Joe Mantello News

The Producers of the worldwide smash WICKED announced today that a 2nd North American Tour will launch in Fort Myers, FL in March 2009. Performances at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall begin March 7 and run through March 29, 2009.

The Chicago company of 'Wicked' will play its final performance on Sunday, January 25, 2009, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre.

Almeida Theatre announces Fall/Winter Season.

With the opening last night of the Manhattan Theatre Club's Top Girls, the 2007- 2008 Broadway Season officially comes to an end.

Village Theatre Village Originals announces the return of the musical, 'The Last Starfighter' as a workshop presentation.

Profiles Theatre announces the extension of 'In a Dark Dark House', the final play of the 2007-2008 Season devoted to the works of acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announced a new Off-Broadway production of David Rabe's award winning drama Streamers, directed by Scott Ellis.

The Broadway musical WICKED will welcome two former cast members back to the blockbuster hit this spring. Beginning Wednesday, May 14, KENDRA KASSEBAUM will return to the role of Glinda the Good Witch and beginning Tuesday, June 17, JAYNE HOUDYSHELL will return to the role of Madame Morrible.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announced New York premiere of Lisa Loomer's Distracted, directed by Mark Brokaw with Cynthia Nixon as 'Mama.' Distracted will begin performances in February 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). This will be a limited engagement.

The Broadway League announced the winners of the Touring Broadway Awards today at its annual Spring Road Conference. Wicked was recognized for the second year in a row as the 'Touring Broadway Audience Choice Award' and also took home prizes for 'Best Musical Score of a Touring Production' and 'Best Direction of a Touring Production.'

The Broadway League announced the winners of the Touring Broadway Awards today at its annual Spring Road Conference. Wicked was recognized for the second year in a row as the 'Touring Broadway Audience Choice Award' and also took home prizes for 'Best Musical Score of a Touring Production' and 'Best Direction of a Touring Production.' The Lion King earned recognition for maintaining high quality over its long run and Twelve Angry Men was awarded 'Best Touring Play.'

On Monday, April 7, ANNALEIGH ASHFORD & ALEX LACAMOIRE performed in concert as part of the long-running popular series Broadway at Birdland. Broadway Star ANNALEIGH ASHFORD (currently Glinda in Wicked) and Musical Director ALEX LACAMOIRE (In The Heights) packed the house with an evening of cabaret that included standards, jazz and pop classics from Janis Joplin to Doris Day.

The Contra Costa Times reports that the blockbuster musical, Wicked, will begin an open-ended engagement in San Francisco at the Orpheum Theatre in January 2009.

The Los Angeles production of Wicked will play its final performance on January 11, 2009, ending its record-breaking run at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Upon closing, the production will have played 791 performances and 12 previews.

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims was on hand for the 9 to 5 House of Blues event, getting a chance to speak with Dolly Parton and stars Megan Hilty, Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janey and Marc Kudisch about creating this musical based on the motion picture that earned Parton an Academy Award nomination and launched the classic song '9 to 5' ...

Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group has announced that two world premiere musicals, 9 to 5: The Musical and Minky's will be part of the 2008-2009 Ahmanson season, along with Spring Awakening and Frost/Nixon...

Desmond Barrit is to star as 'The Wizard' in the smash hit musical WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre from Monday 9 June 2008.

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims sat down for an exclusive interview with Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean at the Chamberlain Hotel in West Hollywood, getting the witchy duo to dish on their time performing in Wicked together, both on Broadway and the National Tour, and found out a little of what they are planning for their upcoming Upright Cabaret show...