Joe Grifasi News

In addition to producing great theatre works, Primary Stages produced one of this season's most exciting Galas. The 2017 event, celebrating Artistic Honorees Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Producer Honorees Janet B. Rosen & Marvin Rosen, and Corporate Honorees Jose Mendez and Katie Graziano, was a glamorous and talent-filled evening at Tribeca 360 with a full view of lower Manhattan as a backdrop to the festivities.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Endgame, by Samuel Beckett, directed by Edelstein. The play runs from January 5 through February 5, 2017 on Stage II. Tickets start at $29.

Christine Scarfuto is the Long Wharf Theatre's literary manager and resident dramaturg. Never heard of that position? 'It's a pretty fascinating job,' she says, one that she discovered after being in college for a while. Her job at the Long Wharf Theatre includes providing articles about the play and/or playwright for the already impressive programs that are designed by graphic artist Claire Zoghb, and for setting up the lobby displays.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Endgame, by Samuel Beckett, directed by Edelstein.

For almost seven decades, Carmen de Lavallade has led an unparalleled career in dance, theater, film and television that began in her hometown of Los Angeles.  Now, Ms. de Lavallade returns to celebrate her 85th birthday onstage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with As I Remember It, an intimate portrait of the legendary artist told through dance, film, music and her own personal writings. This one-night-only performance will take place on Friday, October 28 at 8pm.

Over 300 performances of more than 50 different programs of theater, dance and music featuring local and world-renowned talent are on tap for the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' 2016/17 season, among them a production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, helmed by SPRING AWAKENING director Michael Arden.

As 2015 comes to a close, BroadwayWorld takes one last look at this season's brightest moments before the curtain comes down, showcasing what readers - and audiences - loved most. Below, check out the curtain call highlights on Broadway from 2015!

Suddenly, footage! BroadwayWorld has procured part of a recording from this summer's ENCORES! production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Below, watch stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene sing the sweet duet, 'Suddenly, Seymour.'

Just last month, Jake Gyllenhaal, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, and more took the stage with original Little Shop of Horrors star Ellen Greene to perform in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's classic musical. Below, check out a clip of Greene as she performs Audrey's classic Act 1 ballad, 'Somewhere That's Green.'

Dear readers, it had been about a year since my previous trip back to the Mothership (a.k.a. New York) and I felt it was time for a recharge of my Broadway batteries, even if it could only be a quickie. Well let me tell you there is plenty of awesome happening out there to catch. Now I only caught five of them but they were all amazing. Granted, I did pick from the cream of the crop of recent award winners and high profile shows but that only means that I can give a collective WOW to them all with my three letter rating system. Let's take a look at my whirlwind journey.

Dick Scanlan directed the epic event and he shared (exclusively with BroadwayWorld) some behind the scenes photos from both the rehearsals and performances. Plus, read below to check out his 'gratitude list,' which reveals details about how the show was cast!

Ellen Greene doesn't just reprise her iconic performances as Audrey, she deepens it.

Scrolling frantically through Little Shop of Horrors pictures? Getting ready to see some musicals for 4th of July? Didn't have time check in on all of the latest Broadway news? 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.'

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ellen Greene, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller star in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors, running for three performances, July 1-2, 2015 at New York City Center.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ellen Greene, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Tracy Nicole Chapman,Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller star in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors, running for three performances, July 1-2, 2015 at New York City Center. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the openning night party below!

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ellen Greene, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Tracy Nicole Chapman,Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller star in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors, running for three performances, July 1-2, 2015 at New York City Center. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first curtain call below!

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ellen Greene, Taran Killam, Eddie Cooper, Joe Grifasi, Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller star in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running for three performances, July 1-2, 2015 at New York City Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! 

Earlier this week, BroadwayWorld announced a new partnership with renowned caricature artist Ken Fallin, a life-long theater enthusiast, who has drawn many Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Fallin previously drew for BroadwayWorld and our readers have long wanted his return, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome him back! Be sure to check back for more of Ken's exclusive art. Below, check out his illustration of Michael Cerveris, Judy Kuhn, Sydney Lucas, Emily Skeggs, and Beth Malone in Fun Home!

Eddie Cooper and Joe Grifasi join Ellen Greene, Jake Gyllenhaal and Taran Killam in the Encores! Off-Center concert production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running for three performances, tonight, July 1, and tomorrow, July 2, 2015 at New York City Center.

BroadwayWorld was on the scene this week alongside Julie Taymor, Reeve Carney, Helen Mirren, Anne Hathaway and numerous others on the opening night of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. In partnership with A Theatre for a New Audience, acclaimed Broadway director, Julie Taymor presents a re-imagined A Midsummer Night's Dream.