Gregg Barnes News

One of Broadway's quintessential renaissance men, Jerry Mitchell talked about the genesis of Kinky Boots the Musical and his unique collaboration with Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein

Kyle Taylor Parker, who has been starring as 'Lola' in the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, steps into the role on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) for three months, taking over for Tony Award-winner Billy Porter. Parker was originally slated to begin performances tonight, January 27, but due to Winter Storm Juno, the actor will make his debut on Thursday, January 29, instead. In the meantime, scroll down for a look at Parker in action!

First-time Broadway composer Cyndi Lauper, who first conquered the music charts back in the 1980s, recently sat down to talk about her Kinky Boots experience and to share the show's impact on her own life - which provided much of her inspiration as she approached the project.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2014 (Dec. 1, 2013 - Nov. 30, 2014). The 46th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Beyond the Stars Palace, 417 N. Brand Boulevard in Glendale.

KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy® Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony® Award-winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park February 24 - March 8, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. The tour will roll back into Fort Worth, where it will play at Bass Performance Hall October 27 - November 1, presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth.

The Alliance Theatre presents the world premiere of the musical Tuck Everlasting. Based on the beloved best-selling novel by Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is an exhilarating story about everlasting love, never-ending life, and discovering what it means to truly feel alive.

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, will be the subject of an entire category on tonight's (January 15) episode of 'Jeopardy!,' marking only the third time the show has dedicated an entire category to a single Broadway show. For the first time in the history of 'Jeopardy!,' the show will incorporate performance footage from Aladdin in each of the category's clues.

Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN!, which just announced its full cast, has also unveiled a new poster for the show. Scroll down to check it out!

Producer Kevin McCollum just announced that celebrated Broadway musical theater favorites, Tony Award nominee John Cariani (Fiddler on the Roof), Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), Tony Award® nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Kate Reinders (Wicked), Tony Award® nominee Brooks Ashmanskas (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me), Peter Bartlett(Cinderella), Gerry Vichi (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Michael James Scott (The Book of Mormon) will join Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek) and Tony Award winnerChristian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher) to round out the 30 member cast of the completely original new musical comedy Something Rotten!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award® winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award® nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O'Farrell.

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, will be the subject of an entire category on the Thursday, January 15 episode of "Jeopardy!," marking only the third time the show has dedicated an entire category to a single Broadway show. For the first time in the history of "Jeopardy!," the show will incorporate performance footage from Aladdin in each of the category's clues.

KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), will transfer to the West End August, 2015, according to a casting notice for the production.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Beth Leavel will be joining Alliance Theatre's world premiere musical Tuck Everlasting as 'Ma Tuck', beginning February 6 and continuing through the 22nd, when original star Carolee Carmello leaves to join Broadway's production of Finding Neverland.

Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig announced today that Kyle Taylor Parker, who is currently earning raves as 'Lola' in the National Tour of the Tony Award®-winning musical Kinky Boots, will step into the role on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) for three months, taking over for Tony® Award-winner Billy Porter from January 27 – April 26, 2015. Porter will return toKinky Boots on April 28, 2015, and has extended his contract through January 2016.

Go inside the creation of ALADDIN's new Cave Of Wonders!

When it comes to film-to-stage adaptations, the sassy, Tony Award-winning Best Musical KINKY BOOTS---whose touring company is now on stage at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through January 11---is that rare phenomenon we all wish would happen more often: a stage show that actually improves upon its cinematic source material. On stage, the sparkly stage version certainly amps up the hilarity, high-jinks, and heart, thanks to Harvey Fierstein's even cheekier book that complements Cyndi Lauper's Tony-winning, pop-tastic music and lyrics. Along with the added bonus of Jerry Mitchell's fiery choreography balanced within his even-paced direction, the stage adaptation very much deserves every accolade it has received and continues to enjoy. KINKY BOOTS is, no question, one feel-good, winner of a show.

KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award- winner Harvey Fierstein (book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award- winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), opens at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from tonight, December 30, 2014 - January 11, 2015.

Disney's Aladdin, the Tony Award-winning new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, proudly welcomes Steel Burkhardt to the role of Kassim beginning tonight, December 22. He succeeds Brandon O'Neill, who originated the role and played his final performance on Sunday, December 21.

Rehearsals started this week for the Alliance's world premiere production of Tuck Everlasting. Based on the beloved best-selling novel by Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is an exhilarating story about everlasting love, never-ending life, and discovering what it means to truly feel alive.

The Long Island Musical Theatre Festival is a non-profit program dedicated to producing a full-length musical with a professional orchestra in two weeks. During that time, students receive training from industry professionals while being surrounded by peers who share the same passion and skill set. Students will have the opportunity to work with a Broadway guest artist, discuss resume building, and learn audition techniques. Beth Leavel and Gregg Barnes were this year's Master Class Instructors.