Alison Luff News

Last night, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) celebrated the talents and achievements of local children with the 12th annual Tommy Tune Awards. Pulling up to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, all I could see was hundreds of well-dressed and excited young adults. Their enthusiasm and nervous energy filled the air. The anticipation for the TONY's-inspired awards show was incredibly high, and everyone wanted to know who would win.

While some may think this could be a boring musical for children, trust me when I say that it is far from that. While this is a show that children will enjoy, Wicked delves much deeper into human nature than most "children's" shows. Wicked gives a hard look at how the choices we make define our lives, and how difficult it can be to be different and to stand for what you believe in.

John C. Breckenridge, President and CEO of Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), announced today the nominations and presenters for TUTS' 12th annual Tommy Tune Awards which will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Developed by TUTS, the Tommy Tune Awards honor musical theatre excellence at the high school level. Co-hosts for the award ceremony include Jim Bernhard and Sarah Pepper. Bernhard has written several original productions that have debuted at TUTS and authored the theatrical history Stars in Your Eyes. Pepper is the morning host of The Hot Show on HOT 95.7 FM.

I've seen Wicked multiple times (a few more times and I will be in double digits) and every single time, I enjoy myself. That proves how powerful this musical has become and how its themes will always be relevant. But what can make or break any performance, no matter how many times you see it, are the performers. If they are having a bad day or aren't as strong as they are suppose to be, the audience can leave disappointed. In the case of this tour of Wicked Alison Luff, who plays Elphaba, made this show.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a first look at the cast of THE REALISTIC JONESES, a peek backstage with Saturday Intermission Pics, a peek into rehearsals for THE THREEPENNY OPERA, coverage of ALL THE WAY on Broadway, and more!

Yesterday's SIPs come from Off-Broadway's 50 SHADES! The Musical, Broadway's THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, the national tours of WICKED, JERSEY BOYS, GHOST, and more!

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2012, Wicked, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to Sacramento Community Center Theater from May 28 through June 15 as part of the Broadway Sacramento series. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale today, February 15.

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED will welcome Tim Kazurinsky as the Wizard, Nick Adams as Fiyero and Jenny Florkowski as Nessarose today, February 4 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Today's SIPs come from Broadway's self-declared 'Manly Mormons,' gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday, MATILDA's Lesli Margherita sharing her own feelings on football's big day, plus shots from KINKY BOOTS, the national tours of WICKED, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, ROCK OF AGES, WE WILL ROCK YOU, and more!

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2012, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to Sacramento Community Center Theater from May 28 through June 15 as part of the Broadway Sacramento series. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale February 15.

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2009 and 2011, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Wednesday, February 12 through Sunday, March 2. Tickets for the return engagement are on sale now through the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and Ticketmaster.

After ten years at the top of its game, Stephen Schwartz's smash musical continues to defy gravity and expectations.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces that the company of the first North American tour of WICKED is thrilled to welcome Tim Kazurinsky as the Wizard, Nick Adams as Fiyero and Jenny Florkowski as Nessarose on Tuesday, February 4 in Pittsburgh, PA. WICKED will return to the Benedum Center January 15 through February 9. WICKED is part of the 2013-2014 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Award winners will be announced tonight! Plus 'Ghost' and 'Phantom' haunt the Loop, 'Wicked' casts Tim Kazurinsky, productions like 'Sweet Smell' and 'Nunsense,' The Midtown Men, news out of Circle Theatre and more!

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 'Top Ten Hot Topix' for the second half of 2013!!

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED will welcome Tim Kazurinsky as the Wizard, Nick Adams as Fiyero and Jenny Florkowski as Nessarose on Tuesday, February 4 in Pittsburgh, PA.

WICKED, now playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center, revisits the yellow brick road from Munchkinland to the Emerald City and presents a heart-touching, socially- and politically-minded new vision of Oz's most familiar stories and characters along the way.

Award-winning Theatre Aspen announced the lineup for its 31st season today. The Hurst Theatre will open with the musical comedy The Full Monty, running in repertory with the musical Little Women, and a brand new comedy by Sandy Rustin called The Cottage. Casting begins early in 2014.

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED welcome Gina Beck as Glinda and Alison Fraser as Madame Morrible today, Monday, December 16 in Chicago, IL. WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, is playing through December 21 at the Oriental Theatre.

WICKED flies back to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on December 26, 2013 and runs through January 12, 2014. Tickets are on sale now at the PPAC Box Office (220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence), online at www.ppacri.org or by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787).