Memory Strong News

Today, in Nashville Theater 101, we're happy to introduce you to three members of our family: Ashley Michelle Diggs, Tom Angland and Memory Strong. We asked our actors some very basic questions-Why do you do theater? And why do you choose Nashville as your home base? This is how they answered.

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 Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'

After staking a claim on Nashville property with an amazingly varied slate of projects (Venus in Fur, A Chorus Line and an original musical revue skewering one of Tennessee's most infamous politicians, Bradley Moore returns to the stage tonight in the ACT 1 season-opening production of Lilies.

Today we are talking to a world famous triple-threat star of stage and screen who first shot to fame in the 1980s as the first African American Miss America and found considerable success as a recording artist and actress thereafter, the divine Vanessa Williams. Sharing sage wisdom from her life and career as well as reflecting on many of her most popular properties to date, Williams reveals some of her many secrets to success while also looking ahead to next month's hotly anticipated all-star concert presentation of legendary Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein musical SHOW BOAT, co-starring Julian Ovenden, Norm Lewis, Jane Alexander and many more along with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Ted Sperling. Also, Williams shares her enthusiasm for setting out to create new renditions of some of SHOW BOAT's most noted selections, including 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine'. Additionally, Williams opens up about her multiple musical theatre endeavors highlighting the work of Stephen Sondheim, including the Tony Award-winning 2002 Best Revival production of INTO THE WOODS and the recent original revue SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. Plus, Williams details her ongoing participation in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, after having starred in the well-received Broadway production last season and now finishing up headlining the Los Angeles production before bringing the drama to Boston. All of that, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN memories, saving Audra McDonald's wedding day and much, much more with one of Broadway's brightest stars!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday night's Jeff Awards at the Drury Lane, and 'Amazing Grace' at the BOAT! Plus 2014's other Broadway In Chicago shows, The Grinch at the Chicago Theatre, local productions of 'Parade,' 'Camelot' and 'Mary Poppins,' the new 'A Christmas Memory,' and the sold-out Humanities Festival tribute to the Tonys!

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented and universally beloved stage and screen star who is celebrated around the world for her wacky way with a character - 7-time Emmy Award winner Tracey Ullman. Discussing the finer points of her just announced participation in the upcoming Encores! mounting of celebrated Vincente Minnelli movie musical THE BAND WAGON, Ullman opens up about her anticipation in taking on the role of scrappy and smart Broadway lyricist Lily Marton, famously essayed in the original film by Nanette Fabray. Also, Ullman sheds some light on some of the musical material we can anticipate hearing from her in the newly devised Encores! edition of THE BANDWAGON penned by Douglas Carter Beane, including such showstopping classics as 'That's Entertainment' and 'Louisiana Hayride'. Furthermore, Ullman elaborates on her excitement in teaming with noted co-stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Michael McKean, as well as performing for the first time at the newly renovated City Center. Plus, Ullman also clues us in on what viewers can expect from the hotly anticipated feature film edition of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's celebrated fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS and shares stories from the set. Additionally, Ullman reflects on some of her early stage roles, ranging from a Berlin stage production of another Vincente Minnelli movie musical masterpiece, GIGI, along with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and more. All of that, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and much, much more in this exclusive conversation with a comedy legend.

Today we are talking to an Academy Award-winning producer all about his sensational career trajectory thus far as we look ahead to next week's LGBT awareness-raising charity event UPRISING OF LOVE, the talented Bruce Cohen. Discussing his friendship with noted composer and UPRISING OF LOVE co-producer Stephen Schwartz, Cohen details what audiences can expect from the star-studded evening of information and entertainment, scripted by none other than Cohen's Oscar-winning MILK collaborator Dustin Lance Black. Furthermore, Cohen outlines how he first became involved with the UPRISING OF LOVE movement at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Additionally, Cohen shares his enthusiasm for the impressive slate of performers scheduled to take the stage of the Gershwin Theater, home of WICKED, for the one-night-only experience - including recording icon Sting, Broadway legend Patti LuPone, recent Tony Award winner Billy Porter, plus the casts of WICKED, I AM HARVEY MILK and more. Plus, Cohen also teases preliminary prospective plans to pursue a stage iteration of TV cult hit PUSHING DAISIES with creator Bryan Fuller, shares memories of working with Steven Spielberg on a number of projects, as well as reflects on producing last season's BIG FISH on Broadway, as well as comments on his Oscar-winning work on AMERICAN BEAUTY, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, upcoming projects and much more!

Today we are talking to a two-time Emmy Award-winning stage and screen star who counts a modern-day TV icon among her most memorable roles, none other than nefarious and outrageous Sue Sylvester on FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE, the versatile Jane Lynch. Shedding light on her hosting duties for the upcoming GLBT equality charity event UPRISING OF LOVE, set to star Sting, Billy Porter and Patti LuPone, Lynch opens up about the importance of the cause and why she was drawn to participating in the show next week. Additionally, Lynch shares stories from her early theatre days - including performing in an amateur production of UPRISING OF LOVE co-producer Stephen Schwartz's own musical GODSPELL. Plus, Lynch recounts her experiences performing material from beloved family-friendly musical ANNIE on GLEE - with the world premiere of "Little Girls" having been hosted right here on BroadwayWorld - as well as her reflections on starring as Miss Hannigan in the most recent Broadway revival of the popular show. Of course, Lynch shares a brief but tantalizing preview of what viewers and gleeks alike can expect from the final season of GLEE, now back where it all began at McKinley High in Lima, Ohio. All of that, new information on her upcoming onscreen reunion with GLEE co-star Matthew Morrison and much, much more!

Ted Sod, Education Dramaturg sat down with playwright Tom Stoppard and discussedIndian Ink.

Today we are talking to the gifted composer and lyricist behind the earth-shattering score for Broadway's biggest recent hit, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, the versatile and passionate Stephen Trask. Shedding considerable light on the development of the idiosyncratic rock musical, Trask discusses his influences and the organic way in which the outre show developed from humble beginnings at downtown bar Squeezebox in the mid-1990s, to Off-Broadway hit at the turn of the new century all the way to the rapturously received feature film adaptation, and, now, the 2014 Broadway production. Trask also details his affection for Tony Award-winning lead actor Neil Patrick Harris and looks ahead to the new leading man donning the titular wig, Andrew Rannells. Additionally, Trask also shares news on the forthcoming sequel to HEDWIG currently being developed with John Cameron Mitchell and teases some of what we can expect from the hotly anticipated theatrical experience. Furthermore, Trask reflects on his own upbringing and musical influences and how that informed the composition of the score for HEDWIG, as well as his own favorite performers. Plus, Trask reflects on his fruitful career as a movie scorer in Hollywood and comments on his upcoming musical endeavors, including two original stage musicals - JUST THE BLACK KEYS, a real-life inspired original musical potentially involving Peter Askin and Michael Mayer, as well 15 MINUTES, a Studio 54-centric period piece written with Rick Elice - as well as much, much more.

Last night, four chefs moved one step closer to becoming the winner of HELL'S KITCHEN, after a dramatic dinner service

Due to early ticket demand, Victory Gardens Theater adds an additional week of performances to the run of Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman, directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Death and the Maiden now runs June 13 - July 20, 2014, with the press performance on June 20, 2014, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today delivered its Summer Air Travel Forecast and first-quarter 2014 results for U.S. passenger airlines, which achieved strong operational performance and modest profitability in the face of one of the harshest winters in memory.

It's about to get all Dr. Phil up in here! It can be...shall we say, hazardous...to navigate the potential treachery that is a personal relationship/creative/business partnership. As far back as when Gillian and I first started dating, we always wanted to help each other however we could, and to be included in each other's projects whenever possible. We took that to the next level last year when we decided to take on nearly every task involved in the production of our webseries about commercial auditions, 'The Residuals.'

He's heading over to London to play at the Hippodrome as part of the London Festival of Cabaret. So we thought we'd ask Scott Alan some of our toughest questions...

We talk to the actor now playing Albert in War Horse about taking on the role, why he always wanted to work with the National Theatre, his most annoying traits, and whether he's a cat or dog person...

Today we are talking to a legendary leading lady famous for a few of the most iconic roles in some of the most memorable musicals of the 1980s and 1990s as well as a versatile vocalist and concert performer set to make her cabaret debut later this month - the ingratiating and amusing Randy Graff. Looking back at originating the role of Fantine in the original Broadway production of mega-hit mega musical LES MISERABLES and singing the unforgettable 'I Dreamed A Dream' eight times a week (and on the best-selling cast recording) as well as recounting her Tony Award-winning work in the endlessly entertaining Cy Coleman/David Zippel musical comedy CITY OF ANGELS, Graff share stories from behind the scenes and gives us a rare look at theatrical history in the making and her elemental role in both productions. Additionally, Graff opens up about some of her other most fondly remembered work, including her fantastic turn in Ed Kleban's A CLASS ACT, William Finn's FALSETTOS, Cole Porter's HIGH SOCIETY, the stage play and documentary MOON OVER BUFFALO co-starring Carol Burnett, the most recent revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and much more. Most importantly, Graff generously outlines what we can expect from her upcoming solo shows at NYC hotspot 54 Below titled MADE IN BROOKLYN, in what will actually be the stalwart star's solo show premiere. In addition to all of that, Graff also touches upon some of her big screen and small screen work, ranging from LAW & ORDER to RENT, as well as recounts some theatrical tales involving theatre greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, John Simon and more. All of that and much, much more awaits in this rich resume recounting retrospective with one of Broadway's best!

Today the talented actor speaks exclusively to BWW about making his Broadway debut as legendary sports hero Joe DiMaggio in BRONX BOMBERS.

Sundance Institute has announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at www.sundance.org/live.

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented twosome who have found success sharing the stage both in entertainment endeavors and in life itself - real-life triple-threat couple Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo. Discussing many details of their two upcoming major musical productions - first, a special live concert presentation of the new musical SAMSON & DELILAH at cool NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, followed by the release of the concept album; as well as the upcoming new national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic family-friendly Biblically-themed musical JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, kicking off in a few short weeks - Young and DeGarmo share their passion for the arts and their unwavering commitment to their craft. Furthermore, the attractive and fit duo share how they are preparing for their upcoming Biblical roles and how they first became involved with the respective projects themselves. Additionally, both shed some light on their notable AMERICAN IDOL heydays, sharing backstage stories from the intriguing list of credits on their impressive resumes thus far. Plus, DeGarmo shares thoughts on the many in-development musicals she has had a hand in developing, from Sheryl Crow's forthcoming DINER to the similarly screen-to-stage adaptation of JAWBREAKER, not to mention her memorable work in the recent revisal version of CARRIE and more. As if all of that were not enough, Young and DeGarmo also recount memories of starring on Broadway together in HAIR as well as reflect on their turns in GREASE and HAIRSPRAY, while also casting a glance back at some favorite early roles, as well. Everything mentioned plus first news on the couple's new self-penned EP titled YOUNG & FREE as well as much more awaits in this career-spanning conversation with two of musical theatre's most popular and affable modern stars!