Wake Up With BroadwayWorld 8/15: THE WIZ Finds its Dorothy, Eva Noblezada Departs HADESTOWN, and More!

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  August 14, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 

But first...

Today's Call Sheet: - No upcoming events today! Coming Up: - Just For Us closes on Broadway 8/19

Video: Go Inside the First Day of Rehearsal for THE WIZ Rehearsals have begun for the all-new production of The Wiz, in advance of its highly anticipated national tour this fall and Broadway return in the Spring of 2024. See photos and video from the first rehearsal here!

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Newcomer Nichelle Lewis Will Lead THE WIZ as Dorothy on Broadway and National Tour Broadway newcomer Nichelle Lewis will star as “Dorothy” and lead the cast of The Wiz in the national tour this fall and Broadway return in the Spring of 2024.  Ms. Lewis who hails from Virginia was discovered via a TikTok video, and selected from more than 2,000 submissions for the coveted role. Check out a vide of Lewis performing 'Home' here!

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Photos: Eva Noblezada Takes Her Final Bow in HADESTOWN Original Hadestown cast member Eva Noblezada played her final performance as 'Eurydice' last night, Sunday, August 13. Noblezada began playing the role in 2018 at London’s National Theatre before transferring with the production to Broadway in 2019.  Original Broadway cast members André De Shields, Amber Gray and Patrick Page returned to the Walter Kerr Theatre and gave speeches, as well as Reeve Carney, who stars as Orpheus.  Check out photos of Noblezada's final curtain call here!

Exclusive: Oh My Pod U Guys- Liz Larsen Is A Cadillac 

The latest episode of Oh My Pod U Guys (hosted by Jayke Workman) is here! This week's BroadwayWorld recap contains some very exciting casting news! Then, Workman is joined by Tony-nominated actress, Liz Larsen, as she shares some incredible stories from throughout her Broadway career. Liz has countless Broadway credits, including Fiddler On The Roof, Damn Yankees, Beautiful, Rocky Horror, Hairspray, and of course her Tony nominated performance as Cleo in The Most Happy Fella.

Listen to the episode here!

Producer Hub and Other Fiscal Sponsors Help Break the Mold 

Our own Cara Joy David discusses what is happening in the face of current obstacles. One of the things I’ve been thinking about is the development of projects. The shuttering of development programs and the constriction of regional offerings make it harder than ever to get work off the ground. Producers and artists are going to have to fill the void. But how?

Learn more in the Industry Trends Weekly story here!

Video: Go Inside Opening Night of PETER PAN GOES WRONG in Los Angeles 

The stars were out at the Ahmanson for opening night of Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Center Theater Group's Ahmanson Theater. Guests included guest narrator Bradley Whitford, and another celebrated Peter Pan - Cathy Rigby - who shared 'goes wrong' experiences from her own production.

Check out the video here!

Happy Birthday to Debra Messing who turns 55 today!

Debra Messing appeared on Broadway in Birthday Candles in 2022. Previously, she made her Broadway debut in Outside Mullingar in 2014. She is also known to theatre fans for her role on NBC's SMASH.

Messing starred in shortlived television series, Ned and Stacey on Fox (1995–1997), and Prey on ABC (1998). She achieved her breakthrough role as Grace Adler, an interior designer, on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020), for which she received seven Golden Globe Award nominations and five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning once, in 2003.

From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries The Starter Wife, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama Smash (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace, garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Messing's film work includes A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Jesus (1999), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), Hollywood Ending (2002), Along Came Polly (2004), The Wedding Date (2005), Lucky You (2007), The Women (2008), Nothing Like the Holidays (2008), Searching (2018), and 13: The Musical (2022). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as Garfield (2004) and Open Season (2006).

Listen: Mahira Kakkar and Salma Qarnain Talk LIFE OF PI and More on LITTLE KNOWN FACTS 

On this week's episode, live from Bryant Park in New York City, podcast guests and the stars of Life of Pi on Broadway, Mahira Kakkar and Salma Qarnain, shared stories of their lives which collectively include degrees from Stanford, MIT, Harvard and Juilliard School of Drama. Listen to the story of how a desire to study rocket science and Sanskrit Theater turned out to be a direct link to their path to Broadway. The episode was recorded in front of a live audience in July 2023.

Listen to the full episode here!

See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!

"The sun will come out tomorrow..." -Annie

Full Cast and Creative Team Set For HARMONY on Broadway, Plus Watch a Behind the Scenes Video!
by BroadwayWorld TV
The full cast and creative team has been announced for Harmony on Broadway! Find out who's starring in the new musical, and check out an all new behind the scenes video of the cast!. (more...)

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Video: Eva Noblezada Takes Her Final Bow in HADESTOWN
by Stephi Wild
Original Hadestown cast member Eva Noblezada played her final performance as 'Eurydice' last night, Sunday, August 13. Noblezada began playing the role in 2018 at London’s National Theatre before transferring with the production to Broadway in 2019. Check out a video of her final bow, plus speeches from castmates, here!. (more...)

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Full Cast Set For SUNSET BOULEVARD Starring Nicole Scherzinger, Plus Check Out a New Trailer!
by Stephi Wild
The full cast and creative team has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard directed by Jamie Lloyd, with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, based on the Billy Wilder film.. (more...)

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Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre & More Nominated for 2022-2023 Equity Jeff Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Discover the nominations for the 55th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Equity Theater! Find out who made the cut and get ready for the highly anticipated awards ceremony.. (more...)

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Video: THE WHO'S TOMMY Sets Record as the Most Successful Production in Goodman Theatre History
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Discover the incredible success of The Who's Tommy at Goodman Theatre, breaking records and thrilling audiences. Watch the exclusive video of the final bow featuring Pete Townshend. Don't miss out on this historic production.. (more...)

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Jake Shears And Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem To Star In CABARET At The Kit Kat Club From 25 September 2023
by A.A. Cristi
The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB has announced that from Monday 25 September 2023, the roles of The Emcee and Sally Bowles will be played by music icons Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem.. (more...)

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Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
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