Jessica Lewis News

The Broadway premiere of End of the Rainbow is tonight, April 2, at the Belasco Theatre. Two-time Oliver Award-winner Tracie Bennett shines in Peter Quilter's acclaimed play about the legendary Judy Garland, directed by the Tony® Award winning Terry Johnson. The first production highlights have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

Newsies, the new American musical opened last night at the Nederlander Theatre for a strictly limited performance run. BroadwayWorld caught up with the cast just following the premiere curtain call and takes you onto the red carpet below!

Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN begins previews on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 and will open official on Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN is coming to Broadway in an all-star theatrical event with two time Tony Award winner James Earl Jones, Tony and Emmy Award winner John Larroquette, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Candice Bergen, Emmy Award winner Eric McCormack, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, Drama Desk Award winner Michael McKean and five time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury. Production footage has just been released and below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look!

The 2010 Tony Award winning Best Musical Memphis partnered with the American Alliance for Theatre and Education to celebrate March as Theatre in Our Schools Month. In this video, Memphis' rockin' cast members sit down with their very own Bobby 'Big Love,' James Monroe Iglehart, as they share what stirred the music of their souls and inspired them to pursue a career in the theatre.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, now playing the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, is currently starring Nick Jonas, Michael Urie and Beau Bridges. Production shots of the trio have been released and below BroadwayWorld brings you a first look!

The Public Theater has announced additional casting today for the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. David Furr (Orlando) and Stephen Spinella (Jaques) join the previously announced MacIntyre Dixon (Adam), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Celia), Omar Metwally (Oliver), and Lily Rabe (Rosalind) in Shakespeare's comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, directed by Daniel Sullivan.

Last night, March 27, Raven-Symone took over the leading role of Deloris Van Cartier in Broadway's SISTER ACT. She is stepping into the high-heeled boots of Tony and Olivier Award nominee Patina Miller, who gave her final performance on Sunday, March 18. SISTER ACT, which will celebrate its one-year Anniversary on Broadway on April 20, is playing at the Broadway Theater. BroadwayWorld was on hand for Raven's debut curtain call and brings you a very first look below! Stay tuned for complete coverage of her special opening night!

Nothing Like a Dame: Their Favorite Things Through took the audience on a tour of favorite shows, songs and performances. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you exclusive coverage of the performance and after party below!

The 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, sponsored by Ketel One Vodka, were held on March 24, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square and Glee's Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera hosted the event.

The West-End production of SWEENEY TODD, starring Michael Ball as Sweeney Todd and Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Lovett, opened to raves on March 20 at the Adelphi Theatre following its sell-out success at the Chichester Festival Theatre. BroadwayWorld has just gotten ahold of the very first clip of Michael Ball as the demon barber himself singing 'Pretty Women.' Click below to catch a glimpse!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway last night, Thursday, March 22, and after the performance the cast and creative team headed over to the Hilton Hotel to celebrate. BroadwayWorld was inside the after party and takes you onto the red carpet below.

BENJAMIN WALKER (star of the upcoming 20th Century Fox action film ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER) will be back on stage Tuesday, April 3rd at 9:30pm for the return FIND THE FUNNY- which he created and hosts. The show will feature a line-up of comics and performers from clubs and colleges around the country. Special guests are to be announced. Recent guests include John Hodgman, Todd Barry, Reggie Watts, Pat Dixon, Carmen Lynch, Barron Vaughn, Hannibal Burress, Allison Castillo, Tom Shillue, Henry Wolfe, Livia Scott, Nick Kroll and Chappo.

Broadway's brightest stars, composers, and musicians are teaming up to create OVER THE MOON: The Broadway Lullaby Project. A 2-CD set of original lullabies plus 48-page children's book and ebook illustrated by America's best-loved artists. The project, executive produced by Kate Dawson and Jodi Glucksman, benefits breast cancer research, support and education. BroadwayWorld is bringing you exclusive videos of some of your favorite Broadway stars inside the recording studio, contributing their talents to the album. In this episode, we bring you Tony Award-winning actress & singer Nikki M. James (Book of Mormon) recording 'All New' (Music by Marisa Michelson, Lyrics by Joshua H. Cohen). This original lullaby features Fred Hersch on piano and Dave Eggar on cello, produced by Matt Pierson. These are original scenes from the upcoming documentary and web series by Out of The Blue Films, Inc. (www.outofthebluefilms.com).

Over the Tavern, a family dramedy opens tonight, March 23, at Big Arts Herb Strauss Theater and below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at the prodution photos!

The Drama League will honor three outstanding theatre luminaries at this year's 78th Annual Drama League Awards set for Friday afternoon, May 18th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.

Julie Taymor's SPIDER-MAN legal battle continues to press on, as producers 8 Legged Productions, LLC have filed a dismissal of her lawsuit, which claims that much of her work was used unrightfully by the new team. According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, Taymor has responded by filing a dismissal of this dismissal.

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work. Check out photos from the 'Testimony' performance below.

As previously reported, Josh Young, who is starring as 'Judas' in Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR after originating the role in both the Startford and La Jolla productions of the show (receiving rave reviews in both cities), has been out of the show since March 20th, missing multiple critics performances. His role has been played by Jeremy Kushnier in his absence. BroadwayWorld has now learned that Young is feeling much better and will be back in the show tonight for the highly anticipated opening performance.

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work. 'Testimony' has been released by the Gay Men's Chorus and BroadwayWorld brings you the moving performance below.

On Monday, March 12th, 2012 Roundabout celebrated Rob Marshall with the 2012 Spring Gala: From Screen to Stage. Rob Marshall began his career with Roundabout working on celebrated musicals such as She Loves Me, Company, Little Me and the Tony Award®-winning Cabaret. When Hollywood beckoned, he directed and choreographed the biggest film musical in years, the Academy Award® winning Chicago, the summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the star studded NINE among others. BroadwayWorld was inside the event to chat with the star-studded guests. Click below for the action!