Karen Olivo News

Two-time Tony Award nominee JOSHUA HENRY will lead the Chicago company of HAMILTON as Aaron Burr, it has been announced by producer Jeffrey Seller. Henry, who made his Broadway debut in IN THE HEIGHTS, received Tony Award nominations for his roles in VIOLET and THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and just concluded the Broadway run of SHUFFLE ALONG where he created the role of 'Noble Sissle.'

I'm a huge fan of Twitter and Broadway - and for me, as someone who doesn't live in NYC, those two go hand in hand. Using social media I've been able to stay connected with everything happening in the New York theatre community and make some great friends along the way.

On July 21st, the students of Broadway Artists Alliance of NYC were tearfully overjoyed by a surprise visit from Hamilton star Renee Elise Goldsberry. Recently winning a Tony Award and Grammy for her role as Angelica Schuyler, Goldsberry spoke about the incredible journey that Hamilton has taken from workshopping a concept, to performing at The Public and moving to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, to earning 16 Tony nominations and winning a Pulitzer Prize. Goldsberry captivated the students of Broadway Artists Alliance during a lively Q&A where she offered generous advice. Scroll down for photos from her appearance!

On Friday, July 22, the Theater People podcast welcomes Broadway favorites Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley. Skinner and Ripley first worked together when they were cast as Daisy and Violet Hilton in the 1998 production of SIDE SHOW. The pair reunited on stage in 2000 in the Broadway production of JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD.

Tony Award Winner, Laura Benanti, delighted the students of Broadway Artists Alliance's Summer Intensive program with a surprise visit this past Thursday! Benanti, who recently finished up a successful run of She Loves Me (2016 Tony Nomination for Leading Actress in a Musical), was as inciteful and entertaining off stage as she is on, during her Q&A with these aspiring young professionals. Scroll down for photos!

At today's #Ham4Ham, Rory O'Malley introduced the Chicago production of Hamilton's leading man, Miguel Cevantes, aka #Hamilvantes! In preparation for his Chicago debut as Alexander Hamilton, Cervantes will play the role on Broadway on July 25.

After over 300 performances on Broadway, a sold-out run at the Public Theater, eleven Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, a Pulitzer Prize and countless other honors, HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has said goodbye to the role for which he'll be forever remembered. What comes next? The age of Javilton. Javier Muñoz has been the Hamilton alternate dating back to the musical's early development and debut at the Public Theatre in January 2015, as well as throughout the Broadway engagement. Now he has officially taken over the title role- something he has past experience with. He previously took over the role of Usnavi - again, replacing Miranda - in the latter's Tony-winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS.

On Wednesday, July 20th, the Theater People podcast welcomes three-time Tony Award-nominee, Christopher Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald began working professionally in New York theater in the late 1990s. His early work includes roles in the controversial Terrance McNally play CORPUS CHRISTI and the Broadway production of AMOUR.

There is a whole new Hamilton cast to get to know, and BroadwayWorld is here to help. Get to know the new Chicago company below!

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel July 14, through July 19, the cast features Jeremy Jordan as Tony, Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her take on the role in the 2009 Broadway revival, as Anita and newcomer Solea Pfeiffer as Maria.

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel last night, July 14, through July 19, the cast features Jeremy Jordan as Tony and Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her take on the role in the 2009 Broadway revival, as Anita. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Tony Award Nominee and School of Rock's leading man, Alex Brightman, visited the students of Broadway Artists Alliance on Thursday, July 7th. Brightman spoke of how his career journey led to originating the role of Dewey Finn, which earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. Scroll down for photos!

Today's big news: CATS begins previews on the Great White Way, HAMILTON's Leslie Odom Jr. starts his concert series at The McKittrick, the BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK series continues with stars from FINDING NEVERLAND and MOTOWN, and more!

The Jonathan Larson musical should not be missed.

It's the beginning of a new chapter at #Ham4Ham. Today, Rory O'Malley took over as the new host and got fans' feet moving with a 'dab-off'. Plus, Daveed Diggs said goodbye to fans, as he departs the production on Friday, July 15. 

Daveed Diggs, who won the 2016 Tony Award winner for his performance as Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, will play his final performance on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.) on Friday, July 15. While the roles are being recast, Lafayette/Jefferson will be portrayed on Broadway by long-time understudies Andrew Chappelle, Austin Smith and Seth Stewart.

KAREN OLIVO, who electrified audiences with her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Anita in the 2009 Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY, returns to the stage as the brilliant and beautiful Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago production of HAMILTON, it has been announced by producer Jeffrey Seller. Joining Ms. Olivo in Chicago are Broadway veterans MIGUEL CERVANTES as Alexander Hamilton, and ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI as King George III.

On Monday, July 11, the Theater People podcast welcomes Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart. Iglehart made his Broadway debut in 2007 as Mitch in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. In 2009 he originated the role of Bobby in the Tony Award winning Best Musical, MEMPHIS.

This final video of the series chronicling Colorado's 2016 Bobby G Awards winners Charlotte Movizzo and Curtis Salinger takes them to New York, where they had a week-long intensive training immersion with coaching from Broadway stars Karen Olivo and Jose Llana, culminating with their performance on a Broadway stage at the Jimmy Awards, where they both won special-recognition scholarships. Both described the overall experience as life-changing. 'It was the most incredible week of my life,' said Movizzo. Added Salinger: 'We're ending this week with lifelong friends. It's priceless.'

The winners of the eighth annual NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS (NHSMTA)/JIMMY AWARDS were determined and announced last night, Monday, June 27, 2016, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. This one-of-a-kind-event was hosted by Tony Award-nominee Zachary Levi, currently starring on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre Company's She Loves Me at Studio 54.