John Edwards News

An evening celebrating the work of composer Jeff Thomson also showcases singers' noncommittal attitude toward actually learning the words to the songs they sing.

Today's top stories: Sing Street will transfer to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre, Donna Vivino joins the tour of Cats, further casting for MJ the Musical, and more!

Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate announced today the official cast for the upcoming World Premiere of MJ the musical on Broadway. Preview performances will begin on Monday, July 6th, with Opening Night set for Thursday, August 13th at 6:30 p.m., at the Neil Simon Theatre, New York City.

A host of Broadway and recording artists will join composer Jeff Thomson in concert on Sunday, January 19th at 7:00pm PM at The Duplex (61 Christopher Street).

The Green Room 42 just presented the seventh show of 'GR42 Sings' for a spooktacular evening of music! This year the series has celebrated Andrew Lippa, Alan Menken, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Lin-Manuel Miranda's music. This installment celebrated the music that we all love to listen to during this Halloween season: Disney Villains.

This summer Goodspeed Musicals will produce the heartwarming new musical Because of Winn Dixie. This touching tale based on the award-winning novel by Kate DiCamillo will run June 28 - September 1 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories - and bestowed one special award - for the 34th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, beginning at 7:00pm EST. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation. Additional support is provided by TDF. Beloved and celebrated entertainer, Wayne Brady, will emcee the ceremony.

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, with book, music, and lyrics by Nathan Dame and Rob Baumgartner, Jr., will be given a private industry reading in New York City on March 15th.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Happy Friday! Finish off your week by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

Broadway Sessions recently held its 3rd annual Black History Month celebration. We invited an all star roster of Broadway talent to share songs and stories reflecting the influence, impact and legacy of black artists on Broadway and beyond. HOLY MOLY! This was one of the most incredible nights of music we have enjoyed. Beyond that it was moving, hilarious and profound. Enjoy these highlights from Broadway vets Antoine  L Smith, Soarer-Joye Ross, Storm Lever, Brennyn Lark, Judith Franklin, Phoenix Best, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Tiana Okoye, Michel Demby Cain, Imari Hardon, Avery Smith, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jennie Harney Fleming, John Edwards, Laurissa 'Lala' Romain, Shonica Gooden and Emme Kemp. We also enjoyed performances from 'Rising Stars' Richard Baskin Jr. and Aneesa Folds. OH, and maybe just an impromptu pre show performance by Tony-winning legend FAITH PRINCE! It was a good night.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano.  

Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab, in association with LaVie Productions, will present staged readings of Victory Train, a new musical, with book, music and lyrics by David Buskin and Jake Holmes.

Rebel Wilson is set to star alongside David Wenham in the Australian drama series “Les Norton,” according to Variety. The show is adapted from the novels of Robert G. Barrett and is presented by The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia.

Producers Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Tom Viertel announced today that Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, the all-new incarnation of the record breaking Broadway hit, will close on Sunday, November 4, 2018. The show will have played 20 previews and 121 performances at Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street). Previews began on Friday, July 6 and the production officially opened on Sunday, July 22.

A tangled web of dark and complex circumstances is delivered with a mix of hysteria, confusion, accusation and cold calculation under the direction of Reg Williams at Centrestage Theatre Company's production of The Crucible which opened on Friday night.

Get ready to rock with Leiber & Stoller's 'Ruby Baby!" Previously recorded by such legendary acts as The Drifters, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys, the revival's soulful take on this hit song features Max Sangerman, along with members of the cast and band of Smokey Joe's Cafe, jamming out together at Stage 42.

The new production of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, officially opened on, Sunday, July 22. The vibrant nine-member ensemble led by director choreographer Joshua Bergasse brings new life to more than 30 classic songs including 'Stand by Me,' 'I'm a Woman,' 'Hound Dog,' 'Fools Fall In Love,' 'On Broadway,' 'Yakety Yak,' 'Pearl's a Singer,' 'Treat Me Nice,' 'There Goes My Baby,' 'Love Potion #9,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' and 'Spanish Harlem.' Check out a new video exploring the history of Leiber and Stoller and the Gibson guitar below!

This one is certainly more than elementary, dear Watson. Sir Charles Baskerville has died with a look of horror on his face and the footprints of a gigantic hound are found near his body. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must not only brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir, but also navigate their way though the mayhem of confusion, silly accents and disguises.

This week's performers included: ANASTASIA (Christy Altomare, Zach Adkins, John Bolton); AVENUE Q (Grace Choi, Matt Dengler, Jason Jacoby, Nick Kohn, Maggie Lakis, Dana Steingold, Danielle K. Thomas); JERSEY BOYS (Aaron DeJesus, Mark Edwards, Austin Owen, Sam Wolf, Dianna Barger, Tristen Buettel, Natalie Gallo); SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE (Alysha Umphress, Dionne D. Figgins, Dwayne Cooper, Emma Degerstedt, Jelani Remy, John Edwards, Kyle Taylor Parker, Max Sangerman, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz; SUMMER (Ariana DeBose, Storm Lever,Angelica Beliard, Katherine Roarty, Anissa Felix, Mackenzie Bell, Kaleigh Cronin, Christina Acosta Robinson, Jessica Rush, Kimberly Dodson, Kaye Tuckerman, Jody Reynard and Rebecca Riker).