Michael Cohl News

'SING YOUR SONG,' CHRONICLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINER AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST HARRY BELAFONTE, DEBUTS OCT. 17, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) features direction by Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz), original direction by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Across The Universe, Frida), music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics, 'Big Love'). The cast is led by Reeve Carney as ‘Peter Parker/Spider-Man,' Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano as ‘Mary Jane Watson,' T.V. Carpio as ‘Arachne,' Patrick Page as ‘Norman Osborn/Green Goblin.' In the video below, Broadway veteran SEbastian Bach chats about why he thinks he would have made the perfect Green Goblin. Bach has previously starred on stage in Jekyll & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Rocky Horrow Show.

'SING YOUR SONG,' CHRONICLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINER AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST HARRY BELAFONTE, DEBUTS OCT. 17, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Jeremy Woodard will officially take over the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' on Monday, October 3, 2011. Woodard has understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. In addition to ROCK OF AGES, Woodard's theatre credits include Glory Days, Hairspray, and Miss Saigon. MiG Ayesa, who has performed the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' since ROCK OF AGES moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011, will play his final performance on Sunday, September 25. During the interim week, the role will be covered by an understudy.

According to the NY Times, former SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK director Julie Taymor and the producers of the show will enter arbitration next week over the $500,000 in royalties that Taymor claims is owed to her.

At a press conference today at the Foxwoods Theatre, Reeve Carney, star of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway's most popular new show, announced a new initiative to honor 'Everyday Heroes.' Flanked by the show's Spider-Men, Carney explained the details of the 'Everyday Heroes' program (outlined below), before introducing the program's first honoree: Nurse Practitioner Diane Pagan. Check out Reeve Carney making the announcement below!

At a press conference today at the Foxwoods Theatre, Reeve Carney, star of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway's most popular new show, announced a new initiative to honor 'Everyday Heroes.' Flanked by the show's Spider-Men, Carney explained the details of the 'Everyday Heroes' program (outlined below), before introducing the program's first honoree: Nurse Practitioner Diane Pagan.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world, look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced today that SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark star Reeve Carney has extended his contract with the production to May 2012, and will continue to play the role of 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' through that time. For several weeks this winter, while Carney takes a brief leave to film the starring role in Jake Scott's upcoming untitled Jeff Buckley biopic, it is intended that 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' alternate Matthew James Thomas and cast member Matt Caplan will assume the role.

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Jeremy Woodard will officially take over the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' on Monday, October 3, 2011. Woodard has understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. In addition to ROCK OF AGES, Woodard's theatre credits include Glory Days, Hairspray, and Miss Saigon. MiG Ayesa, who has performed the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' since ROCK OF AGES moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011, will play his final performance on Sunday, September 25. During the interim week, the role will be covered by an understudy.

Watch a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway's ROCK OF AGES. PIX 11 (WPIX-TV, Channel 11)'s Laurie Dhue recently went backstage for their 'Curtain Up' Broadway Week series to talk with Mitchell Jarvis who stars as Lonny. Click below to check it out!

ROCK OF AGES cast members performed during the 7th inning of the New York Mets baseball game on Wednesday 20 July, 2011 at Citi Field, Queens, NY.

The music that ignited a generation heats up Broadway in the smash hit, ROCK OF AGES. The classic rock love story of the decade erupts into Broadway's best party, all to the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as Every Rose Has Its Thorn, I Wanna Know What Love Is, Here I Go Again, Don't Stop Believin' and more. This hilarious five-time Tony nominated musical is nothin' but a good time. A New Line Cinema film of the musical, directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray) and starring Tom Cruise, is currently being filmed in Miami, Florida. Last night, legendary 80's rockers Journey and Foreigner came to see ROCK OF AGES! Check out photos of Neal Schon (lead guitarist and founding member of Journey) and Steve Hansen (Foreigner frontman) after the show below!

The national buzz surrounding SPIDER-MAN, TURN OFF THE DARK may have died down, but that doesn't mean that the audience is any less wild about the show - or the stops, according to director Philip William McKinley. 'Maybe it's the reality TV factor, but when we stop, the audience goes nuts,' he tells Deadline.com. 'They love it because it is reality. If the show isn't perfect, what's wrong that that? The same thing could happen with The Bible.' Yes - The Bible.

ROCK OF AGES welcomed 80's pop icon Tiffany last night, July 26, as she made her Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Tiffany performed her hit song 'I Think We're Alone Now' on stage after the 7pm performance. Want to relive your favorite memories to everyone's 80s anthem? Click below!

ROCK OF AGES welcomed 80's pop icon Tiffany last night, July 26, as she made her Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Tiffany performed her hit song 'I Think We're Alone Now' on stage after the 7pm performance. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

The smash hit, five-time Tony Award nominated musical ROCK OF AGES welcomes 80's pop icon Tiffany as she makes her Broadway debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street, on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. Tiffany will perform her hit song 'I Think We're Alone Now' on stage after the 7pm performance.

Broadway?s biggest show SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark officially opens Tuesday, June 14th at the Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42nd Street). The show features creative consultation by Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz), original direction by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Across The Universe, Frida), music and lyrics by 22- time Grammy Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics, 'Big Love').

In one of the most highly anticipated openings in recent Broadway memory, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark officially celebrates their opening night on Tuesday, June 14 th at the Foxwoods Theatre. The show features creative consultation by Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz), original direction by Tony® Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Across The Universe, Frida), music and lyrics by 22- time Grammy® Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics, "Big Love"). The newest production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Yet next week, on Tuesday, June 14, the curtain is scheduled to 'rise above' on Spider-Man, thanks in no small part to the efforts of a hard-working creative team that includes Paul Bogaev of Weston.