Alysha Umphress News

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced casting for 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. 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.

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: FAMILIAR opens off-Broadway, SCHOOL OF ROCK hits the West Coast and more!

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.'

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present NY1 theater journalist Frank DiLella in the third episode of his new talk show, "Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella.'  Frank's very special guest stars were ten-time Tony Award-winner Tommy Tune, Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block, ON THE TOWN star Alysha Umphress, and tap dance duo Clay Thompson and Christopher Rice. Scroll down for photos!

On Monday, February 22, the Theater People podcast welcomes Broadway favorite Sierra Boggess, currently starring the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical SCHOOL OF ROCK. Boggess made her Broadway debut in 2008 in the title role of the Disney musical THE LITTLE MERMAID. She went on to star in the Broadway revival of MASTER CLASS, opposite Tyne Daily, before heading to London's West End to originate the role of Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber's LOVER NEVER DIES, the sequel to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Following multiple sold out engagements, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band returns to the intimate Manhattan venue Feinstein's/ 54 Below on Saturday February 20th to continue their official residence into 2016. 

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 Stephanie Kababe, Lisa Ramey and Brie Cassil.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. Scroll down for details! 

On Monday, February 8th, the Theater People podcast welcomes stage and television star Megan Hilty. Shemade her Broadway debut in 2004 as the Glinda stanby in the Broadway production of WICKED, before she eventually took over the role full time. She also played the role on the First National Tour before creating the role for the Los Angeles sit down production.

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: HUGHIE begins, THE WOODSMAN opens, and Alan Cumming makes his Carnegie Hall solo debut!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director) and its acclaimed NEO Developmental Reading Series presents the new musical Afterland, with music and lyrics by Benjamin Velezand book and lyrics by Kathryn Hathaway for one performance only, Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).  The readings are open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.00. 

Globally, bullying is a problem facing many school aged children. It is a comfort to know that many are looking for ways to curb bullying and make the world a better place for our children. On Monday, February 8, 2016, to celebrate it's expansion to the East Coast, the international anti-bullying organization No Bully will be rocking Feinstein's/54 Below with their fundraising concert BROADWAY AGAINST BULLYING.

Following multiple sold out engagements, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band returns to the intimate Manhattan venue Feinstein's/ 54 Below on Saturday February 20th to continue an official residence for 2015. The 9:30 PM concert, helmed by director Max Friedman, features guest vocalists Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening, American Idiot), Nicholas Christopher (Motown The Musical, Lazarus), Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening), Tony Award Nominee Bryce Pinkham (Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Heidi Chronicles), Alysha Umphress (On The Town, American Idiot), and more TBA. Friedman and Rosen co-produce the series.

On Monday, February 1st, Theater People Podcast welcomes SCHOOL OF ROCK star Alex Brightman. Before being cast in the leading role in the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Brightman made his Broadway debut as an understudy in GLORY DAYS (the show that infamously closed on its opening night). He went on to replace in the role of  Boq in the Broadway company of WICKED, Michael Wormwood in the Broadway company of MATILDA, and then joined the original Broadway company of BIG FISH.

Each one's a guilty pleasure! The February 7 cast for the new comedy-improv phenomenon 'Villain: DeBlanks' is just as dangerously funny as the previous line-ups. Audiences will be shown the evidence onSunday February 7, at 7:30pm at The Triad, 158 West 72nd Street. The series plays the first Sunday of the month through April 3, 2016.

Next week Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including Ben Vereen, Elizabeth A. Davis and more!

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: Brian Gallagher & Friends; Ben Vereen at 54 Below; New Musicals at 54: An Americain Boy by Amanda Green & Richard Thomas; Elizabeth A. Davis at 54 Below; and Linda Lavin in 'My First Farewell Concert.'

On Monday, January 18th, The Theater People podcast welcomes Tony-nominated FUN HOME star Beth Malone. Malone made her Broadway debut in the 2006 production of RING OF FIRE, and has found much success working regionally, including a critically acclaimed turn in the title role of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN.

New Musicals at 54 is a series presented by Feinstein's/ 54 Below Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper. Some of the 10 new and diverse musicals by a selection of today's most talented writers have had out-of-town productions, some have had workshops... now's your chance to be first to see them in NYC! Join us at New Musicals at 54 for one-night-only concerts celebrating each new show with songs, behind-the-scenes stories, and all-star casts!

On Monday, January 4, the Theater People podcast welcomes HAMILTON star Renee Elise Goldsberry. In the episode, Goldsberry talks about why she turned down her audition for the show several times, learning her showstopping number 'Satisfied,' and how it feels to be a part of the phenomenon that is HAMILTON.