Broadway Across America News

On December 3, 2013, the world will get to read Pittsburgh author Bethany Hensel's debut New Adult novel, Unstoppable. Released through all major retailers including Barnes and Noble (US and UK), Apple, Kobo, FlipKart (India), FNAC (France and Portugul), Bookworld (Australia), Indigo (Canada), Rakuten (Japan), Amazon and more, this emotion-packed debut will be available first as an ebook for $3.99 and later as a trade paperback for $12.99.

The spectacular new production of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its Twin Cities' premiere December 13, 2013 through January 5, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. With newly re-invented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM has been an enormous success since its U.K. unveiling in March 2012.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for Wicked, which is returning to the Old National Centre with performances from now through December 1. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Old National Centre box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

The old sayings, 'You've got to see it to believe it,' and 'You either get 'IT'or you don't,' are certainly sayings that could be (and probably are) applied to WICKED. With its 10th anniversary this year, and nine current productions performing around the globe, I must say I was completely surprised during intermission. A gentleman sitting in front of me struck up a conversation and nonchalantly stated he had bought the ticket on a whim while in town for business ~ with no clue what the show was about. He had no idea it was in reference to Wizard of Oz and had no anticipation. He was simply ready to enjoy a live theater production and that was what caught his eye online. Wow. The winner of more than 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, was unknown to this gentleman. Naturally, I reflected back to my first time of seeing it in Chicago, and the subsequent reviews of 'Wicked' I have written ~ each one a totally different experience and finding different aspects most notable. At my first experience, I was blown away ~ as almost everyone is. The second, I noticed the nods to the book, film and characters. At my third, I noticed, and wrote about, the symbolism transportation played ~ in this review (REVIEW: WICKED 2010). After seeing any show several times, the viewer naturally compares the actors and have those they feel most closely fit the bill, the ones they believe most talented, etc. This production stars Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba and Hayley Podschun as Glinda. If you are a fan of Kristin Chenoweth and, frankly, who isn't? ~ then, you will absolutely adore Podschun. She practically radiates on stage during 'Popular,' drawing ecstatic applause from the engaged audience. Naturally, DiNoia's rendition of the power ballad won thunderous applause. It is definitely one of DiNoia's finer moments in the performance. Her other being the duet, 'What is this Feeling?' with Podschun as the two opposing witches realize how much they loathe each other. The main issue with anyone stepping into the sparkly shoes of Glinda or the work boots of Elphaba in the musical loosely based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is they are attempting to fill seriously talented footsteps. Even those who have not (gasp) seen the musical, have more than likely heard of the Broadway originators of the roles ~ Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (read review of her solo performance here). And therein lies the problem. Can anyone ever make the role truly their own, while compared to the greats at every turn? Probably not. At least not for another 10 years. It would be equivalent to performing a role so well the audience forgets Judy Garland (The Wizard of Oz), Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera), or Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean). Whether a stage or screen production, some performers become the standard for all others after them. A tough act. With that said, it's like being in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. No, you aren't No. 1 or 2, but you're still in the top percentile. Nothing to be upset over. Bottom Line: Whether this is your first, or 15th time, Wicked is a must-see anytime it is in town. Performance Schedule There is no performance on Thanksgiving Day,Thursday, November 28. November 13-17: Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday matinee at 2:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 19-24: Tuesday -Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 26 - December 1: Monday - Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm. Click here for information on $25 ticket lottery for Wicked in Indianapolis. Images: provided by BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Joan Marcus Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy's Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Tickets go on sale this Sunday, December 1 at 12:00 pm. Tickets start at $30 and will be available in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, by phone at 414-273-7206, online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups 10 or more call 414-273-7121 ext. 210.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, has announced that its 2013 Gimme A Break! benefit will honor producer Beth Williams on Monday, December 9 at 6:30pm, at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street.

Be among the first to get tickets in person at the box office by visiting The St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) in the heart of Times Square when it opens for a limited time only from today, Monday, November 18 through this Saturday, November 23.

KEVIN CARTER, Bobby Cronin, Scott Evan Davis, Drew Gasparini, Julia Meinwald, Blake Pfeil, Jeff Thomson, and Amanda Green star in INSPIRED 2: A Benefit Concert for the Humane Society of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, today, Monday November 18th, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

Producers Letty Aronson and Julian Schlossberg have announced a special, limited time box office opening and additional casting for the world premiere production of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. The new musical, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath for the 1994 film, will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.

The Tony-Award winning Broadway cast of PIPPIN has joined the line-up of performances in the nation's most beloved spectacle, the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which returns for the 87th year of magic on Thursday, November 28 (9 a.m. - noon EST; check local listings) throughout the country live on NBC. The cast will perform "Corner of the Sky" and "Magic to Do."

NETworks Presentations, LLC, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Unique Features, bring the Broadway musical ELF to the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Tickets are available, but limited, for performances Tuesday, November 26 to Sunday, December 1, 2013; with best availability on Thursday, November 28. ELF THE MUSICAL is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

With Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, CHICAGO has become a Broadway institution. The musical holds the distinction of being both the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The iconic sleek and sexy musical is beloved the world over and was adapted into an Academy Award winning film in 2002. Currently, the latest national tour of CHICAGO is giving Houston audiences that old razzle dazzle at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Beginning his career at the age of 14, AJ McKay has become an internationally-acclaimed voice over artist and sound engineer, working with top names in the voice over industry, all from his home in Louisville, KY.

Yesterday, Broadway Across America - Houston's production of CHICAGO loaded into the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Now, the cast is ready to paint Houston red, shimmy-shake until their garters break, and give us all that jazz. I spoke with Brent Barrett, who plays CHICAGO's glib Billy Flynn and was last seen in Houston as Captain Hook in the national tour of PETER PAN, about his career and this production of CHICAGO.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED, which is returning to the Old National Centre with performances from November 13-December 1. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Old National Centre box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

The supernatural power of love is taking Pittsburgh by storm as the new Broadway and West End musical Ghost The Musical, adapted from the Academy Award-winning film, will premiere in Pittsburgh from Tuesday, December 31, 2013 through Sunday, January 5, 2014, at Heinz Hall. Ghost The Musical is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony. Single ticket prices start at $20 and go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 15, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, has announced casting for its National Tour visiting the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on November 26-December 1. Tickets for the BMO Harris Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series are on sale now at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown, Milwaukee, by phone at 414-273-7206 or online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups 10+ SAVE! Call 414-273-7121 ext. 210.

Flashdance the Musical is a fun night at the theater. Am I going to remember some inspirational message or an overarching theme, probably not but what I will remember is that I had a great night at the theater. Isn't that ultimately what musical theater is about? Flashdance had upbeat music, emotional moments and great choreography, basically everything that I hoped I would see.

KEVIN CARTER, Bobby Cronin, SCOTT EVAN DAVIS, DREW GASPARINI, JULIA MEINWALD, BLAKE PFEIL, JEFF THOMSON, and AMANDA GREEN star in INSPIRED 2: A Benefit Concert for the Humane Society of NYC and The Last Resort Rescue of NJ, on Monday November 18th, 7pm at Stage 72/Triad.

Very Intense Productions and Your Theatrics | Jeremy Youett and Jacob Harvey present RSO FEST, a series of concerts showcasing three new musicals by composer Ryan Scott Oliver. RSO FEST will launch at New York's premier Supper Club, 54 Below (254 West 54th Street, NYC), today, October 7 with the 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (produced in association with Tony Award-winning producer John Johnson), followed by Darling (produced in association with Grammy Award-winner Kurt Deutsch and Sh-k-boom) today, November 4, and then Jasper In Deadland (produced in association with Prospect Theater Company) completing the trilogy today November 18.