Jonathan Groff News

The 2011 Drama Desk Awards are set to feature a star-stuuded A star-studded list of presenters has been assembled to participate in the 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 23, 2011, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan Center, it was announced here today by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards.

The penultimate episode of Season Two of GLEE on Fox last night was just about everything you could ask for from a funereally-themed Very Special Episode such as that on this show - and, in addition to the doom and gloom, we even got a scintillating 'Back To Black' from Santana and Lea Michele miraculously making 'My Man' all her own! Sure, the requisite gospel/r&b moment came courtesy of Amber Riley, as you would certainly expect it to given GLEE's lineage - particularly a GLEE with a funereal theme - yet the show managed to stay mostly out of the maudlin, morbid and mundane and remain its frothy, effervescent self - while always keeping it real and grounded in reality. Truly. Yes, indeed, GLEE's 'Funeral' episode put the 'real' in 'funereal' much more so than the 'fun' - but, there was some of that to be had, as well; for sure. Of special note, 'Funeral' also featured the continued extended return of Broadway baby and GLEE fan-favorite Jonathan Groff as Jessie St. James, and although he did not grace us with a song this week he certainly left a lasting impression - particularly coming after last week‘s triumph, which was the GLEE musical pinnacle of Season Two thanks to him and Ms. Michele. Indeed, Lea Michele - by way of Barbra Streisand and Fanny Brice - took the lead last night and stole the show. The ladies ruled the night on the 'Funeral' episode of GLEE - Lea Michele and Jane Lynch, first and foremost.

The 2011 Drama Desk Awards are set to feature a star-stuuded line-up of presenters including Ellen Barkin, who joins previously announced Katie Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe, Tyne Daly, Liev Schreiber, Montego Glover, Colin Quinn, Jennifer Damiano and Reeve Carney, Jonathan Groff, Cheyenne Jackson, Larry Kramer, Marsha Mason, Annabella Sciorra, Christian Siriano, Holland Taylor and Tom Wopat.

Last week, Broadway veteran Jonathan Groff returned to FOX's GLEE as show choir expert Jesse St. James. Groffe recently stopped by 'Good Day NY' to chat about his bad boy role and his humble upbringing. Click below to check out the interview!

As confirmed as of today, the 2011 Drama Desk Awards will feature a star-stuuded line-up of presenters including: Katie Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe, Tyne Daly, Liev Schreiber, Montego Glover, Colin Quinn, Jennifer Damiano and Reeve Carney (Spiderman), Jonathan Groff, Cheyenne Jackson, Larry Kramer, Marsha Mason, Annabella Sciorra, Christian Siriano, Holland Taylor and Tom Wopat.

As a super-special Spring extension of BroadwayWorld's SOUND OFF column, every day until the Tony Awards on June 12 we will be presenting a spectacular new entry in the SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2011 TONY AWARDS series featuring a particularly entertaining, interesting, relevant and exciting Tony Awards-related clip from the last sixty-three years of the ceremonies (and subsequent seasons on Broadway) with a rundown and commentary on the sights, sounds and showmanship on display in each carefully chosen selection - all, of course, coming in anticipation of Broadway's biggest night, which will be broadcast on CBS this year, as always. Once again this year, BroadwayWorld is the official home of the 2011 Tony Awards and we will also be featuring exclusive interviews, articles, photos, video content, interactive features and more in the coming days and weeks leading up to the event so be sure to check back daily for your theatre fix!

Adele, Adele, Adele - everywhere! At least this week - or, it seems that way, doesn't it? No, no, I'm not complaining - who could? - but, between the spine-tingling cover of "Rolling In The Deep" on GLEE performed by Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff and Adele's own performance of the same song on Tuesday night's DANCING WITH THE STARS, in addition to her album 21 becoming the fastest-selling album by any artist Amazon.com history and currently sitting atop the iTunes charts, is sure cause for celebration for her fans - of which there are more and more around the world every day. Attention is particularly due for those new to her charms. This Grammy-winner for Best New Artist (over Lady Gaga, no less) has a voice to raise rafters and set souls alight and her fierce talent is amply evident on her two albums, with "Chasing Pavements" and "Running In The Deep" being her best known songs Stateside so far and ample proof of her abilities. In this timely SATURDAY SPECIAL we sample Adele's music videos - including the stunning visuals in "Chasing Pavements" and her cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" - as well as live performances - such as the spellbinding and elegant "Somebody To Love" on the Brit Awards earlier this year - in addition to her Grammy Award acceptance speech, a four-way comparison of different takes on "Rolling In The Deep" - and much, much more.

In last night's episode of GLEE, Jonathan Groff returned to the hit series in 'Prom Queen.' In the May 10 episode, Jesse St. James tries to win back Rachel, and the competition of prom king and queen gets serious. Click in to watch or re-watch last night's episode!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' 'White Noise,' 'Porgy And Bess,' 'The Wiz,' 'Adrift In Macao,' 'Glee,' more.

Boasting the big, bright and blazing return of Broadway baby Jonathan Groff as show-favorite featured guest star Jesse St. James and the very finest vocal song performance of Season Two so far, last night's 'Prom Queen' episode of GLEE was everything but CARRIE's bucket of pig's blood on top. Speaking of pigs, Karofsky certainly got his comeuppance - quite heartfelt in its denouement - at long, long last, on the dramatic side of the story, and the audience got to musically pig-out and irreverently indulge in the frothy pop confections of Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus & Stig Andersen - otherwise known as ABBA - with the rousing gleeked-out, tweaked-out rendering of the newly-crowned MAMMA MIA super-anthem 'Dancing Queen', as well as partake in the pop culture right-this-moment fun of the funky Black Kids' song 'I‘m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend To Dance With You' courtesy of fan favorite Darren Criss at his hipster height, and the YouTube sensation Rebecca Black‘s 'Friday', performed by the boys of New Directions riotously right. Kings, queens, hearts, diamond tiaras and even a few jokers were in the deck as the hand was played out in this brisk, brash and glossy entry in the spectacularly strong - if dramatically inert more often than not - second half of Season Two. So, today, we dust off our best blue tuxes and pop the cheapest pink champagne for a guilty pleasure edition of the weekly SOUND OFF reviews of GLEE that will be wrapping up - so very sorry to say - all too soon at the end of this month with the highly-awaited season finale on May 24 and our year-end rap up soon thereafter. But, with this column as well as with GLEE, certainly the very best is yet to come - and, even if not, this is good enough.

kef theatrical productions is thrilled to announce the upcoming staged reading of Jay Russell's CRADLE & ALL on Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 PM at the ArcLight Theatre.

In the next episode of GLEE, Jonathan Groff returns to the hit series in 'Prom Queen.' In the May 10 episode, Jesse St. James tries to win back Rachel, and the competition of prom king and queen gets serious. Click below to get a sneak peek at tonight's upcoming episode.

Tonight on GLEE, fan favorite Jonathan Groff returns as Vocal Adrenaline front-man Jesse St. James and tries to win back Rachel. Check out photos and audio from the episode below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

On Tuesday, May 10, fan favorite Jonathan Groff returns to GLEE. As part of his return, he will be performing a duet with his former Spring Awakening co-star Lea Michele to the tune of Adele's Rolling in the Deep. The audio track has surfaced online and BroadwayWorld brings you a listen below!

Glee: The Music, Volume 6, the final official album release of Glee's second season, is available on Monday, May 23, 2011. With the return of fan favorites Kristin Chenoweth on Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams,' Jonathan Groff on Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' and Gwyneth Paltrow on Adele's 'Turning Tables,' Glee: The Music, Volume 6 has something for everyone. Among its 18 tracks, Glee: The Music, Volume 6 features 3 new and original tracks including 'As Long As You're There' (featuring Charice), 'Pretending,' and 'Light Up The World' a New Directions showcase co-written by Max Martin (see below for full track listing).

kef theatrical productions is thrilled to announce the upcoming staged reading of Jay Russell's CRADLE & ALL on Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 PM at the ArcLight Theatre.

Last night GLEE took on the catalogue of Fleetwood Mac - namely, their 1977 Grammy-winning Album of the Year, RUMOURS - and proved that you can do justice to the originals - as inimitable as they may be - but still go your own way with them. And, have your own way. Also, Broadway baby Kristin Chenoweth made her long-awaited return as boozy April Rhodes just in time to duet with Matt Morrison on the Stevie Nicks-penned classic 'Dreams' and a few of the secondary leads - namely Santana, Artie and Quinn - got a chance to shine with these silvery takes on the solid gold classic rock tracks. While some of the tribute shows have been hit-or-miss in the past, Fleetwood Mac and the self-avowed queen gleek herself, Stevie Nicks - who was on set for Gwyneth Paltrow's taping of 'Landslide' earlier this year, cheering the cast on - surely won't be digging an early grave with her silver spoon after hearing and seeing these sensitive and respectful takes on her tunes - and Lindsey Buckingham‘s and Christine McVie‘s, as well. But, I guess if anyone in the group has an issue with any of these covers, they can always cast a spell using some white witches and black magic. Speaking of which - or witch - too bad they didn't do 'Gold Dust Woman' or 'Silver Springs'! And, no cover of 'The Chain'? But, I suppose they're saving them for 'Rumours: Part 2' or, perhaps, an all-Stevie Nicks episode - particularly if it happened to feature songs from her splendid new album, IN YOUR DREAMS, which is out this week (her first new album this decade). So, break out your feathers, rings, and shawls, we've got all the gypsy magic you can handle inside thanks to the ever-revolving door of the ever-evolving cast of GLEE paying due respect to the similarly designed/aligned folk/rock super-group of the 70s making their momentous musical marriage somehow oh-so-apropos to the times, no?

With Annie returning to Broadway in 2012, Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City was pleased to present the first of several Annie-themed master classes on April 17th. 25 eager and very talented young ladies participated in a full day of triple threat training, including scene study, song interpretation, and learning choreography from a production number in the show.

Reviews likes hers last week usually only come once in a lifetime and there is no question whatsoever that the brightest new star on Broadway is none other than SISTER ACT's own Patina Miller. She is a superstar of the highest order singing one of the strongest scores on Broadway in years - from the gifted, gilded pen of six-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken. In this extensive, exclusive conversation we discuss her long history with the role, her recent performance in the Encores! staging of Weill's LOST IN THE STARS, as well as her work with Henry Krieger on both his recent musical ROMANTIC POETRY and being a runner-up on the DREAMGIRLS movie when the role of Effie White went to Jennifer Hudson. Additionally, we discuss HAIR, working with Sondheim on BEING ALIVE, her own favorite recent shows, her close friendship with fellow West End/Broadway criss-crosser Jonathan Groff, her soap stint on ALL MY CHILDREN, what her solo album would sound like, and much, much more!