Wake Up With BWW 3/1: KING LEAR Casting, RENT on FOX Cast Recording, and More!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

First, full casting has been announced for the new Broadway production of King Lear, led by Glenda Jackson. The show, which began previews yesterday, features Michael Arden, John McGinty, and more!

Further details have emerged about a previously rumored all-female production of Glengarry Glen Ross. The show has found its producers and director, and it is planned to come together this summer.

The long-awaited Sunset Boulevard film, starring Glenn Close, has been confirmed! The film is set to begin shooting this October.

Rob Ashford will direct Close in her Tony-winning role of Norma Desmond, with a screenplay written by Tom MacRae (Everybody's Talking About Jamie).

Read more about these stories and more below! Want our morning reports delivered via email? Subscribe here!

1) Michael Arden, John McGinty & More Join Glenda Jackson in KING LEAR on Broadway!

This season's new Broadway production of William Shakespeare's King Lear, starring two-time Academy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner, and 2018 Tony Award winner Glenda Jackson and directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold, will begin previews Thursday, February 28, 2019 and will open Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the Cort Theatre. The production will play a strictly limited engagement through Sunday, July 7, 2019.. (more...)

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2) VIDEO: Watch the Full COMPANY Episode of DOCUMENTARY NOW!

The Stephen Sondheim-themed episode of Documentary Now!, parodying D.A. Pennebaker's classic making-of Company documentary, aired last night! The episode, titled 'Original Cast Album: Co-Op,' can be watched in full here!. (more...)

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3) New Details Revealed on All-Female GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
by Stephanie Wild

BroadwayWorld previously reported last year that an all-female production of David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross was in the works.. (more...)

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4) VIDEO: Bob & Gwen Strike a Pose in New, Full Trailer for FX's FOSSE/VERDON!
by Stage Tube

FX's highly-anticipated Fosse/Verdon limited series will premiere Tuesday, April 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX. . (more...)

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5) Photo Flash: New Carneys, Corcorans and More! First Look at the New Cast of THE FERRYMAN on Broadway!

The Ferryman, currently playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W. 45th Street) in an extended engagement through July 7, has just welcomed new cast members!. (more...)

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Today's Call Sheet:

RENT Live on FOX cast recording is available today!

The cast recording for the live FOX event officially drops today!

The show features actress Kiersey Clemons ("Hearts Beat Loud"), Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Brandon Victor Dixon ("Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert"), singer/songwriter Jordan Fisher ("Hamilton," 2017 winner of "Dancing with the Stars"), actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens ("Second Act," "Grease: Live"), newcomer and singer/songwriter Brennin Hunt("Nashville"), R&B/Pop superstar Mario (EMPIRE), recording artist Tinashe ("Dancing with the Stars") and performer Valentina ("RuPaul's Drag Race"). Keala Settle performs the iconic solo from "Seasons of Love" and join the ensemble in the live musical.

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BWW Exclusive: Broadway Sings Out for Black History Month at Broadway Sessions!

Broadway Sessions recently held its 3rd annual Black History Month celebration. They invited an all star roster of Broadway talent to share songs and stories reflecting the influence, impact and legacy of black artists on Broadway and beyond. HOLY MOLY!

Enjoy these highlights from Broadway vets Antoine L Smith, Soara-Joye Ross, Storm Lever, Brennyn Lark, Judith Franklin, Phoenix Best, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Tiana Okoye, Michel Demby Cain, Imari Hardon, Avery Smith, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jennie Harney Fleming, John Edwards, Laurissa 'Lala' Romain, Shonica Gooden and Emme Kemp. Also included were performances from 'Rising Stars' Richard Baskin Jr. and Aneesa Folds, and an impromptu pre show performance by Tony-winning legend Faith Prince!

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What we're geeking out over: Glenn Close To Star In Rob Ashford-Directed SUNSET BOULEVARD Musical Film!

It has just been confirmed that Glenn Close will star in a film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, which is set to begin shooting this October.

Rob Ashford will direct Close in her Tony-winning role of Norma Desmond, with a screenplay written by Tom MacRae (Everybody's Talking About Jamie).

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What we're listening to: Exclusive Podcast: Go 'Behind the Curtain' with Iconic Set Designer Tony Walton

The one and only Tony Walton, one of Broadway's most innovating and influential set designers, invites Rob and Kevin into his apartment to look back on his career which includes the Oscar, the Tony, the Emmy, and designing such musicals as the original A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Golden Boy, The Apple Tree, Pippin, Chicago, Grand Hotel, Six Degrees of Separation, revivals of Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, and such movies as Murder on the Orient Express, All That Jazz, and Mary Poppins!

Tony pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how a boy from London became the toast of Broadway, what it was like burgling Bob Fosse's home, and why Julie Andrews helped propel him into the stratosphere of design titans.

Listen to the episode here!

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And a Happy Birthday shout-out to Lindsay Mendez, who turns 36 today!

Lindsay Mendez won the 2018 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for her performance as 'Carrie Pipperidge' in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. Lindsay has appeared in numerous Broadway shows including Significant Other, Wicked, Godspell, Everyday Rapture, and Grease. Lindsay is celebrated for her star turn in Pasek & Paul's Dogfight, which premiered at Second Stage Theater in 2012, for which she earned Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Awards nominations.

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See you bright and early Monday, BroadwayWorld!