Barry Weissler News

by Josh Stent

The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Erika Jayne! The star of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' is set to join the cast of the long-running hit musical Chicago as Roxie Hart beginning Monday, January 6, 2020. She will play a 12-week limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St., NYC) through Sunday, March 29, 2020.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Katharine McPhee will return to Broadway as Jenna for the final weeks of Waitress' Broadway run. McPhee returns to Waitress, where she made her Broadway debut last year.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, later this week Colleen Ballinger and Todrick Hall will join the cast of Waitress as Dawn and Ogie, respectively. The duo just met the press and we're taking you inside the special day below!

Colm Feore will utter the first words on the Stratford Festival's newest stage, an echo of the inaugural performance in 1953, when Alec Guinness's opening speech in Richard III anticipated the a?oeglorious summera?? that was to come for Stratford. Feore, an internationally acclaimed stage and screen actor, is just one of a diverse company of accomplished actors who will present a repertory season of 15 productions in four remarkable theatres.

Provincetown will see yet another return visitor when Lucie Arnaz returns to The Crown and Anchor for a one night only concert of her latest act ' I Got The Job: Songs From My Musical Past.' After selling out this same concert last year, producer Rick Murray asked Ms. Arnaz to return with the same show that had audiences cheering. Along with her musical director Ron Abel, the show will play Monday July 22,2019 at 8pm. Arnaz and Abel will bring this show to a many more venues over the next year, including New York's fabled 54 BELOW CLUB this fall .

Waitress, Broadway's sweetest hit musical, will celebrate the 4th of July with a complimentary red, white and blue WAITRESS INDEPENDENCE DAY PIE for every full or premium priced ticket purchased for four performances next week when the code "WTPIE1" is used at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre Box Office, Tickemaster.com, or by calling 800.745.3000

Open Jar Studios, Manhattan's newest and largest rehearsal space, celebrated its Grand Opening last night, June 17, 2019 with a star-studded crowd.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sara Bareilles, will return to Waitress in the role of Jenna, joined by Tony Award-winner, Gavin Creel as Dr. Pomatter for a limited engagement January 7 to February 3, 2019. The two are getting ready to take to the Brooks Atkinson stage and they met the press this week! Check out first photos of the pair together below!

Joey McIntyre will take over the role of Dr. Pomatter on February 5 and play through April 7, 2019. He was last seen on Broadway as Fiyero in Wicked. Producer Barry Weissler said, 'We love Joey as a New Kid on the Block and know that he has 'The Right Stuff' to be a brilliant Dr. Pomatter.'

Al Roker will play his final performance in the Broadway smash Waitress this Sunday evening November 18. He made his Broadway debut as 'Joe' in the show in October and will pass the pie to June Squibb, when 'Joe' turns to 'Josie' on Tuesday November 20. Waitress producer Barry Weissler said, 'We have loved having Al join the 47th Street's most popular pie shop. He has brought so much joy to the cast, crew and audience.'

Broadway brightest stars celebrated film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award-winner Nath Nathan Lane and Broadway producer Fran Weissler at the Drama League's 35th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway Benefit Gala held on Monday, November 5, 2018 at The Plaza.

Chicago will welcome Israeli Pop Star Shiri Maimon - in her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart - beginning Friday, September 21. BroadwayWorld caught up with the her as she celebrated her upcoming debut, check out the photos below!

Even the celebrities had a tough time getting a ticket for their shows at Feinstein's/54 Below. Jana Robbins and Haley Swindal's closing night's performance actually seemed more like an opening night with all the notability in the room. Audiences have been wildly enthusiastic about their cabaret act titled The Songs of Kander & Ebb…We Just Move On!

Project Manager Jeff Whiting, in partnership with several notable Broadway industry members, today announced the plans to build Open Jar Studios, a new rehearsal space in Times Square for rehearsals, auditions, and support offices for large-scale Broadway productions.

Full casting has been announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to Palace Theatre, Manchester from 3rd - 14th July 2018 as part of its international tour. Shona White (Donna Sheridan), Nicky Swift (Rosie), Helen Anker (Tanya), Tamlyn Henderson (Sam Carmichael), Daniel Crowder (Harry Bright), Matthew Rutherford (Bill Austin), Lucy May Barker (Sophie Sheridan), Phillip Ryan (Sky), Leisha Mollyneaux (Ali), Lottie Henshall (Lisa), Matt Jordan-Pidgeon (Pepper) and Michael Nelson (Eddie) will star in the production. At certain performances the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Natalie Langston.

Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham (Holiday Inn, A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder) and Drama Desk Award winner Jim Brochu (Character Man, Zero Hour) will join forces as an odd couple of writers in 1931 Hollywood in the new play PAGE COUNT by Kerr Lockhart. An industry reading is scheduled for Monday, May 14 at 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM at 353 Studios (353 West 48th Street, Studio 3).

CHICAGO boasts an all-star cast including Cuba Gooding Jr as Billy Flynn, Sarah Soetaert as Roxie Hart, Josefina Gabrielle as Velma Kelly, Ruthie Henshall as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart. The production recently made its triumphant return to the West End, check out photos from opening night below!

After a hugely successful repeat run of KINKY BOOTS, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group continues its 2018 season with two highly anticipated productions, the critically acclaimed musical SIDE SHOW, and the hit Broadway musical WAITRESS, which continues to play to sold-out crowds in New York City and on U.S. National Tour.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE COLOR PURPLE, WAITRESS, WICKED and more!