Billy Porter News

The emcee for Live Out Loud's 13th Annual Young Trailblazers Gala will be Tony and Grammy Award winner Billy Porter, star of Broadway's KINKY BOOTS.

The Playwrights Realm Artistic Director Katherine Kovner has announced that Alexander Orbovich has been named the company's new Managing Director.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Kinky Boots will welcome new cast members beginning tonight, March 4, 2014. Jeanna de Waal joins the cast as 'Lauren' (replacing Annaleigh Ashford, who leaves to join the cast of Showtime's 'Masters of Sex'), and Cortney Wolfson, who was previously in the ensemble, moves up to the role of 'Nicola' (replacing Lena Hall, who leaves to join the cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch). Anna Eilinsfeld takes over Wolfson's role in the cast.

As same-sex marriages soon overtake churches and government halls in England and Wales, so too will British culture invade The Saban Theatre (8440 Wilshire Boulevard) in Beverly Hills as Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) presents 'God Save the Queen(s),' the second show of the Chorus's 35th season, on Saturday March 29, 2014 at 8 p.m. and Sunday March 30, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Five more of Broadway's most talented men and two of its leading ladies will join the already star-studded lineup of legendary performers for the ninth annual edition of Broadway Backwards, a one-night-only performance produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and benefiting BC/EFA and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of New York.

It's been almost a decade since the Pittsburgh-born Billy Porter released a solo album, and since then much has changed for the award-winning artist, who grew up singing in the Pentecostal church. Perhaps best known for his Tony Award-winning role as 'Lola' in the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, Porter's musical background is based in gospel, soul and R&B. He released his first solo album, Untitled, on A&M Records, and a second album, At The Corner of Broadway + Soul, on Sh-K-Boom Records. On April 15, 2014, Porter releases his debut on Concord Records, Billy's Back on Broadway.

Kinky Boots - The Road to Broadway, a presentation of CUNY TV's ARTS IN THE CITY, returns for five encore broadcasts over the weekend beginning Friday, Feb. 28 (2014). Hosted by New York entertainment reporter Pat Collins, the popular show will air at 9am, 2pm and 8pm, and will repeat on Saturday 3/1 at 7pm and Sunday 3/2 at 8:30am.

The music of the late composer Dory Previn was celebrated at a gala for the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre last night. Best-known as the writer of such hit songs as 'Theme from Valley of the Dolls,' 'Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign,' 'With My Daddy in the Attic,' 'You're Gonna Hear from Me,' DORY PREVIN was a legendary figure as a pop-folk singer-song-writer in the 60's-70's and 80's. The Gala performance was directed by Rachel Chavkin (NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), with musical direction by Jon Spurney. BroadwayWorld was there fo rthe gala and you can check out photos from the special event below!

Performances begin tonight for Roundabout Theatre Company's third annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series. The actors involved in the series include: Pico Alexander, Fred Applegate, De'Adre Aziza, David Aaron Baker, Cassie Beck, Michael Chernus, Diane Davis, Dashiell Eaves, Ryan Eggold, Lisa Emery, Sue Jean Kim, Chad Kimball, Jessica Love, Lizbeth Mackay, Annie McNamara, Alex Mickiewicz, Aaron Clifton Moten, Olivia Oguma, Tonya Pinkins, Paul Pontrelli, Conrad Ricamora, Reg Rogers, Debra Jo Rupp, Campbell Scott and Max von Essen.

Andy Kelso stepped into the shoes of Kinky Boots' 'Charlie Price' at the end of last month, replacing original cast member Stark Sands. Below, BroadwayWorld spoke with Kelso about transitioning to his new role in the Tony-winning hit!

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will present the fourth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' on Monday, June 16. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called 'a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert' by The Wall Street Journal, 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. This show will also help celebrate the landmark 75th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM. The evening is written and hosted by Justin Sayre, and directed and choreographed by Jason Wise, with special guests to be announced. For more information, visit www.aliforneycenter.org/judys.

Audience members at the smash hit musical Kinky Boots were in for a special treat last night, when Sky, the Wire Fox Terrier who was named 'Best in Show' at the Westminster Dog Show earlier this week, made a surprise appearance in the Tony Award-winning show. Check out a look back at her debut below!

In honor of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's opening on Broadway this week, BroadwayWorld decided to highlight Tony- and Drama Desk Award-winning composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown's body of work. Scroll down to learn more about Brown's musicals, watch songs and highlights, and be sure to let us know your favorite Jason Robert Brown show or song!

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of THE MYSTERIES - a radical retelling of The Bible.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the third annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series. The series will celebrate seven critically-acclaimed seasons of Roundabout Underground productions. Roundabout Underground Reading Series is a five night event that will include a nightly reading of a new play written and directed by an emerging artist.

The winner of the 2014 Richard Rodgers Production Award for Musical Theater was announced today by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, which administers the Richard Rodgers Awards.

On today's episode of Logo TV's web series 'Sally Jessy Rides!,' Sally chats with 2013 Tony winner Billy Porter about everything KINKY BOOTS. Tune in at 11:00 AM ET to watch the episode on LOGO or catch the full interview below!

KINKY BOOTS, featuring music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, was the winner of this year's Grammy Award for 'Best Musical Theater Album.' The honor was given out at the GRAMMY pre-show ceremony and accepted by Lauper. Watch the musical take home the award below!