Harvey Fierstein News

BroadwayWorld has just obtained some new footage of Brady performing 'Everybody Say Yeah' with the KINKY BOOTS cast, and you can see it below!

Since its founding in 1974 by Paul Zimet, Ellen Maddow and Tina Shepard-former members of Joseph Chaikin's seminal Open Theater-the Talking Band has remained a cornerstone of New York City's avant-garde theater community. Ben Brantley of The New York Times recently called them 'one of the boldest and most venerable politically minded companies in New York experimental theater.' American Theater magazine has deemed them 'one of the most exceptional theater companies in the country.' The Talking Band will present in association with La MaMa the world premiere of its latest work, Burnished by Grief, a sinister, music infused romantic comedy, at La MaMa'sfirst floor theater from January 22-February 7.

Sony Music Masterworks and Broadway Records release the original soundtrack of the NBC Television event 'The Wiz LIVE!' via all digital service providers (download and streaming) today, December 11, followed by the CD on December 18.

Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES.   The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday, January 19 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 31. 

There was a moment tonight in the Orpheum's presentation of NEWSIES that I envisioned the entire production as an animated feature -- and why not? There was the infectious music of Alan Menken, who long ago set the 'gold standard' for the resurgence of Disney animation beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID; there was, too, the 'underdog' hero ('Jack Kelley,' played with panache and charisma by Joey Barreiro), who serves as a point of inspiration for a horde of ragtag 'newsies'; and instead of an 'Ariel' or 'Belle,' there was 'Katherine,' the spirited young 'girl reporter,' who, with her independence and ingenuity, could fall right in line with the other young heroines of Disney films.

Disney Theatrical Productions will hold an open  call audition for male dancers for the North American touring production of NEWSIES, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical smash, in Detroit on Tuesday, December 15 at 12:30pm at Detroit Opera House/Margo V. Cohen Center for Dance (1526 Broadway Street, Detroit, MI 48226). This audition will be first come, first serve and is for technically-trained Equity and non-Equity male dancers between 16 - 22 years old of all ethnicities who can tap and sing well. 

KINKY BOOTS star Wayne Brady stopped by yesterday's THE TALK on CBS where he was joined by Chris 'Shockwave' Sullivan and showed off his freestyle rap skills while incorporating random words selected by the audience.

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 Fox Theatre March 29 - April 3, 2015 as part of the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta series. Tickets go on sale January 10.

Saturday's episode of NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE featured a spoof on last week's live broadcat of THE WIZ LIVE! In the sketch, West Oz's Scarecrow (host Ryan Gosling) mistakenly ends up in East Oz with Dorothy (Sasheer Zamata), Cowardly Lion (Kenan Thompson), Tin Man (Jay Pharoah), Scarecrow (Michael Che) and The Wiz (Leslie Jones).

Wayne Brady recently surprised the KINKY BOOTS audience once again with a special rap during curtain call, based on word suggestions for the audience- and all to benefit BC/EFA. Check out the video below!

When mounting an upcoming Broadway version of NBC's THE WIZ LIVE, maybe producers should consider casting superstar Beyonce.

NBC aired its colorful holiday production of THE WIZ LIVE! last night, featuring newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion. Whether you missed the special presentation when it aired or just want to re-live the amazing journey through Oz, watch the entire show below!

As BWW reported earlier today, NBC's live broadcast of THE WIZ LIVE! brought in a whopping 11.5 million viewers - a reason to celebrate for the network. Another reason? The introduction of the unforgettable Shanice Williams. Cast member James Brown III caught Williams' re-entry backstage following her powerful performance of the show's finale, 'Home,' last night. Check out a quick video of the cast and crew's standing ovation for 'Dorothy' actress below!

As BWW reported earlier today, NBC's live broadcast of THE WIZ LIVE! brought in a whopping 11.5 million viewers - a reason to celebrate for the network. Executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron chatted with the Hollywood Reporter today about the huge success of the show and what is in store for the future.

Below, watch the talented cast performing 'Home', 'No Bad News,' 'He's The Wiz,' 'So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard,' 'Branded New Day' and 'Ease On Down the Road.'

Brady stopped by NBC's TODAY's to talk about his starring role in the Broadway musical KINKY BOOTS and how he's been told that in drag, he looks like Michelle Obama.

Following a critically acclaimed opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week, the smash hit production of Funny Girl extends its booking period at the Savoy Theatre due to popular demand. Michael Mayer's "exhilarating embrace of a production - Independent" will now run until 10 September 2016 - marking the musical's 50th anniversary year. Tickets for the extended booking period production starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and "phenomenal talent - Independent" Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale today.

Thanks to Tony-winner Kenny Leon and a delightfully entertaining cast of characters, 'Home' is most certainly where the heart is this holiday season. Coming into this year's NBC live musical, theatre lovers nationwide were appropriately apprehensive, given the spotty results from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and PETER PAN. However, in THE WIZ LIVE!, we were finally given a production worthy of the show's beloved Broadway legacy. Executive Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan still haven't solved the riddle of recreating a stage show's scope and grandeur on screen without an audience, but with a once-in-a-lifetime star, and one of the most acclaimed casts in recent memory, for the first time since this annual experiment began in 2013, there's truly a reason to rejoice!

Can YOU feel a brand new day? We're gearing up to ease on down the road with powerhouse newcomer Shanice Williams and the rest of the gang from Oz, when THE WIZ LIVE! premieres Thursday, December 3, at 8pm on NBC.  Of course, as was the case in 2013's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and last year's PETER PAN LIVE!, the cast is certainly not short on big-name talent — and most come with Broadway or theatrical credits, no less. As if you didn't already know, be sure to look out for Queen Latifah (of 2002's CHICAGO and 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Elijah Kelley (also of 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Uzo Aduba (of CORAM BOY and 2011's GODSPELL), and David Alan Grier (2012's PORGY AND BESS). 

The big day has arrived! THE WIZ LIVE! airs tonight, December 3, at 8PM/7c. The production will star newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.