Michael Bennett News

The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singular sensation bursts onto the Theatre's stage January 14 - February 2, featuring an iconic plot that follows the audition process of theatre "gypsies" as they try to land a job in a Broadway show. Complete with a large orchestra, timeless scenic design and cast of 26 triple threat performers, A Chorus Line is packed with unforgettable Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban songs, including What I did for Love and One.

Circle Players presents the hit Broadway musical DREAMGRILS, running January 23 - February 2, 2014.

Broadway World's annual roundup of critic favorites includes Central Pennsylvania theatres and performers

Bronx Bombers, a new American play written and directed by Eric Simonson, will begin performances on Broadway starting January 10, 2014 at Circle in the Square Theatre. Scroll down to learn more about the cast!

The world's tastiest new musical will have its premiere this winter in NYC. The Chocolate Show!, arriving just in time for Valentine's Day, will begin performances on Saturday, February 1 with an official opening night set for Friday, February 14 at the 47th Street Theatre, 304 West 47th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Featuring book and music by Alan Golub & Laura Goldfader, lyrics by Mr. Golub, The Chocolate Show! is directed by Dan Foster, choreographed by Grady McLeod Bowman and under the music direction of Jeffrey Klitz, who also provided the musical arrangements and orchestrations. Tickets for The Chocolate Show! are $39.50 - $59.50 and can be arranged online at www.ticketcentral.com or by calling 212.279.4200 or at the TicketCentral Box Office located at 416 West 42nd Street. The 47th Street Theatre box office (304 West 47th Street) will open one hour before each performance.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts produces, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical closes at La Jolla Playhouse tonight, December 17 and will open at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russelland music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage and screen performer known for a variety of powerful and memorable roles, including those which have earned her two Tony Awards as well as two Emmys - the elegant and cool Bebe Neuwirth. Talking all about the songs and stories that play a part in her fantastic new live solo album STORIES… IN NYC: LIVE AT 54 BELOW, the versatile triple-threat opens up about many of her masterful collaborations over the years - including working with Michael Bennett on A CHORUS LINE and Bob Fosse on SWEET CHARITY, not to mention her iconic portrayal of Velma Kelly in the original cast of the still-running revival of Kander & Ebb's CHICAGO. Plus, Neuwirth shines a light on some of her most celebrated screen roles, as well, including offering a candid behind the scenes story from her unforgettable scene in Woody Allen's CELEBRITY and more. Plus, Neuwirth comments on some of her current and upcoming projects, including her recurring role on CBS hit BLUE BLOODS and her recent appearances on THE GOOD WIFE as well as much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best.

Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, December 8, 2013 - Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Terre Blair Hamlisch speaks exclusively to BWW about the wonderful years she spent alongside the multi-talented, Pulitzer Prize-winning musical genius, Marvin Hamlisch.

Happy Birthday, Graciela Daniele! As a performer, Daniele made her Broadway debut in What Makes Sammy Run? in 1964. She studied with Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham while working with such luminaries as Bob Fosse, Agnes de Mille, and Michael Bennett, who hired her to assist him with Follies in 1971. Her first credit as a full-fledged choreographer was the 1979 revival of The Most Happy Fella. She has directed and/or choreographed several musicals of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, including, most recently, The Glorious Ones (2007) and Dessa Rose (2005) at the Off-Broadway Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. She has directed and/or choreographed several musicals of Michael John LaChiusa Off-Broadway, most recently Bernarda Alba (2006) and Little Fish (2003).

Tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guests are actress and playwright Terry Burrell and actor, producer, and choreographer Lawrence Leritz.

On November 28, a beloved Rochester tradition returns to Geva Theatre Center on the Wilson Mainstage. A Christmas Carol, Dickens' classic tale of redemption for the most despised man in London, will awaken your heart and rekindle your spirit this holiday season. This production of A Christmas Carol premiered to great acclaim in 2010 and features a script adapted by Mark Cuddy from Charles Dickens' novella with music and lyrics by Gregg Coffin, composer of Geva favorites, Five Course Love and Convenience.

On Monday, November 11th the American Dance Machine for the 21st Century performed “Next Look,” an exclusive benefit showing in preparation for the company's full-length New York City debut at the Joyce Theater next year. The benefit performance included reconstructed works from show-stopping musicals such as Contact, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, and Promises Promises.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will produce, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical will play at La Jolla Playhouse now through December 17 and will open at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will produce, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical will play at La Jolla Playhouse November 5 through December 17 and will play the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in spring 2014, according to an equity casting notice. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla.

Tony Award nominated Broadway veteran Brenda Braxton's (Smokey Joe's Cafe, Chicago) gentlemen's grooming company BBRAXTON has been named the official barber for Broadway's smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL.

Cincinnati Music Theatre is proud to present the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A CHORUS LINE from November 8-16, 2013 at the Aronoff Center's intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater (see full performance schedule below).

American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (ADM21) will present a benefit evening of classic musical theater dance numbers from A Chorus Line, Contact, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, 42nd Street and Promises! Promises on Monday, November 11 at New York City Center, Studio Five at 7:00 p.m. Each piece has been coached by artists intimately involved in their original productions. The evening will be directed by Artistic Director Margo Sappington and feature live music with musical direction by Eugene Gwozdz. ADM21 is a new non-profit dance company founded by Executive Director Nikki Feirt Atkins, dedicated to creating a living and vibrant archive of classic and current notable musical theater choreography.

Best-selling author and alumnus James Patterson '69 will award $100,000 in academic scholarships to Manhattan College. This is the second year in a row for the James Patterson Scholarships, and 8 juniors and 10 seniors from the Schools of Arts, Business, Education and Health, Engineering, and Science are recipients of the 2013-2014 scholarships.