Lee Slobotkin News

'Wicked' arrives in Fresno this week with two new witches at the broom and wand. They share their experience with children and adults new to the musical's magic, and the special quality of the leads' first week of performances makes the production enjoyable for the more familiar, familial audience members, as well.

The company of the second North American tour of Wicked will welcome Laurel Harris as Elphaba, Kara Lindsay as Glinda and Gene Weygandt as the Wizard beginning today, April 2 in Fresno, CA.

While Wicked spends several weeks in each city, cast members love to take the opportunity to speak to theater and choir classes about their experiences of being in the show and how they got interested in the business in the first place.

Broadway juggernaut WICKED has landed at San Antonio's Majestic Theatre.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Laurel Harris as Elphaba, Kara Lindsay as Glinda and Gene Weygandt as the Wizard beginning Wednesday, April 2 in Fresno, CA.

I used to believe the cyclone that dropped Dorothy's house on Munchinkland was a random disaster. Thanks to novelist Gregory Maguire, I now know better. Last night, when Director Joe Mantello brought this splendidly-imagined backstory to life on stage at the Orpheum, it once again brought down the house.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BCA nominations are out, Levi Kreis leads a reading, 'We Three Lizas' return, two holiday shows from Broadway In Chicago, three more versions of 'A Christmas Carol,' more reindeer, and Palatine's 'White Christmas.' And it's still early November!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Big local openings ('Miss Saigon,' 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mary Poppins'), holiday fare like Menken's 'A Christmas Carol,' the return of 'We Three Lizas' and more, season announcements from MTC and LOW, plus the Season Of Concern CD and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards deadline!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. BraodwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include 'Diana Morales' in A Chorus Line, 'Peggy Sawyer' in the original production of 42nd Street, 'Polly Baker' in Crazy for You, and 'Roxie Hart' in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening tonight, October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014.

Tony-winning actress Karen Ziemba will play 'Dolly Levi' in Drury Lane Theatre's production of HELLO, DOLLY!, playing tonight, October 17, 2013, through January 5, 2014, in the Windy City.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the beloved annual holiday tradition entertaining thousands of families each year, will be presented from November 21 through December 21 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane. Recently enhanced with traditional carols, the timeless story is directed by Scott Calcagno (Legally Blonde at The Civic Theatre, Grease at The Long Lake Theatre as well as the annual production of A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre). The hour long Drury Lane production uses 14 of the most versatile actors in Chicago to bring over 30 of the colorful Dickensian characters to life. Drury Lane Theatre also offers families the special opportunity to have breakfast or dinner with Santa Claus on select performance dates in the dining room with a festive buffet-style menu complete with seasonal favorites.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are open for nominations! Plus three shows get extensions, the Drury Lane announces 2014-15, two musical improv shows play midweek runs, some local 'Cats,' FOUR productions of 'Sweeney Todd' and more!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as "Dolly Levi." She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include "Diana Morales" in A Chorus Line, "Peggy Sawyer" in the original production of 42nd Street, "Polly Baker" in Crazy for You, and "Roxie Hart" in Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Tony-winning actress Karen Ziemba will play 'Dolly Levi' in Drury Lane Theatre's production of HELLO, DOLLY!, playing October 17, 2013, through January 5, 2014, in the Windy City.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Today, April 18th, Broadway Sessions celebrates CCM with performances from the 2013 graduating MT class and Broadway alums.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday, April 18th, Broadway Sessions celebrates CCM with performances from the 2013 graduating MT class and Broadway alums.