Eric Williams News

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY Plays Through The 16th of December, 2018

In the Broadway musical ELF, one of the characters says, 'Lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed.' Perhaps audiences attending the touring production of ELF playing at The Durham Performing Arts Center this week should heed that advice. Based on the 2003 movie, ELF tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves in The North Pole. When Buddy learns he is not actually an elf, he sets off on a journey to New York to find his biological father, a surly book publisher who is on Santa's naughty list. The movie featured a stellar cast including Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, and Will Ferrell as Buddy. And according to 'Forbes,' 'Entertainment Weekly' and The British Film Institute, ELF is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. So you might expect that a stage adaptation of ELF would follow suit. Nope. Sadly, the staged version lacks the mojo that made its movie predecessor work.

Eric Williams grew up watching Christmas movies with his family in St. Louis. In fact, he says it was his family who instilled in him a passion and excitement for the holiday movie genre. And while he likes some of the more traditional classic films, the more recent ones that put a contemporary spin on Christmas are by far his favorites. "They try and tell you what the meaning of Christmas is, but do it in a very fresh and modern way," he says. "The modern sensibility of such an old tradition, it really tickles me and excites me." So, it should be no surprise that the 2003 movie 'Elf' is on Williams' short list of Christmas favorites. But what might be surprising is the fact that it wasn't the Will Ferrell movie that made Williams want to step into Buddy the Elf's green, pointy shoes.  It was the original song "World's Greatest Dad" from the Broadway musical that really spoke to Williams.

With the turkey eaten and the black Friday deals purchased, Thanksgiving is officially in the rearview mirror and it's onward towards Christmas! ELF THE MUSICAL kicked off a three day run at The Washington Pavilion on Friday evening, bringing Christmas cheer to Sioux Falls the best way they know how, by 'singing loud for all to hear.'

For Catherine Birdsong, the animated film version of The Little Mermaid - the 1989 Disney musical fantasy based on the story of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen - was the first movie she remembers ever seeing in a darkened cinema and it continues to elicit memories, to reverberate in her heart, particularly now that she finds herself in rehearsal for the debut of the stage musical at Nashville Children's Theatre.

King Kong is getting ready to take over Broadway! The show begins performances Friday, October 5 prior to a Thursday, November 8 opening night at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). The cast met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos below!

Lon Chaney, the 'Man of A Thousand Faces', story comes to life in new musical titled A Thousand Faces. The musical takes us from Lon's childhood as the son of deaf parents, through his stage career and tumultuous life with songstress wife Cleva who attempts suicide backstage which drives Lon to try the new industry of movies where he rises to fame as the pioneering silent film star of the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Sam Scalamoni (Elf, Disney's Beauty and the Beast) directs.

Lon Chaney, the 'Man of A Thousand Faces', story comes to life in new musical titled A Thousand Faces. The musical takes us from Lon's childhood as the son of deaf parents, through his stage career and tumultuous life with songstress wife Cleva who attempts suicide backstage which drives Lon to try the new industry of movies where he rises to fame as the pioneering silent film star of the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Sam Scalamoni (Elf, Disney's Beauty and the Beast) directs.

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced casting for the 90th Anniversary Season. BroadwayWorld has the full list of upcoming productions and their casts below!

This July, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

This story is universal, but the intricate score and stellar cast are unique and astounding.

48 HOURS: “Target Justice” was Saturday's #1 broadcast at 10:00 PM with viewers and adults 25-54, and posted week-to-week growth, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Dec. 10.

SONGS FOR KHWEZI is theatre that one hopes to see grow in its reach. It is theatre that says important things in an original way. It is theatre that speaks truths that women know and that men need to hear. It is theatre that can disrupt. It is theatre that can heal.

Members of the Broadway community are donating their time and talent to perform in a one night cabaret to inspire young artists. On October 8th at 8:00pm, the Celebration of Stars cabaret will take place at the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT.

In preparation for the 2016 NFL season, ESPN has hired multiple new reporters for NFL Nation, the collection of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the National Football League year-round for ESPN on television, radio, ESPN.com and other platforms.

Jennifer Simard has been turning heads all Spring, playing the distraught 'Sister Mary' in DISASTER. The show played its last performance yesterday at the Nederlander Theatre, but that hasn't stopped fans from a social media campaign calling for an appearance by the Best Feature Actress nominee at the Tony Awards.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Natalie Douglas CD Release 'Human Heart'; Sondheimas; 54 Celebrates David Bowie; The Skivvies; and A Benefit for the Drama Book Shop.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond.

This March, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. Scroll down for details!

Can't get enough of 'Fuller House' on Netflix? Check out the Tanner Family LIVE in the Off-Broadway parody Full House! The Musical! From the creators of Bayside! The Musical! and Showgirls! The Musical!, Full House! The Musical! now in its 5th extension!