Ann Reinking News

The national tour of the Broadway musical CHICAGO returns to Denver at The Buell Theatre March 18 through 23 only. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler announce that John O'Hurley, the suave, debonair, award-winning actor and star of stage, TV & film will reprise the role of Billy Flynn. Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org.

Toronto loves CHICAGO. Originally staged in 1998, a second time in 1999, a third time in 2003, and a fourth time in 2006, CHICAGO now returns for an unprecedented fifth encore engagement, for one week only, March 26 - 30, 2014, at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, opening tonight, March 4, 2014, and playing through March 30. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

This week, two-time Tony and Emmy Award winner Bebe Neuwirth will play her final eight performances as Matron 'Mama' Morton in Broadway's record-breaking smash-hit musical Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) Neuwirth, who won a 1997 Tony Award for her acclaimed portrayal of jazz-age killer Velma Kelly and returned ten years later as merry murderess Roxie Hart, concludes her history-making eight-week engagement as Matron 'Mama' Morton -- her third starring role in the production's 18-year run -- on Sunday, March 9. Beginning Monday, March 10, one of the Chicago family's most celebrated performers, stage and screen veteran Roz Ryan, returns to the role of Matron 'Mama' Morton.

In today's New York Times In Performance video, the talented star performs the number "Nowadays," which she describes as "archetypical Kander and Ebb."

Special guests Dot-Marie Jones (GLEE) and Tony winner Julie Newmar (Batman) will join Oxford University Press, as they announce the release of the book NOTHING LIKE A DAME: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GREAT WOMEN OF MUSICAL THEATER by Eddie Shapiro at 6 p.m. on March 26 at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove/Farmers Market (189 The Grove Drive, Suite K 30, Los Angeles, Calif.).

Rolex presents NEW YORK NEW YORK - Career Transition For Dancers' 29th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves) NYC followed by dinner at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. From Broadway to the Battery, NEW YORK NEW YORK will take you on a rockin' ride through the most inimitable, iconic entertainment capital of the world - a mecca for arts and culture. Dance with us around our town, the most diverse city alive! This one-night-only entertainment event of the season features the best talent in theatre and dance performing with the Jubilee Orchestra. The show is produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin tonight, February 18 to the 23rd, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.

Due to popular demand Virginia's Signature Theatre announces that the world premiere musical Beaches is now extended through March 30, 2014. Adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches is directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). This heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Saladino Dance Productions' Rome Saladino and Marina Putane have assembled a superb eight-member ensemble to perform Singin' and Dancin' in the Rain, their tribute to Hollywood's legendary song and dance man, Gene Kelly. The show consistently received standing ovations when it played at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center and the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College.

Due to popular demand, the critically acclaimed, longest running American musical in Broadway history, Chicago has added a 2pm matinee to their March 5, 2014 date at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Both the Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances have nearly sold out, therefore adding the Wednesday afternoon matinee will allow another full house to enjoy the glitz and glam of the decadent 1920's and the tale of the murderous nightclub dancer, Roxie Hart. Winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording, Chicago continues to leave audiences singing 'All That Jazz!'

Kris Jenner, star of Keeping Up With the Kardashians on E!, admitted on Sunday to friend Jonathan Cheban and her daughter Kim Kardashian that she loves the song 'All That Jazz' and has been taking singing and dancing lessons in hopes of starring on Broadway in Chicago. Check out the clip below!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin February 18 to 23, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Appearing together again after their Tony Award winning performances in Evita, Patti LuPone joins Mandy Patinkin onstage for eight performances. Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin are two of Broadway's most venerated performers, having both won a Tony Award for their performances in Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking Evita in 1980. Since then they have both starred in film, television, the concert stage and back to Broadway. An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin brings them together again - at last. Press opening night is Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 50 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2013 Los Angeles winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

The Museum of the Moving Image's popular series See It Big! will turn its focus to the movie musical with a fourteen-film celebration of the genre, from today, January 24 through February 28, 2014. Musicals are, by their very nature, filled with spectacle. They are heightened forms of storytelling, in which the narrative is amplified by song and dance, where characters express their innermost feelings in the most extravagant ways imaginable. It is a genre that celebrates excess and stylization, and the best examples of the form can only be truly enjoyed... big!

The Museum of the Moving Image's popular series See It Big! will turn its focus to the movie musical with a fourteen-film celebration of the genre, from January 24 through February 28, 2014. Musicals are, by their very nature, filled with spectacle. They are heightened forms of storytelling, in which the narrative is amplified by song and dance, where characters express their innermost feelings in the most extravagant ways imaginable. It is a genre that celebrates excess and stylization, and the best examples of the form can only be truly enjoyed… big!

On Monday, January 20, the company of Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical smash Chicago is pleased to welcome back Olivier Award nominee Brent Barrett in a new return engagement to the starring role of 'that silver-tongued Prince of the Courtroom,' Billy Flynn.

Broadway In Chicago and producers Barry and Fran Weissler have announced that John O'Hurley, award-winning actor and star of stage, TV & film, will reprise the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago. CHICAGO will play the Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe) February 25 through March 2, 2014.

Today in 1999, Fosse opened at the Broadhurst THeatre, where it ran for 1093 performances. Fosse is a three-act musical revue showcasing the choreography of Bob Fosse. The original Broadway production, conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Ann Reinking was choreographed by Reinking and Chet Walker. In 2002, Fosse, featuring Reinking and Ben Vereen, was aired as part of the Great Performances series on PBS television. A London production opened at the West End Prince of Wales Theatre on February 8, 2000 and closed January 6, 2001. The musical did not recreate the musical numbers as originally presented but instead had primarily black-and-white costumes (including the all-important hats), set against a simple setting.

CHICAGO returns to PlayhouseSquare for ONE WEEK ONLY, tonight, January 7-12, 2014 as part of the U.S. Bank Star Performance Series. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler announce that the suave, debonair, award-winning actor and star of stage, TV & film, John O'Hurley will return to the road to reprise the role of Billy Flynn at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland.