Michael Bloomberg News

Catch up on the week's biggest stories from Broadway and beyond in BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures,' featuring coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights, and more. Highlights this week include coverage of HAMILTON's major wins at the Lucille Lortel Awards, BILLY ELLIOT celebrating 10 years in the West End, a first look at Jim Parsons in AN ACT OF GOD, and more!

The Actors Fund's annual gala last night, May 11, 2015 honored Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman and three-term mayor of New York City, entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bloomberg and Freeman received The Fund's Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 133-year old non-profit human services organization serving everyone in performing arts and entertainment. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night, and you can check out photo coverage below!

Producers of THE FANTASTICKS, Catherine Russell and Al Parinello have announced that they will now be able to keep Off Broadway's longest running musical from closing. Two donors (longtime fans of the show who have asked to remain anonymous) have stepped in and pledged to keep the production running, making the Sunday, May 3rd performance a 55th anniversary celebration of the opening of the show in 1960 - not a farewell.

The Marfan Foundation honored Isaiah Austin, the former Baylor University basketball star, and Carolyn Levering, Emeritus CEO of The Marfan Foundation, with its 2015 Hero with a Heart Award at the 15th Heartworks last night, April 16, in New York City. Michael Bloomberg, Jill Martin, & Walt Clyde Frazier were in attendance, enjoying entertainment by Broadway's Megan Hilty. Tony Award winner James Naughton acted as emcee. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Patrick Willingham, and Chair of the Board Arielle Tepper Madover proudly announce the addition of five new members to The Public's Board of Trustees since December 2013. The newly elected trustees of diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and interests are Ashley Leeds, Julio Peterson, Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Teresa Tsai, and Timothy A. Wilkins. The new trustees were elected to the board following Arielle Tepper Madover's election to the office of Chair of the Board of Trustees in December 2013.

(New York, NY) - Producers of Off-Broadway's THE FANTASTICKS have announced that the long running musical will close on Sunday, May 3rd - the 55th anniversary of the opening of the show in 1960. At the time of its closing the production will have played a total of 20,672 performances in NYC: 17,162 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse and 3,510 performances at the Snapple Theater Center.

Wells of Life, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing fresh drinking water to children and families in Uganda, announced that its first-ever water well to honor the victims of September 11, 2001 is now fully operational and providing fresh drinking water to communities in need.

The Genesis Prize Foundation announced today that Jay Leno will return to Israel and serve as Master of Ceremonies for the second annual Genesis Prize Award Ceremony on June 18, 2015, when this $1 million Prize will be awarded to Michael Douglas. Jay Leno hosted last year's ceremony, when philanthropist, entrepreneur and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg received the inaugural award. Jay Leno's career in show business has spanned over 45 years; 22 of which he spent hosting NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a post he left in February 2014.

Scott Shuptrine Interiors welcomes internationally acclaimed designer Jamie Drake to its Royal Oak gallery from 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight, Feb. 25. Drake will introduce the exclusive, licensed furniture collection he created for high-end manufacturer Theodore Alexander, now available at Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and a presentation by Drake at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to architects, interior designers and home enthusiasts.

Scott Shuptrine Interiors welcomes internationally acclaimed AD100 designer Jamie Drake to its Royal Oak gallery from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. Drake will introduce the exclusive, licensed furniture collection he created for high-end manufacturer Theodore Alexander, which is now available at all Scott Shuptrine Interiors locations.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE EVENTS and THE ICEMAN COMETH open off-Broadway, FIRST DATE heads to Chicago, THE BODYGUARD tour kicks off in the UK and more!

The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, May 11, 2015 will honor entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP, for his longstanding support of the arts as an individual, a corporate leader and Mayor of New York City. Mr. Bloomberg will receive The Fund's Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 133-year old non-profit human services organization serving everyone in performing arts and entertainment. The event begins with 6 pm cocktails followed by 7:15 pm dinner and tribute at the New York Marriott Marquis.

It was just announced that New York Times theatre writer Patrick Healy, will soon trade in Broadway for Washington as a NYT National Political Correspondent.

Dallas, TX

Scott Shuptrine Interiors welcomes internationally acclaimed designer Jamie Drake to its Royal Oak gallery from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. Drake will introduce the exclusive, licensed furniture collection he created for high-end manufacturer Theodore Alexander, now available at Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and a presentation by Drake at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to architects, interior designers and home enthusiasts.

Husband and wife conductors Charles duChateau (Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, South Pacific) and Annbritt duChateau (Aladdin, Mary Poppins) will lead a diverse group of young performers to sing at the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the United Nations (UN) today, November 20.

With a Song in My Heart, the debut solo album by Anthony Kearns, a world-renowned tenor and member of the PBS super-group, The Irish Tenors, is under consideration for a 57th Annual GRAMMY Award nomination in four categories – including 'Best Classical Solo Vocal Al­­­­­­­bum.,' announced Kearns' agent and publicist Kirsten A. Fedewa.

Bette Midler hosted the annual Hulaween Gala on Friday night. This year's theme was Fellini Hulawee

Bette Midler hosted the annual Hulaween Gala on Friday night. This year's theme was Fellini Hulaweeni, in honor of Fredrico Fellini, Italian filmmaker. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the evening below!

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ In 2010 Brian Aitken's life was turned violently upside down when he was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing firearms he legally owned in the State of New Jersey. Four years later he has written a book about his experience as a pokerchip in Michael Bloomberg's multi-million dollar game to criminalize gun owners.