Amy Spanger News

The replacement star. One of the trickiest and most problematic facets of any production facing an enterprising producer and director is casting a fitting replacement, particularly for a star role. Of course, John Kander and Fred Ebb's vaudeville-based performance opportunity extravaganza CHICAGO allows for a copious amount of star turns, so the likely candidates for filling the famous shoes of the roles of Roxie, Velma, Billy Flynn and Matron Mama Morton are nearly overwhelming to consider. Furthermore, August 8 marked the momentous day in Broadway history when legendary Broadway and Hollywood superstar Liza Minnelli famously stepped in for an ailing Gwen Verdon in the original Bob Fosse production of CHICAGO on Broadway. Now, with notable pop star Brandy Norwood as the current Roxie and reality competition show standout Rumer Willis poised to take over in early September giving a slew of fresh buzz to one of Broadway's longest-running musicals of all time, the 1996 revival of CHICAGO, now is an ideal time to consider some familiar faces who have excelled in the role in the past and could continue the tradition and keep the momentum going for a production that has now played nearly 8,000 performances on the Great White Way. Time may have marched on, but these ladies certainly still have the stuff!

The producers of Chicago have announced that actress and "Dancing with the Stars" winner Rumer Willis will now make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart on Monday, September 14. The change in her start date was made to allow her the necessary time to fully recover from multiple stress fractures to her foot that requires further rehabilitation. She will now play a 7-week limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St., NYC) through Sunday, November 1, 2015.

This month, CHICAGO is welcoming two of its top leading ladies back to the cell block. The first is Amy Spanger, who will return to the Ambassador Theatre for a limited engagement in Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's record-breaking musical beginning tonight, August 4. 

Broadway gal Amy Spanger and her partner, musical whiz-kid Kris Kukul, are proud to present THIS MUST BE THE PLACE, an evening of rock, pop, music theater, country, R&B and candid storytelling at Joe's Pub on August 24, 2015 at 7:30 PM. Tickets: $20.

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: Amy Spanger heads back to the cell block, WHORL INSIDE A LOOP begins off-Broadway, GREY GARDENS starts at Bay Street and more!

This August, CHICAGO will welcome two of its top leading ladies back to the cell block.

On Twitter Watch, Amy Spanger wrote 'I'm playing Roxie in @ChicagoMusical for 2 weeks Aug 4 - 16! Can't wait!!! #illbeatthegym #roxie

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: A starry SPAMALOT opens at the Hollywood Bowl and more!

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) welcomes Tom Kitt and Friends, a one-night-only concert event featuring Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then, High Fidelity)

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced the lineup for Tom Kitt and Friends, a one-night-only concert event featuring Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then, High Fidelity). Broadway's Next To Normal, which won the Pulitzer in 2009, originated in 2005 at NYMF as Feeling Electric - and for one night only Kitt will reunite with cast members from both productions, presenting an array of songs from each. Performers include Next to Normal stars Tony-Award Winner Alice Ripley, Tony-Award Nominee Jennifer Damiano, and Louis Hobson, Feeling Electric stars Amy Spanger and Joe Cassidy, as well as Ben Schrader, Jonathan Dokuchitz, and Adrienne Warren. Tom Kitt and Friends will take place at PTC Performance Space (555 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036) on Monday, July 13 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available now at www.nymf.org/tickets.

Tonight, in anticipation of this new show's upcoming New York premiere at 59E59, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present Songbird in Concert featuring Amy Spanger(Rock of Ages, Reefer Madness), Kacie Sheik (Hair) and more to celebrate the upcoming production.

This summer, Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes a slate of artists familiar to many because of their star turns in television, film, Broadway and The Public Theater's stage. The season features the incomparable Jane Lynch, in her Joe's Pub debut; the masterful hip-hop talents of Freestyle Love Supreme (James Monroe Iglehart, Lin-Manuel Miranda, etc); the laser-sharp wit of Julie Klausner; Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris with his southern/folk rock band Loose Cattle; the pure delight and charm of Cristin Milioti; and more!

So, this month, I am taking over sole duties that I normally share with Jeff Walker, and composing a list of 10 showtunes all about births and birthdays.

59E59 Theaters has announced the fifth play of the 5A Season.  SONGBIRD, written by Michael Kimmel with music & lyrics by Lauren Pritchard, and directed by JV Mercanti.

This summer, Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes a slate of artists familiar to many because of their star turns in television, film, Broadway and The Public Theater's stage. The season features the incomparable Jane Lynch, in her Joe's Pub debut; the masterful hip-hop talents of Freestyle Love Supreme (James Monroe Iglehart, Lin-Manuel Miranda, etc); the laser-sharp wit of Julie Klausner; Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris with his southern/folk rock band Loose Cattle; the pure delight and charm of Cristin Milioti; and more!

In this week's edition, we hear from John Cariani, who is currently starring as 'Nigel Bottom' in Something Rotten!- playing at the St. James Theatre. Read on to find out his top five picks!

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: Awards season continues at Sardi's, THE SOUND AND THE FURY & THE OTHER THING open off-Broadway, EVER AFTER starts up at Paper Mill and more!

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents TV stars Emily Bergl, Holt MaCallany, Broadway stars Rita Gardner, Anita Gillette, Amy Spanger, Lee Roy Reams, Raissa Katona Bennett and Cabaret stars Steve Ross, Baby Jane Dexter, Sidney Myer and Mark Nadler in 54 celebrates Julie Wilson tonight, May 14, 2015 at 7pm.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present Songbird in Concert featuring Amy Spanger (Rock of Ages, Reefer Madness), Kacie Sheik (Hair) and more on June 30th at 9:30pm. 

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents TV stars Emily Bergl, Holt MaCallany, Broadway stars Rita Gardner, Anita Gillette, Amy Spanger, Lee Roy Reams, Raissa Katona Bennett and Cabaret stars Steve Ross, Baby Jane Dexter, Sidney Myer and Mark Nadler in 54 celebrates Julie Wilson tonight, May 9, 2015 and Thursday, May 14, 2015, both shows at 7pm.