room with the cast below!

Led by Tony winner Sutton Foster, Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY also features Steven Pasquale (who made his New York stage debut and understudied the role of Burrs in the MTC production of THE WILD PARTY), Brandon Victor Dixon, Foster's YOUNGER co-star Miriam Shor, Joaquina Kalukango and Talene Monahon, along with Renee Albulario, Ryan Andes, Penelope Armstead-Williams,James Brown III, Rachel DeBenedet, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, Sydney Morton, Clifton Oliver, Charlie Pollock,Britton Smith, Ryan Steele and Samantha Sturm.

BroadwayWorld has learned John Ellison Conlee, Tony nominee for THE FULL MONTY, has had to depart Encores! Off-Center's upcoming production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY due to a scheduling conflict. Ryan Andes, who last starred on TV in PETER PAN LIVE! and in Broadway's BIG FISH, steps in.

Brandon Victor Dixon and Steven Pasquale will join the previously announced Sutton Foster in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, running July 15 - 18, 2015 at New York City Center. (NOTE: Brandon Victor Dixon will replace the previously announced Joshua Henry, who has had a scheduling conflict.) The production will be directed by Leigh Silverman, with choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director.

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, HBO will unveil the fifth installment of its acclaimed documentary series East of Main Street on May 1. East of Main Street: Taking The Lead will be available on HBO On Demand, HBO GO, and HBO NOW

The two-time Tony Award winning hilarious hit comedy 39 Steps just opened last night, April 13th at the Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street). The cast of 39 Steps features original Broadway cast member Arnie Burton as Clown #2, as well as Billy Carter as Clown #1, Broadway vet Robert Petkoff as the dashing hero Richard Hannay, and Brittany Vicars as Pamela/Annabella/Margaret in her New York City stage debut. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the red carpet below!

Honeymoon in Vegas played its final performance at Broadway's Nederlander Theater (208 West 41st Street) on Sunday, April 5, 2015, and the entire cast decided to stay onstage and have a party with the orchestra to celebrate the musical's Broadway run. Watch them rock it out below!