Rob Marshall News

With rumors still circulating that James Corden is in talks to play 'The Baker' in the upcoming Disney film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, BWW brings you two clips of Corden singing: a performance of Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and a duet with Gary Barlow on 'Pray.' Click below to hear Corden sing!

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!

According to a casting notice for Columbia Pictures' upcoming reboot of ANNIE, production on the film will begin in August on location in New York City.

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.

Chicago/book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse/music by John Kander; lyrics by Fred Ebb/directed & choreographed by Ray Limon/Welk Theatre, San Diego/through June 2

2012 Tony Award-winning Best Actor In a Play, James Corden, has been cast as The Baker in Rob Marshall's feature film version of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS according to a new official casting notice that has gone out.

According to the Daily Mail, Samantha Mumba has just signed a $1 million deal to star in a Hollywood film musical. She revealed the news to friends at a launch party for Stacey Jackson's new album.

Stage Left Studio, 214 W. 30th Street, is celebrating its third Drama Desk nominated show, Tom Gualtieri and Heather Hill's That Play: A Solo Macbeth, with added performances May 2, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16 & 25 at 7:30pm. Nominated this year for 'Unique Theatrical Experience' THAT PLAY has enjoyed a long run in New York City and continued rave reviews from both critics and audience.

Beloved Broadway producer Roy Miller passed away suddenly early Sunday morning, April 28, 2013 following a brief illness. Roy produced the multiple Tony Award nominated Broadway productions of The Drowsy Chaperone and this season's A Christmas Story: The Musical. His other Broadway producing credits include West Side Story, Ragtime, [title of show] and The Pee-Wee Herman Show among others. He recently served as Producing Artistic Director of Surflight Theatre from 2010 to 2012 and also served as Associate Producer of Paper Mill Playhouse from 1991 to 2004.

According to the Daily Mail, James Corden has signed on to appear alongside Daniel Mays in Nick Payne's play The Same Deep Water As Me at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by John Crawley. Corden also recently met with Into the Woods film director Rob Marshall to discuss appearing in the movie adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical. If the dates for both projects do not conflict, Corden will take part in the pair.

According to a recent casting notice, Rob Marshall's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical is set to begin shooting this September in the U.K.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained) is in talks to star opposite Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) in producers Will Smith and Jay-Z's film adaptation of Annie for Sony. Foxx would play 'Benjamin Stacks', the film's 'Daddy Warbucks' character.

As BroadwayWorld.com previously reported, Meryl Streep will play the witch in the upcoming big screen adaptation of INTO THE WOODS. Now according to Variety, Johnny Depp is currently in talks to join the cast as well. There is no word yet on which part Depp would play.

Now according to the New York Times, Roundabout Theater Company, which revived the musical back in 1998, is planning to bring the show back to Studio 54 in early 2014. Composer John Kander revealed to NYT that a revival is indeed in the works, with Alan Cumming attached to reprise his role as the Emcee. Rehearsals are planned to begin in January 2014.

Tony Award-winning stage and screen crossover star Alan Cumming discusses his new Broadway role in the radically re-imagined revival of William Shakespeare's MACBETH in a new interview but also hints at potentially singing and dancing his 't*ts off' onstage once again sometime soon - presumedly as the Emcee of CABARET alongside the rumored Sally Bowles of Anne Hathaway, of course.

According to a new interview with Theatre du Chatelet's Jean-Luc Choplin, the renown Paris theater will be taking on yet another musical by Stephen Sondheim in their upcoming 2013-14 season, none other than INTO THE WOODS.

Brooke Shields has been announced as the director of the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. Rob Fisher has also been announced as the conductor of the production. Shields starred in CHICAGO both on Broadway and in London's West End and this marks her directing debut. Fisher's association with the show began with the 1996 Broadway revival and he continues to be supervising music director of CHICAGO productions around the globe.

Last night, April 8th, producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones gathered in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they were entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration and you can check out photos from inside the concert below!

On Monday, April 8, 2013, Broadway's Chicago welcomed Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal in the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn and comedienne and radio host Christine Pedi made her Chicago debut as Matron 'Mama' Morton. We couldn't miss their first curtain call!