Joan Marcus News

At 12noon (GMT) on 16 January 2017 the allocation of seats put aside for those who registered for priority booking will go on sale for the West End production of HAMILTON.  The general public booking will open at 12noon (GMT) on 30 January 2017 for the same performances in the first booking period. 

When BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL opens on January 17 at Hartford's Bushnell Theatre, audiences will discover that though they may think they know the songs of Carole King, there is such a rich story behind those familiar lyrics and catchy melodies. BEAUTIFUL tells the true story of King's rise to stardom and illustrates how she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Taking the stage in BEAUTIFUL playing Shirley, the lead singer of the Shirelles is Salisha Thomas who I had the pleasure of speaking with and learning about her experience with this remarkable show about a remarkable woman.

For over 13 years, the musical WICKED has been a shining example of the biggest and most spectacular shows that Broadway has to offer. However, hiding behind the colorful costumes, the special effects, the familiar Ozian setting, and all of the other trappings of the modern day mega-musical is a much deeper and finely crafted show than it is often given credit for. The show's national tour, currently playing at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando through January 29th, thrives on the tried and true escapism that the show is known for, but with a truly remarkable actress leading the production, the show transcends its base entertainment value to deliver a nuanced, rewarding theatrical experience.

I felt the earth move under my feet when the audience of over 1000 people jumped to their feet to give the cast of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL a standing ovation, accompanied by thunderous applause. The Wharton Center showing was absolutely fabulous! Sunday night is the final performance of this amazing show.

ASU Gammage has formally announced, with an appropriate level of fanfare and satisfaction, that HAMILTON will play its premiere Tempe engagement and anchor the ASU Gammage 2017-2018 Desert Schools Broadway Across America Season with performances from January 30th, 2018 through February 25th.

Theatre production and advocacy company, Parity Productions, has released its monthly list of Qualifying Productions - their list of New York City shows in which the individual creative teams include 50% women and transgender artists (directors, designers and playwrights).

Columbia University Libraries, on behalf of the board of the Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History, has announced the five finalist works for the 2017 award:

The Curious Incident offers a profound theatrical experience using captivating movement, images, and sound that work in full collaboration. The result is a thrilling ride down an unpredictable rabbit hole of action that overwhelms the senses.

The producers of IN TRANSIT announced today that Telly Leung (Allegiance) will return to the role of 'Steven' beginning Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street), following a leave of absence due to an unexpected personal family obligation.

THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY, featuring seven performers, will play the Fox Performing Arts Center (Fox PAC) in Riverside, California, for two shows on Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27, 2017. Broadway World Interviewed the 'Deductionist,' Colin Cloud.

Producers Stage Entertainment, Bill Taylor (Sister Act, Rocky), Tom Kirdahy (It's Only A Play, The Visit) and Hunter Arnold (Kinky Boots, Spring Awakening) just announced complete casting for the new musical, ANASTASIA.

To celebrate Yale Rep's 50th anniversary season, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts just unveiled a photo exhibition titled 'Yale Rep at 50: Daring Artists, Bold Choices'.

WICKED is flying into Orlando this week and those familiar with the story know that it's a story about friendship, acceptance, and connection. I had the opportunity to chat with Drama Desk winner and Tony Award nominee Isabel Keating, who is currently playing Madame Morrible on the WICKED tour. From the moment we began talking, I felt a radiating kinship that made me think twice about Madame Morrible as the 'bad guy' of the show.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced casting for the Fort Lauderdale premiere of the national tour of Sam Mendes (Spectre, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall's (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award®-winning production of CABARET. CABARET is coming to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for a limited two week run, January 10 - 22, 2017.

Hennepin Theatre Trust has announced that the U.S. National tour of the hit musical, THE BODYGUARD, launches in Minneapolis as part of the 2016-2017 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin Season Jan. 10-15, 2017 at the historic Orpheum Theatre.

Tommy Mottola, the Dodgers, Tribeca Productions, and Evamere Entertainment just announced that the Original Broadway Cast Album of A Bronx Tale was recorded in New York City today, January 9. Release dates and additional information will be announced shortly.

Only one of the ten plays in two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's masterful The American Century Cycle has never been seen on Broadway - until now. JITNEY is now in previews at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) for a Thursday, January 19 opening night. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! 

The 2017/2018 KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount season brings another year of superb entertainment to The Paramount Theatre, with a roster of shows that spans the ages, featuring familiar titles and brand new productions. Seattle Theatre Group is proud to announce the Broadway Musical, Hamilton, will play its premiere Seattle engagement and anchor the 2017/2018 KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount season. 

it's an engaging and resonant theatrical experience.

Andrew Upton's new adaptation ofAnton Chekhov's first play, Platonov,The Present opened just last night at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 19, 2017. THE PRESENT features the Sydney Theatre Company cast of 13, each making their Broadway debut, including Cate Blanchett (Anna) and Richard Roxburgh (Mikhail).