THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Welcomes Murray, Houdyshell, Austrian, 3/22 February 23, 2011Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that Brian Murray, Jayne Houdyshell and Jessie Austrian will join the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.
Adam Shankman Confirms Tom Cruise for ROCK OF AGES FilmFebruary 22, 2011After months of speculation, ROCK OF AGES film director Adam Shankman has confrimed that Tom Cruise has officially begun work as Stacee Jaxx. He tells the Toronto Sun: 'I think we're going to see him every drop the rock'n'roll god. He's pouring himself in this part in a way I've never had an actor do. It's pretty intense. Between the voice lessons, the incredible study... researching the period, it's like 1987, just going there!'
Roundabout Completes Cast for Murphy Led PEOPLE IN THE PICTUREFebruary 22, 2011Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Tracy Aron, announces the complete cast for the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.
Larry King Launches LARRY KING: STANDING UP Live Show in CT, 4/14February 22, 2011Larry King is a name that has been woven into the fabric of American culture, being invited into the living rooms of millions of people every night for 25 years on CNN. He has been kissed by Marlon Brando; he's tussled with Jerry Seinfeld; he was the first to sit down with Paris Hilton after she left prison; he's interviewed people that never give interviews like the press-shy Frank Sinatra; and his coverage of 9/11 will forever be remembered. In today's society, you can't be considered a success until you've sat down across the table from the master: Larry King.
TV: Geoffrey Rush in DIARY OF A MADMAN at BAM!February 22, 2011One of Australia's most respected theater companies, Belvoir returns to BAM with the US premiere of The Diary of a Madman, featuring Academy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Geoffrey Rush and directed by renowned Belvoir co-founder Neil Armfield. See below for a first look of Rush on stage in the production!
Photo Flash: TIMON OF ATHENS at The PublicFebruary 18, 2011The Public Theater began previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street), with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 1. Single tickets are on sale now; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15. Production photos are below!
Kelli O'Hara & Nathan Gunn Deliver a Night of Show Tunes with NY Philharmonic, 3/21February 18, 2011Broadway leading lady Kelli O'Hara and opera star Nathan Gunn will perform selections from Show Boat; Carousel; Kiss Me, Kate; Very Warm for May; Love Life; One Touch of Venus; Street Scene; On the Town; Candide; and West Side Story with the New York Philharmonic, in Classic Broadway, conducted by Tony Award winner Ted Sperling, Monday, March 21, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. The pair will perform solos and duets from hit shows by American songwriters Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Leonard Bernstein, whose music was matched with words by such celebrated lyricists as Oscar Hammerstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Stephen Sondheim. A complete listing of songs follows.
TV: LA CAGE's 'Lili Whiteass' Takes You on a San Tropez Tour!February 24, 2011LA CAGE AUX FOLLES made Tony Awards history last year as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production - the classic musical comedy won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical, and a Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. LA CAGE also won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical (Douglas Hodge) and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).
TV: COMPULSION On Stage at the Public! Opens Tonight, 2/17February 17, 2011The Public Theater began previews Tuesday, February 1 for the world premiere production of Rinne Groff's COMPULSION, directed by Oskar Eustis. The cast features Hannah Cabell, Matte Osian, and Mandy Patinkin, with puppet design and puppetry supervision by Matt Acheson. COMPULSION runs through Sunday, March 13 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The official press opening is tonight, February 17. In celebration of the opening, BroadwayWorld brings you a preview of Compulsion on stage below!
BRING IT ON Launches National Tour in LA Nov. 1February 17, 2011High-flying original musical comedy 'Bring It On: The Musical' launches its national tour with a six-week engagement at the Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre from November 1 through December 11, 2011, with opening night set for November 11. 'Bring It On: The Musical' will open the Ahmanson's 2011-2012 season.
TV: BWW Goes Inside EMMA at The Old Globe!February 17, 2011Jane Austen's Emma- A Musical Romantic Comedy with Music, Lyrics and Book by Paul Gordon and Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Calhoun runs through January 15, 2011 - March 6, 2011 at the Old Globe Theatre. BroadwayWorld reporter Audra Stafford went backstage at the Old Globe and spoke to the show's creators about how they musicalized and staged this timeless tale. Click below for the spot!
Trudie Styler Leads A DISH OF TEA WITH DR. JOHNSON in the UK, Mar. 4 - 5 February 17, 2011Whatsonstage.com reports today that Trudie Styler will take the stage with Ian Redford and Russell Barr in Out of Joint's A Dish Of Tea with Dr. Johnson at Customs House in South Shields on Tyneside, March 4th and 5th. Styler will play society hostess Mrs. Thrale, the 'unrequited' love of writer Samuel Jognson (played by Russell). Out of Joint's artistic director Max Stafford-Clark directs.
Batt, Dixon et al. Lead Director's Company's BECOMING TENNESSEE Reading, 3/2February 16, 2011Bryan Batt (actor, designer, civic activist) portrays 'Salvatore Romano' on AMC's critically acclaimed dramatic series MAD MEN by the multi Emmy award winning writer/ producer, Matthew Wiener. The hit series has received numerous awards from the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Peabody award. Broadway leading and principal roles include: 2005 revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL, SUNSET BLVD., SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, and CATS. Off Broadway: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY STRIKES BACK, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY CLEANS UP ITS ACT (Drama Desk Nomination). Theatrically Bryan is most proud to have created the role of DARIUS in both the N.Y. and L.A (Drama Logue Award) productions as well as the film adaptation of Paul Rudnick's ground braking comedy JEFFREY.
TV: Bway Beat Chats with Cast of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERTFebruary 16, 2011Following its critically acclaimed North American debut engagement in Toronto, the spectacular new stage musical arrives on Broadway at The Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) when previews begin Monday, February 28 toward an official opening on Sunday, March 20, 2011. This morning, the show met the press in New York for the first time, and Broadway Beat was there, of course.
RIALTO CHATTER: Will Sierra Boggess Lead REBECCA Musical on Broadway?February 16, 2011Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Love Never Dies star Sierra Boggess will headline the 16 million production of Rebecca, The Musical, based on the eponymous Daphne du Maurier novel. Boggess also lead a recent industry reading of the show.