This afternoon, I had the opportunity to speak with James Hayden Rodriguez, who is currently playing Luke/Ares in the national tour of THE LIGHTNING THIEF, based on the Rick Riordan novel of the same title. I reached him in beautiful, breezy Eugene, Oregon, where the weather was great and he was enjoying some time before his show this evening.
It's three in the afternoon, and the chairs at The Laurie Beechman Theater, the basement cabaret of the West Bank Cafe, are stacked atop tables awaiting rearrangement by the night staff. But that doesn't stop the proprietor of the place, Steve Olsen, from offering the use of the hall--plus two chairs--so Joe Iconis can get a roots-level interview on his blossoming career.
Be More Chill: Original Broadway Cast Recording will be released for digital download and streaming on Friday, May 3. This new album completes a remarkable full-circle journey for Be More Chill, as the original recording from Ghostlight (which has now been streamed over 300 million times to date) helped propel the show from Two River Theater to a viral Broadway hit. CD and vinyl releases are planned for later this year. Starting today, Friday, April 26, customers who pre-order the digital album will immediately receive a download of the single "More Than Survive." The album is produced by Kurt Deutsch, Joe Iconis, and Charlie Rosen, and co-produced by Ian Kagey and Emily Marshall. To pre-order or pre-save the album, please visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/bemorechillbroadway
The Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway, welcomes 'Tootsie' star Julie Halston along with 'Torch Song' sensation Michael Urie to announce the nominees for the 2018-19 season today, April 23rd. Click here to watch live!
In Broadway by Design, BroadwayWorld is shining a spotlight on the stellar designs of this Broadway season, show by show. Today, we continue the series with Beowulf Boritt, Tyler Micoleau, Alex Basco Koch, and Ryan Rumery, who acted as scenic, lighting, projection and sound designers for Broadway's big upgrade, Be More Chill.
BroadwayCon celebrates its fifth year in 2020, returning to the New York Hilton Midtown on Friday, January 24 through Sunday, January 26. Tickets go on sale to the public today, Friday, April 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
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. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.
It's not everyday you get rediscovered music, posthumously released music from a musical theater icon, but alas that day has come. "The Jonathan Larson Project" is a new album featuring previously unreleased music from the late composer and playwright. This collection of songs comes from shows that never had seen the light of day in addition to some standalone tracks. Larson tragically passed away in 1996 at the young age of 35, but not before leaving us with the soon-to-be cultural touchstone RENT and highly commendable, autobiographical tick, tick... BOOM! Ghostlight Records released this compilation of songs earlier this month. Give it a listen here! The physical CD is set for release this June, in tandem with a 40-page hardcover book contextualizing the material.
What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. 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. Highlights this week include Norbert Leo Butz & Sherie Rene Scott, Kate Rockwell, and Joe Iconis & Family.
Be More Chill, now playing at the Lyceum Theatre (149 W. 45th Street), today announced a Digital Lottery ticket policy for select performances of the show.
Theatre Forward and Chairman John Thomopoulos last night held its celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman's Awards Gala at The Pierre (2 East 61st Street). The Chairman's Awards Gala supports the work of Theatre Forward, which recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary season, and is dedicated to advancing American theatres and its communities through its Educating Through Theatre and Advancing Strong Theatre initiatives.
On Monday, April 15 The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture (18 Bleecker Street at the corner of Elizabeth Street in NYC) continues its new series, Backstage Broadway with a special event featuring company members from the new hit Broadway musical Be More Chill.
The Jonathan Larson Project album is available for digital download and streaming today, Friday, April 5. The album features the music of the late Jonathan Larson, the generation-defining writer of Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!, the former an iconic Broadway landmark and the latter a beloved musical gem. The Jonathan Larson Project is an evening of Jonathan's unheard work featuring songs from never-produced shows like 1984 and Superbia; songs that were cut from Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!; songs written for both theatrical revues and for the radio; songs about politics, love and New York City; including many never before publicly performed or recorded. To order or stream the album, or to pre-order the CD, please visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/jonathanlarsonproject
Ghostlight Records has announced that The Jonathan Larson Project is available for digital download and streaming tomorrow, Friday, April 5. The album features the music of the late Jonathan Larson, the generation-defining writer of Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!, the former an iconic Broadway landmark and the latter a beloved musical gem. The Jonathan Larson Project is an evening of Jonathan's unheard work featuring songs from never-produced shows like 1984 and Superbia; songs that were cut from Rent and tick, tick… BOOM!; songs written for both theatrical revues and for the radio; songs about politics, love and New York City; including many never before publicly performed or recorded. To order or stream the album, or to pre-order the CD, please visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/jonathanlarsonproject.
The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.
BroadwayCon celebrates its fifth year in 2020, returning to the New York Hilton Midtown on Friday, January 24 through Sunday, January 26. Tickets go on sale to the public at 1 PM ET on April 19, 2019. Returning attendees of BroadwayCon 2019 will have special pre-sale access beginning Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 1 PM ET.
Be More Chill is taking Broadway by storm! Today they took the country by storm too, with a performance on Good Morning America's Strahan and Sarah!
Theatre Forward and Chairman John Thomopoulous will lead a celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman's Awards Gala on Monday, April 8th at The Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue).
This April The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture presents a line-up of events featuring artists and thought leaders including choreographer Warren Carlyle (Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly!), and Paul Gemignani (Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods); award winning composer/lyricist Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter).
'Good Morning America' went behind the scenes of Broadway's newest hit, 'Be More Chill' on Tuesday morning! The musical officially opened on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre.
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