Kevin Thomas Garcia News

Last night, March 10, off-Broadway's Cactus Flower opened in New York City. Cast members include Jenni Barber (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Emily Walton (August: Osage County), Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2), Lois Robbins ('Ryan's Hope'), Anthony Reimer ('Rescue Me'), John Herrera (The Times, They are a Changin'), Robin Skye (Parade) and Jeremy Bobb (Is He Dead?). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening and brings you photo coverage below!

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical featuring whale puppets and an aquarium of real water. It's the story of an overly critical mythologist who, through facing loss and falling in love, becomes an artist: the author of an awe-inspiring myth.

Directed by Mark Waldrop, with choreography by Vince Pesce, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will run at Paper Mill Playhouse's Millburn theater from March 16 through April 10, 2011. The company gave a performance preview in New York yesterday and BroadwayWorld brings you photocoverage below!

The National Entertainment Fund for the Cultural Arts (NEFCA) and event Co-Chair Michael Steinhardt proudly present the 7th Annual Broadway Purim Shpiel at the Hudson Theatre on Monday, March 14th, 2011 at 7pm. For one night only, stars from Broadway's biggest hit shows join together for the Broadway Purim Shpiel, a hilarious retelling of the Purim story. Proceeds from the NEFCA production will benefit The Birthright Israel Foundation, an organization dedicated to sending young Jewish professionals from across the world to Israel. Full details about the event can be found at www.nefca.org or follow us for live updates on twitter at www.twitter.com/#!/NEFCA

Singer/songwriter Katie Thompson recently celebrated the release of her third album 'Private Page'. Beginning last year this album was originally set to release two songs per month but was stopped by Katie's back surgery.

In the coming weeks, some of the brightest names in film, television, theater, books, advocacy and awareness will sit down with New York Times journalists for TimesTalks events at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, New York City.

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 ‘This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, will be filmed live with multiple high definition cameras during public performances on March 11 and 12, 2011 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St.).

Veteran humorist and playwright, Justin Moran, launched 'Spiderman Smackdown', a guerilla theatre project to write, rehearse, and perform a fully realized musical based on the character Spiderman in under 30 days with a budget of $0. Set to open one day before the $65 Million Broadway musical 'Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark' on March 14 (assuming it's not delayed again), Moran's musical will be the first Spiderman Musical to officially open in New York City. Last night. BroadwayWorld was invited inside the rehearsal room for a first look at this new Spidey Project in development and brings you photo coverage below!

This year's 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards, scheduled to take place in May, will undergo a major overhaul designed to enhance its national visibility and outreach and provide all segments of New York Theater a larger national footprint than ever before. Announcement of those changes were made public yeterday, February 24, at a News Conference in the Inc Lounge. As reported, one of these changes includes the televising of the ceremony on Ovation, hosted by Harvey Fierstein.

The Barnes & Noble at 86th and Lexington Ave has announced its February events. Among authors, storytime readings, and various musicians are Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen and the talented cast of Broadway's Billy Elliot.

Yesterday, February 22, Actor Equity joined in a New York City rally in support of the workers embroiled in the Wisconsin union battle. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the rally and brings you photo coverage below.

THE WATER DREAM is a new musical featuring whale puppets and an aquarium of real water. It's the story of an overly critical mythologist who, through facing loss and falling in love, becomes an artist: the author of an awe-inspiring myth.

On Friday, February 18, The Town Hall presented Tony Winning stage and screen vet Ben Vereen in a concert, coinciding with the release of his new CD 'Stepping Out With Ben Vereen' on the Ghostlight Records label. Vereen's concert highlighted his stage career as well as American Standards. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and post-celebration and brings you photo coverage below!

Brian Bedford, star and director of The Importance of Being Earnest will be interviewed live on Monday, February 21st at 1PM for "The Leonard Lopate Show".

Nick Adams recently chatted with Broadway Beat at PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT's press day. In the interview, Adams talked about what it's like working with his fabulous castmates, Will Swenson and Tony Sheldon.

Brian Bedford, star and director of The Importance of Being Earnest will be interviewed live on Monday, February 21st at 1PM for "The Leonard Lopate Show".

Love, Loss, and What I Wore welcomed its newest cast members: Katrina Bowden ('30 Rock'), Sabrina Le Beauf ('The Cosby Show'), Orfeh (Legally Blonde), Barbara Rhoades (The Goodbye Girl) and Kim Zimmer ('One Life To Live') last night, February 17. They were cheered on by well-wishers including Grizz Chapman and Kevin Brown (Grizz and Dotcom on '30 Rock'), plus producer Daryl Roth, director Karen Carpenter, and original book-writer Ilene Beckerman. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration and brings you photo coverage below.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD "Stepping Out With Ben Vereen" on the Ghostlight Records label.

Yesterday, February 15, Yellow Sound Label released the debut CD of acclaimed Broadway's Christopher Jackson on iTunes, Amazon.com and other online outlets. The album hits stores on March 19. In the Name of Love is a new album of soulful and melodic contemporary R&B written and co-produced by Jackson. In honor of the online release yesterday, Jackson was joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda and other In The Heights alum at The Canal Room for a special concert. He was also joined by special guests Arthur and the Geniuses. Jackson co-produced the album with Michael Murphy, Bill Sherman and Michael Croiter.