Sarah Jane Shanks News

Producer Neal Rubinstein announced today that the Broadway-aimed new musical DANGEROUS will receive upcoming presentations this spring. On Monday, March 19, the cast of DANGEROUS will perform the songs of DANGEROUS in concert at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) at 8pm.

The stars came out for Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA) at the school's third Broadway Supports LIHSA fundraising event. The gala production featured Broadway stars who donated their time for a spectacular one-night only event to help raise money toward and awareness of LIHSA. The much-anticipated annual fundraiser for Long Island's only public high school for the visual and performing arts (LIHSA) has become a premier event for the greater theater community.

Come see Broadway stars MiG Ayesa (Rock of Ages; Burn the Floor); Steven HeaveN Cantor (In Transit); Buddy Casimano (Miss Saigon); Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Robert Cuccioli (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark; Les Miserables; Jekyll and Hyde); Joshua Dela Cruz (Aladdin); Lana Gordon (Chicago; The Lion King; Jesus Christ Superstar); Taylor Iman Jones (Groundhog Day); Stanley Wayne Mathis (Nice Work If You Can Get It; The Book of Mormon; Wonderful Town; Kiss Me Kate; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Lion King; Jelly's Last Jam; Oh. Kay!) Jon Peterson (Cabaret); Wayne Pretlow (The Civil War); Anthony Rosenthal (Falsettos); Evan Ruggiero (Bastard Jones); Ayla Schwartz (Frozen) and Sarah Jane Shanks (Cats; Bright Star;Promises, Promises; Shrek the Musical; The Apple Tree; Wonderful Town); as well as musical director/accompanist Eugene Gwozdz at Broadway Supports LIHSA.

Producer Neal Rubinstein announced today that the Broadway-aimed new musical DANGEROUS will receive two private industry concert presentations on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 3pm and 6pm at Feinstein's/54 Below (254 West 54th Street).

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical Cats just celebrated its first anniversary back on Broadway, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical Cats will welcome four new 'Jellicle Cats' to the junkyard.

Producers The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization announced today that the first-ever Broadway revival of CATS will play its final performance at 8 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd Street) after 16 previews and 593 regular performances. Preview performances of CATS began Thursday, July 14, 2016 followed by a Sunday, July 31, 2016 opening night.

Ghostlight Records has released the original cast recording of Bright Star, the new musical from Grammy and Emmy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell online and in stores today, Friday, May 27.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano.  This Thursday night, May 19th, Broadway Sessions welcomes cast members from the Tony nominated Best Musical, Bright Star and more

In this second part of Understudying on Broadway (you can find Part 1 here), I'm discussing the subject with two women who each have tons of experience, Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, both currently covering the demanding, central role of 'Alice Murphy' in Bright Star. (I should mention that they both also cover the role of 'Lucy Grant,' and additionally, Sandy covers 'Mama Murphy!')

Those of you who have seen Bright Star know what a tour de force the role of "Alice Murphy" is for our Tony/Drama Desk/Outer Critics Circle-nominated leading lady, Carmen Cusack. And while she seems to be indefatigable, ever in great voice, and able to do eight brilliant and emotional shows a week, plus any number of extracurricular appearances, it's only a matter of time (or vacation) before "Alice Murphy" will fall into the hands of one or both of her understudies, who have been preparing diligently for the big task. Lucky for us, those two women are the super-talented and highly experienced Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, who, in their regular Bright Star tracks, carry an already heavy load as members of the ensemble, acting, singing, dancing, and set-moving their way through almost every scene in the show. 

Ghostlight Records has released the original cast recording of Bright Star, the new musical from Grammy and Emmy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell in digital formats today, Friday, April 29.

This week, I put out a request for questions for me and the Bright Star cast. 

Still not over Sara Bareilles coming to the rescue during a Waitress technical glitch? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.' Highlights from this week include THE CRUCIBLE opening on Broadway, 1776 comes to Encores!, Alfie Boe takes his opening night bow in FINDING NEVERLAND and SO much more!

With direction by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreography by Josh Rhodes, Bright Star began performances on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street), and opened last Thursday, March 24th, 2016. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the whole evening, starting with the sacred Gypsy Robe ceremony. Below, check out photos of gypsy robe recipient Sarah Jane Shanks with the company!

With direction by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreography by Josh Rhodes, Bright Starbegan performances on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street), and opened just last night, March 24th, 2016. BroadwayWorld was on hand for all of the festivities and you can check out photos from the after party below!

With direction by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreography by Josh Rhodes, BRIGHT STAR began performances on February 25th and opens officially tonight, March 24th, 2016 at at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the cast and watch interviews with the company!

BRIGHT STAR's writing team Steve Martin and Edie Brickell appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Rita Braver to talk about their collaboration on the musical, which is now in previews on Broadway. Check out the video here!

Earlier today, a new trailer for this season's Broadway production Bright Star was released! Check out the video here!