Hunter Bell News

The Fourth Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Artists, the highlight of Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater New Artist Program, kicks off its much anticipated three day festival of brand new works on Friday, January 16, at the Goodspeed Opera House with a staged reading of Life on the Mississippi. On Saturday, January 17, Goodspeed Musical's first ever commissioned musical, the hilarious Band Geeks!, will debut. On the final day of the festival, Factory Girls will be presented. Several special events will round out this exciting weekend.

Tony Award-winners Nathan Lane and Anika Noni Rose are set to participant in The Vineyard Theatre's star-studded tribute to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes and The Union Square Partnership at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan. The Gala, which will benefit the Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading theatres devoted to producing new works, will include salutations to Ms. Seldes -- who originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 at The Vineyard -- and celebrate its theme of community spirit and neighborhood involvement by also honoring The Union Square Partnership. Nathan Lane, who will host the evening, starred opposite Ms. Seldes Off-Broadway in Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS. Mr. Lane is best-known for his Tony Award-winning performances in THE PRODUCERS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. Anika Noni Rose, who received an Obie Award for her work in the musical ELI'S COMIN' at The Vineyard, won a Tony Award for her performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and co-starred with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in the film version of 'Dreamgirls,' is set to perform.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre troupe The Civilians. While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.

The Fourth Annual Goodspeed Festival of New Artists, the highlight of Goodspeed Musicals' Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater New Artist Program, kicks off its much anticipated three day festival of brand new works on Friday, January 16, at the Goodspeed Opera House with a staged reading of Life on the Mississippi. On Saturday, January 17, Goodspeed Musical's first ever commissioned musical, the hilarious Band Geeks!, will debut. On the final day of the festival, Factory Girls will be presented. Several special events will round out this exciting weekend.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work This Beautiful City, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs.

BroadwayWorld.com is proud to announce its newest addition to the BroadwayWorld.TV family - StageTube! Presenting the best in viral, viewer-created videos, StageTube will connect BroadwayWorld.com visitors with the best of user driven video content. For the debut of Stage Tube we put the spotlight on the talented gang of [title of show] as they begin Season Two of their online series. Episode One of Season Two is fittingly enough at this holiday time of year a 'Christmas Spectacular Show Special Show'.

THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS launched its 29th season with a time-honored New York tradition: under the Artistic Direction of Charles Beale, NYCGMC presented The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular 'Celebrate Me Home' at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday December 9th. The special guest stars for the evening were the cast of [title of show], Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff.

The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras had VIP access on all levels to bring you the most complete coverage of this very special event!

The 20th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,061,000 had been raised by the 63 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Vineyard Theatre -- where Marian Seldes originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 -- will honor the Tony Award-winning actress at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan.

The Obie and Drama Desk award-winning theater company Transport Group held its annual gala this year on Monday December 8th, honoring Tony Award-winning director John Doyle and Shubert Organizaion legend Betty Jacobs. BroadwayWorld.com sent our cameras to join in on the eventful night of starry celebration.

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is pleased to announce Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, will return to help kick off the 20th Anniversary of the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing Broadway spectacular that has become the must see event for the New York theatrical community.

Sunday, December 7 at 11:59 PM marks the last chance for theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION via 'Team Raiser,' an online fundraising method at the Broadway Cares website (www.BroadwayCares.org).

Sunday, December 7 at 11:59 PM marks the last chance for theatre fans to make donations to BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION via 'Team Raiser,' an online fundraising method at the Broadway Cares website (www.BroadwayCares.org).

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is pleased to announce Tyne Daly and Jonathan Hadary, the hosts of the first GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, will return to help kick off the 20th Anniversary of the all-singing, all-dancing, all-dishing Broadway spectacular that has become the must see event for the New York theatrical community.

'Cashino,' the long-running LA cult hit brought that special magic back to the Laurie Beechman Theater on Sunday November 23rd

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, a new musical stage reinvention of the cherished classic film, arrived on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre for 65 performances only - guaranteeing New York a very 'white' Christmas! BroadwayWorld.com sent our cameras on their 'merry' way to join in on all the holiday fun of Opening Night!

Broadway's Cheyenne Jackson is not only on the cover, but has been named OUT Magazine's Entertainer of the Year. Cheyenne is featured in Out Magazine's annual 'Out 100' list of notable gay and lesbian newsmakers of 2008.

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.

The New York Musical Theater Festival honored producer Robyn Goodman at its Fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre.