Syesha Mercado News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: THE BOOK OF MORMON opens in Chicago, Blythe Danner returns to Broadway, CHICAGO celebrates a milestone, and so much more!

The Second National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, broke the house record in its first week of performances at the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe). The show grossed $1,493,961 for the week ending December 16. THE BOOK OF MORMON began performances on December 11, 2012, with performances through June 2, 2013. Broadway In Chicago and the show's producers have announced some tickets are still available March 5 - June 2, 2013 and due to popular demand, performances are now sold out through March 3, 2013.

THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, just launched its Second National Tour in Chicago at the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe), featuring Nic Rouleau as Elder Price, Syesha Mercado as Nabulungi & Ben Platt as Elder Cunningham. Check out just-released production shots below!

According to the Chicago Tribune, American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado has joined the cast of The Book of Mormon in Chicago and will be playing the featured role of 'Nabulungi'. Stephanie Umoh previously played the role. No details have been released on why she left.

Upright Cabaret's A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS stars Emmy & Tony Award-winner Lillias White (Dreamgirls), LaToya London (American Idol, The Color Purple), Brittany Underwood (Nickelodeon's Hollywood Heights), Matt Zarley (A Chorus Line, Chicago), Nita Whitaker (Star Search), Carla Renata (CW's Hart of Dixie, Avenue Q), JAMES TORME, Sylvia MacCalla (Hairspray), Kelli Provart (Aida) and Santa Claus (Coming Direct from the North Pole)!

Chris Isaacson Presents brings you the perfect Holiday gift of the season, Upright Cabaret's A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS! Coming this Holiday Season, watch Stars and Snowflakes glitter together as Upright combines the best of Broadway with the carols of Christmastime. Cozy up next to your someone special, and be warmed not by an open fire but by yuletide joy and the sweet songs from your favorite musicals like Jersey Boys, Wicked, The Christmas Story, Billy Elliot, Dreamgirls - and more.

Thomas Kail's athletic and inventively theatrical directing chops (In The Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird) prove a perfect match for Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' Caribbean story-theatre musical Once On This Island. The beguiling new production gracing the Paper Mill stage is full of vibrant performances and colorful stagecraft.

More than 20 years after its premiere, Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens have re-invented their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). Once On This Island just opened last night, June 3, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: HARVEY returns to Broadway, Anne Hathaway dreams a dream, Norm Lewis get a caricature, and so much more!

More than 20 years after its premiere, Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). View highlights of the production below!

More than 20 years after its premiere, Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). Once On This Island began performances on May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge brings you video interviews and performance footage from yesterday's Once On This Island press preview at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse.

Today, May 22, Paper Mill Playhouse hosted a performance preview for its new production of Once On This Island at The New 42nd Street Studios (229 W 42nd Street, 7th Floor). BroadwayWorld was there and brings you stills from the event, featuring Thomas Kail, Bradley Rapier, Syesha Mercado, Stephen Flaherty and more. Check out the photos below!

Over the course of five weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse launched five short video interviews with Once on This Island composer Stephen Flaherty. Watch the fifth and final part of the interview series below!

Over the course of five weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse will launch five short video interviews with Once on This Island composer Stephen Flaherty. Watch the fourth part of the interview series below!

Paper Mill Playhouse just announced full casting for the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, 2012.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Paper Mill Playhouse has just announced that American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado has been cast as Ti Moune in the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird) and choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Complete casting will be announced at a later date. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America.

The RRaz room have announced six additions to their program for this year, including Trini Lopez, and Jim Caruso's Cast Party.

CHRIS ISAACSON has announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' second show of their 3rd Season, THE TROUBADOURS, starring American Idol's JACKIE TOHN, MATT WOLPE (The Buddy Holly Story) YVETTE CASON (Dreamgirls, Play On!, Stormy Weather) and JAKE SIMPSON (Star Search Grand Champion, Arena: Born to Rock, Oprah favorite) celebrating the music of Bob Dylan, Carole King and James Taylor!