Let Me Down Easy Photos - Off-Broadway

In September, BroadwayWorld was saddened to report that opera singer Jessye Norman had died. Today we remember her by taking a look back in our photo archives.

Satchmo comes to life on stage as he is portrayed by another famous New Orleanian, Barry Shabaka Henley, a veteran actor with 25 years of stage, screen, and film credits that only define the career of a man who is capable of successfully pulling off such a complex roll. (Henley's Acting Bio) Drama Desk, Obie, and Olivier Award winner, Henley, will wow you as he radiantly delves into the heart and mind of the jazz legend, as well as portraying the other two men who both shaped and shook the man, Joe Glaser and Miles Davis.  Henley effortlessly glides between the three characters, and the seamless staging transports your mind to another time and place making each moment hypnotically authentic.   

The wildly popular musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder will be at The Memphis Orpheum February 9 - 14th. This daring, dark comedy hails from Roy Horniman's 1907 novel, Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal, told through the eyes of a man who bumps off the aristocrats standing in the way of his title. In 1949, the book was loosely adapted into the movie, 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' which starred Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson, and Alec Guinness. In 2014, Robert Freedman and Steven Lutvak set the story to music. It has been nabbing awards and slaying audiences ever since.

For over 25 years, stars of stage and screen have come out to bowl in support of Second Stage's award-winning seasons and to assist the theatre in its fund-raising efforts at its annual All-Star Bowling Classic. Last night, stars gathered at Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge to bowl and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!

In August, 2009 I was greeted by incredibly enthusiastic students on 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. The Juilliard School: this was my new home and although my mom and sisters were overwhelmed by the welcoming committee, they knew I'd fit right in. Orientation lasted one week in which I met students from all over the world, set up my dorm room, and got use to downsizing from my two-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas. The school held several seminars to orient us, and organized outings to help us get our bearings in the city while having some fun before the Juilliard schedule took over our lives!

Second Stage Theatre's current season will continue with a new production of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, How I Learned To Drive, directed by Kate Whoriskey and starring Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Reaser. Currently in previews, the production will officially open on February 13. Check out production shots below!

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director), announced the nominations for the 2009-10 Drama League Awards today at Sardi's with the help of Broadway stars Kelsey Grammer (La Cage Aux Folles) and Bebe Neuwirth (The Addams Family). The 76th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon will take place on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12:00pm at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. The event will be co-hosted by Vanessa Williams (Sondheim on Sondheim) and Michael Urie (The Temperamentals).

Rob Mills is a hard-working performer currently wowing Australian audiences as Fiyero in the hit musical Wicked. Wicked Australia and Rob have been kind enough to let BroadwayWorld.com backstage to learn more about Rob's career, his time with Wicked and how he prepares before a show.

A look back at some of the most exciting curtain calls of 2009!

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.