Richard Ridge News

From Anna to Ruth, Fosca to Lotte, Donna Murphy's stage resume is a long one. Now it includes a character that has been taken on by such legendary actresses as Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, and more recently, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: read all of the reviews for the pre-Broadway engagement of Moulin Rouge!, Be More Chill sells out its off-Broadway run, and more!

'This job came up, and initially I thought, 'What a horrible idea! To star as Dolly Levi once a week? How do you do that?' That first performance- and I really didn't know how it was gonna land- the community was so welcoming. I was flabbergasted when I dropped that newspaper, said 'Dolly Levi' and it wasn't Bette Midler's voice!'

It's opening night! Straight White Men began previews at the Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) on Friday, June 29, 2018 and officially opens on Broadway tonight, July 23, 2018. Young Jean Lee's dark comedy, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, stars Kate Bornstein, Josh Charles, Ty Defoe, Armie Hammer, Stephen Payne and Paul Schneider.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Pretty Woman begins previews on Broadway tonight, and more!

The men of The Boys in the Band indeed are one integrated being, and part of that being is Matt Bomer, who makes his Broadway debut in the role of Donald. Watch below as Bomer chats with Richard Ridge about finally making his Broadway debut, and highlights of his career so far!

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: The Public's Fire in Dreamland opens tonight, and more!

Frozen has taken Broadway by storm this season and it's partly thanks to Patti Murin's spunky yet honest portrayal of one of Disney's newest heroines. Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge chatted with Murin about being chosen to originate this role for the stage, her history with Disney shows, and of course, other highlights from the course of her Broadway career! Here are five takeaways from the conversation that you should know!

Be More Chill is headed for off-Broadway and we're taking you inside their rehearsal in preparation for the run. Check out the hot young cast in action and see BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge get up close and personal with the company before their NYC upgrade!

Many Broadway fans came to know stage and screen star Jesse Tyler Ferguson for his iconic portrayal of Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. But in an alternate universe, a very different Broadway show might have been his big break. Below, Ferguson tells Richard Ridge all about that big decision that he had to make in 2005, and discusses his many other roles that have built his career. Watch the full interview below!

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: The New York Musical Festival kicks off today, and more!

'I keep saying that I forgot that I know how to act, as opposed to making faces and appropriate gestures... It's a fairytale, sure. But it's a story that has to be told in a clear and concise way. [Michael Grandage] was the first person to tell me, 'You have to make it truthful. Don't just do things.' So Anna is rooted very deeply in truth.'

On Thursday, July 12 (2:30pm) join us at the Robin Williams Center (247 West 54th Street) for a Career Conversations Q&A with star of The Boys in the band, Matt Bomer, moderated by Broadway World's Richard Ridge of 'Backstage with Richard Ridge!'

On Tuesday, July 10 (1pm) join us at the Robin Williams Center (247 West 54th Street) for a Career Conversations Q&A with stage and screen star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, moderated by Broadway World's Richard Ridge of 'Backstage with Richard Ridge!'

PRETTY WOMAN is walking down the street... 41st Street. The new musical begins Broadway performances on Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street), with an official opening night of Thursday, August 16, 2018.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: the Tenth Annual Jimmy Awards are held today, Log Cabin officially opens tonight, and more!