Craig Zadan News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. 'Smash,' new CD releases, 'Follies,' 'Trogg!,' 'Earthqueef,' 'Show Boat' at Lyric Opera, Alan Cumming, more....

Queen Latifah, winner of Grammy, Golden Globe and SAG awards, has partnered with leading multichannel retailer HSN for the exclusive launch of the Queen Collection, her first-ever lifestyle brand.

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, nominated for eight 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, performed last week on 'The View.' HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is currently playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street).

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, nominated for eight 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, performed last night on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is currently playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street).

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, nominated for eight 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, performed last night on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is currently playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street)

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, nominated for eight 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will perform this week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' (Thursday, May 19th on CBS) and 'The View' (Friday, May 20th on ABC). The cast will perform the show-stopping number 'Brotherhood of Man.' On 'The View,' Radcliffe and Larroquette will also sit down to chat with the show's hosts. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is currently playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street).

Culled from as A-list a list as you are ever likely to acquire - Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Michael Mayer, Theresa Rebeck and Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman onwards - SMASH is the adult answer to riveting dramatic musical entertainment coming with heart, laughs, unforgettable characters and some of the biggest twists this side of the starry stages on the Great White Way. Oh, yeah, and those hallowed Broadway halls, too. Plus, SMASH provides a great new opportunity to showcase the unbelievable talent on display on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway and beyond, particularly given the fact that it is shot in New York and it is being cast by the biggest casting director on Broadway, Bernie Telsey. Consider the theatre-centric casting LAW & ORDER times seventy six (trombones). All of New York is the talent pool from which the stage of SMASH shall be set. And, what exactly is SMASH about, anyway? Well, SMASH is all about Broadway and what makes a musical tick - from the very inception of the show's idea by the songwriters, through writing, rehearsals and the road; all the way to the big Broadway opening where dreams are made - and nightmares born - on one magnificent, momentous night. As viewers, we are taken inside the ticking clock of the show and we experience each and every one of the multitude of machinations enacted by everyone from the stars - Marilyn Monroe, and the actress playing her, Ivy; and, more importantly, her alternative, Karen - to the overworked director (Derek), harried songwriters Tom and Julia, and the speculative and cutthroat producer behind it all, Eileen.

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and the cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, nominated for eight 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will perform this week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' (Thursday, May 19th on CBS) and 'The View' (Friday, May 20th on ABC). The cast will perform the show-stopping number 'Brotherhood of Man.' On 'The View,' Radcliffe and Larroquette will also sit down to chat with the show's hosts. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is currently playing at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street).

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. This week in New York City, stars Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston as well as a slew of other NBC stars gathered for NBC's upfronts. Check out photos from the event below!

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. This week in New York City as part of NBC's upfronts, they unveiled the complete trailer for the show. What will we do from now till its premiere? Wait impatiently!

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. Here, Debra Messing and Katharine McPhee talk about the show!

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. Now, the network has posted teaser photos from the show's pilot!

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. Now, the network has posted teaser clips of their new series that we just CAN'T WAIT to see! Here, watch Debra Messing and Christian Borle debate writing a Marilyn Monroe musical, Karen (Katharine McPhee) argue with her parents, and then have a disagreement with her director on rehearsal etiquette.

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. Now, the network has posted teaser clips of their new series that we just CAN'T WAIT to see! Here, Broadway newcomer, Karen (Katherine McPhee), dazzles a tough crowd.

BroadwayWorld.com excitedly reported last week that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin mid-season. Now, the network has posted teaser clips of their new series that we just CAN'T WAIT to see! Here Megan Hilty hits one out of the park as her Smash character, Ivy.

Legends in their own time, ascending to the top ranks of the Hollywood and Broadway songwriting landscape, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have accomplished and climbed to heights most of what many film fans, Broadway babies and general entertainment junkies only dream of witnessing and ascending to. Marc Shaiman's work with Trey Parker and Matt Stone on SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT prompted Stephen Sondheim - as he told me himself - to cite it as one of the best musicals of the era. And, it is - as is their Tony-winning Best Musical HAIRSPRAY, based on the film by Pope of Trash John Waters. Featuring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah and an all-around-amazing cast of triple-threats, the stunning Craig Zadan/Neil Meron-produced film version of HAIRSPRAY may be the greatest cinematic Shaiman and/or Wittman accomplishment so far. Then, there is CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - one of the snappiest new scores on Broadway in a strangely strong season of original scores - boasting boss Sinatra blues and sizzling Shirelles riffs and everything else that's swingin' in between. Up next for the team - onstage and off - is a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, in addition to what is perhaps the most exciting prospect on their impossibly cluttered horizon: the new Steven Speilberg/Craig Zadan/Neil Meron musical/comedy/drama series SMASH which has just been picked up for the Fall season on NBC! In this exclusive, extensive and exhaustive conversation we cover it all from HAIRSPRAY to CATCH ME to CHARLIE to all about SMASH and far, far beyond!

BroadwayWorld.com has excitedly learned that NBC has officially picked up the pilot entitled SMASH for a series to begin this fall. The news will be officially announced later this week at NBC's upfronts which begin next week in New York.

The new film Footloose will be expanded into a 'full-blown movie musical' from the earlier film with songs. In addition to starring a young Kevin Bacon as Ren, Footloose also starred Lori Singer as Ariel. It was originally written by Dean Pitchford and directed by Herbert Ross. A Broadway musical version of Footloose was previously staged in 1998. Stepping into those iconic roles are Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough. The film will be produced by the highly successful team of Craig Zadan (a producer of the original 'Footloose' in 1984) and Neil Meron. Get a first glimpse at the movie below!

I've endured Larry Kramer's outbursts in the past, not wishing to dignify them with a response. But at a time when we are all pulling together to achieve such giant steps toward gay equality, it is anguishing to me to have my devotion to this cause so distorted. I think my efforts for the gay community and my immersion in securing its constitutional entitlement and other equitable rights is quite evident and a matter of record.