Brooks Atkinson News

The producers of the hit Broadway musical Waitress have announced that Ben Thompson will join the cast in the role of Earl beginning tonight, February 27, 2018, opposite Sara Bareilles.

Grammy Award-winning stand-up comedian, Lewis Black, returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 8:00PM. Black is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as a stand-up comedian, actor and author. Receiving critical acclaim, he performs more than 200 nights annually to sold-out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theaters, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and most recently, a sold-out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.

We're taking you deep into the archives of BroadwayWorld photographer Walter McBride for exclusive flashbacks to Broadway past. Today, check out this shot of Donald Sutherland and Blanche Baker  backstage after their opening night performance of LOLITA at the Brooks Atkinson,  on March 19, 1981.

The producers of Broadway's smash Waitress announced that they will celebrate National Women's History Month at the show by hosting a month-long campaign in March. As the first Broadway musical with an all-female creative team, the production will celebrate women through a variety of efforts including post-show talkbacks centered around women-centric themes, educational social campaigns, and fundraising efforts benefitting the National Women's History Museum in Washington D.C.

La MaMa, in association with The Assembly, presents the world premiere of SEAGULLMACHINE, created by The Assembly, conceived by Nick Benacerraf, co-directed by Jess Chayes (Lucille Lortel Award winner) and Nick Benacerraf, and text by Anton Chekhov, Heiner Muller and The Assembly. SEAGULLMACHINE runs from April 14 - 29, 2018 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, located at 66 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and the Bowery in New York City. Previews begin April 14 for an April 16 opening.

As BroadwayWorld reported this morning, Katharine McPhee will soon make her Broadway debut in Waitress, joining the company at the diner beginning April 10th.

Order up! Katharine McPhee is making her Broadway debut in Waitress. Since vaulting to fame as a captivating singer on 'American Idol,' Season 5, she's become a successful recording artist, landing numerous songs and albums on Billboard's pop, jazz, holiday and adult-contemporary charts. Her latest album of timeless American standards 'I Fall in Love Too Easily' was released by BMG in 2017. As an acclaimed actress, she was the breakout star of the 2013 NBC-TV musical series, 'Smash,' Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray). She's currently starring in the hit CBS dramatic series 'Scorpion.' Katharine has long dreamed of appearing on Broadway, and wishes to thank her friends, family and especially her fellow Waitress cast members for this life changing opportunity.

WAI TRESS composer Sara Bareilles is currently serving up eight performances per week as Jenna in the fresh baked Broadway hit. Sadly, everything changes, and Sara will have to pass on her pie to the next actress to take on the role soon.

Multi-platinum, seven-time Grammy Award®-winning superstar and icon Toni Braxton announces the release of SEX AND CIGARETTES on March 23 via Def Jam Recordings. SEX AND CIGARETTES - the ninth album in Toni's legendary career - is her first studio album since 2014's Grammy-winning collaboration with Babyface, Love, Marriage & Divorce and her first solo album in almost a decade. The album was co-produced by Toni herself and includes the single “Deadwood,” (released September 2017), which recently topped the charts at Urban AC radio. Her brand new single “Long As I Live” is out now, and is one of several tracks Toni co-wrote and produced for the album. The album also includes a duet with Colbie Caillat (on “My Heart”).

Fifth Estate Entertainment is proud to announce the mind-blowing, face melting, nothin' but a good time, audience favorite ROCK OF AGES will return to the stage with a tenth anniversary tour beginning this fall. The five-time Tony®-nominated musical will hit the road starting October 2018 with an all new production.

Boston Court Performing Arts Center presents a reimagined modern take of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire (February 15 - March 25, 2018; press opening, February 24). The community panels and discussions have been announced for this radical re-envisioning of Streetcar which will feature a multicultural cast and modern setting, pushing on the play's present-day relevance. This selection of panel discussions and post-show Illuminations will allow for a deep discussion on A Streetcar Named Desire and its many prevalent themes, especially in regards to this production, which is presented within a contemporary and urban environment, highlighting the pertinence of the play for our divided America.

Theatre production company Parity Productions has released its monthly list of Qualifying Productions for February-their popular directory of New York City shows in which the individual creative teams have 50% of the roles filled with women and transgender artists (directors, designers, and playwrights).

Theatre production company Parity Productions has released its monthly list of Qualifying Productions for February-their popular directory of New York City shows in which the individual creative teams have 50% of the roles filled with women and transgender artists (directors, designers, and playwrights).

Welcome to this week's edition of BroadwayWorld's exclusive WEEKLY GROSSES ANALYSIS! Read on for all the weekly grosses statistics for the movers and shakers from the latest grosses, for the week ending 1/28/2018.

Reba McEntire came to visit the diner at Waitress last night, January 27! The country icon took a photo with the show's current stars, Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz.

Sara Bareilles is staying at the diner! The producers of Broadway's smash Waitress announced today that Tony and Grammy Award nominee Sara Bareilles, the composer and lyricist of the hit musical, will extend her engagement as the titular pie-maker, Jenna Hunterson, to March 11, 2018. Until February 11, she'll share the stage with two-time Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz as the charming Dr. Pomatter.

The producers of Broadway's Waitress made an auspicious announcement today, National Pie Day. Beginning on February 1, Broadway's Waitress will celebrate Valentine's Day for an entire month when they add a new flavor to the selection of mouth-watering pies sold during performances inside the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The show's pie consultant Stacy Donnelly, has created the 'Berry-Sweet Valentine's Day Cheesecake,' a cheesecake flavored pie with a hint of lemon and raspberries on top.

Matthew Weaver of Media Weaver Entertainment, announced today plans for a 2018 Los Angeles sit - down production of the critically - acclaimed, international Broadway hit ROCK OF AGES by Chris D'Arienzo.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: The nominations for the 90th annual Academy Awards are announced today, and more!

Sara Bareilles returned to her smash hit musical Waitress this week, joining popular singer Jason Mraz and triggering a sugar high at the box office.