Ellen Zolezzi News

Cagney, the new hit musical about Hollywood's tough guy in tap shoes,will celebrate its 100th performance on Wednesday afternoon, June 29 at the Westside Theatre, upstairs.  Cagney had its official opening on April 3, 2016 following 21 preview performances.

Josh Walden is a seasoned Broadway hoofer. He's sung and danced in the revivals of 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles and Ragtime. But it's in the new Off-Broadway musical Cagney where Walden gets to really show off his versatility and range. He changes characters and costumes faster than he taps out a syncopated rhythm-and he even executes that flawlessly. He's part of Cagney's expert six-member cast in this musical biography of Hollywood tough guy and dance man James Cagney.

The 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards gala was held just last night, May 16, to honor outstanding dance and choreography on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in film, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Broadway's SHUFFLE ALONG and SHE LOVES ME's Jane Krakowski led the pack. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners!

The 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards gala was held tonight, May 16, to honor outstanding dance and choreography on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in film, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Broadway's SHUFFLE ALONG and SHE LOVES ME's Jane Krakowski led the pack - scroll down for the full list of winners!

The 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards gala will be held tonight, May 16, to honor outstanding dance and choreography on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in film, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

The Amazing Kreskin attended last evening's performance of Cagney off-Broadway and stopped backstage to visit with the company. Scroll down for his heartfelt note of praise following the show and a picture of him with the cast!

Hard to believe, but it's been four years since we sat down with Jeremy Benton, whom we've since referred to as Broadway's Best Tap Dancer every chance we've had, and now it seems as that title has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Just yesterday, Benton - a native of Springfield, Tennessee - was honored with a nomination for a Fred and Adele Astaire Award in the category for best off-Broadway male dancer, heralding his critically acclaimed role in Cagney, the Musical.

Nominations for the 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, which honor outstanding dance and choreography on stage and screen, were announced just yesterday at the Friar's Club by New York Post columnist Michael Riedel. For the first time, the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards have explored recognizing excellence in dance, movement, and choreography off-Broadway. Twenty eligible shows in the non-profit and commercial off-Broadway arenas met the eligibility requirements and were considered. CLICK HERE for the full list of nominees!

Hear ye, hear ye…Music City Confidential is back! Which means, of course, that I've heard an awful lot of scuttlebutt since last week's column went live on the interwebs - or, more likely, that I am trying to avoid boring and mundane stuff like packing - I'll let you decide what my motivation truly is...

Nominations for the 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, which honor outstanding dance and choreography on stage and screen, were announced today at the Friar's Club by New York Post columnist Michael Riedel. For the first time, the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards have explored recognizing excellence in dance, movement, and choreography off-Broadway. Twenty eligible shows in the non-profit and commercial off-Broadway arenas met the eligibility requirements and were considered.

Due to popular demand and following the announcement of its three 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, including 'Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical,' a new block of tickets is now on sale through September 25, 2016 for the new hit Off-Broadway musical, CAGNEY with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern, at The Westside Theatre -Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). In addition, beginning July 7, 2016, CAGNEY will play Thursday afternoon matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Gearing up for Live #Ham4Ham to return? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

The new musical Cagney, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton andChristopher McGovern, received its New York premiere at The York Theatre Company last spring, where it played a limited five-week, sold-out engagement. The production just transferred off-Broadway at at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the after party below!

The new musical Cagney, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern, received its New York premiere at The York Theatre Company last spring, where it played a limited five-week, sold-out engagement. The production just transferred off-Broadway at at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos from the curtain call below!

Producer Riki Kane Larimer presents the new hit Off-Broadway musical, Cagney with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern.  Directed byBill Castellino, and with choreography by Joshua Bergasse, and music direction by Matt Perri, the six-member cast stars Broadway veteran and hoofer Robert Creighton as the legendary James Cagney, with Jeremy Benton, Danette Holden,Bruce Sabath, Josh Walden, and Ellen Zolezzi.   Performances began March 16, 2016 for an open-ended engagement at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). Scroll down to see photos!

It was ten months ago when composer/lyricist Robert Creighton buck and winged it to the York Theatre with a spirited and gutsy performance as the screen's greatest tough guy song and dance man, James Cagney. His pocket-sized musical vehicle, Cagney, while certainly rousing and entertaining, came off then as a promising work in progress; one that needed more heat to match the potential of its dramatic moments.

Last night's first off-Broadway preview of CAGNEY was quite special, as two member of James Cagney's family were in attendance. Sitting in the front row were Cagney's great niece Patricia Cagney Mack and her daughter Kelly Mack, visiting from California. Mrs. Mack's grandfather was Dr. Harry Cagney, older brother of James. Following the performance they visited with the cast onstage to tell them how much they enjoyed the show and how honored they were to be there. Scroll down for photos!

Give their regards to Broadway! Producer Riki Kane Larimer (Fiddler on the Roof, Tappin' Thru Life, On The Town, Gigi) presents the new hit Off-Broadway musical, CAGNEY, with book by Peter Colley (The Donnelly) and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern (Fame, First Wives Club). Performances begin tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. for an open-ended engagement at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is Sunday afternoon, April 3, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

The new musical CAGNEY, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern, received its New York premiere at The York Theatre Company last spring, where it played a limited five-week, sold-out engagement. Scroll down to meet the company in time for the production first off-Broadway bows tonight!

The 6th annual BROADWAY BELTS FOR PFF! - a concert that raises much-needed funds for Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation - was held last night at the Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47 St.). Hosted by Julie Halston, performers included: Lisa Howard (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU), Margo Seibert (ROCKY), Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (ONCE UPON A MATTRESS),Daveed Diggs (HAMILTON), Randy Graff (CITY OF ANGELS), Cady Huffman (THE PRODUCERS), Judy Kaye(PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Telly Leung (ALLEGIANCE), and Robert Creighton (THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, CAGNEY).