Lee Simpson News

Following an extensive tour of the UK and a season in London's West End in Out Of My Head - his first stand up show for over 12 years - Paul Merton will be setting out on a brand new tour this autumn with his world renowned Impro Chums and some special guests.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, July 28, 2013 - Sunday, July 28, 2013.

The Hollywood Bowl's production of the third longest running musical in Broadway history - CHICAGO - stars Samantha Barks as Velma, Drew Carey as Amos, Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton, Stephen Moyer as Billy Flynn, and AshLee Simpson as Roxie Hart. The Production opened Friday night, July 26, and runs through tonight, July 28. The show is directed by Brooke Shields with Musical Direction by Rob Fisher. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

The world-famous Hollywood Bowl's annual concert presentation of a Broadway musical is CHICAGO this year, directed by actress Brook Shields and features an all-star cast that includes Samantha Barks, Ashlee Simpson, Stephen Moyer, and Lucy Lawless. The show which opened July 27, is a valiant, admirable production that is genuinely entertaining and filled with terrific musical numbers---particularly those that showcase triple-threat phenom Barks, who proves herself to be the show's best, most legit asset. The show continues with two additional performances this weekend.

The Hollywood Bowl's production of the third longest running musical in Broadway history - CHICAGO - stars Samantha Barks as Velma, Drew Carey as Amos, Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton, Stephen Moyer as Billy Flynn, and Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart. The Production opened last night, July 26, and runs through July 28. The show is directed by Brooke Shields with Musical Direction by Rob Fisher. Click below to watch highlights from the show, including 'All That Jazz', 'Cell Block Tango', 'We Both Reached For The Gun' and more!

The Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, the musical which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history, will star Samantha Barks as Velma Kelly, Drew Carey as Amos Hart, Lucy Lawless as 'Mama' Morton, Stephen Moyer as Billy Flynn, and Ashlee Simpson as Roxie Hart. Brooke Shields will direct the fully staged production of CHICAGO; the conductor is Rob Fisher. Check out photos of the cast and creative team in rehearsal below!

Pop star and former Broadway/West End CHICAGO lead Ashlee Simpson returns to the celebrated role for the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production, directed by Brooke Shields, and a first look at the cast in rehearsal has been revealed.

Ashlee Simpson has been announced to play Roxie Hart in the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, the musical which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. The production will also star previously announced Samantha Barks as Velma, Drew Careyas Amos, Lucy Lawless as Mama Morton, and Stephen Moyer as Billy.

American Ballet Theatre celebrated the opening of the 2013 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House with a one-time-only opening night gala performance on Monday, May 13th. Mrs. Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy and Blaine Trump served as Honorary Chairs of this special performance featuring all of ABT's Principal Dancers. Scroll down for photos from the gala red carpet!

American Ballet Theatre celebrates the opening of the 2013 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House with a one-time-only opening night gala performance on Monday, May 13 at 6:30pm. Caroline Kennedy and Blaine Trump will serve as Honorary Chairs of this special performance featuring all of ABT's Principal Dancers.

Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and HERE announce programming for the inaugural PROTOTYPE: Opera/Theatre/Now, running today, January 9-19, 2013, in New York City.

Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and HERE announce programming for the inaugural PROTOTYPE: Opera/Theatre/Now, running January 9-19, 2013, in New York City. This two-week festival, distilling the curatorial visions of artistic directors Kristin Marting (of HERE), Beth Morrison (of BMP), and Kim Whitener (of HERE), features visionary music-theatre and opera-theatre works by pioneering artists from NYC and around the world. PROTOTYPE is unique in providing a permanent theatrical home for the presentation of such quality productions, spotlighting the high-caliber creations of an exciting new generation of composers and collaborators, with a focus on chamber-sized works.

Last night, January 29, the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was simulcast live coast-to-coast from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. Below, we bring you complete photo coverage of the arrivals red carpet!

Oxygen Media has tapped veteran programming executive Rod Aissa as Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development, effective immediately.

Not a Broadway season goes by without a soap star dipping their toe in the Chicago pool at the Ambassador Theatre-so well oiled is that bare-bones revival that it was able to survive the placement of Ashlee Simpson. It's become a petri dish for stunt casting experiments. A few blocks north, at the Circle in the Square Theatre, heartthrob Hunter Parish-he gained notoriety for 'playing' dense on Showtime's Weeds-is dancing around as the lord and savior in Godspell. Hunter has been no savior for the Stephen Schwartz musical, or so say the critics. Kara DioGuardi, Christie Brinkley-the stunts go on and on.

CHICAGO has just announced that past American Idol judge and current Roxie, Kara DioGuardi will judge a new contest titled 'Cellblock Idol,' in which fans can sing their favorite CHICAGO tunes and submit them through Youtube. The winner of the contest will be awarded a dinner a B. Smiths, tickets to the show, and a special meeting with Ms. DioGuardi! For additional deatils on the guidlines, visit the show's Facebook page.

Former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi just made her Broadway debut in Chicago as murderess 'Roxie Hart.' DioGuardi will play an 8 week limited engagement in the production. DioGuardi is the latest addition to the roster of actresses who have graced Chicago's Broadway stage as Roxie Hart throughout the years, including Brooke Shields, Sandy Duncan, Marilu Henner, Bebe Neuwirth, AshLee Simpson, Michelle Williams, Christie Brinkley and Academy Award nominee Melanie Griffith. Click below to hear her chat about her road to the Great White Way!