Brian d'Arcy James News

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Idina Menzel and popular Broadway-Hollywood crossover star Taye Diggs - husband and wife in real life - host a special fundraising event for their kids' charity, A BROADER WAY, tonight, July 22, hosted by the one and only Whoopi Goldberg.

It is generally agreed upon that the best theatre challenges audiences, and after they experience the piece they are altered. Bayou City Theatrics' production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY vastly excels in this domain. If you're unfamiliar with the show, rest assured that Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY exists in the periphery of the theatre consciousness. Most of those who are aware of it are fans of Andrew Lippa or know a handful of numbers because they follow the Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Brian D'Arcy James, and/or Julia Murney. Bayou City Theatrics took a big risk with producing the musical, but the lascivious, violent, alcohol-drenched production had a profound and strangely enchanting affect on those lucky enough to attend last night's opening night performance. From what we experienced, I am sure that its allure and effect will only get stronger as the run progresses.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its August 2013 schedule, featuring: Pablo Ziegler's 'Tango Conexion,' Billy Hart Quartet, Trio 3, Joey DeFrancesco with the City Rhythm Orchestra, Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Luiz Simas Quartet, Tamm E. Hunt, Steve Kazee, Pedro Giraudo Expansions Big Band, Julie Halston, Roni Ben-Hur 'Wes Montgomery Tribute,' Tex Allen Sextet, Martin Piecuch Trio 'Jazzical Fusion,' Tim Hagans Quartet, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Jay Leonhart Duo, and MANY MORE!

THE WILD PARTY previews August 8th and continues through August 25th at the Center Theatre at the Seattle Center Armory (Formerly the Seattle Center House Theatre). Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/362552 or see www.soundtheatrecompany.org for more information.

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Idina Menzel and popular BroadwayHollywood crossover star Taye Diggs - husband and wife in real life - will host a special fundraising event for their kids' charity A BROADER WAY later this month, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

Giant's Kate Baldwin, Brian D'Arcy James and Michael John LaChiusa will be present for a CD signing and performance at Barnes & Noble at 86th & Lexington Ave in NYC on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 7 PM.

Today we are talking to a passionate and prolific performer who has appeared in a number of impressive properties over the course of his career thus far - Milky White in the most recent Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS to his starring roles in MEMPHIS and beyond - the charming Chad Kimball.

On Saturday night, BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, took place on the theater's Wurtele Thrust Stage before a packed house. The performance featured a glittering array of contributors including actors and artists linked to all aspects of the Guthrie's past and its vision for the future. BEHOLD, the centerpiece of a weekend that captivated the Twin Cities and marked the long and vital relationship between the Guthrie and the community that it calls home, marked the half-century milestone for the flagship of the American regional theater movement that first opened its doors in 1963.

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.

The Guthrie welcomes 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers to complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, tonight, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.

Brian d'Arcy James performed 'All Will Be Well' at Broadway Sessions on May 30th, 2013. Check out the video below!

The Guthrie today announced that 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers will complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.

The Town Hall is proud to announce the season finale of Broadway by the Year featuring The Broadway Musicals of 1988, includingThe Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Legs Diamond, Romance Romance, Carrie, and More! Scott Siegel, the creator, writer, and host of Broadway by the Year has selected a half dozen performers to star in the concert, including Howard McGillin, who holds the record for playing 'The Phantom' longer than any other actor in Broadway history. He will be joined by one of his Christines, Jennifer Hope Wills. Drama Desk Nominees Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Kevin Earley (Death Takes a Holiday) return toBroadway by the Year. Lisa Brescia, who starred on Broadway in Twyla Tharp's The Times They Are A-Changin', as Elphaba in Wicked, and as Donna in Mamma Mia! makes her Broadway by the Year debut and favorite Scott Coulter will direct and star in the concert. The cast will be joined by the Broadway by the Year Chorus.

Shrek cast members scheduled to perform include Tony nominees Brian D'Arcy James and John Tartaglia alongside Ben Crawford, Ryan Duncan, Dennis Stowe, Heather Janes Rolff, Haven Burton, Denny Pashcall, Colleen Hawks, Jacob Ming Trent, Danette Holden and Greg Reuter who will also serve as co-host for the evening.

The Town Hall is proud to announce the season finale of Broadway by the Year featuring The Broadway Musicals of 1988, includingThe Phantom of the Opera, Chess, Legs Diamond, Romance Romance, Carrie, and More! Scott Siegel, the creator, writer, and host of Broadway by the Year has selected a half dozen performers to star in the concert, including Howard McGillin, who holds the record for playing 'The Phantom' longer than any other actor in Broadway history. He will be joined by one of his Christines, Jennifer Hope Wills. Drama Desk Nominees Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) and Kevin Earley (Death Takes a Holiday) return toBroadway by the Year. Lisa Brescia, who starred on Broadway in Twyla Tharp's The Times They Are A-Changin', as Elphaba in Wicked, and as Donna in Mamma Mia! makes her Broadway by the Year debut and favorite Scott Coulter will direct and star in the concert. The cast will be joined by the Broadway by the Year Chorus.

Shrek cast members scheduled to perform include Tony nominees Brian D'Arcy James and John Tartaglia alongside Ben Crawford, Ryan Duncan, Dennis Stowe, Heather Janes Rolff, Haven Burton, Denny Pashcall, Colleen Hawks, Jacob Ming Trent, Danette Holden and Greg Reuter who will also serve as co-host for the evening.

Edna Ferber has been proven to be plumb inspiration for grandiose and sweeping musicals. 1927's SHOW BOAT was based on her 1926 novel Showboat. Recently, her novel Giant was musicalized by Michael John LaChiusa (SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, FIRST LADY SUITE, THE WILD PARTY). The show features a book by Sybille Pearson, Music and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, and luxuriant orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin with additional orchestrations by Larry Hochman. GIANT had its New York City premiere in a production that was co-produced by The Public Theater and Dallas Theater Center last fall. The acclaimed musical's rousing and extravagantly epic score has been resplendently captured by Ghostlight Records on their 2-disc GIANT (Original Cast Recording) album.

Earlier this month, it was announced that NBC was lowering the curtain on SMASH, and despite winning E!'s Save One Show poll, the show must close. In anticipation of the series' finale tonight, May 26 on NBC, BroadwayWorld brings you a flashback of SMASH's high (and low) notes!

Great American pianist Kevin Cole [fresh from Carnegie Hall, protege of Marvin Hamlisch], with special guests Brian d'Arcy James [Shrek; Next to Normal], Klea Blackhurst [Everything the Traffic Will Allow], and Ryan VanDenBoom [Annie] will perform a Benefit Concert to support DreamCatcher Entertainment, an independent theatre and film company, celebrating their 5th Anniversary.

I thought about many happy childhood musical theater memories last night while I attended the Dutch Treat Club's Annual Gold Medal Tribute Dinner and Show at the Harvard Club in honor of the legendary 'Fiddler of the Roof' lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who received the Club's Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Arts.