Billy Porter News

In 2013, I turned 28, which apparently is one of several years at the end of your 20s where basically your life hits the fan and sudden changes surround you. I looked around, and everyone else seemed so happy. Then, I breathed and realized that I have plenty to be happy about. In 2013 I became BroadwayWorld.com's official theatre recording critic and have been exposed to some incredible albums since accepting that title. Some I have loved; others I have not. Regardless of my feelings towards the albums themselves, these are the top 20 songs from 2013 I simply cannot get out of my mind.

Today, check out part one of this year's curtain call highlights 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

Just in time for very last-minute gift-giving, 2013 Best Musical Tony Award-winner KINKY BOOTS is offering two stylish and sexy holiday ornaments befitting the themes of the hit feel-good musical.

Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig have announced new leads for their smash hit musical Kinky Boots; Andy Kelso, who currently plays 'Harry', will take over the role of 'Charlie Price' on January 28, 2014 following Stark Sands' January 26 departure. Jeanna de Waal will join the cast as 'Lauren,' beginning March 4, 2014 (replacing Annaleigh Ashford, who leaves to join the cast of Showtime's 'Masters of Sex'), and Jake Odmark joins the ensemble in the roles previously played by Andy Kelso. As previously announced, Billy Porter, this year's Tony Award-winner for Best Actor in a Musical, will remain with Kinky Boots.

2014 is upon us, which means that it's time to look back on all of the highs and lows that this past theatre season has brought. BroadwayWorld is wrapping up the year by tributing our favorite moments of 2013, and in this series, we're highlighting 13 of our favorite musical moments on stage in just 30 seconds. Below, check out a 30 second clip from one of our favorite musicals of the year- Kinky Boots.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Birdland's 'extreme' open mic, is proud to announce the upcoming MENTOR MONDAYS segment, which takes place on the last Monday of every month. MENTOR MONDAYS pairs up-and-coming singers and composers with established artists to create a featured performance for the historic Birdland stage. MENTOR MONDAYS gives emerging young performers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with some of New York's most talented musical theater songsmiths, including Adam Guettel, Lisa Lambert, Frank Wildhorn, Amanda Green, John Bucchino and Georgia Stitt, as well as singers Jane Monheit and Billy Porter.

Highlights this week include the opening of STEPHEN WARD, Kate Baldwin's portrait unveiling at Sardi's, and the Kennedy Center Honors, and more!

From newcomer Zachary Levi on his FIRST DATE with Broadway to veteran, half-masked opera instructor Hugh Panaro as the 'PHANTOM', this season on the Great White Way is filled with men who know how to reign onstage. Below, BWW brings you the cream of the crop currently on Broadway -- and be sure to let us know your favorite in this week's poll!

Kinky Boots stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands and Annaleigh Ashford and more joined the show's Tony Award-winning composer Cyndi Lauper for a special one-night-only True Colors Cabaret, last night, December 16th at Birdland (315 W 44th St). Lauper joined the cast of Kinky Boots to perform an eclectic array of standards, pop hits and other songs, with musical direction by the show's Tony Award-winning orchestrator Stephen Oremus.

Kinky Boots stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands and Annaleigh Ashford and more joined the show's Tony Award-winning composer Cyndi Lauper for a special one-night-only True Colors Cabaret, last night, December 16th at Birdland (315 W 44th St). Lauper joined the cast of Kinky Boots to perform an eclectic array of standards, pop hits and other songs, with musical direction by the show's Tony Award-winning orchestrator Stephen Oremus.

Notable big screen and small screen personalities - and longtime husband and wife - Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman were spotted backstage at 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical KINKY BOOTS and took the time to pose for a picture with show standout Stark Sands.

Kinky Boots producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig, along with the True Colors Fund, recently announced that cast members from Kinky Boots, including stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands and Annaleigh Ashford, will join the show's Tony Award-winning composer Cyndi Lauper for a special one-night-only True Colors Cabaret, set for tonight, December 16th at 7:00 PM at Birdland (315 W 44th St).

Highlights this week include a HIT LIST concert at 54 Below, the 2013 Hammerstein Awards, the opening of A CHRISTMAS STORY, and more!

Now starring in the title role of the national touring company of EVITA, genuine triple-threat Caroline Bowman embodies the Dior-clad role of Argentina's once shining real-life jewel Eva Peron, and has been winning over audiences and critics alike with her powerful vocals and grounded acting. Right before she and her cast-mates invaded Segerstrom Center for the Arts for its two-week tour stop (ending December 22), Bowman agreed to answer a few silly questions from BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos.

This season features a slew of stars originating roles, and plenty more making an existing one their own -- but regardless of the breadth of their repertoire, these divas prove they're the top when it comes to getting away with murder in 1920s Chicago, or running a derelict orphanage -- all while hitting their marks night after night.

The beloved Broadway tradition continues as Sardi's just added caricatures of the Kinky Boots players to its legendary walls yesterday. Kinky Boots stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands, Annaleigh Ashford, and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell were honored with portraits and you can check out full photo coverage from the festivities below!

The beloved Broadway tradition continues as Sardi's just added caricatures of the Kinky Boots players to its legendary walls earlier today. Kinky Boots stars Billy Porter, Stark Sands, Annaleigh Ashford, and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell were honored with portraits and you can check out a photo preview from the festivities below. Check back later for full coverage!

On Sunday, December 8, Joe Allen, owner of Joe Allen Restaurant, Orso Restaurant, and Bar Centrale (W. 46th Street, NYC) donated 50% of the entire day's proceeds from all three restaurants to Save the Children for the organization's Typhoon Haiyan Children's Relief Fund to benefit children affected by the super typhoon in the Philippines. The three restaurants total raised $10,000 to donate, and then a charitable regular at Bar Centrale matched their total. The grand total to be donated to Save the Children for their typhoon relief is $12,500.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Manhattan's 'extreme' open mic, is the place for a monthly event called MENTOR MONDAYS, which pairs up-and-coming singers and composers with established artists to create a featured performance for the historic Birdland stage. The segment is presented by Trevor McQueen. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret have announced that Tony Award-winning Broadway star Laura Benanti will make her Los Angeles solo concert debut in January. The show celebrates the West Coast release of her first album "In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention," which USA Today named "Pick of the Week" and TV Guide called "A must-have." With musical direction and arrangements by Todd Almond, there will be one show only on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 8:30pm at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. Cocktail and dinner service begin at 7pm.