Jerry Zaks News

Broadway's WAITRESS began performances on Friday, March 25 with a bang, setting a house record for a single performance the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and announcing a new block of tickets on sale through January 1, 2017. WAITRESS opens today, April 24, 2016. Get ready for tonight's opening bows by scrolling down to learn more about the company, plus watching highlights from the show!

Goodman Theatre has announced Broadway stars John Dossett and Douglas Sills will join the cast of War Paint, a new musical starring two-time Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole as Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, respectively. Dossett will portray Tommy Lewis, Miss Arden's husband and chief marketing officer, and Sills will portray the ambitious Harry Fleming, Madame Rubinstein's clubby confidante and faithful ally.  

Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you an exclusive video of one of the evening's most jaw-dropping performances from one of Broadway's newest superstars. Watch as THE COLOR PURPLE's Cynthia Erivo performs 'A Piece of Sky' from YENTL.

Paper Mill Playhouse is hosting its largest fundraising event of the year, the Paper Mill Playhouse Gala on Friday, May 6, at the renowned Hilton Short Hills. The reception and silent auction begin at 6:00pm followed by dinner and dancing featuring The Eddie Bruce Band. 

Academy Award nominated actor, screenwriter and producer, Chazz Palminteri, will be joining Broadway Theatre Project's 2016 season for the first time as a guest artist. Gianna Palminteri, Chazz' wife, writer, actor, producer and vocal technique teacher, will also be joining Broadway Theatre Project.

Santa Susana High School, a award winning performing arts high school in Simi Valley, California presents: The Addams Family. Presented in our state of the art Performing Arts Center, the dates for the 6 show run are April 22, 23, 29 and 30. Santa Susana High School continues their tradition of producing top quality productions utilizing student producers, co directors, production orchestra and a student crew for sound, set, stage and tech support all led by our amazing teaching staff. In addition, this cast contain two actors nominated for 2015 Jerry Herman Awards (Grant Measures and Josh Ponce.)  This is a can't miss event!

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) concludes its 15th season dedicated to the woman's voice, and its ongoing mission of "performance with a purpose," with Shirley Lauro's A Piece of My Heart, directed by CDE fellow Victoria Alvarez-Chacon, and described by the Association of Vietnam Veterans of America as "the most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation."  A Piece of My Heart follows tells the true experiences of six women working in Vietnam during wartime. The powerful accounts of these women - five nurses and one country western singer - take place before, during and after Vietnam, and each story concludes with a personal token left at the memorial wall in Washington. 

FEINSTEIN'S/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents "THE WHOLE MEGILLAH" on March 24, 2016 at 9:30pm. From Adam Spiegel and Dan Wolpow, the writers of Cloned! (NYMF 2014 Best of Fest Audience Prize and New York Times Critic's Pick), The Whole Megillah! is a raucous, raunchy and ribald take on the Book of Esther, which tells the ridiculous story of the Jewish holiday of Purim. 

Joey Sorge and Vincenzo Faruolo are two of the New Jersey residents who are in the cast of 'A Bronx Tale: The Musical' at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

THE COLOR PURPLE is an unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. This unforgettable and intensely moving new production that has just opened on Broadway months prior, mesmerized audiences when it premiered at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory, where critics hailed it as 'a revelation' (Mark Shenton, The Stage). Now, this American classic comes to Broadway with a powerhouse cast including celebrated London star Cynthia Erivo, who recreates her electrifying performance as Celie. 

According to Premium Times, the hit Broadway musical SISTER ACT will be performed in Nigeria later this year. The Nigerian production is conceived by manufacturer and 'serial entrepreneur,' Dr. Soji Akinkugbe in collaboration with top executives from Cape Town's Waterfront Theatre Company and will feature an all-Nigerian cast. 

Still not over Hamilton's performance at the Grammys? Gearing up for Waitress to hit Broadway in March? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

'A Bronx Tale: The Musical' at Paper Mill Playhouse is a sensational new musical theater piece. It will be on the Millburn stage through March 6th. Co-directed by Jerry Zaks and Robert DeNiro, the book is by Chazz Palminteri based on his real-life experiences as a youth. With music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater and choreography by Sergio Trujillo, the all-star cast delivers exceptional performances.

A catchy Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score and a terrific turn by Nick Cordero highlight this world premiere adaptation of Chazz Palminteri's solo play.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world premiere musical A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL. The musical is co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Sergio Trujillo. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL runs at the Millburn, New Jersey theater now through March 6, 2016. The official press opening was last night, February 14. BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion and you can go inside the after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world premiere musical A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL. The musical is co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Sergio Trujillo. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL runs at the Millburn, New Jersey theater now through March 6, 2016. The official press opening was last night, February 14. BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion and you can go inside the curtain call below!

Paper Mill has been teasing playgoers with hints about their upcoming productions since 2010.

A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL runs at the Millburn, New Jersey theater now through March 6, 2016. The official press opening night is Sunday, February 14. Below, get ready for this weekend's opening with highlights from the show!

Still not over the news of HAMILTON performing at the Grammys? Getting ready to hear Amber Riley crush it in DREAMGIRLS on the West End? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'