Madonna News

The Philly Improv Theater (PHIT), the city's source for alternative comedy, announces its performance schedule for the week of July 30th to August 5th.

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY announces that the New Broadway Cast Recording of Evita hasdebuted at #1 on Billboard's Cast Album chart. Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nigel Wright with Tim Rice as Executive Producer, this is the first complete English language stage recording of the show since the original 1979 Broadway cast album.

Christina DeCicco, the "Eva" alternate in the new Broadway production of EVITA, performs the title role for 14 performances, beginning tonight, July 12 and running through July 19, followed by performances running August 11-18, while Elena Roger is on vacation. With the exception of Saturday, August 11, when Elena Roger will perform the matinee, Jessica Lea Patty will step into the role for the Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances during these periods, performing July 18 & August 15 at 8pm, and July 14 & August 18 at 2pm.

Award-winning chef and author Marcus Samuelsson will present Vy Higginsen's Gospel for Teens Choir, who will provide the musical entertainment for "A Gospel Gathering at Ginny's" beginning Sunday, July 15th, 2012 at Ginny's Supper Club, the sister venue to Samuelsson's Red Rooster Harlem, located at 310 Lenox Avenue (between 125th and 126th Streets). The Gospel for Teens Choir will perform three sets of rousing gospel tunes during the venue's new Sunday buffet brunch served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Seats are $35 per person (half off for children under 12). Reservations and walk-ins are accepted by calling 212.421.3821.

On Sunday, July 8th at 7PM at Joe's Pub, an all-star line-up of Broadway veterans and some of the city's best new voices presented "The TRL Generation: Broadway Sings The 90's," a one-night only concert event to benefit 'Broadway Impact.' The concert was musically directed and produced by Benjamin Rauhala.

Russell Grant, Mary Byrne and RhydIan Roberts are the new stars of Grease for the next leg of its hugely successful UK tour. They will all don the sparkly suit to play the role of 'Teen Angel' in the smash hit musical and will leave audiences hopelessly devoted to their charms from this month.

Joe's Pub has announced its upcoming performances for July 30-August 6, including Urban Tango Trio, John Bibbs, Greg Diamond, Brazzaville, CMA Songwriter Series, Francesco Tristano, Michel Reis & Aaron Kruzik, Anna Marina, Rob Lewis, Easy Tells, Minerva Lions, Sidi Toure, Nath Ann Carrera and Ryan Raftery. See full details below.

Today we are taking a look at four sparkling new Blu-ray editions of well-regarded films from the Disney vault by focusing on three titles that are also currently running on Broadway in screen-to-stage adaptations at this very moment - EVITA, NEWSIES and SISTER ACT. The current trend of adapting hit films into musicals for the stage has sporadically proven that some stage adaptations can even be more entertaining onstage, while some recent movie musicals have one-upped their stage roots in a way a few Golden Age adaptations also managed to do. Such is the case with EVITA, NEWSIES, SISTER ACT and SISTER ACT 2 (the latter two both acting as inspiration for the Broadway SISTER ACT musical) - all available for the first time on Blu-ray and each certainly justifying consideration for inclusion in your library if only because each is regarded as a modern-day classic - of sorts - in its own unique and special way. And, without these films, we would never have the current versions of the shows now running on Broadway based upon them (even in the case of a classic like EVITA, whose stage version may have come first, but, as seen and heard in the hit Elena Roger/Ricky Martin/Michael Cerveris revival, now includes the film addition, "You Must Love Me"). Whatever the medium, all of these winning entities offer an entertaining way to beat the heat and celebrate the start of summer in style - with some tunes, old and new, you are not soon to forget.

Rizzo 39 Productions has announced two night only engagements of Donna/Madonna at the Lyric Theatre in Los Angeles (July 24 & 25), and at the Chance Theatre in Anaheim (August 6 & 13). Written and performed byJohn Paul Karliak, Donna/Madonna is directed by Tiger Reel and Matthew Craig. Curtain time for all performances is 8pm.

Christina DeCicco, the "Eva" alternate in the new Broadway production of EVITA, will perform the title role for 14 performances, July 12-19 and August 11-18, while Elena Roger is on vacation. With the exception of Saturday, August 11, when Elena Roger will perform the matinee, Jessica Lea Patty will step into the role for the Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances during these periods, performing July 18 & August 15 at 8pm, and July 14 & August 18 at 2pm.

One of Broadway's most celebrated performers, Max von Essen, steps into the role of Che for six performances, starting tonight, July 2 - July 7, in the new Broadway production of EVITA while Ricky Martin is on vacation. Daniel Torres will play the role of Che for both the matinee and evening performance on July 8. Max von Essen originated the role of Magaldi in the current production of EVITA and will return to that role when Martin returns from vacation. The performance schedule for this week is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm.

The Hurly Burly Show will open at the Duchess Theatre on Monday 2 July for a strictly limited 12-week season. Want a sneak peek at the scandalous show? Click below for performance highlights.

The Hurly Burly Girlys are back in town with a bigger, bolder, sexier new show for a summer season of deliciously bawdy fun.

Vy Higginsen, the creator of the classic gospel musical Mama, I Want to Sing, will be honored at the "BET AWARDS 12," receiving a SHINE-A-LIGHT recognition on the live telecast.

On Sunday, July 8th at 7PM at Joe's Pub, an all-star line-up of Broadway veterans and some of the city's best new voices will present "The TRL Generation: Broadway Sings The 90's," a one-night only concert event to benefit 'Broadway Impact.' The concert will be musically directed and produced by Benjamin Rauhala.

Vy Higginsen, the creator of the classic gospel musical Mama, I Want to Sing, will be honored at the "BET AWARDS 12," receiving a SHINE-A-LIGHT recognition on the live telecast.

The Hurly Burly Show will open at the Duchess Theatre on Monday 2 July for a strictly limited 12-week season. Want a sneak peek at the scandalous show? Click below for performance highlights.

On the 30th Anniversary of cult classic film Mommie Dearest, Jamie Morris' twisted comedy returns to its roots in Provincetown. In the summer of 2003 Mommie Queerest premiered in Provincetown to sold-out crowds and has since played every major city in America. Featuring an all-male cast, this LA Weekly Theater Award-winning play tells the now-famous story of Hollywood's baddest Mama and her rocky relationship with adopted daughter Christina, with a twist: What if Joan Crawford had really been a man?

The Madison Square Garden Company (NASDAQ: MSG), City of Inglewood and Faithful Central Bible Church announced today that The Madison Square Garden Company has acquired the celebrated Forum in Inglewood, Calif. for a purchase price of $23.5 million. The acquisition will be followed by a comprehensive renovation of the historic venue, which is scheduled to begin later this year.

The Drama Desk Award-winning Celebrity Autobiography returned with its new edition Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter, last night, June 25. Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter plays the Triad Theater. Headlining last night's event was Tony Danza, along with Autobiography regulars Rachel Dratch, Marsha Mason, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Sherri Shepherd, Michael Urie, and Alan Zweibel.