Diane Paulus News

Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews, co-creators of the award-winning and Broadway bound musical 'Witness Uganda,' open the 2014-2015 Eccles Center season with heart-thumping Afro-pop sounds and heart-wrenching stories tonight, November 1. Based on Matthews' personal experience, the concert -and accompanying tales of triumph and tragedy - tackles the question: is changing the world even possible? Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 435-655-3114 or online at EcclesCenter.org.

The all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's Pippin had it's L.A. Premiere direct from Broadway at the Hollywood Pantages Theater October 22 and Broadway World TV's own red carpet Los Angeles Co-Producer and on-air Host Michael Sterling and Co-Producer Jordan Santacana were there to get up close and personal with the stars. Among those attending the opening were Martin Short, Nia Vardalos, Sean Hayes, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Bucatinsky, Jai Rodriguez, Christopher McDonald, Oscar Nunez, Bo Derek, Cloris Leachman, Patrick Cassidy, Obba Babatunde, Maisela Lusha, Kevin Chamberlin, Anne Jeffries, JoAnne Worley and Scott Hoying (Pentatonix)... to name but a few.

The producers of the Tony-winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning November 4 at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. PIPPIN makes its Washington, D.C., premiere at the National Theatre December 16 through January 4, with Massey in the role.

On Thursday Evening, October 30th, there was certainly "Magic to Do" backstage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Ben Vereen, the original "Leading Player" in the 1972 Broadway production of PIPPIN, visited with the cast backstage after watching the performance. Ben was reunited with his original "Pippin", actor John Rubinstein ("Charles"), with whom Ben appeared in the original Broadway production helmed by Bob Fosse. Actors pictured with Ben are Tony-Winner Andrea Martin ("Berthe") Matthew James Thomas ("Pippin"), Sasha Allen ("Leading Player") and more! Check out the photos below!

The Nederlander Organization and the producers of the Tony Winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning Tuesday, Nov 4th at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. He will be replacing Matthew James Thomas who takes his final bow on Sunday, November 2nd.

"Entertainment Tonight's" Kevin Frazier and "The Insider's" Thea Andrews will anchor what is now a CBS Thanksgiving tradition in its 54th year, which will feature portions of the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live from New York City.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) and OBERON present the return of Ruby Wax in her new hit one-woman show, Sane New World. Performance dates and times are November 18-24 at 7:30PM and November 22 and 23 at 2:00PM.at OBERON, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge.

Pippin, The 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, presented by Broadway Across America at Broward Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Fort Lauderdale 2014 - 2015 Broadway Series from March 31 to April 12, 2015 will take center stage on the award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on the Lifetime Channel today, October 29 at 7:30 a.m. Viewers will have the chance to go behind-the-scenes of the production, as part of the 'Broadway Balances America' series. This show will re-air on November 5, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime.

Arguably, director Diane Paulus' greatest triumph to date is the spectacular new production of PIPPIN, the 2013 Tony-winning revival of Stephen Schwartz's trippy but winsome musical about the angst-riddled but hyper-aspirational young son of King Charlemagne, and his erratic, sometimes frustrating journey of self-discovery. In her marvelously inventive, re-imagined update---now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through November 9---Paulus brilliantly orients the topsy-turvy machinations of the entire story within the canvas-lined confines of a big-top circus. Here, the over-the-top performance troupe that 'guides' our hero's search for self-fulfillment aren't merely just actors (or 'players') but are also all agile, athletic circus performers that tumble, leap, and balance themselves for our (and Pippin's) entertainment pleasure. As expected, both Pippin and the audience are equally lulled into submission.

American Ballet Theatre and the Arts Initiative at Columbia University have formed a new arts partnership that will offer students a unique, in-depth immersion into the process of creating a new ballet. It was announced today by Rachel Moore, ABT CEO and Melissa Smey, Executive Director of the Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University. The partnership was designed as a complement to American Ballet Theatre's Innovation Initiative, a two-week choreographic workshop spearheaded by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and ABT Principal Dancer David Hallberg.

ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, will play the Orpheum Theatre for a limited engagement from today, October 28th through November 2nd, 2014.

Matthew Morrison is officially returning to New York City next year - and Broadway seems to be in his immediate plans.

LIVE FROM GRAMERCY PARK at The Players with LANCE HORNE - the new concert series dedicated to presenting the best music, theater and cabaret stars along with dynamic rising talent - will take place tonight, October 27th at 8:30 PM.

Want to sit in on a live performance, featuring stars of Broadway's PIPPIN?

Pippin, The 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, presented by Broadway Across America at Broward Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Fort Lauderdale 2014 - 2015 Broadway Series from March 31 to April 12, 2015 will take center stage on the award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on the Lifetime Channel on Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 a.m. Viewers will have the chance to go behind-the-scenes of the production, as part of the "Broadway Balances America" series. This show will re-air on November 5, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime.

ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, will play at the Saenger Theatre for a limited engagement beginning March 17 - 22. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, ONCE is a part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2014 - 2015 season.

Tonight, October 24 at 7:30pm, Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street -- between Rivington & Delancey) will proudly present the World-Premiere presentation and Special Equity Showcase production of MAMA ROSE, a solo performance art/experimental play with music about Rose Waits, a woman from Buffalo who could have ruled the world if they had let her.

In 1972 Pippin opened on Broadway and became one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, closing in 1977. Stephen Schwartz's bubbling optimistic tunes made the surreal and sensual mood of the piece an ultra-pleasant experience for theatre goers. One actually left the theatre humming the score. Throughout the dreamlike texture of Pippin's quest for his 'Corner of the Sky', however, there blooms a simplistic, timeless message that reverberates to this day. So, even though this brand new revival set in a circus big top is visually more opulent with high swinging artists and feats of magic, the pieces of the puzzle do fit into place - original director Bob Fosse would approve - and the play's substance is untarnished. Director Diane Paulus may take a bow for her simply stunning ambition of embellishment. I prefer the simplicity of the original, which allows your imagination to take flight, but must own up to enjoying most of the new version. How can you not, as the Fosse-esque style with acrobatics added on make for a visually splendid evening of dance and action.

The award-winning morning show The Balancing Act on the Lifetime Channel will turn the spotlight on the all-new Tony Award-winning Pippin, presented by Broadway Across America, in a featured segment airing on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT). Viewers will have the chance to go behind-the-scenes of the production, as part of the "Broadway Balances America" series. This show will re-air on November 5, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: DISGRACED opens on Broadway, RUTHLESS! returns, 'ROCKY HORROR' and THE CIRCUS IN WINTER start starry regional productions, Jennifer Holliday heads out on tour and more!