Harvey Fierstein News

It's 1962 Baltimore, where racial tension and segregation provide a backdrop for teen angst and lots of catchy tunes by Marc Shaiman (lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman) performed to stage-defying choreography by JR Bruno who manages to get some 15 ensemble members bopping around at times without crashing into each other on the small stage.

The Lake Worth Playhouse is thrilled to preview our 60th season with the sensational HAIRSPRAY, a musical that soars with fabulous music and choreography sure to leave you swinging like the 60's!

The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber, will play at the San Diego Civic Theater August 7-12, 2012. Tickets are on sale now and as part of Broadway/San Diego's 2012-2013 35th Anniversary Season Package.

Today we are taking a look at four sparkling new Blu-ray editions of well-regarded films from the Disney vault by focusing on three titles that are also currently running on Broadway in screen-to-stage adaptations at this very moment - EVITA, NEWSIES and SISTER ACT. The current trend of adapting hit films into musicals for the stage has sporadically proven that some stage adaptations can even be more entertaining onstage, while some recent movie musicals have one-upped their stage roots in a way a few Golden Age adaptations also managed to do. Such is the case with EVITA, NEWSIES, SISTER ACT and SISTER ACT 2 (the latter two both acting as inspiration for the Broadway SISTER ACT musical) - all available for the first time on Blu-ray and each certainly justifying consideration for inclusion in your library if only because each is regarded as a modern-day classic - of sorts - in its own unique and special way. And, without these films, we would never have the current versions of the shows now running on Broadway based upon them (even in the case of a classic like EVITA, whose stage version may have come first, but, as seen and heard in the hit Elena Roger/Ricky Martin/Michael Cerveris revival, now includes the film addition, "You Must Love Me"). Whatever the medium, all of these winning entities offer an entertaining way to beat the heat and celebrate the start of summer in style - with some tunes, old and new, you are not soon to forget.

One of the best things about Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Hermans' La Cage' Aux Folles is that it is a fun show. I was even asked if I had a feather boa to bring with me. Sadly I did not, but that made me more excited to see this Tony winning musical. This incarnation, directed by Noel Ruiz, features a wonderful cast and is showing at CM PAC in Oakdale, Long Island, through July 29th.

NEWSIES has been playing now for several months the Nederlander Theatre, and by now the cast has lots of backstage rituals that go on before performances. In the video below, check out where they stretch, do vocal warm-ups, and more!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Trevor Project celebrates Susan Sarandon, Woody meets the press, Broadway sings for pride, and so much more!

Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig have announced the full cast and creative team for the World Premiere of Kinky Boots, the new musical that brings together four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy® Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Music & Lyrics). Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots will play the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL) beginning October 2 through November 4, 2012, in advance of a Broadway opening.

Broadway In Chicago's Concert moves to Millennium Park this summer. The FREE BROADWAY IN CHICAGO CONCERT will take place on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 6:15 p.m. at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. Hosted by ABC-7's Janet Davies, star of 190 NORTH, the concert will feature performances by the iconic rock legend CYNDI LAUPER with members of the cast from the pre-Broadway world premiere of her new musical KINKY BOOTS, Joey from WAR HORSE and Cathy Rigby as PETER PAN.

Andrew-Keenan Bolger and Kara Lindsay of NEWSIES interview with Lauren Scala of NBC Live as they take her backstage and behind the scenes. Check out the video below.

Newsies has just announced that they are seeking a standby for the leading role of Jack Kelly, additional 'newsies' and actresses to cover female tracks. Auditions will be held in person in New York City (please see specific information below). In addition, auditions will be accepted online for those performers who are unable to make it in person via an uploaded video to YouTube.

The Lake Worth Playhouse is thrilled to preview our 60th season with the sensational HAIRSPRAY, a musical that soars with fabulous music and choreography sure to leave you swinging like the 60's!

Broadway In Chicago's Concert moves to Millennium Park this summer. The FREE BROADWAY IN CHICAGO CONCERT will take place on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 6:15 p.m. at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. Hosted by ABC-7's Janet Davies, star of 190 NORTH, the concert will feature performances by the iconic rock legend CYNDI LAUPER with members of the cast from the pre-Broadway world premiere of her new musical KINKY BOOTS, Joey from WAR HORSE and Cathy Rigby as PETER PAN.

Newsies recently welcomed a special guest- 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Brave' star Kevin McKidd, who brought his daughter, Iona, to check out the musical. The duo posed with the cast after the show, and you can check out photos below!

Check out NEWSIES' 'Santa Fe,' performed by Jeremy Jordan with composer Alan Menken at the piano, below!

On June 22, the cast of NEWSIES, led by Jeremy Jordan, performed and signed copies of their cast album, which was released in April, at UES Barnes & Noble (86th/Lex). BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos of Jordan, Harvey Fierstein and Jack Feldman, Kara Lindsay, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Ben Fankhauser and the cast of NEWSIES below!

Nine elaborate, Broadway-themed wall clocks, created by luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet and signed by dozens of 2012 Tony Award nominees, are currently up for auction to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The online auction for these one-of-a-kind tributes to the best and brightest of Broadway ends this Tuesday, June 26.

Kinky Boots, the new musical that brings together four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy® Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Music & Lyrics), will have its pre-Broadway world premiere in Chicago this fall. Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots will play the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL) in October 2012. Entertainment Weekly has just released a track form the new musical, titled 'Sex Is in the First Heel,' and you can check it out HERE!

William Schermerhorn has won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Original Song that was perfomed in 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, called (Won't You) Join Our Parade. The Emmy award winning song (Won't You) Join Our Parade was performed by Stage Door Manor and written by composer, Doug Katsaros and lyricist, William Schermerhorn.

The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber will play in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre for two weeks only September 25 through October 7. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, June 24 at 10 a.m. at the Fisher Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.