Got caught up watching Lin-Manuel singing NEWSIES at the 'Ham4Ham' Lottery? Celebrated National Vanilla Ice Cream Day with too many Schmakary's ice cream sandwiches? Didn't have time check in on all of the latest Broadway news? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'
I purposely avoided the recent film version of INTO THE WOODS because I really didn't find the previews or the stunt casting appropriate. For me, it's a work that requires an audience to use their imagination to a great extent, and movies tend to give form to those things that are much better left conjured up in your own mind. That's why my son and I absolutely loved The MUNY's current presentation of the show. Let's face it, a woodland setting created utilizing green screen technology and a few key set pieces is nowhere near as effective at conveying the atmosphere desired, especially when you already have those actual elements growing freely at the back of this marvelous outdoor stage. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) crafted a brilliant mash-up of several fairy tales and fables that is smart, funny, and, ultimately, touching. When I asked my boy what he thought of the show at the end of the night he neatly summed it up: 'I thought it was awesome!' I agree wholeheartedly. Superbly cast and conceived, this is a production that's simply tailor made for The MUNY. Go see it, and take your kids with you! It may have a few moments that are a bit gruesome or adult in content, but they'll have a wonderful time, and so will you!
Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below! The cast includes Heather Headley (Witch), Erin Dilly (Baker's Wife), Rob McClure (Baker), Ken Page (Narrator), Andrew Samonsky (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Elena Shaddow (Cinderella) and Ryan Silverman (Rapunzel's Prince), will be Jason Gotay (Jack), Ellen Harvey (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sara Kapner (Little Red Ridinghood), Samantha Massell (Rapunzel), Michael McCormick (Mysterious Man/Cinderella's Father) and Zoe Vonder Haar (Jack's Mother). Rounding out this incredible cast are Anna Blair (Granny/Cinderella's Stepmother), Jennifer Diamond (Florinda), Gary Glasgow (Steward), Maggie Lakis (Milky White) and April Strelinger (Lucinda).
Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.
The Muny presents Hairspray, winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best Musical, featuring music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our annual Regional Summer Musical Theater Guide! All you need to know about musicals on the boards this summer at 17 theaters within a one-day drive.
BroadwayWorld has just confirmed that Elena Shaddow will star as 'Cinderella' in Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) Into The Woods the Muny, playing July 21-27. The production will be directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.
The Muny announced today the cast for its production ofHairspray. Winner of the 2003 Tony® Award for Best Musical, it features music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.
In honor of this week's big casting coup coming in the form of original Dorothy Stephanie Mills joining the cast of NBC's live musical presentation of THE WIZ later this year, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, today we are posing some possible casting suggestions that line up with the thoughtful and affectionate choice of Mills as Auntie Em by taking a look at some of the other original leads and stars associated with the property who could be perfect fits for the live telecast as well as some familiar faces who would be ideally cast in the Oz-centric musical spectacular. Tony Award-winning Broadway divas to Hollywood superstars and beyond, this list has more potential than munchkins in Oz!
The Muny announced today its complete cast for Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) Into The Woods, playing July 21-27. The production will be directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.
The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2015 Season, which opens on June 15 with My Fair Lady. 'This is a thrilling roster of artists,' said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. 'We look forward to bringing their vision and talent to our grand stage.'
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Scroll down for photos from the event!
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies.
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year, to be presented today, December 8 (4:30 PM) and tomorrow, December 9 (2 PM) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street, NYC), will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking musical The Wiz and feature performances by the uber-talented 'gypsies' of 12 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year, to be presented Monday, December 8 (4:30 PM) and Tuesday, December 9 (2 PM) at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street, NYC), will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking musical The Wiz and feature performances by the uber-talented 'gypsies' of 12 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, the second longest-running Broadway musical (only surpassed by Lloyd Webber's own 'The Phantom of the Opera'), and fourth longest-running West End musical, returns in high definition and digital sound to GREAT PERFORMANCES where it had its 1998 world television premiere. The special encore presentation will air tonight, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.
The special encore presentation will air Friday, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival. Get a sneak peek below!
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, the second longest-running Broadway musical (only surpassed by Lloyd Webber's own 'The Phantom of the Opera'), and fourth longest-running West End musical, returns in high definition and digital sound to Great Performances where it had its 1998 world television premiere. Get a sneak peek at the musical below!
In celebration of this season's ON THE TOWN, we've collected 10 of our favorite dance musicals. From classics like ANYTHING GOES, 42ND STREET, A CHORUS LINE and WEST SIDE STORY to modern marvels such as NEWSIES and STRICTLY BALLROOM, the way choreography is used to tell a story continues to evolve and inspire.
Last week AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' opened at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The current production is directed by Hunter Foster. I had a chance to speak to Max Kumangai who is in this production at Bucks County Playhouse. He talked to me about what audiences can expect from this show as well as his favorite part of the show.
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