Laiona Michelle News

Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON, which played a record breaking two week run in 2013, returns for a limited engagement at the Detroit Opera House, July 1 through July 13, 2014.

Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON, which played a record breaking two week run in 2013, returns for a limited engagement at the Detroit Opera House, July 1 through July 13, 2014.

Broadway In Chicago has announced additional principal casting for the world premiere of AMAZING GRACE, the new musical with music and lyrics by Christopher Smith and a book by Christopher Smith and Arthur Giron, directed by Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippas' The Wild Party) and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).

In March 2011, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone's joyfully irreverent, soulfully blasphemous, and wholly scandalous comedy THE BOOK OF MORMON took Broadway by storm, going on to win 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Score. The musical quickly developed a ravenous parish of fans that simply couldn't get enough of the bawdy spectacle, and left many around the nation counting the days until the First National Tour kicked off. After a short two-and-a-half year wait, Houston audiences are getting their chance to experience the production, and judging by last night's reaction, we couldn't be more enthusiastic or pleased. Now holding a coveted spot as one of the best musicals I have ever seen, this show was definitely worth the wait!

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, today, December 11th and December 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater.

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Robert Petkoff (Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime), Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, officially opened September 12 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Broadway World TV's Los Angeles Correspondent and Co-Producer Michael Sterling and Co-Producer Jerry Evans of JLE Media, Inc. were on hand for the red carpet festivities which included such celebrities as Jason Alexander, Rosanna Arquette, Simon Baker, Eric Balfour, Justin Bartha, Beth Behrs, Juie Bowen, Cher, Don Cheadle, Viola Davis, Heather Graham, Laura Dern, Jonathan Groff, Daryl Hannah, Kathy Griffin, Marica Gay Harden, John Hawkes, Lisa Kudrow, Diane Ladd, Tobey Maquire, Bill Maher, Garry Marshall, Julia Ormand, Dermot Mulroney, Carl Reiner, Parker Posey, Jane Seymour, and Alicia Silverstone. Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone were also in attendance. The much anticipated run of THE BOOK OF MORMON will continue through November 25, 2012.

The West Coast Premiere of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, is now playing a strictly limited 12-week engagement through November 25, 2012 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The official opening night gala is this week, Wednesday September 12 at 7pm. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham and Broadway star Gavin Creel stars as Elder Price. Featured in THE BOOK OF MORMON are Samantha Marie Ware as Nabulungi, with Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. Check out photos of the National Tour cast onstage below!

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launched earlier this month in Denver, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner stars as Elder Cunningham, along with Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi. View photos below!

Let's see what the Denver critics had to say...

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver today, running through September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON launches in Denver tomorrow, August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. In the video below, Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker Chat with In Focus' Eden Lane about creating their first Broadway musical, and launching the tour. Gavin Creel talks about his first visit to Denver, a new appreceation of touring, and reveals his thoughts about taking on a role orginated by a close friend.

Original Broadway cast member Jared Gertner will star as Elder Cunningham in the First National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, launching in Denver from August 14-September 2 at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Gertner will join previously announced Gavin Creel as Elder Price. Samantha Marie Ware joins as Nabulungi, as well as Grey Henson as Elder McKinley and Kevin Mambo as Mafala Hatimbi.

AMAZING GRACE is getting a run at Goodspeed Musicals' developmental Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT with an eye toward hitting Broadway. This might seem like a lofty goal given the large scale of the production in a struggling economy that has producers holding on tightly to their investment dollars (even smaller musicals can cost tens of millions of dollars to produce in New York). And the material is religious to boot (religious-themed shows have a hard time getting favorable reviews on the Great White Way.) Given the nothing-short-of-miraculous journey of the musical, so far, however, all things may be possible.

Goodspeed Musicals takes to the high seas with the new musical Amazing Grace. This tale about a slave trader who sees the light and dedicates himself to ending slavery will run from tonight, May 17 through June 10, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works.

Goodspeed Musicals takes to the high seas with the new musical Amazing Grace. This tale about a slave trader who sees the light and dedicates himself to ending slavery will run from May 17 through June 10, 2012 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works. Amazing Grace is sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland, currently represented Off-Broadway with the hit play Freud's Last Session, has assembled a starry cast for today's (November 14th) special invitational presentation of the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, at the New 42nd Street Studios.