Harvey Fierstein News

I try not to get involved with partisan politics on this blog, unless it's theatre related and can serve as a source for humor, but when one of our great contemporary playwrights has something to say about an important issue, I'm honored to spread the word.

Marissa Jaret Winokur will reprise her Tony Award-winning performance as Tracy Turnblad when she rejoins the cast tonight Tuesday, December 9 through the final performance Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre.

The Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray, and its star, Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, have passed the $2,000,000 mark in total dollars they have raised for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.

In its Los Angeles Regional Premiere, the Tony Award winning musical The Light In The Piazza will open at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts on January 23, 2009.

Bidding begins at noon EST on eBay for BID 2 BEAT AIDS, a massive annual auction of rare and autographed items from stars in music, film, Broadway, sports, and television. Broadway fans can bid on tickets to the opening night of Hair and the post-show party, a backstage visit with Hairspray star Harvey Fierstein, signed Playbills, a 'For Rent' sign autographed by the cast of Rent, or even a signed can of hairspray by the cast of Hairspray; concert-goers can snag VIP seats and backstage meet-and-greets with Tony Bennett, Jewel, Bernadette Peters, Aimee Mann, Duncan Sheik, Harry Connick Jr, Estelle, Joan Rivers or Michael Feinstein; sports fans can bid on meet-and-greets with Olympic champion Michael Phelps or skateboarder Tony Hawk.

Camp Broadway, the award-winning theater arts education and audience development company and American icon, Kermit the Frog, will lead 300 performance-loving kids, ages 10-17, in an original Closing number 'I Believe in Santa Claus,' live in the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be televised on NBC-TV on November 27, 2008 beginning at 9am.

Bidding begins at noon EST on eBay for BID 2 BEAT AIDS, a massive annual auction of rare and autographed items from stars in music, film, Broadway, sports, and television. Broadway fans can bid on tickets to the opening night of Hair and the post-show party, a backstage visit with Hairspray star Harvey Fierstein, signed Playbills, a 'For Rent' sign autographed by the cast of Rent, or even a signed can of hairspray by the cast of Hairspray; concert-goers can snag VIP seats and backstage meet-and-greets with Tony Bennett, Jewel, Bernadette Peters, Aimee Mann, Duncan Sheik, Harry Connick Jr, Estelle, Joan Rivers or Michael Feinstein; sports fans can bid on meet-and-greets with Olympic champion Michael Phelps or skateboarder Tony Hawk.

In a special tribute to Clive Barnes on the New York Post's web site, columnist Michael Riedel talks to Harvey Fierstein, Jeffrey Richards, John Cullum, Gerald Schoenfeld about the legendary critic's life and legacy.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.

The producers of the hit Broadway musical Hairspray have announced that Marissa Jaret Winokur will reprise her Tony Award-winning performance as Tracy Turnblad when she rejoins the cast Tuesday, December 9 through the final performance Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre.

Following up on the extended musical hit Like You like It, Brooklyn's Premier Off-Off Broadway company rings in the holidays with the affectionate satire of small-town southern life, 'A Tuna Christmas.' Bring the whole family down to The Gallery Players for this limited holiday engagement December 6-21, 2008!

Acclaimed Singer and Songwriter ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY Finds true love on new CD from Telarc Jazz 'AT LAST'

THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS launches its 29th season with a time-honored New York tradition: under the Artistic Direction of Charles Beale, NYCGMC presents The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular 'Celebrate Me Home' at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday December 9th, 8:00PM.

Four Time Emmy Award winning actress Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead in the Pre-Broadway Engagement of Looped , a new comedy by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Rob Ruggiero. The production (direct from its sold out World Premiere at The Pasadena Playhouse) arrives at The Cuillo Centre for the Arts, prior to a Broadway bow in Summer 2009. Tony Award winning actor Jarrod Emick co-stars.

Harvey Fierstein returned to his Tony-winning role as the greatest Broadway mother of them all, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Tuesday, November 11th. BroadwayWorld was there to cheer our favorite 'Mama' on as he celebrated becoming a 'Hairhopper' again!

Camp Broadway, the award-winning theater arts education and audience development company and American icon, Kermit the Frog, will lead 300 performance-loving kids, ages 10-17, in an original Closing number 'I Believe in Santa Claus,' live in the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be televised on NBC-TV on November 27, 2008 beginning at 9am.

Harvey Fierstein will reprise his Tony-winning performance as Edna Turnblad beginning tonight!

Chocolate Factory Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, David Ian Productions, The Ambassador Theatre Group, David Mirvish, Tulchin/Bartner and Jamie Hendry will present La Cage aux Folles with music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

Constantine Rousouli is the dreamy new Link Larkin in Hairspray. BroadwayWorld gave Constantine a FLIP video camera and set those swinging hands and hips loose backstage before, during and after performances to show you how those 'Nicest Kids in Town' REALLY behave! You saw Part I, and now there is SOOOOO much more Hairspray FLIP fun in Part II!

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Executive Producer;Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director), Off-Broadway's preeminent theater company, honored Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone and The Baruch-Routh-Frankel-Viertel Group at this year's Primary Stages 24th Anniversary Gala Benefit which was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Monday, October 27, 2008. The BroadwayWorld cameras were at the ready to bring you all the excitement of the very special event.