Jessica Lewis News

BroadwayWorld.com is currently seeking talented theater enthusiasts to head up feature coverage in Kansas City.

BroadwayWorld.com is currently seeking talented theater enthusiasts to head up feature coverage in Detroit.

The acclaimed Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Emily Man will extend its run through August 19, 2012. Streetcar began performances on April 3 and opened on April 22 and was originally set to end its limited run on July 22 at the Broadhurst.

In 1994 Anthony Rapp was working at a Starbucks and about to audition for Rent a new musical by a young guy named Jonathan Larson. An inspiring story about friends and artists struggling in New York's Lower East Side, it was based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme. Anthony got the part, but Jonathan died suddenly the night before the musical's off-Broadway premiere.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' global hit musical MAMMA MIA! will welcome new principals Christy Altomare, Lauren Cohn, Daniel Cooney, Felicia Finley, Aaron Lazar, Graham Rowat and Zak Resnick who will join Judy McLane as "Donna Sheridan" at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on Monday, June 4, 2012.

After more than 5,000 auditions in a coast-to-coast search, ANNIE has announced casting for the orphans for the new production of the classic Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. ANNIE will open on Broadway in Fall 2012 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced. The production will be directed by three-time Tony Award winner James Lapine and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler.

USA Today reports this morning that Bret Michaels has, at long last, settled his 2009 lawsuit against the Tony Awards after sustaining head injuries following a set collapse during the televised broadcast.

Second Stage Theatre's production of Paul Weitz's world premiere comedy, LONELY, I'M NOT, directed by Trip Cullman, runs through June 3rd at Second Stage Theatre. The show opened on May 7. Production highlights have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

EVITA's Rachel Potter and ROCK OF AGES' alum/soon-to-be JEKYLL & HYDE star Constantine Maroulis took to the stage at Joe's Pub last night, May 13, to celebrate the release of Potter's debut country EP, 'Live the Dream.' BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and we brings you a sampling of the tracks below!

The Old Globe is presenting the West Coast Premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical about an infamous chapter in American history. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys features music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, libretto by David Thompson, musical direction by Eric Ebbenga and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. The Scottsboro Boys began performances on April 29 and runs through June 10 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Check out the show trailer featuring the California cast below!

James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Center's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. BroadwayWorld correspondants Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were on hand for the starry opening night red carpet and takes you inside the exiting opening below! With a first look at special bonus footage of Follies newcomer Victoria Clark in the role of 'Sally Durant Plummer', it's a video you don't want to miss!

The original Belle of Broadway performed for the first time in Argentina, where she gave a four-hour masterclass on May 1st. That same night, she astonished the audience with the amazing concert she gave at the Teatro Astral, accompanied by pianist Christopher McGovern. Check out this video with the best moments of Susan Egan's performance in Buenos Aires.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is currently presenting, William Shakespeare's rarely produced Timon of Athens, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid in the title role. Performed in CST's Courtyard Theater from through June 10, 2012, Gaines' production also features Sean Fortunato as Flavius, James Newcomb as Apemantus and Danforth Comins as Alcibiades. Performances began April 24, 2012. Production highlights have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

Under the MASTERWORKS BROADWAY label, the New Broadway Cast Recording of Evita was recorded in April in anticipation of a June 19th 2012 release. The album is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. The album cover art has just been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Today, May 9, stage and screen legend Liza Minnelli treated fans to a special CD signing of her new CD, Liza Minnelli: Live At The Winter Garden at Barnes & Noble in midtown Manhattan. BroadwayWorld was on hand and spoke with Liza about the special release decades after the recording was made and why it's still important now.

By popular demand, Frank Strausser's new comedy PSYCHO THERAPY resumed performances Off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre on April 8 and runs through May 26. Check out new production highlights featuring the latest cast below!

Yesterday, May 7, Magnolia Bakery honored Broadway's GHOST with a new cupcake. The 'Ditto' Cupcake is a classic vanilla or chocolate cupcake with pale blue vanilla bean meringue icing and is topped with a light and airy miniature meringue. The Ditto Cupcake will be available at Magnolia Bakery (1240 Avenue of the Americas at 49th Street) for $3.50. Check out the company with thier sweet treat below!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, co-nominees for Best Original Score for Newsies.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. We begin with Audra McDonald, nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.