Richard Ridge News

SAG-AFTRA Foundation and BroadwayWorld have partnered for a filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen.

On Monday, April 19 (12pm) join us at the Robin Williams Center (247 West 54th Street) for a Career Conversations Q&A with Victor Garber, current star of HELLO DOLLY!, moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge of 'Backstage with Richard Ridge!'

The August Wilson Theatre was the place to be last night as Mean Girls officially opened on Broadway! How would we describe the night in one word? Fetch! To celebrate the big night, some of Broadway's best, plus alumni of Tina Fey's many projects of past and present, walked the pink carpet before the curtain went up.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (Kelli Lynn Harrison & Lisa Rothe, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been leading the gender parity conversation and championing women in the professional theatre for over 35 years, will present the final Oral History event of their 2017-18 season with two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera.

BroadwayWorld was there for all of the magical opening night festivities, and Richard Ridge was on hand for the special purple carpet to chat with the evening's guests. Below, check out interviews with Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kate Wetherhead, Michael Arden, Harvey Fierstein, Corey Cott, Josh Strickland, Alan Menken, Cheyenne Jackson, Laura Benanti and more!

What's the buzz on the set of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert? Neil Meron is telling us what's a-happening as John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Alice Cooper and more make their final preparations to bring the beloved classic to your living room.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: read an exclusive interview with the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar Live!, watch 'Mama Will Provide' in 360, and more!

CLICK HERE to subscribe today and watch below to get the who backstory on how Comley and Lane  created a new way for the world to experience Broadway and beyond!

Jennifer Diamond has managed to balance married life in the country and a hectic city schedule, while pursuing that elusive first Broadway Show. Jen has earned her chevrons with productions of LES MISERABLES, EVITA, RUTHLESS!, INTO THE WOODS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, among them, and has cut her cabaret teeth on previous club appearances at Joe's Pub and Feinstein's/54Below. Last night she brought her latest show with fresh material and continued 'Tales of Adventure' to midtown's hottest new room in the heart of Times Square, The Green Room 42.

In just days, NBC will premiere its newest drama, Rise, which airs Tuesday, March 13th at 10pm ET/PT following the season finale of 'This Is Us,' and debuts in its regular time period on Tuesday, March 20th at 9pm ET/PT on NBC.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: go behind the scenes of KING KONG, Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about bringing HAMILTON to Puerto Rico, and Pasek and Paul dish on working with Alan Menken on ALADDIN!

Tony-winner and Grammy nominee Lena Hall returns to Cafe Carlyle with an all-new show, The Art Of The Audition: From Falling Apart to Nailing The Part, March 13-17. Experience the ups and downs of a Broadway life through reenactments of Lena Hall's most unforgettable-and regrettable-musical theater auditions. From epic fails to career-defining 'Nailed it!' moments. Featuring songs from Wicked, Cats, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Rent and more. Accompanied by the incredible Brian Nash.

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported earlier today, legendary composer Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!) passed away last night in Texas at 88 years of age. A family only funeral will take place in Texas next week, with a New York memorial to come at a future date.

Alice Cooper, a seminal figure in rock 'n' roll whose compelling stage presence has made him a must see for five decades, has been cast as the flamboyant King Herod in NBC's staged rock concert of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE! to be aired Easter Sunday, April 1. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was able to chat with the rock legend about his upcoming role. Watch below to see what Alice had to say about the musical, his upcoming turn as Herod, and what he's doing to prep for the big live show!

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Kids Night on Broadway occurs tonight, which allows kids to see Broadway shows for free with the purchase of an adult ticket, and more!

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: meet Dear Evan Hansen's Taylor Trensch in a new interview with Richard Ridge, get a sneak peek at Heidi Blickenstaff in Freaky Friday, and more!

Words certainly do not fail Trensch as he opens up with Richard Ridge about his career so far, including his recent move from 44th Street to 45th. Watch the full conversation plus all-new highlights of Trensch in the show below!