Ana Villafane News

Yesterday, March 8th was International Women's Day. While many celebrated and demonstrated for women's rights around the world with 'A Day Without A Woman,' ladies on Broadway (in the midst of a two show day) joined activist group Broadway Strong to show their support in a special way.

Audiences have a final chance to 'Seize the Day!' - tickets are now available for 'Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical!,' playing in U.S. movie theaters for three days only on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday February 18 at 12:55 p.m. and Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. (all local times). Captured live at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre earlier this year, the event reunites original cast members Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Ben Fankhauser.

Just yesterday at the Marquis Theatre, the company of ON YOUR FEET celebrated its 500th performance on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out photos below!

This weekend's big news: A bunch of Broadway talent will help ring in the New Year in NYC, on TV and beyond!

The holiday season is not complete without the perfect music to accompany it. 'Broadway's Carols for a Cure' is the latest compilation album that embodies the spirit of the season like nothing else can. A project born completely out of love, 'Broadway's Carols for a Cure' pairs the casts from famous Broadway musicals with songs that are both classic and new. The result is pure gold that will make you reach for the 'repeat' button over and over again.

Below, watch as he congas over to the Marquis Theatre to check in with Gloria Estefan Ana Villafane and Ektor Rivera at On Your Feet!

TODAY's Kathie Lee Gifford and composer David Friedman co-wrote a special song titled 'The Home Team' for special 12-year-old Brianna Lopez as part of the show's 'Everyone Has a Story' segment.

Broadway enthusiasts and stars alike flocked to New York City's famed theatre district Sunday for the 30th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction (#broadwayflea), produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.The biggest day of the year for Broadway fans celebrated all things theatre with offerings of unique Broadway treasures, unforgettable theatrical experiences and more than 70 stars. BroadwayWorld.com was on hand for the day and captured all of the celebrities as they signed autographs in the BC/EFA photo booth.

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the fundraising arm of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, honored an unparalleled group of Hall of Famers, Gold Medalists, World Champions and philanthropists in front of a crowd of over 1,300 supporters tonight at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, raising millions toward spinal cord injury research during the 31st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner. Scroll down for a photo of honoree James L. Nederlander with Broadway's ON YOUR FEET! stars Ektor Rivera and Ana Villafane and creators Gloria and Emilio Estefan!

ON YOUR FEET!'s ensemble cast member Genny Lis Padilla, who also plays the role of Rebecca in the hit Broadway musical, took to Twitter last night to thank her cast and crew for pulling off an impressive feat - performing the show without working sets!

The first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, Cats, returned to Broadway just last night at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd Street). After the curtain came down, the company gathered for their very own jellicle ball, and you can check out photos from the celebration below!

BROADWAY BARKS just held their 18th annual star-studded dog and cat adoption event to benefit New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. Founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, Broadway Barks featured a slew of celebrities from the hottest shows on Broadway.

Puerto Rican performer Ektor Rivera - winner of the Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Simon Fuller reality series 'Q'Viva! The Chosen' - recently made his Broadway debut as Emilio Estefan in ON YOUR FEET!, the new Broadway musical based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, 19-time GRAMMY winning producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan. Rivera joins Theater World Award-winning Cuban-American actress Ana Villafañe as Gloria Estefan. BroadwayWorld has a first look at him in action below!

Just last night, Broadway's best came out for a special screening of Florence Foster Jenkins. Hosted by Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Patina Miller, Matthew Morrison, and Max von Essen, the evening celebrated Paramount's new film, which hits theatres on August 12.

'Broadway Up, Guns Down' is charity benefit concert in response to the tragic mass shooting that occurred at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.  On Monday June 27th at 8pm, Broadway artists will unite to uplift through song honoring the beautiful lives lost. All funds raised will go directly to the Zebra Coalition in Orlando, FL. A LGTBQ youth based non-for-profit currently offering assistance in Orlando.

Earlier this week, The Theatre World Awards celebrated this year's Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance honorees. Hosted annually by well-known theater journalist, Peter Filichia, the 72nd Annual Theatre World Awards ceremony was produced by Theatre World Awards, Inc. Board of Directors. 

Below, check out some backstage photos taken by BroadwayWorld's acclaimed photographer, Walter McBride!

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Shelian-Shanks) gathered yesterday, May 20th, for the 82nd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony, hosted by 2016 Tony® Award-nominees, Zachary Levi (She Loves Me) and Megan Hilty (Noises Off), in the Broadway Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). BroadwayWorld was there for the big event - check out photos below!