Kevin Thomas Garcia News

Bon Jovi to Perform and Receive Honor at iHeartRadio Music Awards; Camila Cabello and Chance The Rapper Also to Be Honored

The Ithaca High School production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME has been cancelled following an outcry over the lack of diversity in casting. However, the national attention placed on the school has lead to online threats. The Ithaca Journal reported that students complained when a white actress was cast in the role of Esmerelda, a part intended to be portrayed as a Romani person living in 15th century Paris. In recent productions, including its 2014 premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and the New Jersey's 2015 production at the Paper Mill Playhouse, a woman of color -- Ciara Renee -- was cast in the leading role. Additionally, the 1996 Disney film animates Esmerelda with a dark complexion, and this is the film that the students of Ithaca High School grew up watching. An African-American Ithaca High School student told the Ithaca Journal, 'It shows you that, if you can't get the parts that are written for you, what parts are you going to get?'

THE GREEN ROOM 42 - Broadway's newest intimate concert venue - has announced that Tony Award nominee Craig Bierko will be special musical guest for the return of Tony Award winner Frances Ruffelle on Thursday, February 1. This show marks the continuation of the monthly residency of the solo theater piece "Frances Ruffelle LIVEs in New York." An acclaimed sold-out hit since its first appearance in the fall of 2017, the show is co-created by Frances Ruffelle and Gwyneth Herbert, with Musical arrangements by Gwyneth Herbert with additional arrangements by Jude Obermuller and David Barber.

Get excited Ariana Grande fans! The singer has confirmed she is hard at work on her fourth studio album, as reported by Billboard.

Grammy and Academy Award Winner Glen Hansard (composer of the film and Broadway productions of ONCE) has shared a new breakup song 'Setting Forth' off his new album 'Between Two Shores,' which will be released January 19th.

The holidays are a perfect time to see a show. Broadway performs every day of the week at multiple curtain times to accommodate every schedule, including holidays. During Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, some shows are changing their performance schedules.

The 10th Annual 'Living for Today' benefit concert was held last night, October 23, at Joe's Pub, produced and directed by David Alpert (IF/THEN, The Trip to Bountiful, Artistic Director of Headline Programming at BroadwayCon), with music direction by Jason Wetzel (After Midnight). BroadwayWorld has photos from the evening below!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Thomas Kail is set to direct the potential pilot of FOX's live interactive comedy show, IMMEDIATE FAMILY. 

Today, Tony Award winner Ben Platt took to Twitter to PRAISE yesterday's casting news in a string of posts

Actor Rodney Hicks, who starred in the original company of Come From Away, has departed the show due to a recent diagnosis. The condition, Spasmodic Dysphonia, effects his voice, and Hicks opens up about his departure in the emotional Facebook post below:

For two nights only, the 'Farewell Tour' of MAMMA MIA brings the beloved jukebox musical back to Richmond. The Altria Theater is the second to last stop on the 10-month 'final' American tour for this crowd-pleasing production.

If you are in need of a pick-me-up or a fun night out, pack a picnic and head to Wolf Trap for a trip down the aisle you'll never forget.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: William Michals, Lesli Margherita and Anthony Santelmo, Jr. star in 54 SINGS MAN OF LA MANCHA tonight!

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to the State Theatre  on July 12th and 13th as a part of its final farewell tour.

A spirited audience of thousands went back to campus with stripped-down collegians who offered a sexy lacrosse scrimmage, a Pavlovian psychology experiment, a pumped-up pep rally and a fierce feminist studies class at Broadway Bares: Strip U, this year's edition of the annual highly choreographed, highly produced striptease spectacular. Produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Bares: Strip U raised $1,568,114 in two performances on June 18, 2017, at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: Irish Rep hosts its star-studded SONDHEIM AT SEVEN gala, featuring an intro by Angela Lansbury!

Once the seats of Radio City Music Hall emptied, Broadway's best spread out across the city to celebrate the epic night with their companies. BroadwayWorld was in the action with Best Musical nominees Come from Away and Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Check out photos below!

The American Theatre Wing's 71st Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony and Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, aired live from Radio City Music Hall last night, honoring theatre professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway and wrapping up the 2016-17 awards season.

Dear Evan Hansen had a big night at the 71st Annual Tony Awards, taking home a grand total of six statues. After things wrapped up at Radio City Music Hall, the cast celebrated at the Empire Hotel. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities and you can catch photos below!

Coming to the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans beginning tomorrow night is the show that brings us all of the music of ABBA, and all of the energy of a three month old puppy: MAMMA MIA! It tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who is the daughter of a single mother and taverna owner, who is about to get married to the love of her life and embark upon a new journey. She, like other brides, wants her father to walk her down the aisle and give her away, but there's just one problem… she doesn't know who her dad is!