Brian Estrada - Page 2

The smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) having begun previews Monday, February 23, 2009, and opened Thursday, March 19, 2009. Karen Olivo won a 2009 Tony Award for her performance as 'Anita,' and the new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. WEST SIDE STORY recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks (247 performances), and a touring production is set to tour North America beginning in the fall of 2010.

Members of Broadway Bares, Tom Viola (Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS), David Ludwigson (God's Love We Deliver), and The Imperial Court of New York's Emperor XVIII Tony Monteleone & Empress XXIII Anne Tique assembled at Times Square's Red Stairs yesterday in anticipation of the extravagant charity event - the 24th Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns.

It has been 15 years since RIVERDANCE first stomped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe. Now, the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance has returned to where it was first introduced to American audiences...the famed Radio City Music Hall, to play 8 farewell performances through March 21st, 2010. Opening was last night, March 17, 2010. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the rehearsal room and the special opening night celebration.

The court of Disney Princesses was joined by Anika Noni Rose ('Tiana') and a host of celebrity guests as Tiana was officially crowned the ninth member of the beloved Disney Princess Royal Court. A magical ceremony took place in the Grand Ballroom at the historic New York Palace in Manhattan on March 14, 2010. As the newest Disney Princess, Tiana will forever be celebrated and recognized as a Disney Princess across all divisions of the Walt Disney Company and will be included in all Disney Princess merchandise featuring multiple Disney Princess characters. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the red carpet.

The cast of The Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway-bound COLLECTED STORIES met with the press last week. Rehearsals for the production began on March 3, in preparation for a Wednesday, April 27 opening night at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production will start previews on Friday, April 9. COLLECTED STORIES stars Tony Award winner Linda Lavin (THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, THE NEW CENTURY) and Golden Globe nominee Sarah Paulson ('Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,' THE GLASS MENAGERIE on Broadway).

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson and Board Chairman Warren Spector officially launched the GOING PUBLIC Capital Campaign on Tuesday, March 9 at a ceremonial groundbreaking event attended by more than 150 people including, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and Board Members Gail Papp, Liev Schreiber and Sam Waterston.

The American Theatre Wing Presented the 2010 Jonathan Larson® Grants on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. This year, Peter Lerman, Daniel Maté, and songwriting team Michael Kooman (music) and Christopher Dimond (book & lyrics) were selected to receive the prestigious grants, totaling $10,000. The evening included special performances of the recipients' work by Brian d'Arcy James and Kerry Butler. Brad Bass, John Eric Parker, and Ephraim Sykes from Memphis performed a rarely heard Jonathan Larson song. BroadwayWorld was there for the ceremony.

This week, off-Broadway's The Play Company brought together some of NYC's top chefs and theater artists for its seventh annual gala Cabaret Gourmet 2010, a unique evening hosted by Bryan Batt, the beloved Broadway performer and star of the hit television series 'Mad Men.' The evening featured a performance by Tony-nominee Barbara Walsh and savory and sweet dishes prepared by chefs from several of the city's most celebrated restaurants.

The cast of FELA! recorded the soundtrack of their acclaimed hit Broadway musical this week, with a release date set for June 8, 2010. BroadwayWorld was there to shoot the session.

Premieres, in association with Primary Stages, introduced the cast of the world premiere of Inner Voices: Solo Musicals, to the press this week. Inner Voices consists of two one-act musicals: Mosaic with book & lyrics by Cheri Steinkellner and music and lyrics by Georgia Stitt, featuring Heidi Blickenstaff; and Whida Peru: Resurrection Tangle, with book and lyrics by David Simpatico and music by Josh Schmidt, featuring Judith Blazer. Jonathan Butterell directs both musicals, with musical direction by Andy Boroson, J. Oconer Navarro and Steve Marzullo.

On Thursday, March 4, the Broadway League celebrated the 83rd birthday of Sardis with cast members from The Phantom of the Opera and The Happy Hour Guys at their monthly Broadway Late Night event.BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration.

Two Boots Pizza and MJS LIVE, Inc. honored ROCK OF AGES this week with A SLICE OF BROADWAY, a celebration of Broadway's finest at NY's Pizza Pioneers Two Boots Pizza.

'The Temperamentals' by Jon Marans opened Off Broadway at New World Stages last night, Sunday, February 28th. Daryl Roth, Stacy Shane and Martian Entertainment are presenting the new American play. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the curtain call and opening night party arrivals.

The cast of IN THE HEIGHTS came together to celebrate Corbin Bleu's official opening in the show with a party on Tuesday, February 23rd at Angus McIndoe.

Tony Award winners John Lithgow and Jennifer Ehle star as MR. & MRS. FITCH in the world premiere comedy from Douglas Carter Beane at Second Stage Theatre. The production marks MR. Beane's return to Second Stage Theatre where his critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated play The Little Dog Laughed premiered in 2005. MR. & MRS. FITCH is directed by Scott Ellis, who also staged the world premiere and Broadway transfer of The Little Dog Laughed. Previews began on January 26 and the show officially opened last night, February 22 and BroadwayWorld was there!

The next installment of the True Colors Cabaret continued at Feinstein's at Loews Regency on February 22nd. The talent featured Broadway stars Sutton Foster and Joey McIntyre. This was the fourth performance in the True Colors series.

AMERICAN IDIOT will begin previews on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 and open on Broadway Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the ST. James Theatre (246 West 44 Street). The marquee is currently on it's way up!

On Wednesday, February 10, BroadwayWorld braved the storm at the Beacon Theatre on the Upper West Side to capture the welcoming of the all-new Cirque du Soleil production, Banana Shpeel, which begins preview performances on February 25, 2010.

The Olivier Award-winning Menier Chocolate Factory production of the Tony Award-winning musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES begins previews on April 6, 2010 and opens on April 18, 2010 at Broadway's Longacre Theatre. Last week we brought you 'under construction' shots of the marquee, and today we bring you the finished product!

Last Night, February 8, the stars came out to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Evidence, A Dance Company, at the Grace in Winter Silver Ball at The Plaza Hotel. The event honored Evidence Founder & Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown and Evidence Chairman, Reginald Van Lee. Victoria Rowell hosted the event, which featured cocktails and an online auction, in addition to performances by Evidence Dance and former Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday.