Stephen Sorokoff News

Laura Osnes is bringing her beauty, brains and talent to Texas - Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth respectively. In each city, she will teach a masterclass drawing on her wealth of experience as a Broadway actress and Tony Award Nominee. In this interview, she talks about what she's been taught and what she plans to teach. If she approaches this class with the same charming mixture of pragmatism and idealism that she approaches her career, you'd better sign up fast.

Last night were the finals of the MetroStar Talent Challenge and BroadwayWorld was there. One by one the nervous five entered the dark room and the process started. The judges were identified and their qualifications noted by host Tom Gamblin.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwaWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Andrew Rannells in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, rehearsals with the touring cast of KINKY BOOTS, and more!

After receiving popular acclaim from a limited sold-out off-off Broadway run last season, Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies a high seas musical romp will tap into the newly built Write Act Repertory Theatre at the Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street) opening Monday, September 8th (7:30PM) with previews beginning Saturday, August 23rd (3PM). Produced by Roy Nevans, John Lant and FABCO Productions in association with Write Act Repertory and Tamra Pica, Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies features a book and lyrics by Dan Derby, music by Michael Rheault and is directed by Rick Hamilton with choreography byMary Lauren along with musical direction by Mr. Rheault. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside rehearsal below!

Primary Stages in association with Jamie deRoy and Barry Feirstein, present the New York premiere of Poor Behavior, a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck (Seminar, Mauritius, The Understudy, creator of NBC's 'Smash'). Poor Behavior plays a limited engagement through September 7 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you phtoos from opening night below!

NEWSIES plays its final performance on Broadway this coming Sunday, August 24, but BroadwayWorld (and the rest of New York, we hope) isn't ready to let the musical leave just yet! All this week we're bringing you snapshots from the NEWSIES 'paper route' -- from the movie to how the show got to the Great White Way, to the show's still-burgeoning fandom, and its award-winning cast and creative team.

Mr. Page generously and immediately responded to our request and composed the moving essay that follows, which also includes his personal reflections on last week's tragic death of Robin Williams.

On Monday, in one of the most competitive MetroStar competitions to date, five finalists were selected to move on to the two-week finals of the 7th annual MetroStar Talent Challenge. The five finalists, who will go head-to-head the next two Mondays, August 18 and 25, are Joanna Morton Gary, Lindsey Holloway, Leah Jennings, David LaMarr and Kristoffer Lowe. The Top 5, narrowed down from a group of nine semifinalists, are the last singers singing from an initial pool of 48 when the 8-week competition began on July 7.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the world premiere of Dancing Lessons, the new romantic comedy by playwright and BSC Associate Artist Mark St. Germain from August 7 - 24. The production officially opened last night, and BroadwayWorld was on the scene to bring you complete photo coverage!

Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway brought their show Here Come The Callaways to Barrington Stage Company last night and Broadwayworld was there.

Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer brought "A Summer Evening with Michael Feinstein" to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington MA. last night and Broadwayworld was there for the concert. The sold out performance featured Michael on piano, as well as music director/pianist and arranger Tedd Firth.

Host Peter LeDonne has taken his AM 970 radio program "Backstage With Peter LeDonne" out of the studio and into the theater district. Peter and night life correspondent Jamie deRoy are now broadcasting from Lillie's Victorian Establishment Wednesday's at 12 PM.

Internationally beloved and iconic entertainer Pia Zadora is back and better than ever, wooing fans with a brand new musical revue celebrating her extraordinary career and life! Pia Reloaded is currently playing at the Metropolitan Room in a five-show engagement! The next shows are Aug 9th & 10th at 7pm.

Leonard Bernstein titled a book 'The Joy Of Music'. The first time I attended a New York Pops concert with Steven Reineke at the helm that's the first thing I thought of. By the time the last note was played I realized the Pops new music director was much more than that. Steven also represents The Joy Of Life. Then, Steven met Eric, an equivalently matched person with whom to travel on life's journey.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, kicked off the 2014 Summer Concert Series with Tony Award-winner Tommy Tune in Taps, Tunes, and Tall Tales last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week, including: Under the Covers, The Lady with the Torch, Dare to Dream, A Taylor Swift Love Story, and Freestyle Love Supreme.

Gabrielle Stravelli - the acclaimed pop/jazz vocalist called 'ingenious' by The Wall Street Journal and known from her tours with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, appearances at the 92nd Street Y and her long-running Soho jazz brunch - is in the midst an exclusive two week engagement at The Metropolitan Room and broadwayworld was there

Paige Faure and Nancy Opel, new cast members of the Broadway show Cinderella, will visit Backstage with Peter Ledonne this Sunday on AM 970 The Answer. Long time theatrical Ad Man Peter LeDonne is now a New York radio host. Jamie deRoy, the programs night life correspondent will provide listeners with all the information they need to know about what's going on in New York City's live entertainment scene. Backstage airs every Sunday from 12 noon to 1 PM.

Last night, Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presented Breaking the Code, Hugh Whitemore's biographical drama of Alan Turing, starring BSC Associate Artist Mark H. Dold. Directed by Joe Calarco, performances of Breaking the Code are from today, July 17 through August 2, with a press opening on Sunday, July 20 at 5pm. Broadwayworld was there for the opening.

Linda Lavin had a triumphant return engagement at Helsinki on Broadway last night. With her music director Billy Stritch, Linda played to a sold out Helsinki Hudson crowd. Joining Linda was husband Steve Bakunas on drums, Tom Hubbard on bass, Ron Afif on guitar and special guest, Jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein. Jim Caruso was Linda's special surprise for the Hudson audience. BroadwayWorld was there for this special one night only concert.