Robert Tatad

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Mosh Pit's 5th Birthday! We start off with the Broadway In Chicago Millennium Park concert, and bring you casting news for 'Evil Dead' and Dee Snider's 'Christmas Tale,' plus the latest from the Marriott Theatre, two northside shows about popular music, The Improvised Sondheim Project and Aurora's cast of 'Cats!' I think I need some cake....

Broadway In Chicago has announced the casting and creative team for the world premiere of DEE SNIDER'S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE, written by and starring iconic rocker Dee Snider, directed by Adam John Hunter and produced by John B. Yonover in association with Vicki and Bob Liggett, Charles Brennan and Mary and John Cooper. DEE SNIDER'S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE will play the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut) Nov. 4, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015.

The 25th anniversary celebration of GYPSY OF THE YEAR, the culmination of six weeks of extraordinary fundraising by 56 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies, raised an amazing $4,343,234 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The 25th anniversary edition of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' Gypsy of the Year Competition will be presented Monday, December 9 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 10 (2 PM) at the Minskoff Theatre (1515 Broadway). The show will feature performances by New York's best actors, singers, dancers, and musicians with several guest appearances, including Tyne Daly, Cherry Jones, Ian McKellen, Mark Rylance, and Patrick Stewart.

You might recognize Ian from this summer as Scarecrow in The Black Rep's production of The Wiz, performed at The Grandel Theatre in St. Louis. "I am extremely ecstatic and can't wait to start rehearsals! This is truly a blessing," says the Belleville native and actor Ian Coulter-Buford. Ian will be starring as Sheldon Potts & Others in the Junie B. Jones musical, directed and choreographed by Broadway's own Robert Tatad (Rock of Ages, Funny Girl,Dreamgirls.) The show is produced by New York City's prime young audience theatre company, TheatreworksUSA. The show is based off of witty first-grader Junie B. & friends from three of Barbara Parks' books in the series, including Junie B., First Grader (at Last!), Junie B., Boss of Lunch, and Junie B. One-Man Band. The tour is set to run from January to June 2014, locations to be announced once confirmed. The tentative schedule boasts venues in the Midwest, East Coast, South, and Canada!

The Ogunquit Playhouse announced that it has received ten Independent Reviewers of New England Award (IRNE) Nominations for its 2011 production of Miss Saigon, including Best Musical in the "Large Theatre" category.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community, and this year's nominations have just been announced. IRNE Reviewers include among others David Brooks Andrews, Sheila Barth, Jules Becker, Kay Bourne, Beverly Creasey, Shirley Esthimer, Richard Fahey, Guy Giampapa, Norm Gross, Nancy Grossman, Bryce Lambert, Beatrice Lee, Kilian Melloy and Larry Stark.

Theatreworks USA hosted its 50th Anniversary Celebration gala last night, February 12, 2012 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway legend and Tony Award winner Elaine Stritch appeared as the Special Guest Performer for the gala, which also featured appearances from Special Guest Presenters Kathleen Chalfant, Nathan Lane and Sara Ramirez. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, Miss Saigon on stage September 21 through October 23 at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

Riveting revival of 1990s pop opera 'Miss Saigon' feels fresh and new in a breathtaking production at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse

The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, Miss Saigon on stage September 21 through October 23 at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, Miss Saigon on stage September 21 through October 23 at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

Theatreworks USA, the not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is right now featuring their summer production - the world premiere of the new Latin-themed children's musical THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD began performances on Tuesday, July 19, 2010 at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher St.) and continues through Friday, August 19. The show's opening night was Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m.and BroadwayWorld.com was there!

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.), the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce details for the special one-night-only benefit performance and celebration of the new Latin-themed children's musical THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, presented as the featured production of its 23rd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.), the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce that Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will serve as Honorary Chair of its 23rd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program. This summer's featured production is the world premiere of the new Latin-themed children's musical THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD.

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.), the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce that Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will serve as Honorary Chair of its 23rd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.), the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce details for the special one-night-only benefit performance and celebration of the new Latin-themed children's musical THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, presented as the featured production of its 23rd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Dir.; Ken Arthur, Producing Dir.), the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for family audiences, is pleased to announce that Tony Award winner Chita Rivera will serve as Honorary Chair of its 23rd Annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Rock of Ages and Camp Broadway are teaming up this winter to promote two new initiatives aimed at reaching teens and young adults, 13 and up.

There will be a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song at the David Henry Hwang Theatre of East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso Street in Los Angeles on Monday, February 2 at 7 pm.