Tom Kitt News

It was very interesting to experience Ariana Grande at Madison Square Garden with my 8 year old daughter - who has been a huge fan since her days in 'Victorious' and 'Sam & Cat' on Nickelodeon. Grande clearly capitalized on this audience for her 'Honeymoon Tour' gimmick.

Jackie Burns (If/Then, Hair, Wicked), Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, Pippin, Motown the Musical), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Meghann Fahy (Next to Normal), Lauren Ashley Zakrin (Rock of Ages), Corey Mach (Godspell, Wicked National Tour, RENT National Tour), Ryan Vasquez (Wicked), Mike Schwitter (Pippin) and Taylor Noble (A Lasting Impression, Chautaugua!) round out the lineup for previously announced benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital tonight, April 6th at Highline Ballroom.

A signature feature of the National Theater Institute, weekly Theater Labs challenge students to put all the skills gained in classes into practice. When given just 15 hours to stage a scene, students learn to trust their creative instincts. Under the mentorship of a professional director, NTI students gain practical experience with a wealth of classical and contemporary texts as well as have the opportunity to work as actor, director, designer, and/or dramaturge each week.

The Los Angeles premiere engagement of Disney's NEWSIES celebrated its opening night last night, March 26th, at the Pantages Theatre for a limited run through April 19th. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

Jackie Burns (If/Then, Hair, Wicked), Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, Pippin, Motown the Musical), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Meghann Fahy (Next to Normal), Lauren Ashley Zakrin (Rock of Ages), Corey Mach (Godspell, Wicked National Tour, RENT National Tour), Ryan Vasquez (Wicked), Mike Schwitter (Pippin) and Taylor Noble (A Lasting Impression, Chautaugua!) round out the lineup for previously announced benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital April 6th at Highline Ballroom.

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional regional theatre producing professional Broadway musical revivals, announces the full cast for its upcoming, Next to Normal, playing May 1 to May 10, 2015 at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

The American Theatre Wing just recognized the recipients of the 2015 Jonathan Larson Grants: writing team Tim Rosser (composer) & Charlie Sohne (composer) receiving $10,000,Sam Willmott (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000 and a week-long residency at the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab, and Max Vernon (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000. This year's recipients were selected by an expert panel consisting of Amanda Green (Hands on a Hardbody), Steven Lutvak (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), and Ted Chapin (President and Executive Director of Rodgers & Hammerstein). The prestigious grants totaling $30,000 were presented last night, March 23, 2015 at a private event at the WNYC Greene Space. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the special event below!

Yesterday, March 22nd, the cast and creative team of Broadway's IF/THEN, including Idina Menzel, James Snyder, LaChanze, Anthony Rapp, Jenn Colella, Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey took their final bows at the Richard Rodgers Theater.

The American Theatre Wing recognizes the recipients of the 2015 Jonathan Larson Grants: writing team Tim Rosser (composer) & Charlie Sohne (composer) receiving $10,000, Sam Willmott (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000 and a week-long residency at the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab, and Max Vernon (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000.

IF/THEN, which was named the 'Best Musical of the Year' by New York Magazine, will play its final Broadway performance Today, Sunday, March 22 at 3:00pm. Upon closing, the musical will have played 29 previews and 401 performances. Below, take a look back at the show's journey to Broadway!

The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the 2015 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, beginning Wednesday, May 27 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This summer will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in THE TEMPEST, along with Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe teaming up again with Daniel Sullivan on CYMBELINE to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.

NEXT TO NORMAL tells the story of a mother, Diana Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the day-to-day reality of suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact. The production plays more like a modern operetta as there is little dialogue with most of the story being told via the story-forwarding song lyrics.

The American Theatre Wing announced today that the recipients of the 2015 Jonathan Larson Grants are writing team Tim Rosser (composer) & Charlie Sohne (composer) receiving $10,000, Sam Willmott (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000 and a week-long residency at the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab, and Max Vernon (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000.

Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham (The Heidi Chronicles, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder), Margot Bingham (Boardwalk Empire, RENT), Lilli Cooper (Wicked, Spring Awakening), Carla Stickler (Wicked), and Brent Michael DiRoma (Jersey Boys National Tour) join the lineup for a night of fun benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital April 6th at Highline Ballroom.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Columbia University Songbook tonight, March 10th at 9:30pm. Columbia University Songbook is dedicated to showcasing material created by past and present musical theatre luminaries who have been affiliated with Columbia University throughout the years.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

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 as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Cast of Side Show: Added Attractions; Maureen McGovern: Celebrating Women Singer/Songwriters at 54 Below; Columbia University Songbook featuring David Henry Hwang & More; A Sophisticated Ladies Reunion at 54 Below; and 54 Sings A Man of No Importance.