Alysha Umphress News

Today I'm addressing another excellent question from @JudyMolnar: 'What are some favorite items Bright Star cast members have in their dressing rooms? Show & tell.'

Marty Thomas Presents DIVA is in it's 5th strong year of residency at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. It's the CATS of NYC nightlife, come see why! Brand new live vocal concert every Monday at 11, never a cover charge! This weeks cast features Marissa Rosen, Brie Cassil and Lisa Ramey.

RISE BAR is seeking its next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadway's Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden, Wicked), the RISING STAR competition begins Sunday March 6! The contestants will be competing in a 10 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cash prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to its cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience. The winner will receive a headshot package by Claire Buffie photography. They will also receive a demo package provided by Yasuhiko Fukuoka. Competition judges Courtney Reed and Jelani Remy also donated generous prize packages from THE LION KING And ALADDIN on Broadway. 

?Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts announces a first-class roster of theater professionals set to instruct the "Take it from the Top" summer camp workshop alongside the program's creator and Broadway veteran Paul Canaan (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Miss Saigon). The list of teaching artists includes Alysha Umphress (On the Town, American Idiot, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), Astaire Award nominee Nick Adams (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wicked, La Cage Aux Folles), director/choreographer and performer Carlos Encinias (Gateway Playhouse, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera), director/choreographer Connor Gallagher (Disney's Tangled, Goodspeed Opera House, Bucks County Playhouse) and casting director Justin Huff, CSA of Telsey + Company. 

Marty Thomas Presents DIVA is in it's 4th strong year of residency at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. It's the CATS of NYC nightlife, come see why! Brand new live vocal concert every Monday at 11, never a cover charge! This weeks cast features Lisa Ramey, Brie Cassil and Olivia Lucy Phillip.

RISE BAR is seeking its next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadway's Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden, Wicked), the RISING STAR competition begins Sunday March 6! The contestants will be competing in an 8 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cash prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to its cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.

How many of these great songs do you know from underappreciated musicals?

Hello, Broadway World!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Tony-nominated composer Jeff Blumenkrantz, who was joined by his Bright Star cast mates to perform an evening of his original songs. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Marty Thomas Presents DIVA is in its 4th strong year of residency at Industry Bar in midtown Manhattan. It's the CATS of NYC nightlife, come see why! There's a brand new live vocal concert every Monday at 11, never a cover charge. This week's cast features Samia Mounts, Brie Cassil and Samantha Duvall.

On Monday, April 18, the Theater People podcast welcomes Five-time Tony Award-nominee, Danny Burstein. Burstein, currently staring as Tevye in the Broadway revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, began his career on Broadway in the early 1990s working mostly as an ensemble member and understudy. After making the decision to turn down work that didn't challenge him artistically, Burstein would go on to become one of the most celebrated leading men of his generation, earning Tony nominations for his work in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, SOUTH PACIFIC, FOLLIES, GOLDEN BOY, and CABARET.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz; The Legend of New York By Salzman & Cunningham Featuring Santino Fontana & Laura Osnes; Donna McKechnie: A Visit with Kander & Ebb; 54 Celebrates The Colonial Theatre; and The Girls in White: Songs from the Show.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Idina Menzel speaks at the Tribeca Film Festival, and off-Broadway's Signature Theatre hosts its spring gala tonight!

See 'Pump Boys and Dinettes' now on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage through May 1st. Written, conceived and directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, this fun, fantastic show features an incredibly talented cast.

Last Saturday, Paper Mill Playhouse was privileged to participate in an on-stage marriage proposal during a performance of PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES - watch the moment during intermission below! PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016.

The surprise Broadway hit of 1982 is served up fresh at Paper Mill.

On Monday, April 4, the Theater People podcast welcomes ON YOUR FEET star Andrea Burns. Burns made her professional New York debut in Jason Robert Brown's groundbreaking 1995 musical SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. She then made her Broadway debut in 1996 as a replacement in the role of Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and went on to co-star in the Broadway productions of THE FULL MONTY and THE RITZ.

Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, begins tonight, featuring James Barry (Jim),Gabe Bowling (Jackson), Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress (Rhetta) and Sam Weber(Eddie). PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside opening night below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 18-24, featuring Yellowjackets, Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz, Arturo O'Farrill, and more!

Gearing up for Live #Ham4Ham to return? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'