Carolee Carmello News

Benny Andersson and Bj?rn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! welcomed Brandi Burkhardt to the Broadway cast as bride-to-be 'Sophie Sheridan' when she began performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009. Burkhardt was a guest on WGHT Radio's 'CURTAIN CALL with Teisha Bader'. Burkhardt made her Broadway debut earlier this season when she created the role of 'Lucie Manette' in the world premiere musical A Tale of Two Cities. She also starred as 'Daisy Mae' in Lil' Abner for the Los Angeles Reprise series and as 'Emma' in the international touring production of Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection.

An all-star cast of Ana Gasteyer (Wicked, 'Saturday Night Live'), Carolee Carmello (Mamma, Mia!, Parade), Tony? Award-winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt, Caroline, Or Change), Brad Oscar (The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde), Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King, Ragtime), John Dossett (The Constant Wife, Gypsy), Sam Harris (The Producers, The Life) and Sara Chase (Godspell at Paper Mill Playhouse) will star in a reading of the eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical FIRST WIVES CLUB this Monday, February 2 in New York City. FIRST WIVES CLUB will have its premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego July 15 through August 23, 2009. The cast for the fully staged production will be announced soon. FIRST WIVES CLUB marks the once-in-a-lifetime reunion of the famous Motown songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland), who created such monumental hits as 'Where Did Our Love Go?,' 'Baby Love' and 'Stop! In The Name of Love' for The Supremes and 'How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved By You)' for Marvin Gaye. These chart-topping legends, who had more airplay than the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elvis combined, have reunited for this one production.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! will welcome Brandi Burkhardt to the Broadway cast as bride-to-be 'Sophie Sheridan' when she begins performances at the Winter Garden Theatre on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009. Allison Case will play her final performance in the role on Sunday, January 25th.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner as Cervantes/Quixote. Julia Migenes, the renowned opera and theatre performer, will play Aldonza/Dulcinea; Valerie Perri will play the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea at matinee performances; and Tony nominee Lee Wilkof will play Sancho Panza.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander. 'I Love My Wife' will be directed by Larry Moss with choreography by Lee Martino and music direction by Michael Skloff.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. The production will be directed by Michael Michetti, co-artistic director of The Theatre at Boston Cout.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) presents Paper Mill's premiere of Disney High School Musical. Paper Mill's Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee directs and Denis Jones (Associate Choreographer of Legally Blonde) choreographs. Disney High School Musical is based on the Emmy Award® winning Disney Channel hit musical and triple-platinum selling soundtrack. Disney High School Musical will run at the Millburn theatre from November 5 through December 7, 2008. Disney High School Musical is sponsored by RBC Wealth Management. BWW TV joined in on the school spirit as Bailey Hanks, Chase Peacock and the rest of the dynamic young cast got ready to bring this successful favorite to the Paper Mill stage!

As part of Joe's Pub's 10th Anniversary celebration William Finn comes back with Infinite Joy on Monday, November 10 at 9:30 PM. Infinite Joy is a tribute to William Finn performed at Joe's Pub in January 2001 as part of The Songbook Series.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) will present Paper Mill's premiere of Disney High School Musical. Paper Mill's Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee will direct and Denis Jones (Associate Choreographer of Legally Blonde) will choreograph.

Joe's Pub has announced new additions to their upcoming lineup.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

As part of Joe's Pub's 10th Anniversary celebration William Finn comes back with Infinite Joy on Monday, November 10 at 9:30 PM. Infinite Joy is a tribute to William Finn performed at Joe's Pub in January 2001 as part of The Songbook Series.

Two-time Tony Award nominated Broadway favorite, MAMMA MIA! star Carolee Carmello paid tribute to cancer survivor Kathy Brinkman on 'The Today Show' with a special performance on Kathie Lee Gifford's and Hoda Kotb's 'Everyone Has a Story' series.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) have announced the full cast of Paper Mill's premiere of Disney High School Musical.

The Broadway League held its first-ever Schoenfeld Vision for Arts in Education Award benefit to raise funds for the NYC Schools Blueprint for the Arts program and The Broadway League's educational initiatives at a Gala honoring Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of the Shubert Organization and Joel Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education on Monday, October 6th at the Waldorf Astoria.

The season finale of the showbiz-themed web series 'The Battery's Down,' which chronicles the life of a young performer in New York City, will feature Alice Ripley (Next To Normal, Side Show), John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening, Rabbit Hole), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Spelling Bee, Saved), Tyler Maynard (The Little Mermaid, Altar Boyz), Deidre Goodwin (A Chorus Line, 30 Rock), Susan Blackwell (title of show), Ana Nogueira (Perez Hilton Saves The Universe), and more. The episode also features a special appearance by famed gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

The season finale of the showbiz-themed web series 'The Battery's Down,' which chronicles the life of a young performer in New York City, will feature Alice Ripley (Next To Normal, Side Show), John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening, Rabbit Hole), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Spelling Bee, Saved), Tyler Maynard (The Little Mermaid, Altar Boyz), Deidre Goodwin (A Chorus Line, 30 Rock), Susan Blackwell (title of show), Ana Nogueira (Perez Hilton Saves The Universe), and more. The episode also features a special appearance by famed gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

The Broadway League has announced its first two award recipients - including Gerald Schoenfeld (for whom the award is named) and New York City Department of Education chancellor, Joel Klein.

Celebrating their Platinum 70th Anniversary, the beloved Paper Mill Playhouse kick-started their season with a hoot-n-hollerin' production of an American classic: Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Oklahoma!' Following a rousing Opening Night, stars Brynn O'Malley (Laurey), Megan Sikora (Ado Annie), Adam Monley (Curly), Jonathan Brody (Ali Hakim) and Brian Sears (Will Parker) toasted the occasion by chatting with BroadwayWorld!