BroadwayGirl NYC - Page 4

Ever since I saw Evita on Broadway, my brain has been ticking, reminding me, almost begging me to further explore what first occurred to me in the Marquis Theatre: that there's a fascinating resemblance between the first lady of Argentina in the mid 1900s, and the first lady of pop music in the 21st century: Lady Gaga.

Spring is here which means it's time to break out the sundresses and swimsuits. Working off the winter 'padding' can be tough, so I've compiled a brand-new playlist to get your pumped up and ready to go, Broadway style. So tie on those running shoes...

If you're just joining the party, last week I invited readers to tweet Hey @BroadwayGirlNYC, give me #MyThreeShowtunes! I then sent each person three randomly selected showtunes (from a predetermined list). It became their task to write the book of original musical, using those three songs as the "cast album," and submit the final product to me. The results are brilliant!!

Writers and creative thinkers, this contest is for you. I give you three showtunes; you connect the songs with an original story that incorporates all three into your very own mini-musical. One author will win the biggest Broadway prize pack I've ever given away!

This week I got an email from a theatre-loving mama named Liz who asked me for tips on taking her little ones to the theatre. I immediately referred her to my twittering colleagues at @BroadwayWorldJr and @MamaDramaNY, who dedicate their feeds to reviews and advice for theatre-going families. Then I started thinking about my own experiences going to the theatre with kids, and my own childhood being taken to the theatre. I realized that, even though I don't have kids myself, I actually have a lot of thoughts on the subject! So I decided this week's column would be dedicated to my tips - not only on how to best take a child to the theatre, but also how to nurture a child from a young age to grow up loving it as much as you do.

Pop culture and Broadway. They have a long history together. However, there remains a divide - brought into the spotlight in recent days after Randy Jackson, for the umpteenth time, dismissed a contestant on American Idol as "too Broadway" for the competition. Broadway's stalwarts didn't take it lying down, with Betty Buckley leading the charge. And she was right: It's time for shows like American Idol to embrace what the public already has: musical theatre has exploded out of its niche and become a mainstream form of pop entertainment.

Happy February!! Eager to get a jump start on booking up your calendar for the month? Since no one can be everywhere at once, here are my official BroadwayGirlNYC picks for the month of February.

Once upon a time, believe it or not, I was as much an Indie Rock girl as a BroadwayGirl. This is the story of the surprising journey back to my Broadway roots.

Today I write a love letter to Bonnie & Clyde. I don't generally use this space to for theatrical reviews, which are meant to guide readers toward the shows they must see. But Bonnie & Clyde closed this week, which means my thoughts won't - can't - influence anyone in regard to buying tickets. So let's consider this not a review, but a love letter to a show I absolutely adore… which I feel was never given a chance.

Make a list, check it twice… or just use this one! It's time for the Broadway Holiday Gift Guide by BroadwayGirlNYC. These are my picks from the annual BC/EFA Catalog of Giving (which includes the bonus of gifting goodwill to those in need!), plus my favorite offerings from the shows currently running on Broadway!

December means the holidays, and the holidays mean lots of special events in the world of Broadway! For an extensive list, BroadwayWorld's calendar has all multiple options for every day of December and beyond. Since no one can be everywhere at once, here are this holiday season's official BroadwayGirlNYC picks for the best of NYC theatre events! (On December 12, you'll have to flip a coin.)

Happy Thanksgiving! I've loved spending this year with you, and it seemed only fitting to share some specific thanks, along with the stories that inspire them. I'm so thrilled to be heading into the Winter and continuing another amazing theatre season, along with all of you.

In pondering buzz, I've realized something that surprises me: I often have a better time at shows that have been reviewed as 'bad' or 'mediocre' than I do at productions that have been called the greatest thing to come to Broadway in years. Bottom line: sometimes going in with low expectations can lead to a surprising night of entertainment.

Have I been a bad BroadwayGirl? Before November 5, the last show I saw was Sister Act in September, which at the time was the last production I needed to see before I could celebrate the fact that I'd been to every single show on Broadway.

In honor of the most theatrical holiday, I want see your #BwayHalloween costumes and hear how you're using theatre to inspire your spooky celebrations. Please tweet me photos of your costumes & parties (from this year AND past years!) -- and on November 3 I'll be sending out a Halloween Broadway prize pack with items from at least 20 different Broadway shows.

Broadway is more than just the theatres. Broadway is an industry, yes -- but also an energy; a culture; a way of life. Here are the spots to which I turn on the days I can't afford a ticket; or when I'm on my way uptown but want an infusion of theatrical energy; or on a night after a show when I'm just not ready for the evening to be over.

In October 1998, Joe's Pub opened at the Public Theatre near Astor Place in New York City. Thirteen years later, it's an institution -- and this week it opened again.

My iPod is packed with showtunes: according to iTunes, I could listen to cast albums for almost two weeks non-stop without ever repeating a song. And yet I continue to purchase more all the time. Recently I've found myself mining the depths of Broadway history, diving into popular shows from decades past as well as some that weren't quite so well received, and learning to savor the intricacies of recordings made long before the digital era.

This week I introduced the hashtag #BwayConfessions. Hundreds of fans (and stars!) posted their confessions. Some are moving, and others are hilarious; some contradict each other while others echo each other eerily. Many involve secret dreams... and a satisfying number take pride in dreams-come-true. Here are the confessions of Broadway fans everywhere! Some of the confessions are moving, and some are hilarious; some contradict each other while others echo each other eerily. Some are adorable and innocent; a few are on the darker side. Many involve secret dreams... and a satisfying number take pride in dreams-come-true. The below are a few of my favorites. I hope you're as amused, touched, and inspired by them as I have been. And don't forget to tweet your own #BwayConfessions or leave them in the comments below.

What a weekend for the Broadway community: Every single Broadway & Off-Broadway show was canceled, due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. Even with the theatres closed, I knew it was going to be Broadway that got me through the storm. Here, a selection of my favorite Broadway-related YouTube videos.