Stewart Lane News

Brian Stokes Mitchell talks Broadway's 'Shuffle Along' and his upcoming Christmas concert at San Francisco Symphony. Read the full interview to learn about his creative process, Mitchell's take on arts education, and his upcoming album projects. Then visit sfsymphony.org for tickets to his December 16 concert.

'Don't let football get between you and your life.'

Death is but the next great adventure for Broadway's A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. BroadwayWorld learned this evening that the Tony Award-winning Best Musical will play its final performance on the Great White Way on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Producer Joey Parnes announced the news today. The musical's record-breaking run at the Walter Kerr Theatre will have played nearly 1,000 performances on Broadway, and its Tony Award-winning star, Jefferson Mays, will have died more than 6,000 deaths as various members of the illfated D'Ysquith family.

An all-new THEATER TALK looks at a major cast change for a hit Broadway musical plus a new illustrated history of Black performers and shows on Broadway.  This week's episode boasts a cast of famous names that includes actors Taye Diggs and Rebecca Naomi Jones - the new leads in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway - in addition to producer Stewart Lane, author of the new book Black Broadway, accompanied by director Kenny Leon and performer Melba Moore, all with rich Broadway histories.

Judy Blazer joins the cast of the Tony Award winning Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, in the role of 'Miss Shingle' tonight, June 30.

It was announced today that Judy Blazer will join the cast of the Tony Award winning Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, in the role of Miss Shingle.  She will begin performances on Tuesday, June 30.  Carole Shelley, who currently fills the role, will play her final performance on Sunday, June 28.

The Actors Fund's annual gala last night, May 11, 2015 honored Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman and three-term mayor of New York City, entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bloomberg and Freeman received The Fund's Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 133-year old non-profit human services organization serving everyone in performing arts and entertainment. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night, and you can check out photo coverage below!

The new Broadway musical An American in Paris is now in previews and just opened last night, April 12, 2015 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). An American In Paris is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Inspired by the Academy-Award winning film, An American In Paris brings this classic tale to Broadway for the first time with music and lyrics by George Gershwinand Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Curtain Up!, Bay Street's 4th Annual Spring Benefit honoring Patty and Jay Baker, and Barbara Slifka at Joe's Pub in New York City on May 4. The theater's fourth honors event will be hosted by Bay Street's Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz.

Boston University College of Fine Arts hosted an evening for alumni and friends in the New York area and members of the Broadway community for a reception celebrating the newly established Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Musical Theatre Fund, on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Rialto Room at Remi Resturant (144 West 54th Street.) Scroll down for photos from the event!

Boston University College of Fine Arts will bring together alumni and friends in the New York area and members of the Broadway community for a reception celebrating the newly established Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Musical Theatre Fund, this Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Rialto Room at Remi Restaurant (144 West 54th Street.) Among the notable Boston University alumni expected to participate in the celebration are Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba ('Crazy Eyes' in the Netflix series 'Orange is the New Black'), Sara Chase (starring in the new Netflix series 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'), actor Greg Hildreth (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Peter and the Starcatcher, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Tony nominated actor David Garrison (The Visit, Wicked, Married with Children) and Tony nominated Reed Birney ('House of Cards'; Casa Valentina)

Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Today, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.

On Wednesday, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. This special Black History Month event celebrates the release of Lane's new book Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way.

The Jewish Channel will broadcast the latest edition of its popular theater­oriented monthly TV show, "Row J," to begin airing on demand on Tuesday, February 10. Row J" is hosted by TJC correspondent Meredith Ganzman. The executive producer is Brian Scott Lipton.

It was announced today that two-time Olivier Award nominee Scarlett Strallen will take over the role of 'Sibella' in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical, beginning Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Her predecessor Lisa O'Hare exits the production on February 8, 2015 after originating the role at Hartford Stage, then in San Diego at The Old Globe, and finally on Broadway at The Walter Kerr Theatre.

On February 2, 2015, Square One Publishers releases Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way by six-time Tony Award winning producer and author Stewart F. Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse).

Geoffrey Bradfield, Barbara and Donald Tober, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Eleanora and Michael Kennedy and Ambassador John Loeb and Sharon Handler Loeb co-hosted a special VIP Preview of acclaimed celebrity and society photographer Annie Watt's Impromptu Portraits at the prestigious Galerie Dumonteil on Park Avenueand 57th Street on Tuesday to benefit the American Heart Association. The incisive images of celebrities, political figures, designers and society's elite filled the walls of the elegant gallery. The images were presented in a variety of sizes and formats, classic 8 x 10, Oversize and snappy Polaroids and many were scooped up by the attendees.

Let's Face the Music and Dance with Top Hat at the Theatre Royal until Saturday 13 December. Stepping into the tap dancing shoes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont, are Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch, who both return to Top Hat having previously performed these roles in the West End.

Top Hat - winner of three Olivier Awards, for 'Best New Musical', 'Best Choreography', 'Best Costume Design' from its seven nominations - is enjoying an epic 47-week UK tour, visiting 24 theatres nationwide. From Tuesday 2 December Top Hat will be Puttin' on the Ritz at the Theatre Royal Glasgow.