Idina Menzel News

In honor of accomplished television and film actor - and one of the stars of the movie of the summer, INCEPTION - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this Saturday Special shall shine some light on the triple-threat A-list star who is currently in preparation for his theatrical debut at Town Hall on October 28th. All eyes of Hollywood and Broadway will be on him on that momentous night, but if the following clips - or, furthermore, a past featured clip in this column, his SNL hosting gig showcasing him positively nailing SINGIN' IN THE RAIN's "Make 'Em Laugh" complete with athletic and acrobatic accoutrement - are any indication, there is no need to worry. At all. INCEPTION may have all been a dream, but it seems so, too, is the multi-faceted talent of this star-on-the-rise - heck, megastar - taking time out of his packed schedule to do a night of songs, skits, shorts and other surprises which shall introduce a whole new audience to his astonishing gifts exceeding far beyond the television star - of THAT 70s SHOW and 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN - or films - like (500) DAYS OF SUMMER - that he is best known for, but revealing the blooming and blossoming Broadway baby at the core of his soul. All shall be revealed, but first get gaga for JGL and brush up vous francais for some Brel ala Broadway, Deschanel duets, "Express Yourself", and much more. WARNING: These clips contain explicit language!

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel opens the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra season with three performances September 24th through September 26th. Ms. Menzel will perform a diverse repertoire of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from Wicked and Rent) as well as songs from her album, I Stand.

Last night I had the unbelievable treat of talking to one of the finest actors alive - whether playing to a select audience off-Broadway or to millions of moviegoers - Oscar-winning actor (and now film director), and a part of many of the finest films of the twenty-first century, the charming and compelling Philip Seymour Hoffman! In this exclusive interview, Hoffman candidly covers the many highlights of his stage and screen career in addition to providing a thorough discussion of his new film JACK GOES BOATING which opens in selected cities this month! It's like an acting class with a class act - and one hell of - of an actor. Whether you are a fan of Hollywood, Broadway or both this is an entertainment junkie's purple dragon dream interview made real!

'Gleeks' and 'Cheerios' worldwide will celebrate September 14 when the groundbreaking musical comedy GLEE: The Complete First Season debuts on Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment featuring all 22 one-hour episodes including the highly anticipated 'The Power of Madonna' episode and other fan-favorites. From series creator Ryan Murphy ('Nip/Tuck'), GLEE: The Complete First Season Blu-ray and DVD is pitch-perfect with never-before-seen extras sure to hit the right note.

Broadway star, GLEE actress, and singer Idina Menzel, has announced that she will be performing at Michael Kors' Madison Avenue boutique on Friday, September 10th at 9pm. The performance is free and open to the public as part of Fashion's Night Out in New York City.

It has certainly been the summer for youngsters with powerful vocal chops. First, 10-year-old soprano Jackie Evancho impressed the world à la Susan Boyle with her debut on 'America's Got Talent' in August, and now, nine-year-old Los Angeles-based triple threat Oliver Richman is 'Defying Gravity' with a new video that debuted on the internet September 3. Click below to watch!

Broadway star, GLEE actress, and singer Idina Menzel, has added several new shows to her current solo tour.

Jackie Burns and Chandra Lee Schwartz deserve top billing in the latest touring company of the beloved Broadway smash hit musical. See it for the first time or the umpteenth time and you'll be enchanted by this production.

Broadway star Julia Murney will be joining the Houston Symphony for a special concert series called 'Broadway Rocks!' on September 3, 4, and 5. Three additional vocalists will join Ms. Murney and will be announced at a later date. They will be backed by the Gay Men's Chorus of Houston to perform show stopping numbers from the latest generation of Broadway musicals like Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, RENT, and more.

On September 3, 4, and 5, the sounds and glamour of Broadway will take over Jones Hall! The Houston Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski kick-off their Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hallseries with a spectacular musical showcase called Broadway Rocks!

Broadway star Julia Murney will be joining the Houston Symphony for a special concert series called 'Broadway Rocks!' on September 3, 4, and 5. Three additional vocalists will join Ms. Murney and will be announced at a later date. They will be backed by the Gay Men's Chorus of Houston to perform show stopping numbers from the latest generation of Broadway musicals like Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, RENT, and more.

According to published reports, stage vets Idina Menzel and hisband Taye Diggs, Jude Law, Kyra Sedgwick, Terrence Howard, and Jennifer Garner are among the celebrities that will be stopping by Sesame Street this upcoming season. Additional guests include Jason Bateman, Amy Poehler, Colin Farrell, Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, Wanda Sykes, Anna Faris, Katy Perry, Reverend Run, Usher, will.i.am, Reggie Bush, LaDainian Tomlinson and cast members from Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family, The View, Food Network, Today, The Insider and American Idol's Kara DioGuardi.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Javier Bardem may be the latest star to make a guest appearance on GLEE. According to a report in the Ausiello Files, Bardem will play a Spanish rock star who befriends 'Artie' (played by Kevin McHale). Bardem allegedly pitched the idea to GLEE creator Ryan Murphy while the two were in production for Eat, Pray, Love.

On Monday, August 30th, New York Theatre Barn will present its monthly showcase for emerging writers and performers at the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theater, which will feature the songs of Jake Brandman as well as a presentation of the new musical Substitute Dreams. Executive Producers for NYTB in the D-Lounge are Laura Brandel and Karen Marshall.

On Monday, August 30th, New York Theatre Barn will present its monthly showcase for emerging writers and performers at the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theater, which will feature the songs of Jake Brandman as well as a presentation of the new musical Substitute Dreams. Executive Producers for NYTB in the D-Lounge are Laura Brandel and Karen Marshall.

Emmy® Award-winning actress, comedienne and singer Megan Mullally returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center with her band Supreme Music Program October 7 - 10 to open the 2010-2011 Cabaret Series in Samueli Theater.

Back in January, Glee star Lea Michele told MTV she would love to see Matthew Morrison (who plays Mr. Schuester) and Justin Timberlake have a dance-off on the hit FOX TV show.

Tiffany Graves is playing Charity in SWEET CHARITY at the Theatre Royal Haymarket all this week as Tamzin Outhwaite is away

This week, we are taking a look at Sunday evening's starry West End salute to Stephen Sondheim which was broadcast in the UK on TV and everywhere on the BBC website, BBC PROMS: SONDHEIM AT 80. This unforgettable event stars Dame Judi Dench, Maria Friedman, Bryn Terfel, Caroline O'Conner, Julian Ovenden, Daniel Evans, Jenna Russell and Simon Russell Beale singing selections from Sondheim's entire oeuvre - among them: 'Send In The Clowns', 'Broadway Baby', 'Children Will Listen', 'Move On' and 'Side By Side'. Dame Dench's recreation of her Desiree Armfeldt - a role currently essayed by Bernadette Peters who opened this week in the replacement cast of the Broadway revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, replacing Tony-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones - is merely impossibly elegant decoration on a decadently rich, rewarding, fulfilling and entertaining gateau of celebratory Sondheimian greatness. A piece of birthday cake like few others. Come along and hear it for yourself if you haven‘t already!

What it's like to visit the East Room of the White House and watch a rehearsal of 'We Can't Stop the Beat'