Josh Breckenridge News

In March 2011, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone's joyfully irreverent, soulfully blasphemous, and wholly scandalous comedy THE BOOK OF MORMON took Broadway by storm, going on to win 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Score. The musical quickly developed a ravenous parish of fans that simply couldn't get enough of the bawdy spectacle, and left many around the nation counting the days until the First National Tour kicked off. After a short two-and-a-half year wait, Houston audiences are getting their chance to experience the production, and judging by last night's reaction, we couldn't be more enthusiastic or pleased. Now holding a coveted spot as one of the best musicals I have ever seen, this show was definitely worth the wait!

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, officially opened September 12 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Broadway World TV's Los Angeles Correspondent and Co-Producer Michael Sterling and Co-Producer Jerry Evans of JLE Media, Inc. were on hand for the red carpet festivities which included such celebrities as Jason Alexander, Rosanna Arquette, Simon Baker, Eric Balfour, Justin Bartha, Beth Behrs, Juie Bowen, Cher, Don Cheadle, Viola Davis, Heather Graham, Laura Dern, Jonathan Groff, Daryl Hannah, Kathy Griffin, Marica Gay Harden, John Hawkes, Lisa Kudrow, Diane Ladd, Tobey Maquire, Bill Maher, Garry Marshall, Julia Ormand, Dermot Mulroney, Carl Reiner, Parker Posey, Jane Seymour, and Alicia Silverstone. Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone were also in attendance. The much anticipated run of THE BOOK OF MORMON will continue through November 25, 2012.

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, is now playing a strictly limited 12-week engagement through November 25, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The official opening night gala is this week, Wednesday September 12 at 7pm. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham and Broadway star Gavin Creel stars as Elder Price. Featured in THE BOOK OF MORMON are Samantha Marie Ware as Nabulungi, with Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. Check out photos of the National Tour cast onstage below!

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launched earlier this month in Denver, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham, along with Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. View photos below!

Let's see what the Denver critics had to say...

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver today, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver tomorrow, August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. In the video below, Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker Chat with In Focus' Eden Lane about creating their first Broadway musical, and launching the tour. Gavin Creel talks about his first visit to Denver, a new appreceation of touring, and reveals his thoughts about taking on a role orginated by a close friend.

Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner will star as Elder Cunningham in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, launching in Denver from August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Gertner will join previously announced Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2011-12 season with The Whipping Man, a Civil War drama by Matthew Lopez, directed by the Rep's Artistic Director Eric Rosen. The Whipping Man runs March 16-April 8, 2012 at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center where the Rep is the professional theatre in residence.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2011-12 season with The Whipping Man, a Civil War drama by Matthew Lopez, directed by the Rep's Artistic Director Eric Rosen. The Whipping Man runs March 16-April 8, 2012 at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center where the Rep is the professional theatre in residence.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will receive Actors' Equity Association's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) Fifth Annual ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. The honor is the only industry accolade of its kind and honors the distinctive talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical. The award will be presented in the Actors' Equity Association Council Room, overlooking Times Square, on Friday, November 18, 2011.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today initial casting for the eight new musicals selected to be part of the 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today complete casting for the eight new musicals selected to be part of the 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today initial casting for the eight new musicals selected to be part of the 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) highly anticipated production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has been extended an additional two weeks through July 24 due to unprecedented demand. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and has continued to break sales records heading into this week's opening night gala. Check out photos from the event 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!