Alysha Umphress News

This week's 'Milling About' Podcast goes behind-the-scenes with PUMP BOYS & DINETTES, playing The Papermill Playhouse April 6-May 1.

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. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10. Check out highlights from the production below!

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: It's a big night for Broadway stars on TV - COLOR PURPLE's Jennifer Hudson performs on AMERICAN IDOL, and HAMILTON's Jonathan Groff and SHUFFLE ALONG's Savion Glover visit LATE NIGHT, plus DADDY ISSUES opens off-Broadway!

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 will be 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. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10, at 7:00pm. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production below!

Broadway stages, concert halls, network TV... Jay Armstrong Johnson has conquered them all, and he's about to add even more to his list of accomplishments.

Alysha Umphress will star as Rhetta in Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES. She speaks exclusively with BWW about why her character Rhetta is a kick in the pants!

On Monday, April 4th, the Theater People podcast welcomes Emmy nominated choreographer Spencer Liff. As a performer, Liff made his Broadway debut at age 11 in the musical BIG. He went on to appear in THE WEDDING SINGER, CRY BABY, EQUUS, and  9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, taking on more and more responsibility along the way. He was the Associate Choreographer and Dance Captain for CRY BABY, and was the Dance Captain on EQUUS. 

Still not over Sara Bareilles coming to the rescue during a Waitress technical glitch? 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.' Highlights from this week include THE CRUCIBLE opening on Broadway, 1776 comes to Encores!, Alfie Boe takes his opening night bow in FINDING NEVERLAND and SO much more!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its April 2016 schedule, featuring: Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Yellowjackets, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, The Birdland Big Band, Karrin Allyson, The Matt & Brian Show, Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present its spring musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes, 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 will be 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 from April 6 through May 1, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, April 10, at 7:00pm. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Paper Mill Playhouse will soon present its spring musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes. This Tony Award nominee features 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.

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: The cast of Paper Mill's PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES meets the press, so stay tuned for coverage!

On Monday, March 28th, the Theater People podcast welcome's Broadway favorite and Fiddler on the Roof's Motel, Adam Kantor. The actor made his Broadway debut in 2008 as Mark in the closing cast of the Tony winning musical RENT directed by Michael Greif. The director, a mentor to Kantor, went on to cast him as a replacement in the role of Henry in the hit Broadway musical NEXT TO NORMAL.

With direction by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreography by Josh Rhodes, Bright Starbegan performances on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street), and opened just last night, March 24th, 2016. BroadwayWorld was on hand for all of the festivities and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its April 2016 schedule, featuring: Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Yellowjackets, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, The Birdland Big Band, Karrin Allyson, The Matt & Brian Show, Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Following the success of their concert performances and subsequent recording of Bernstein's West Side Story, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Fransisco Symphony will present Leonard Bernstein's musical On the Town May 25-29. The concert production will feature the talents of many of the 2014-15 Broadway revival cast, including: David Garrison and Tyne Daly (narrators), Clyde Alves (Ozzie), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Chip), Tony Yazbeck (Gabey), Megan Fairchild (Ivy), Alysha Umphress (Hildy), Isabel Leonard (Claire), Shuler Hensley (Pitkin)

On Monday, March 14 the Theater People podcast welcomes HAMILTON star Phillipa Soo. Soo mader her New York stage debut in the title role of Natasha in the critically acclaimed 2013 Off-Broadway production of NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the first-ever New York revival of Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman's musical comedy THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM. The production opened just last night, March 13, at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). This will be a limited engagement through May 29, 2016. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet arrivals below!

This Sunday, March 13, RISE BAR is seeking it's next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadways 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 cast prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to it's cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.

This Sunday, RISE BAR is seeking it's next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadways 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 cast prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to it's cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.