John Johnson News

Broadway's critically acclaimed production of Denzel Washington in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun closes tonight at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It was directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and originally opened on April 3 for a limited engagement.

The producers have announced that the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit production of the new play, Satchmo at the Waldorf, written by Terry Teachout, will give its final performance Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). Starring John Douglas Thompson, recipient of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, and directed by Gordon Edelstein, Satchmo at the Waldorf began performances on February 15, 2014, opening to rave reviews on March 4, 2014. Upon closing, Satchmo at the Waldorf will have played 18 previews and 136 regular performances.

Broadway's critically acclaimed production of Denzel Washington in Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN is celebrating a big week. Not only did it take home three 2014 Tony Awards (Best Revival of a Play, Best Director of a Play -- Kenny Leon, and Best Featured Actress in a Play -- Sophie Okonedo) on Sunday night, it has also recouped its entire capitalization. The production, which began previews Saturday, March 8, officially opened on Thursday, April 3 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47 Street), where it will end its limited engagement run this Sunday, June 15.

Now that we've all had a sufficient amount of time to recover from the excitement of the big night, treat yourself today to some highlights from ALL of the festivities. Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a Mega-Roundup of 2014 Tonys coverage!

As part of BroadwayWorld's expansive coverage of the 68th Annual Tony Awards, we are providing the full text of all of the Tony Award acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the bizarre, and everything in between. Keep up with all of the winners' speeches on our continuously updated list.

Presenters and musical performances have been announced for the 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards, taking place Sunday, June 1st at The Town Hall. Presenters and performers for this year's Drama Desk Awards include: Christian Borle, Michael C. Hall, Toni Collette, Sutton Foster, Laura Osnes, Billy Porter, Julie Halston, Tracey Letts, Judy Kuhn, Marge Champion, Liz Larsen, Diane Paulus, John Cameron Mitchell, Stephen Trask, Jane Greenwood, David Korins, Marin Ireland, Sam Gold, Oliver Butler, Joe Masteroff, David Byrne, Leigh Silverman, Joshua Henry, Rachael Bay Jones, Sydney Lucas, Jessie Mueller, Steven Pasquale, and Kyle Riabko.

Producer John Johnson has announced today that Grantland's Men in Blazers will host Men in Blazers: Live on Broadway, an evening to celebrate everything that is glorious and distinct about United States Soccer on Friday, May 30th at 7:30PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street). The evening will feature conversation with members from the 1994 U.S. Men's National Team, as well as host members of the current U.S. Men's National Team, to wish them Godspeed before they head down to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Tom Kitt (If/Then), William Ivey Long (Bullets Over Broadway), Natasha Katz (The Glass Menagerie), Warren Carlyle (After Midnight) and Leigh Silverman (Violet) were just a few of the guests who attended the celebration for the 2014 Tony Awards® Creative Arts Nominees earlier this week at The Skylark (200 West 39th Street) in New York. The Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman, will be broadcast in a live, three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 8, 2014. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the special night, and below you can check out interviews with all of the guests!

Tom Kitt (If/Then), William Ivey Long (Bullets Over Broadway), Natasha Katz (The Glass Menagerie), Warren Carlyle (After Midnight) and Leigh Silverman (Violet) were just a few of the guests who attended the celebration for the 2014 Tony Awards® Creative Arts Nominees earlier this week at The Skylark (200 West 39th Street) in New York. The Tony Awards, hosted by Hugh Jackman, will be broadcast in a live, three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 8, 2014. BroadwayWorld brings you full photo coverage from the special celebration below!

The 80th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon is being held this afternoon, May 16, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, where winners will be announced for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. This year's event, which began at noon, is hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson. BroadwayWorld is updating the winners live! Check back in to find out who took home the big awards!

Check out the show's cast and crew celebrating the good news with their take on Pharrell Williams' hit single 'Happy!'

Co-Hosts Judith Light and Christopher Sieber announced the nominations for the 2014 Drama League Awards, including Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The 2014 Drama League Nomination announcement begins the month of celebrations leading up to the 80th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) on Friday, May 16, 2014 at noon hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Toronto's ground-breaking Art of Time Ensemble explores the intersection of high art, performance and popular culture with their 2014/15 concert series showcasing four innovative programmes curated by Artistic Director Andrew Burashko. Music drives the upcoming series, connecting poetry, musical theatre, alt rock/pop, dance and more.

At a press conference earlier today, the cast of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder announced that the production just reached the landmark 1,000th death of its leading man. Jefferson Mays, playing eight members of the D'Ysquith clan, is knocked off eight times in each performance, or sixty-four times each week. Mr. Mays has reached 1,000 stage deaths faster than any lead actor in Broadway history. At the press conference, Mr. Mays' co-star, Bryce Pinkham, presented Mr. Mays with an honorary 'death certificate' on behalf of the entire cast.

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the original Broadway cast recording of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, the new musical currently running at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The album - produced by Joel Moss and Kurt Deutsch, with Joey Parnes serving as Executive Producer - will be released by digital outlets on February 25 with the disc available in stores and online April 1. The physical CD features a 40-page booklet with complete lyrics, color photos, a synopsis by librettist Robert L. Freedman and an essay by renowned theater writer and critic David Cote. To pre-order, visit click here.

A new Sh-K-Boom listing has revealed that the label will release a cast album for the hit Broadway musical, starring Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham. As of now, no official release date has been announced.

Very Intense Productions and Your Theatrics (Jeremy Youett and Jacob Harvey) to presentJasper in Deadland on Monday November 18 (9:30pm and 11:30pm) at New York's premiere Supper Club, 54 Below, produced in association with Prospect Theater Company. Jasper in Deadland is the final concert of RSO FEST, a series of concerts showcasing the scores of three new musicals by composer Ryan Scott Oliver. RSO FEST launched October 7th with 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (produced in association with Tony Award winning producer John Johnson), followed by Darling on Monday November 4 (produced in association with Grammy Award winning Sh-k-boom records and Kurt Deutsch).

Very Intense Productions and Your Theatrics | Jeremy Youett and Jacob Harvey present RSO FEST, a series of concerts showcasing three new musicals by composer Ryan Scott Oliver. RSO FEST will launch at New York's premier Supper Club, 54 Below (254 West 54th Street, NYC), today, October 7 with the 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (produced in association with Tony Award-winning producer John Johnson), followed by Darling (produced in association with Grammy Award-winner Kurt Deutsch and Sh-k-boom) today, November 4, and then Jasper In Deadland (produced in association with Prospect Theater Company) completing the trilogy today November 18.

Broadway's bloody brilliant new musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, has announced a rush ticket policy. A number of $35 tickets will be made available for each performance for patrons aged thirty-five and younger. These tickets must be purchased day-of, in-person at the box office and are subject to availability. Valid photo I.D. will be required, and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per performance.

Tonight, October 22, Broadway's bloody brilliant new musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, begins performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th Street).