Broadway Across America News

My first experience with JERSEY BOYS was the Broadway company's rousing performance at Broadway in Bryant Park last summer. After their fun, toe-tapping set, I was looking forward to seeing the 2nd National Tour company perform in Houston, TX. Last night, I took my seat for JERSEY BOYS anticipating hearing some timeless pop classics of yesteryear brought to dazzling life with an intriguing book that strings the hits together for a cohesive and moving story. However, after the 2 hour and 30 minute performance, I felt I was robbed of what should have been a completely entertaining and extravagant theatrical treat.

The new American musical Hands on a Hardbody will begin preview performances this Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8pm at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street), with an official opening night of Thursday, March 21, 2013.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, BroadwayWorld's Chicago Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, sat down for exclusive talks with co-star Bobby Steggert, with the writing team of Andrew Lippa (music and lyrics) and John August (book) and with co-star Kate Baldwin in the balcony lobby of Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Here is his report:

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA

The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Pittsburgh premiere April 16-21, 2013 at Heinz Hall as part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series.

SUMMERWORKS 2013 - the annual season of new plays presented by the four-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb -- is set for its 18th season May 24th to June 29th at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd Street) in Manhattan, it has been announced by Maria Striar, Clubbed Thumb's Producing Artistic Director.

The Omaha return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, April 7. In Omaha, THE LION KING plays Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a special matinee at 2:00 pm. on Thursday, April 4. "Omahans are welcoming back this wonderful show in a big way," Joan Squires, President of Omaha Performing Arts said. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations but there are still good seats available," she added. "We have seats throughout the run of the show but especially in the later weeks, so check with our box office for best available seating."

Omaha Performing Arts is packing more than 100 performances with dozens of Tony and Grammy Award-winners into seven great series for its 2013/2014 season.

Rising-star musical theater writer Adam Gwon will play 54 Below for a one-night-only concert extravaganza on Monday April 8, 2013 at 9:30pm. Heading up a five-piece band, Gwon will premiere brand-new songs and share tunes from his musicals Ordinary Days, Cloudlands, The Boy Detective Fails, and String.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will offer $29 tickets to college students for its first four performances, April 2-5, 2013. Students will also be invited to attend a Q&A following the show with the cast and creative team members. 200 tickets per performance will be available at this special price when students use the code UNIVERSITY. Tickets are available online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Touring the nation in a show is nothing new for Colby Foytik, currently playing Tommy DeVito in the 2nd National Tour of the smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS. In fact, audiences around the nation may remember seeing him star as Perchik in Topol's 2009 Farewell Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. However, like most of us use the weekends to get caught up on life, many actors use Mondays for similar purposes. Enjoying some downtime in Norfolk, VA and putting the glamour of being on stage aside so he could get some laundry done, Colby Foytik talked with me about his career, playing Tommy DeVito, and the JERSEY BOYS 2nd National Tour.

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta will welcome the Tony Award Winning Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET as part of the 2012/2013 season, playing at the Fox Theatre from tonight, March 12-17, 2013.

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta and Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta have partnered to get fans an up close and personal look at items from the stars who inspired the award-winning Broadway musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 10, 2013 - Sunday, March 10, 2013.

Broadway in Indianapolis announces its 2013-2014 season. From the creators of South Park and winner of nine Tony Awards, THE BOOK OF MORMON will play a limited two-week engagement January 17-22, 2014. The New York Times calls it 'the best musical of this century' and Entertainment Weekly says it's 'the funniest musical of all time.' Season Subscribers receive priority ticket opportunities to shows so a season subscription is the best way to guarantee seats to THE BOOK OF MORMON.

Broadway In Boston and Producers Broadway Across America - Beth Williams; Howard & Janet Kagan; and Barry Brown have announced that tickets for the upcoming Boston engagement of the highly anticipated Pre-Broadway World Premiere of TUCK EVERLASTING will go on sale to the public this Today, March 10th beginning at 10am. This limited three week engagement will play the historic Citi Performing Arts Center Emerson Colonial Theatre July 28-August 18, 2013 and is part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston Series.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America, together with NETworks Presentations, LLC and Blue Man Productions have announced that a new theatrical touring production of BLUE MAN GROUP will play at the Ziff Ballet Opera House of the Adrienne Arsht Center from May 13-18, 2014 as part of the six-show Broadway in Miami 2013-2014 subscription package.This engagement is an exciting new addition to the 2013-2014 Broadway in Miami subscription season presented by Florida Theatrical Association, Broadway Across America and the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Broadway In Boston and Producers Broadway Across America - Beth Williams; Howard & Janet Kagan; and Barry Brown have announced that tickets for the upcoming Boston engagement of the highly anticipated Pre-Broadway World Premiere of TUCK EVERLASTING will go on sale to the public this Sunday, March 10th beginning at 10am. This limited three week engagement will play the historic Citi Performing Arts Center Emerson Colonial Theatre July 28-August 18, 2013 and is part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston Series.

'SCARY MUSICAL… The Musical!', with Book by Richard Hochberg and Music and Lyrics by Richard Hochberg and Michael Paternostro, will be directed by Daniel Goldstein and produced by Kevin Spirtas in a workshop presentation slated for February 2013.