Beth Leavel News

Conductor Todd Ellison is quite possibly one of the busiest men in the industry right now. His involvement in the fast-approaching production of THE BAND WAGON with Encores!, a Christmas concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and his own staged musical in March, only begin to scratch the surface of his hectic schedule for the next six months. Fortunately for us, he recently took the time to sit down and discuss these as well as prior engagements.

The Muny in St. Louis has just revealed their 2015 season via the St. Louis Post Dispatch which will include BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MY FAIR LADY, OKLAHOMA!, HAIRSPRAY, INTO THE WOODS, BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY and a new adaption of HOLIDAY INN.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, announces a new partnership with New Jersey Perfoming Arts Center (NJPAC) to present a series of evenings direct from 'Broadway's living room' to the audiences at the esteemed arts venue in Newark, NJ. The series, '54 Below at NJPAC,' launches with three Saturday night events, originally presented on stage at 54 Below, celebrating the music of legendary Broadway songwriters and featuring all-star Broadway talent.

(NJPAC) to present a series of evenings direct from 'Broadway's living room' to the audiences at the esteemed arts venue in Newark, NJ. The series, '54 Below at NJPAC,' launches with three Saturday night events, originally presented on stage at 54 Below, celebrating the music of legendary Broadway songwriters and featuring all-star Broadway talent.

A New York City developmental lab of the Casey Nicholaw directed and choreographed, and Broadway (via Seattle) bound new musical, Something Rotten! will be held today, October 9.

Did you know that before Paige Faure was a princess, she was Wendy Darling and Trinity from the Matrix? Below, Broadway brings you videos of the CINDERELLA star in a high school comedy troupe called 'The Bad Eggs,' starring alongside Broadway actor Andrew Durand (WAR HORSE), and Atlanta actors Nick Arapoglou and Jimi Kocina.

?54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, has announced initial casting for '54 Sings Kiss of the Spider Woman.'Anthony Crivello, who won a Tony Award for his performance as Valentin in the original 1993 Broadway production of Kiss of the Spider Woman, headlines the evening celebrating John Kander and Fred Ebb's celebrated score.

BroadwayWorld.com has just learned the casting for an upcoming New York City developmental lab of the Casey Nicholaw directed and choreographed, and Broadway (via Seattle) bound new musical, Something Rotten!

Broadway stars Christine Ebersole, Beth Leavel, and Betty Buckley will perform at an event to support Clay Aiken's campaign for US Congress. Aiken is running on the Democratic ticket for North Carolina's 2nd district.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include opening night of LOVE LETTERS, Barbra Streisand on Jimmy Fallon, the American Theatre Wing's Annual Gala honoring Dame Angela Lansbury, and more!

The Muny, America's premier summer musical theatre, and Webster University's Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Conservatory of Theatre Arts, a national leader in training for Musical Theatre, have joined forces to launch a summer intensive for emerging young artists. This three-week program invites 10 rising junior and senior high school students from across the nation to participate in an immersive theatrical experience. The first Muny/Webster Intensive for Emerging Young Artists will be held during the summer of 2015.

On Friday night, September 12, director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel presented an all-star Broadway cast in 'Rise, Rise, Rise' a tribute to the late Elaine Stritch at 54 Below, singing the songs that made Stritch famous and told the stories that made her infamous. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the concert below!

Last night, September 12 (9:30pm), director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel presented an all-star Broadway cast in 'Rise, Rise, Rise' a tribute to the late Elaine Stritch at 54 Below, singing the songs that made Stritch famous and told the stories that made her infamous. Check out pre-show photos below!

Laura Osnes, Jarrod Spector and Beth Leavel participated this week in a reading of a hot new musical called BANDSTAND

Few legends come along as brassy and powerful as Elaine Stritch, and so it's time to 'Rise, Rise, Rise' in tribute to her. Tonight, September 12 (9:30pm), director Eric Ulloa and Music Director John McDaniel will present an all star Broadway cast singing the songs that made Stritch famous and telling the stories that made her infamous. So, come to 54 Below for an evening of great music, memories, food and of course cocktails.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, has announced Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie (Bullets Over Broadway, Next To Normal, Kiss Me Kate), as the latest addition to the starry cast of '54 Sings Big River.'The one-night-only event takes place this Sunday, September 14 at 7PM and 9:30PM.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) debuts a transformative new performance and event venue, raising the curtain on THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. FPAC kicks off the company's premiere season in its new home with a grand-opening weekend September 20-22 to introduce the theater and event space to the community. Anchoring a series of signature events, FPAC's annual Gala will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m. featuring silent and live auctions, inspired cuisine by Artistry Catering and Events, and dancing until midnight. The evening's entertainment presents a special, one-night-only performance by guest artists Beth Leavel, renowned Broadway veteran and Tony® Award winner for The Drowsy Chaperone, and Alexander Gemignani, Broadway's acclaimed Jean Valjean (Les Miserables) and Billy Flynn (Chicago).

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.