Beckley Andrews

Everything's coming up roses this week because the original production of the legendary musical GYPSY is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of its opening night! To celebrate, we're looking back at the opening night of Broadway's most recent revival in 2008 starring Patti LuPone in the iconic role of Mama Rose. Check out the video to see our chat with LuPone, Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines, and more!

What's it like to work in professional theater? How do actors prepare for their roles? Ever wonder how and why a theater company selects its plays? You mean, a world premiere is actually a play that has never, ever been performed anywhere else? How does that happen?

  "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is considered to be one of  America's greatest books by today's scholars, and James Rana's world premiere adaptation beautifully captures the humor and heartache in this tale of a boy running away from an abusive father and a slave running away for fear of being sold to a plantation further south.   

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company continues its 35th mainstage season in June.  This year's theme is "Unexpected Encounters."

This year's 10th Anniversary edition of Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards), which was held last night at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street), featured some of the most memorable numbers from previous years. Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefitting BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York, the event was hosted by Honeymoon in Vegas star Rob McClure and Julie Halston. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from behind the scenes of the big night!

On Friday, August 22 at 8:30p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of 'Zorro!' produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast of the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's "Zorro!" at the opening night after-show party at the Washington Inn on July 23, another chance is to be had on Friday, August 1 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for patrons to ask actors, director, and technical team such questions as "why do they do what they do?" and "how do they do it?"

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's next production is a swashbuckler: the world premiere of 'Zorro!' based on Johnston McCulley's 'The Curse of Capistrano' (1919) adapted by James Rana. Spanish for 'fox,' Zorro fought the oppressive colonial government in Spanish California with a quick sword and wit. Wearing a mask, he kept his identity secret, even to the woman he loved. In 1939, Bob Kane and Bill Finger gave credit to McCulley's masked avenger, with his dual identity, as their inspiration for 'Batman.' Like Bruce Wayne and Batman, Don Diego and Zorro are never seen together at the same time.

On Friday, July 11 at 8:30p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of 'The First Fifty Years' produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew of East Lynne Theater Company's 'The First Fifty Years' at the opening night after-show party at Pier House Restaurant, or at the recent after-show Q&A, there is one more opportunity on Friday, June 27 at a special reception, starting around 10:10p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where this Equity professional company performs. Tasty homemade hors d'oeuvres, which include stuffed baby artichoke hearts with Italian cheeses; panko, with garlic and parsley stuffing; baked plum tomatoes with goat cheese and pesto filling; and mini quiches with spinach, feta and black olives, will be served.

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew of East Lynne Theater Company's 'The First Fifty Years' at the opening night after-show party at Pier House Restaurant on June 11, another chance is to be had on Friday, June 20 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for patrons to ask actors, director, and technical team such questions as 'why do they do what they do?' and 'how do they do it?'

They love, they fight, they make up, they care for each other - it's a marriage. The award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents "The First Fifty Years," a dramatic-comedy that shows the ups and downs of a marriage in seven scenes, each during a pivotal anniversary. Beginning right after their honeymoon in 1872, seven years after the end of the Civil War, the play marks the lives of Anne and Martin Wells up to their golden anniversary at the beginning of the Roaring '20s, in 1922.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its twenty-fifth year! Take tea at a lovely inn or tea shop, indulge in homemade tasty treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors, like O. Henry and Louisa May Alcott, all for only $10.00. Children are always welcome, and, like other East Lynne events, ages 12 and under are free. As usual most of the 'Tales' are in Cape May, but for the first time, a North Wildwood location has been added at the request of The Candlelight Inn.

The ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards, a one-night-only performance produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefiting BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York, took place last night. This year's special event featured the talents of Michael Berresse (Kiss Me, Kate; A Chorus Line), Tony winner Beth Leavel (Elf, The Drowsy Chaperone), Tony winner Debra Monk (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, TV's 'Girls'), Ken Page (Ain't Misbehavin', Cats), Tony winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Tony nominee Andrew Rannells(The Book of Mormon, TV's 'Girls'), Tony nominee John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, TV's 'Johnny and the Sprites.'), and more This year's edition of Broadway Backwards (#bwaybackwards) was held at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 W 45th Street, NYC), current home to the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots. BroadwayWorld was there for the after party festivities and you can check out photo coverage below!

BROADWAY BACKWARDS 7 played Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre last night at 8pm. The show featured some of Broadway's biggest names singing songs originally written for the opposite gender: women singing songs written for men and men singing songs written for women. Check out the evening's cast after last night's performance!

The 3rd Annual Broadway Can! A Concert for Citymeals-on-Wheels & City Harvest will be presented at Don't Tell Mama, one night only, Sunday, November 13th at 8pm.

The 3rd Annual Broadway Can! A Concert for Citymeals-on-Wheels & City Harvest will be presented at Don't Tell Mama, one night only, Sunday, November 13th at 8pm.

The 3rd Annual Broadway Can! A Concert for Citymeals-on-Wheels & City Harvest will be presented at Don't Tell Mama, one night only, Sunday, November 13th at 8pm.

On Septembet 14th in the Heart of Times Square, 60 New York City Theatre Professionals (ranging from Broadway Veterans, to Radio City Rockettes) began to arise from the hustle and bustle to sing and dance their hearts out about the hottest nail product on the market: Shellac, created by CND (www.CND.COM). This was one of the biggest and most exciting Musical Theatre Flashmob's ever produced in Times Square, not just a random step touch dance number but a fully stage production number with ladies belting their faces and kicking about as high as the second floor of the A.E.A building.

A priceless collection of Tony winners and nominees made this year's BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE a truly 'starry night' as they joined more than 200 of Broadway's sexiest dancers in an auction-themed burlesque show that would make any art critic blush. BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE, which is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was held, June 19, with two performances only (9:30 PM and midnight) at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street). BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture some of the show's sexy stars backstage!