WAKE UP with BWW 7/7/14 - 'Meet Your Heroes' at NYMF, THE LONG SHRIFT Off-Broadway and More!
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: NYMF kicks off tonight with a concert celebrating some of the musical theatre world's top composers, James Franco directs THE LONG SHRIFT off-Broadway and more!
Next up in our series of Broadway stars introducing BWW's morning feature is Tony nominee Josh Young (portrait by Walter McBride), who last starred on Broadway in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. If that charming smile isn't enough to clear away your Monday morning cobwebs and scroll on down to the news, we don't know what is!
Photo by Walter McBride.
TODAY'S TOP ITEMS:
- NYMF 2014 kicks off tonight with MEETING OUR HEROES, a launch event celebrating the music of Stephen Flaherty, John Bucchino, Charles Strouse and Michael John LaChiusa!
- James Franco helms THE LONG SHRIFT, beginning performances tonight off-Broadway!
- Original stars Pamela Bob and Matt Bogart reunite for a concert staging of PEOPLE LIKE US, Todd Almond's first musical, at 54 Below...
- BRIGADOON opens tonight at the Goodman in Chicago, and the PORGY AND BESS national tour makes a stop at the Muny in St. Louis!
NEWS YOU MISSED THIS WEEKEND:
- In case you missed it on Independence Day, watch footage of Kelli O'Hara performing during PBS's A CAPITOL FOURTH!
- THE REALISTIC JONESES ended its Broadway run on Sunday...
- We got a sneak peek at Leslie Uggams as 'Mama Rose' in Connecticut Rep's GYPSY; plus, here's a first look at MY FAIR LADY at the Guthrie!
- Steve Martin is taking a break from Twitter to focus on his musical BRIGHT STAR, set to premiere in San Diego this fall.
- Check out production photos for the West End's SINATRA: THE MAIN EVENT, featuring Richard Shelton and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra!
- Simon Callow, Albert Finney and Patrick Stewart will take part in Chichester's 2014 celebration of Peter Shaffer.
- And finally, a Pennsylvania high school has cancelled its planned production of SPAMALOT due to 'inappropriate' content...
Broadway Weather Forecast: Hot (high of 91 degrees) and sunny!
Quote of the Day: In honor of our musical theatre heroes and NYMF 2014 launch tonight, here some poetic advice from Michael John LaChiusa...
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love."
-- Michael John LaChiusa, Little Fish (via Goodreads)
What we'll be adding to our playlist next week: The original cast album for LADY DAY, starring the incomparable Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday. Get a first listen and see the track list here before the release next Tuesday!
Video of the Day: Celebrate BRIGADOON's opening in Chicago with a video of Gene Kelly performing "Almost Like Being In Love" in the 1954 film version!
See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!
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