Joan Marcus News

The women who took over the American workforce during World War II were abruptly expected to quit once the boys started coming home.  And while many looked forward to settling down with a traditional Mr. Right and staying home to raise 2.7 babies, there were others who were torn between the safety of normalcy and their yearning for something more dangerous and adventurous when William Inge's Pulitzer-winning Picnic premiered on Broadway in 1953.

The new Broadway production of ANNIE celebrates its 100th performance on Saturday, February 2 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). The cast of the acclaimed production will celebrate the milestone with cupcakes generously provided by Magnolia Bakery.

When I first saw Marie Jones's play STONES IN HIS POCKETS, I wasn't reviewing, but was working as the Front of House Manager at the Bushnell where Bronson Pinchot was starring in the tour stop there in 2002. About half of the audience left at intermission, most of them asking what the play was about. I couldn't answer. I had no idea myself.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: PHANTOM takes an epic bow, Manilow finally arrives, Lea Salonga belts it out and so much more!

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, a new musical comedy with book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak and lyrics by Freedman and Lutvak. Former Old Globe Co-Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak returns to the Globe to direct the production. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

'Rock of Ages,' is rocking on stage at the San Jose Performing Arts Center and will blow your mind!

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandalby Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunterin her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement is now in previews with an opening slated for tonight, January 31. Check out photos of the cast onstage below!

Mark Evans and Christopher John O'Neill just joined the cast of the national tour of The Book of Mormon as Elder Price and Elder Cunningham respectively. They replaced Gavin Creel and Jared Gertner who join the West End company at the Prince of Wales Theatre from February 25. For a complete list of tour stops, visit: http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the new cast in action below!

Bock and Harnick's Fiorello!, the opening musical of the Encores! 20th Anniversary season stars Kate Baldwin, Erin Dilly, Jenn Gambatese, Shuler Hensley and Emily Skinner, with Danny Rutigliano as Fiorello LaGuardia. Fiorello! will be directed by Gary Griffin with choreography by Alex Sanchez and music direction by Rob Berman. The show will run for seven performances from January 30 - February 3 at New York City Center. BWW has a first look at the cast in action below!

After record breaking runs in 2006, 2008 and 2011 WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to Ft. Lauderdale this January for a limited 3-week engagement, January 30 - February 17, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

The Book of Mormon, which opened Thursday at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, anchors the 2012-2013 Broadway series just as it is an anchor on the Great White Way itself.

Writers Guild and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tony Kushner has been chosen to receive the WGAW's 2013 Paul Selvin Award for his adapted screenplay for Lincoln. Named after the late Selvin, who served as counsel to the Guild, the award is given to the WGA member whose script best embodies the spirit of the constitutional and civil rights and liberties, which are indispensable to the survival of free writers everywhere. Kushner will be recognized, along with other honorees, at the Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 17, at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.

Beginning today, January 28th listen to SiriusXM's "On Broadway" channel for "Once a Week" a special series with the cast of the Tony winning Best Musical, ONCE. The cast of ONCE will play some of their favorite songs from their cast album, as well as some songs performed live at the SiriusXM studios. They'll even throw in some of their personal picks and tell you some great stories along the way. Join Tony winner Steve Kazee, nominee Cristin Milioti and the cast every Today from 8-10AM & 8-10PM ET, only "On Broadway" (channel 72).

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Chita turns 80, STARCATCHER takes its final bow, ROCK OF AGES starts a party in Vegas, and so much more!

Direct from Broadway, the National Tour of the five-time Tony-nominated SISTER ACT is in town, featuring an original score by award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Based on the Touchstone Pictures 1992 motion picture written by Joseph Howard, the live stage show has an ensemble cast that will have you dancing in the aisles to its variety of musical styles.

According to the Daily Mail, One Man, Two Guvnors star James Corden and Dominic Cooper are set to reunite in a production by the National Theatre. Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner is still searching for the right script, which includes having asked writers to create new shows or adapt classics. The Mail guesses the collaboration will begin in 2014.

Beginning Monday, January 28th listen to SiriusXM's "On Broadway" channel for "Once a Week" a special series with the cast of the Tony winning Best Musical, ONCE. The cast of ONCE will play some of their favorite songs from their cast album, as well as some songs performed live at the SiriusXM studios. They'll even throw in some of their personal picks and tell you some great stories along the way. Join Tony winner Steve Kazee, nominee Cristin Milioti and the cast every Monday from 8-10AM & 8-10PM ET, only "On Broadway" (channel 72).

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Company, Inc., once again makes theater history when it becomes the first Broadway show ever to celebrate its 25th Anniversary tonight, January 26, 2013. While much of the Phantom family will reunite for this special event, the current cast will also be a big part of the festivities. Check out photos of the newest cast members in action below!

Bock and Harnick's Fiorello!, the opening musical of the Encores! 20th Anniversary season, will star Kate Baldwin, Erin Dilly, Jenn Gambatese, Shuler Hensley and Emily Skinner, with Danny Rutigliano as Fiorello LaGuardia. Fiorello! will be directed by Gary Griffin with choreography by Alex Sanchez and music direction by Rob Berman. The show will run for seven performances from January 30 - February 3 at New York City Center.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandalby Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunter in her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement is now in previews with an opening slated for January 31. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!