Scott Wittman News

Leading up to SMASH's midseason premiere in February, the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly (Dec. 14, 2012) gave viewers the scoop on what to expect from the new season, from A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL's composing team Pasek & Paul's new tunes to NEWSIES star Jeremy Jordan and his character's budding rock musical.

NBC's been making beautiful music this past year with its successful programming, and some high notes were especially underscored yesterday with the announcement of Grammy nominations for the network's stars and shows -- Adam Levine (with Maroon 5) and Blake Shelton of "The Voice," Jimmy Fallon and "Smash."

Nominations for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. Scroll below to see the nominees for Best Musical Theater Album!

Michael Cerveris, Krysta Rodriguez, Taylor Trensch, Julia Mattison, A. J. Shively, Ashley Sweetman, Mike Pettry, Kristen da Costa, Ross Wolkenbrod, Kimberly Kaye, and Jordan Stanley will be part of The 5th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. These new cast members join Susan Blackwell, Annie Golden, Jeremy Jordan, and more in the show, which will be presented December 14-15, at 54 Below.

It's the Broadway musical that was, then wasn't. Tonight, December 3, join the intrepid cast of the ill-fated Rebecca when they gather on the 54 Below stage for one night only in Keep the Home Fires Burning: A Very Manderley Holiday.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will land in Milwaukee at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts for a limited engagement on April 23-28, 2013.

Maureen McGovern - the two time Grammy Award nominated vocalist and actress - will perform her acclaimed show 'Home For The Holidays' in New York with an exclusive engagement at 54 Below from December 18 to 23. McGovern will present an evening featuring songs of the season, some unexpected, and some traditional "chestnuts." She will be joined by her longtime Musical Director Jeffrey Harris on piano and Jay Leonhart on bass.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can debuts in Minnesota December 11-16, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre. It is part of Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. Watch a commercial for the show below!

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will land in Milwaukee at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts for a limited engagement on April 23-28, 2013.

"Smash" returns to the NBC lineup for a second season on Tuesday, February 5. Below, check out the just-released, extended first look at Season 2, featuring Jennifer Hudson as 'Veronica', Karen (Katharine McPhee)'s new love interest, played by Newsies' Jeremy Jordan, tensions growing between songwriting collaborators Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle), glimpses of guest stars Sean Hayes and Bernadette Peters and much more!

Hudson, will make an appearance on NBC's 'The Voice' tonight, where she'll debut a special sneak peek of season 2. Tune in at 8pm to catch the first look!

"Smash" returns to the NBC lineup for a second season on Tuesday, February 5 (9-10 p.m. ET) and will continue in its regular time slot on Tuesday, February 12 (10-11 p.m. ET). Minnelli joins other notable guest stars that have been announced for the show's next season, including Jennifer Hudson, Jesse L. Martin and Sean Hayes. Check out a poster for the second season below!

Broadway legend Leslie Uggams makes her 54 Below debut forseven special performances only! Best known for her Tony Award-winning role in Hallelujah, Baby!, as well as the groundbreaking miniseries, Roots, Ms. Uggams' storied career has spanned television (her own CBS variety show), film (Skyjacked) and Broadway (Her First Roman, Blues in the Night, Jerry's Girls, Anything Goes, King Headley II, Thoroughly Modern Millie, On Golden Pond). Check out photos from her 54 Below concert below!

Joe's Pub at The Public announces the second season of its New York Voices series, presenting new works from critically-acclaimed performers commissioned by Joe's Pub and supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The 2013 season will include the celebrated Spanish flamenco dance company Noche Flamenca; the singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn who fuses traditional forms of Appalachian and Chinese folk music; and carnal chanteuse and fearless cabaret star Bridget Everett.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can will make a stop at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement December 18-23.

Entertainment superstar Liza Minnelli - winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, an Emmy and multiple Tony Awards - will guest-star as herself in NBC's musical drama SMASH in the upcoming season, and will sing an original song with series star Christian Borle that was written by the show's celebrated composer and lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the new performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Tony winners Len Cariou and Leslie Uggams, jazz brunch with jazz legend Barbara Carroll, singer/songwriter Samia Najimy Finnerty and Broadway star Elizabeth Stanley.

For those craving a show after the show, 54 BELOW, the new performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, offers its Tuesday night cocktail party/songfest, BACKSTAGE. Special guest stars tonight, November 13 will include singer/songwriter Meaghan Farrell; Time Out New York's soulful Troubadour Adam Feldman; Dan Finnerty and the Dan Band; from NEWSical and BY BIG FAT GAY ITALIAN WEDDING, Emily McNamara; and from Howard Crabtree's WHEN PIGS FLY, Jay Rogers.

Len Cariou, Leslie Uggams, Samia Najimy-Finnerty, Bob Stillman, and Laura Osnes gave a special press preview from some of the upcoming engagements at 54 Below earlier today. BroadwayWorld brings you full coverage below!