Boy George News

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 27, 2012 - Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney's NEWSIES and his success d'estime with Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best!

Today we are talking to an iconic performer known for his decades on stages and screens around the world, from his variety show roots with sister Marie and their eponymous 70s television staple to his solo pop career in the 1980s and roles in Broadway and Hollywood and beyond since then - the one and only Donny Osmond. Osmond and I recount many of his marvelous show business memories in this all-inclusive chat, putting a particular emphasis on his theatre roles - most of all, his work in the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, filmed in 1999 and presented next week in a super-special Sing-A-Long showing with an exclusive live Q&A hosted by Osmond in Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on March 26. In addition to all about the filming of the spectacular movie musical version of JOSEPH helmed by Steven Pimlott and co-starring Maria Friedman, Osmond and I discuss his experiences playing the title role in the show for six years throughout the 1990s and how he looks back on his experiences in the Biblically-themed pop/rock operetta. Plus, Osmond shares insights into the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as shares stories of working with legends such as Gene Kelly, Richard Attenborough, Joan Collins and touches upon his appearances in MULAN onscreen, BEAUTY & THE BEAST onstage, DANCING WITH THE STARS on TV - and much, much more!

It is a rare enough occurrence for a genuine born and bred Broadway star to emerge post-millennium, but one as astonishingly versatile as Raul Esparza, having scored accolades since his blazing debut in a string of hit plays and musicals, ranging from Mamet and Sondheim and Pinter to CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and his aforementioned Broadway bow in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, is a downright cause for celebration. Esparza makes his grand return to the Broadway stage in a musical with his upcoming starring role in Alan Menken & Glenn Slater's adaptation of the Steve Martin film LEAP OF FAITH, featuring a country and gospel influenced score and a spirited, energetic production by Christopher Ashley (who, incidentally, helmed Esparza's first Broadway show, ROCKY HORROR). While Esparza has been seen in many - most, if not quite all - Broadway seasons in the decade since 2001, he has also scored in leading roles in regional productions such as 2002's spectacular SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revivals, part of the unprecedented Sondheim Celebration, as well as the Cincinnati Playhouse COMPANY, directed by John Doyle, which transferred to Broadway and was subsequently preserved on DVD and Blu-ray, in addition to being presented on PBS as part of Great Performances. Besides Esparza's many notable musical revival performances (lest we forget his essaying of the Emcee in CABARET), he also created the Broadway iterations of his roles in the controversial and brilliantly scored TABOO, produced by Rosie O'Donnell and composed by Boy George, as well as the stage adaptation of the hit family classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, as well as originating the lead role in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Having played three of Sondheim's most memorable male roles was not enough, though, apparently, for Esparza recently took on the part of the hapless Hapgood in Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE when it was revived at City Center's Encores! - with Tony-winners Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster his co-stars, no less - with much success. Yet, in one of a myriad of examples of the broad spectrum of Esparza's abilities, it is instructive to remember he first made a name for himself with the role of Che in an Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice show, directed by no less than the ultimate man of the theatre himself, Harold Prince - EVITA, which, of course, is being revived this season with Ricky Martin in the role of Che. Besides Esparza's many musical roles throughout the past decade and prior, he has also carved out a seriously impressive straight drama resume, having appeared in plays by the great playwrights of our age, such as Pinter (THE HOMECOMING), Mamet (SPEED-THE-PLOW), Stoppard (ARCADIA) and, the greatest of all, Shakespeare (AS YOU LIKE IT, part of Shakespeare In The Park). ROCKY HORROR to ARCADIA to, now, with LEAP OF FAITH, Esparza constantly and consistently surprises fans and audiences alike with his audacious choice in roles and electrifying performances that are indelibly enjoyable in their uniqueness, variety and sheer breadth of emotion - time and time again. Yes, indeed, Raul Esparza is the best of the best Broadway has to offer, so let us hope LEAP OF FAITH is the ideal star vehicle for one of the most charismatic and multi-talented leading men of the 21st century and that it brings him his well-deserved Best Actor Tony at last.

Rewind - The 80s Festival returns for its fourth year from Friday 17th August - Sunday 19th August at Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames. As with last year's concert performances and audience participation celebrations, this year's Rewind Festival includes another live outdoor line-up of the 80s recording artists/performers.

"Rewind Scotland - The 80s Festival" returns for the second year in a row. This year's Rewind Scotland features another live outdoor line-up of 80s recording artists/performers.

Sky 3D & Sky Arts will broadcast the live recording of this year's Prince's Trust Rock Gala, supported by Novae. Boy George, The Feeling and Pete Townshend are among the artists on board to rock the Royal Albert Hall on 23 November. The concert is one of the most important fundraisers in The Prince's Trust calendar and will premiere on Sky Arts 1 and Sky 3D on Christmas Day at 9pm.

Sky 3D & Sky Arts will broadcast the live recording of this year's Prince's Trust Rock Gala, supported by Novae. Boy George, The Feeling and Pete Townshend are among the artists on board to rock the Royal Albert Hall on 23 November. The concert is one of the most important fundraisers in The Prince's Trust calendar and will premiere on Sky Arts 1 and Sky 3D on Christmas Day at 9pm.

Terrace Theatre is packed to see and listen to Scotsman.

Stephen Ashfield (Emmett) and Ben Freeman (Warner) join Carley Stenson (Elle Woods), Natalie Casey (Paulette) and Peter Davison (Professor Callahan) in the Olivier Award winning show Legally Blonde The Musical, which is currently booking until 27 October 2012 at the Savoy Theatre.

Corky Hale, the Jazz pianist, harpist and vocalist will make her vocal debut at Lincoln Center as part of The 22nd New York Cabaret Convention, to be presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation in the Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, 33 West 60th Street (at Broadway), New York, NY 10023-7905.

B.E.F. have confirmed '2manydjs (DJ Set) - a special and unique 80s set' to their 'Music of Quality and Distinction' night at the London Roundhouse on Saturday October 15th.

To dovetail Heaven 17's world premiere of 'The Luxury Gap' album performed in its entirety in 3D sound at the London Roundhouse on Friday October 14th, and songs from B.E.F.'s Music of Quality & Distinction albums the following night on Saturday October 15th, Heaven 17 have launched their own weekly radio series on Absolute 80s entitled 'Electronic 80s with Heaven 17.

BROADWAY SESSIONS welcomes Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Cary Shields and more tonight. The show is HOSTED BY Ben Cameron EVERY THURSDAY at 11:00pm with doors opening at 10:30pm at THE MIDTOWN THEATRE at the HA! Comedy Club.

B.E.F. have confirmed '2manydjs (DJ Set) - a special and unique 80s set' to their 'Music of Quality and Distinction' night at the London Roundhouse on Saturday October 15th.

Corky Hale, the Jazz pianist, harpist and vocalist will make her vocal debut at Lincoln Center as part of The 22nd New York Cabaret Convention, to be presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation in the Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, 33 West 60th Street (at Broadway), New York, NY 10023-7905.

Original Annie star Andrea McArdle and Rent Broadway cast alum Cary Shields return to summer camp in NYMF's Greenwood, an original musical comedy about a group of friends who share a profound experience at a performing arts camp and come back together to try to recreate it 25 years later. Click below to watch McArdle and her daughter Alexis Kalehoff sing 'The Me I Used to Know' from the show!

BROADWAY SESSIONS welcomes Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Cary Shields and more 9/29. The show is HOSTED BY BEN CAMERON EVERY THURSDAY at 11:00pm with doors opening at 10:30pm at THE MIDTOWN THEATRE at the HA! Comedy Club.

MATT CAVENAUGH and JENNY POWERS are set to star in A NYMF Developmental Reading of: MANY HAPPY RETURNS- A New Musical by Carey Ramos and Lamont Dozier.

To dovetail Heaven 17's world premiere of 'The Luxury Gap' album performed in its entirety in 3D sound at the London Roundhouse on Friday October 14th, and songs from B.E.F.'s Music of Quality & Distinction albums the following night on Saturday October 15th, Heaven 17 have launched their own weekly radio series on Absolute 80s entitled 'Electronic 80s with Heaven 17.