Jake Lucas News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: NBC broadcasts PETER PAN LIVE! tonight, THE ILLUSIONISTS opens on Broadway, DISENCHANTED! raises the curtain off-Broadway and more!

The 88th Annual Macy's THANKSGIVING Day Parade will air Thursday, Nov. 27 - and Broadway's best will be represented! Performances by HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE LAST SHIP, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ON THE TOWN, and SIDE SHOW are currently on tap for the big day. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the second day of rehearsals!

Louderman took time out from rehearsals for PETER PAN LIVE! to speak exclusively with BWW about learning to fly, the new original song she will perform in the show and what she is most looking forward to when the cameras go live on December 4th!

BroadwayWorld.com's Richie Ridge was on hand at PETER PAN's press day where he talked to the stars and creative team about how they are putting together this live TV event. Here, Richie talks to Allison Williams.

Lincoln Center Theater has announced that Ruthie Ann Miles (as Lady Thiang), Ashley Park (as Tuptim), Conrad Ricamora (as Lun Tha), Edward Baker-Duly (as Sir Edward Ramsey), Jon Viktor Corpuz (as Prince Chulalongkorn), Murphy Guyer (as Captain Orton), Jake Lucas (as Louis), Paul Nakauchi (as Kralahome), and Marc Oka (as Phra Alack) will be featured in its upcoming production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I. The production, which will feature a cast led by Kelli O'Hara (as Anna Leonowens) and Ken Watanabe (as the King of Siam), will be directed by Bartlett Sher, and will begin previews Thursday, March 12 and open on Thursday, April 16 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

NBC's PETER PAN LIVE, the network special from executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, will air on December 4. Preparing to sprinkle fairy dust across America, NBC presents a bold new LIVE television production of the classic Broadway musical that will gather friends, families and anyone who refuses to ever grow up. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the special will star Allison Williams, Christopher Walken, Christian Borle, Kelli O'Hara, Taylor Louderman and Alanna Saunders for the live production.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events:

A second show has been added for Stop the Presses: Newsboys of New York Rally at 54 Below on August 14th. The 11:30pm show was added after the original 7pm show sold out in a matter of hours.

The 59th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards, celebrating achievement in the Off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theater, were given out at a ceremony last night at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The awards ceremony was co-hosted by Tamara Tunie and Hamish Linklater. The awards were presented by Betsy Aidem, Harvey Fierstein, Lena Hall, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Andy Karl, David Bar Katz, Cristin Milioti, Kelli O'Hara, Lily Rabe and Stephen Trask. BroadwayWorld was there for the ceremony and you can check out backstage photo coverage below!

The 2014 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out last night at NYU Skirball Center, hosted by acclaimed husband and wife actors and comedians, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. This year's event once again benefited The Actors Fund.

The Independent Reviewers of New England congratulate the entire greater Boston theater community on another successful year of stellar productions. The 18th Annual IRNE Awards was held on Monday, April 7, with awards in 54 categories in writing, acting, design in all disciplines, and directing.

The Michael Morones Foundation today announced additional performers includingLaura Benanti for a one-night only benefit concert entitled Broadway Battles Bullying to take place on Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The benefit and silent auction, which will be hosted by Shakina Nayfack, will raise money for the newly created Michael Morones Foundation, which works to educate communities about youth suicide prevention and the effects of bullying. The benefit concert is presented by an honorary host committee of Broadway, screen, and music veterans including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Mary-Louise Parker, Paula Cole, Megan Hilty, Jonathan Groff, and Julia Murney, who have all generously donated their support to the Michael Morones Foundation.

The Michael Morones Foundation today announced a one-night only benefit concert entitled Broadway Battles Bullying to take place on Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The benefit and silent auction will raise money for the newly created Michael Morones Foundation, which works to educate communities about youth suicide prevention and the effects of bullying. The benefit concert is presented by an honorary host committee of Broadway, screen, and music veterans including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Mary-Louise Parker, Paula Cole, Megan Hilty, Jonathan Groff, and Julia Murney, who have all generously donated their support to the Michael Morones Foundation.

The Nominating Committee of the Independent Reviewers of New England has just announced nominees for the 2014 IRNE Awards. The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, founded by Beverly Creasey of the Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of TheaterMirror in 1997, recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community.

Author Tim Federle's follow-up to Better Nate Than Ever -- FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, NATE! -- was just published by Simon and Schuster. Armed with a one-way ticket to New York City, small-town theater geek Nate is off to start rehearsals for E.T.: The Broadway Musical. It's everything he ever practiced his autograph for! But as thrilling as Broadway is, rehearsals are nothing like Nate expects: full of intimidating child stars, cut-throat understudies, and a director who can't even remember Nate's name. Now, as the countdown to opening night is starting to feel more like a time bomb, Nate is going to need more than his lucky rabbit's foot if he ever wants to see his name in lights. He may even need a showbiz miracle. The companion novel to Better Nate Than Ever...Five, Six, Seven, Nate! is full of secret admirers, surprise reunions, and twice the drama of middle school...with a lot more glitter.

A Christmas Story, The Musical ends its return engagement at The Theater at Madison Square Garden today, December 29, 2013. The production began previews on December 11, ahead of an opening night on December 12.

Earlier this week, the cast of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL went to the 'Good Morning America' studios where they taped a special medley featuring 'It All Comes Down To Christmas' and 'Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.' Airing this Friday, December 20, the performance features Erin Dilly, Jake Lucas, Noah Baird and David Scott Purdy as The Parker Family with kids ensemble Charlie Babbo, Hannah Bautista, Beada Briglia, Judae'a Brown, Michael Crispi, Alexa Niziak, Luke Spring and Nicky Torchia. Check out a sneak peek below!

Earlier this week, the cast of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL went to the 'Good Morning America' studios where they taped a special medley featuring 'It All Comes Down To Christmas' and 'Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.' Airing this Friday, December 20, the performance features Erin Dilly, Jake Lucas, Noah Baird and David Scott Purdy as The Parker Family with kids ensemble Charlie Babbo, Hannah Bautista, Beada Briglia, Judae'a Brown, Michael Crispi, Alexa Niziak, Luke Spring and Nicky Torchia. Scroll down for behind-the-scenes photos of the cast on set!

Reprising their roles are Dan Lauria (Lombardi, 'The Wonder Years,' 'Sullivan and Son') as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton(Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Gossip Girl') as the Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother and Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields. Eli Tokash (Mary Poppins) plays Ralphie at certain perforances, Noah Baird as little brother Randy, and Jake Lucas (Newsies, Far From Heaven), donning the famous spectacles will take on the lead role of Ralphie.