New Jersey's Shakespeare LIVE! Presents MACBETH & A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, 3/10February 17, 2012The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's acclaimed educational touring company, Shakespeare LIVE!, will present one-hour family performances of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturday, March 10 at The Theatre's Main Stage - the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.
Native Voices at the Autry Presents WALKING ON TURTLE ISLAND & GHOSTLANDS OF AN URBAN NDN, 3/1 - 3/18February 17, 2012Native Voices at the Autry, the country's only Equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to presenting and developing the work of Native American playwrights, presents two full-length, one-man plays, WALKING ON TURTLE ISLAND and GHOSTLANDS OF AN URBAN NDN, written by and starring acclaimed actor and storyteller ROBERT OWENS-GREYGRASS (Lakota*) in repertory from March 3 to 18, 2012 (previews begin March 1), at the Autry National Center's Wells Fargo Theater in Los Angeles. In the two vastly different works, which showcase his wit and humor, Greygrass portrays an astonishing 38 characters. Kevin Sifuentes (Hopi*) directs both productions. Randy Reinholz (Choctaw*) is Native Voices' Producing Artistic Director, and Jean Bruce Scott is Producing Executive Director.
TV: First Look at NEWSIES in Rehearsal!February 16, 2012Newsies will move to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre for a strictly limited 101 performance run this spring, following its critically-hailed run at Paper Mill Playhouse in fall 2011. The musical, featuring a score by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman, and a book by four-time Tony Award® winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy), will play its first Broadway preview on March 15th prior to its March 29th opening night; the final performance is scheduled for June 10th.
The footage of the Broadway company in rehearsal has been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!
Photo Flash: Ad Deja Vu! When LES MIS Was First Gunning for Screen...February 16, 2012Les Miserables will hit the big screen later this year, featuring an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe tasJavert, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thernardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier, the opera-trained Mamma Mia! film star Amanda Seyfried as Cosette and Samantha Barks as Eponine.
Interested in a blast from the past? Check out this old ad from the early 1990s when the first plans to adapt the musical for the screen materialized .
'Human Error' Deemed Responsible for 2008 LITTLE MERMAID/Adrian Bailey AccidentFebruary 16, 2012Back in May 2008, THE LITTLE MERMAID actor Adrian Bailey, a member of the cast's ensemble, fell over 20 feet through an open trap door during a matinee performance. Bailey subsequently broke both wrists for which he received surgery, and reportedly shattered his pelvis among suffering other injuries. At the time, it had been one of the most serious accidents to occur onstage during a performance that Broadway had witnessed. Subsequent law suits ensued, including a products liability case against the Canadian automation company, Niscon, who provided the automation software that allowed the trap-doors on set to be remotely operated.
TV EXCLUSIVE: Chatting with the Original & Encores! Companies of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG! Curtain Call & More!February 16, 201219 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production on Tuesday, February 14. It was an event we would not have missed and BroadwayWorld has been bringing you photos and video highlights of the event throughout the week. This morning, we take you inside the opening night reception and joyful curtain call, during which both companies joined in for a chorus of 'Old Friends' along with Stephen Sondheim himself.
TV EXCLUSIVE: Broadway & Encores MERRILY Casts Unite in 'Old Friends'February 15, 201219 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production last night, February 14. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special show and brings you exclusive footage of both casts performing 'Old Friends', featuring a special cameo by Stephen Sondheim! Stay tuned for complete video coverage of the evening.
Cynthia Nixon-Led WIT Extends at Manhattan Theatre Club Thru 3/17February 15, 2012Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that WIT, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Margaret Edson, directed by Lynne Meadow will extend at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The limited engagement must close after the evening performance on Saturday, March 17.
Carol Kane & More Join Jessica Hecht, Jim Parsons & Charles Kimbrough in Roundabout's HARVEY This SpringFebruary 15, 2012Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Don Gregory, has announced the full company for the new Broadway production of Mary Chase's Harvey starring Jim Parsons (Elwood P. Dowd), Jessica Hecht (Veta Louise Simmons), Charles Kimbrough (William R. Chumley, M.D.), Larry Bryggman (Judge Omar Gaffney), Carol Kane (Betty Chumley), Peter Benson (E.J. Lofgren), Tracee Chimo (Myrtle Mae Simmons), Holley Fain (Ruth Kelly, R.N.), Angela Paton (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet), Rich Sommer (Duane Wilson), Morgan Spector (Lyman Sanderson, M.D.) and directed by Scott Ellis.
BWW Interviews: To Explorer Richard Wiese, “All The World’s A Stage”February 15, 2012Arguably, William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright the English language has known. In his play AS YOU LIKE IT, the character Jacques has the famous monologue which begins with the famous words, "All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players…" To explorer Richard Wiese, the words ring true and his new television series BORN TO EXPLORE vividly prove that Shakespeare knew what he was talking about. Each episode of the show provides the viewers with stunning scenery, high drama and a true exploration of the human condition. It's television at its best.
Cheyenne Jackson, Debra Messing & More Honor Linda Lavin at Vineyard Theatre, 3/12February 15, 2012Stars of both stage and screen are set to join the celebration when the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre honors Tony Award-winner Linda Lavin at the Off-Broadway company's annual Gala on Monday, March 12 beginning at 6:00pm at the Hudson Theater. Ms. Lavin made her Vineyard Theatre debut earlier this season in the critically acclaimed production of Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS.
TV EXCLUSIVE: Laura Benanti in Concert for Lincoln Center's American Songbook!February 13, 2012This weekend, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook closed its 2012 season with two shows from Broadway star Laura Benanti on February 11th, and two by the legendary Elaine Paige on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12. BroadwayWorld brought you highlights of Elaine Paige in concert on Saturday and today, we bring you clips from Benanti's show!
TV: Here's to 10,000! THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Celebrates Special Show!February 13, 2012The longest-running show in Broadway history, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, offered its 10,000th performance on Saturday, February 11 at 2 PM as a special benefit for The Actors Fund. BroadwayWorld was on hand to celebrate this miraculous achievement and takes you inside the afternoon below!