Ken Billington News

Tony Award nominee WILL SWENSON (Priscilla: Queen of the Desert; Hair) will play the role of Richard Hoover in the upcoming off-Broadway musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, with book and direction by Tony Award-Winner JAMES LAPINE and music and lyrics by Tony Award Winner WILLIAM FINN. Mr. Swenson replaces the previously announced Will Chase.

Paige Davis and Carol Woods are headed back to CHICAGO, packing up and heading out on the road with Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly beginning today, August 31, in Tacoma, Washington. Television star John O'Hurley is also featured in the national tour, performing in a number of cities as Billy Flynn.

This September and October, 54 BELOW, the performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife, presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Set to perform are: Brian d'Arcy James, Duncan Sheik, Tony Desare, Charles Busch, Emily Skinner, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Laura Benanti, Alice Ripley, Telly Leung, John Tartaglia, MOrgan James, Ann Morrison, Christine Andreas, Shelly Burch, Ahrens & Flaherty, Frances Ruffelle and more.

Host, Bridget Everett and DJs Andrew Andrew, welcome Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother, Tony Nominee-ONCE), Elizabeth A. Davis (Tony nominee-ONCE), and Will Connolly from the Original cast of Broadway's ONCE to 54 Below's new weekly Thursday night Party, 15:54, August 29th, 2013 at 11pm.

On Friday, August 30, the company is pleased to welcome Ryan Silverman (The Phantom of the Opera, Passion) in his debut engagement in the role of 'that silver-tongued Prince of the Courtroom' Billy Flynn. He'll be joined on by celebrated CHICAGO veteran Roz Ryan (Dreamgirls, 'Amen'), who returns as Matron 'Mama' Morton on Sunday, September 1. And beginning Monday, September 2, acclaimed leading lady and Latina superstar Bianca Marroquin reprises her star-making turn as 'foxy' Roxie Hart.

9 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick will be rockin' every night beginning September 24 with music and laughter. George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced casting for the opening production for the venerable theatre's fortieth season. Gettin' The Band Back Together (formerly titled Garage Band) is a rockin' valentine to the Garden State, and will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando - who also helmed The Toxic Avenger in New Brunswick (and New York) a few seasons back. Gettin' The Band Back Together will rock the house beginning Tuesday, September 24 and continue through Sunday, October 27. Opening night is set for Friday, October 4. Gettin' The Band Back Together is performed by special arrangement with Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, Inc. and Roy Putrino.

Tickets to the show's run will go on sale FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 at 10:00 AM. Start at $25. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. and are available at BroadwayinAustin.com, the Bass Concert Hall box office, all Texas Box Office Outlets, by phone at (512) 477-6060. For groups of 10 or more, call toll free at (877) 275-3804 or e-mail Austin.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

CHICAGO is back in town and it's pure entertainment! The first national tour of CHICAGO returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis from September 20 through September 22.

Davis will succeed Amy Spanger as Roxie Hart beginning tomorrow, August 13, and continue performances through August 28. Woods will play Mama Morton from August 20-28, after Russian singer Larisa Dolina's Broadway debut in the role.

CHICAGO, winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, is returning to Fort Lauderdale October 9th.

Producers Barry and Fran Weissler announced that the suave, debonair, award-winning actor and star of stage, TV & film will return to the road in the national tour of CHICAGO, reprising his role of Billy Flynn in select cities. The relaunch of the wildly successful national tour will kick off Sept. 3 in Portland, Oregon.

54 Below loves Brazil this August. Broadway's Nightclub celebrates Brazilian music and artists including: Paulo Szot, the Tony Award-winning star of SOUTH PACIFIC and international opera star; Chico Pinheiro and the Brazilian Dream Band, featuring Luciana Alves and Cesar Camargo Mariano; Maucha Adnet and Helio Alves, featuring Cyo Baptista and Anat Cohen; and Anat Cohen and Choro Aventuroso. Details below!

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced additional cast members for its upcoming new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. JOSH LAMON (Hair, Elf), Tony Award-Nominee RORY O'MALLEY (The Book of Mormon, 2ST's current Nobody Loves You), DAVID RASCHE (2ST's Warrior Class), LOGAN ROWLAND (The Addams Family), JENNIFER SANCHEZ (West Side Story), and WESLEY TAYLOR ('Smash,' Rock of Ages) will join previously announced cast members STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, WILL CHASE, and nine-year old HANNAH ROSE NORDBERG in the new musical comedy, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. With book and direction by Tony Award-Winner JAMES LAPINE and music and lyrics by Tony Award-Winner WILLIAM FINN, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE kicks off Second Stage Theatre's 35th anniversary season on October 15 and will officially open in mid-November.

Fresh from the success of Night of a Thousand Judys, The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will move to 54 BELOW for a six-month run starting tonight, July 24 at 9:30 PM. Known for its signature blend of outrageous comedy, politics, culture and everything in between, The Meeting* is moving uptown after four seasons of packed houses in the West Village. Justin Sayre and The Meeting* were named one of the Top 10 nightclub shows of 2011 by Time Out New York, received the 2012 Bistro Award for 'Comedy Artistry' and a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Sam Davis makes his 54 Below debut with a concert of new songs celebrating the release of the original cast album of his hit Off-Broadway musical comedy Bunnicula tonight, July 21st at 7 PM.

CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14th, 1996, now has the distinction of beingthe longest running American musical in Broadway history and fourth longest-running production in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down! Tickets will go on sale today, July 19 at 10:00 AM.

Fresh from the success of Night of a Thousand Judys, The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will move to 54 BELOW for a six-month run starting on Wednesday, July 24 at 9:30 PM. Known for its signature blend of outrageous comedy, politics, culture and everything in between, The Meeting* is moving uptown after four seasons of packed houses in the West Village. Justin Sayre and The Meeting* were named one of the Top 10 nightclub shows of 2011 by Time Out New York, received the 2012 Bistro Award for "Comedy Artistry" and a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Home After Dark: The Music of Sam Davis will feature performances by Nick Blaemire, Andrea Burns, Charles Busch, Liz Callaway, Sarah Corey, Drew Gehling, Edward Hibbert, Matthew Scott, Kirsten Scott, and David Hyde Pierce, plus cast members from Bunnincula the Musical: Ashley Campana, Abe Goldfarb, John Garry, Robert Anthony Jones, Prescott Seymour

CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14th, 1996, now has the distinction of beingthe longest running American musical in Broadway history and fourth longest-running production in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down! Tickets will go on sale Friday, July 26 at 10:00 AM. Ticket prices range from $37.50 to $57.50 and will be available at the Morrison Center box office located at 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane on the campus of Boise State University, select Bronco Shops, by visiting BoiseStateTickets.com, or by calling (208) 426-1110. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling (208) 426-4103.

54 Below loves Brazil this August. Broadway's Nightclub celebrates Brazilian music and artists including: Paulo Szot, the Tony Award-winning star of SOUTH PACIFIC and international opera star; Chico Pinheiro and the Brazilian Dream Band, featuring Luciana Alves and Cesar Camargo Mariano; Maucha Adnet and Helio Alves, featuring Cyo Baptista and Anat Cohen; and Anat Cohen and Choro Aventuroso. Details below!