Bob Fosse News

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, tonight, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

According to Deadline.com, The Weinstein Company has hired Matthew Ponsoldt to pen a film adaptation of the musical Pippin. No film version of Pippin has ever been produced.

Brooke Shields has been announced as the director of the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. Rob Fisher has also been announced as the conductor of the production. Shields starred in CHICAGO both on Broadway and in London's West End and this marks her directing debut. Fisher's association with the show began with the 1996 Broadway revival and he continues to be supervising music director of CHICAGO productions around the globe.

Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's beloved coming-of-age musical comedy Pippin is currently in previews at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street). This all new production is directed by Diane Paulus featuring choreography by Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

On April 8th, producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones gathered in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they were entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration and you can check out highlights from inside the concert below!

Sweet Charity/book by Neil Simon/music by Cy Coleman; lyrics by Dorothy Fields/directed by Neil Dale/choreographed by Janet Renslow/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through May 5

The Company Theatre hosts an exclusive evening of food, fun and entertainment with Roxie and Velma's Secret Chicago Speakeasy Cocktail Event, Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 pm, at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA. The special benefit is a one-night only addition to Company's production of Chicago, directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman, choreographed by Sally Forrest, with music direction by Michael Joseph.

The fifth generation circus performer talks about PIPPIN, family tradition, and what makes a proper circus

Erik Altemus is making his Broadway debut as 'Lewis' in the current revival of PIPPIN, returning to the stage for the first time in 40 years. The talented actor revealed to BWW why making his Broadway debut at this point in his career was exactly 'the way it was meant to happen.'

Perhaps you saw him on Broadway in Wicked where he's spent the past five years playing the Wizard, or prior to that as the lovable Mr. Cellophane in the long running Broadway show Chicago opposite stars such as Melanie Griffith and Brooke Shields. Celebrating his 43rd year as a professional actor, PJ Benjamin will now be appearing at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre as Ralph Bellini, the charming lovestruck star of the heartwarming romantic comedy The Last Romance. Other Broadway shows in Mr. Benjamin's history include: Pippin; Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies; the Tony Award winning play Torch Song Trilogy; Charlie in the musical Charlie and Algernon (Los Angles critics award), The Pajama Game directed by George Abbott; Wind in the Willows; Ain't Broadway Grand and Sarava. He may also be familiar to younger audiences as the voice of Sergeant Dodo Bird in the animated film, Ice Age.

Today in 2001, the first Broadway revival of Bells Are Ringing opened at the Plymouth Theatre (now the Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre), where it ran for 68 performances. Bells Are Ringing is a musical with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. The story revolves around Ella, who works at an answering service and the characters that she meets there. The original Broadway production, directed by Jerome Robbins and choreographed by Robbins and Bob Fosse, opened on November 29, 1956 at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for slightly more than two years, and starred Judy Holliday as Ella and Sydney Chaplin as Jeff Moss.

Last night, April 8th, producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones gathered in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they were entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration and you can check out photos from inside the concert below!

Last night, April 8th, producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones gathered in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they were entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. BroadwayWorld was there for the special celebration and you can check out who was there to celebrate the legend below!

Ghostlight Records will release the New Broadway Cast Recording for Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's beloved coming-of-age musical comedy PIPPIN, which is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) and opens on Thursday, April 25. The cast will record the album on April 29. The album will be release in June 2013 (date to be announced) and will feature material from the show never previously recorded. The album will be co-produced by composer Stephen Schwartz and Kurt Deutsch, and executive produced by Howard & Janet Kagan.

At 6:30pm, tonight, April 8th producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones will gather in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they will be served a magnificent four-course dinner and be entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life.

East Boston's Johanna Perri will appear in the leading role of 'Velma Kelly' in The Company Theatre's production of Chicago, from tonight, April 5 through 28, at The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA.

The stars came out last night when Lee Roy Reams made his 54 Below debut in 'Song & Dance Man.' After the show, Reams was joined backstage by friends and colleagues including Leslie Uggams, Len Cariou, Dana Ivey, Penny Fuller, Tony Sheldon, Nick Adams, Marilyn Maye, Anita Gillette, and Etan Aronson. Check out photos below!

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the cast for the Stephen Sondheim celebration, Side By Side By Sondheim, which will run May 23 through August 18 at the CLO Cabaret.

The first revival of Pippin is in previews now, set to open on April 25, so producer Barry Weisler guided a tour to show off all the chaos of the pre-performance backstage at the Music Box Theatre. In this video, Weisler takes a look at the costume department, hair department, and even the orchestra.

At 6:30pm, on Monday, April 8th producer Marty Richards' feast of friends and loved ones will gather in celebration of his extremely accomplished life at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) where they will be served a magnificent four-course dinner and be entertained by a star-studded retrospective of show-stopping numbers from Mr. Richards' acclaimed Broadway musicals including Chicago, On The Twentieth Century, The Life, Grand Hotel, Sweeney Todd, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Will Rogers Follies and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life.