Michael Greif News

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Idina Menzel and popular Broadway-Hollywood crossover star Taye Diggs - husband and wife in real life - host a special fundraising event for their kids' charity, A BROADER WAY, tonight, July 22, hosted by the one and only Whoopi Goldberg.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced two upcoming performers at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko -- actor and comedian Bruce Vilanch and Tony Award nominated composers Pasek and Paul. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of entertainers all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Bruce Vilanch will perform for one-night-only tonight, July 18th at 8 p.m. Pasek and Paul will perform two performances only - Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

Producer David Stone announced today that If/Then, the new musical by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creative team behind Next To Normal, Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director), will play Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street) in spring 2014. Starring Tony Award-Winner Idina Menzel, If/Then will begin preview performances on Tuesday, March 4, and officially open on Thursday, March 27, 2014. On-sale dates, performance schedule, and ticket information will be announced shortly. For more information, please visit IfThenTheMusical.com.

Idina Menzel will return to Broadway for the first time since winning the Tony Award for Wicked in If/Then, an original Broadway musical which reunites Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), and Michael Greif (director), the creative team behind the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, Next to Normal. If/Then is being produced by David Stone, who produced both Wicked and Next to Normal. Pre-sale for the pre-Broadway engagement at the National Theatre began today. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, the inaugural show of New York City Center's new Encores! Off-Center series will play for five performances through July 13 at City Center. The production stars Danny Burstein, Eisa Davis, Raul Esparza, Peter Friedman, Aidan Gemme, Judy Kuhn, David Margulies, Martin Moran, Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anika Noni Rose, Matthew Saldivar and Henry Stram. Opening was last night and you can check out photos from the celebration below!

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Idina Menzel and popular BroadwayHollywood crossover star Taye Diggs - husband and wife in real life - will host a special fundraising event for their kids' charity A BROADER WAY later this month, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

FAR FROM HEAVEN has been extended at Playwrights Horizons through July 7, 2013. In the video below, Michael Korie (lyricist) and Scott Frankel (composer) talk about the process of writing FAR FROM HEAVEN and their experiences in the theater and at Playwrights Horizons!

Last night I had the privilege of taking a look back on an incredibly impressive recent string of major musicals starring the phenomenally talented Brandon Victor Dixon with the leading man himself, ranging from his work last year Off-Broadway in RENT as well as the Williamstown Theatre Festival mounting of FAR FROM HEAVEN, both directed by Michael Greif, through to his acclaimed performance in Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS through to his new role portraying music titan Berry Gordy himself in the audience hit of the 2012-2013 season, MOTOWN. In addition to eloquently expounding on his various starring roles in those four major musicals and reflecting upon his time spent in each production, Dixon also opens up about his passion for performance in general and the importance of collaboration in the creation of any musical from the ground-up. Dixon also comments upon his experiences originating a role in Oprah Winfrey's recent stage venture THE COLOR PURPLE as well as recounts his association with COTTON CLUB PARADE - set to premiere on Broadway under a new title later this year - as well as the various incarnations of his stage piece based on the life and career of Ray Charles. Most importantly, besides all about MOTOWN and his work with Gordy and the cast on the hit show, Dixon also previews what we can expect from the cast of the show on tonight's A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS concert extravaganza, featuring Dixon alongside MOTOWN standout Saycon Sengbloh. All of that, first news on Dixon's upcoming self-penned solo album project, memories of working on THE GOOD WIFE, thoughts on GLEE and the modern performing arts revolution and much, much more!

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced two upcoming performers at the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko -- actor and comedian Bruce Vilanch and Tony Award nominated composers Pasek and Paul. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko will present a wide range of entertainers all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. Bruce Vilanch will perform for one-night-only on Thursday, July 18th at 8 p.m. Pasek and Paul will perform two performances only - Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

Giant's Kate Baldwin, Brian D'Arcy James and Michael John LaChiusa will be present for a CD signing and performance at Barnes & Noble at 86th & Lexington Ave in NYC on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 7 PM.

Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

The New York Times Art Blogs' 'In Performance' today features FAR FROM HEAVEN's Steven Pasquale, accompanied by Andrew Resnick on keyboard, singing the show's melancholy tune, 'I Never Knew.' The production is currently running through July 7th at Playwrights Horizons. Click here to view the performance!

Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented composer/lyricist noted for his incredibly impressive and accomplished oeuvre thus far, having collectively composed more than twenty full-length musicals, operas and specialty performance pieces - Michael John LaChiusa. Discussing his vast array of projects from BUZZSAW BERKELEY to FIRST LADY SUITE, HELLO AGAIN and THE PETRIFIED PRINCE Off-Broadway through to his double-header in the 1999-2000 millennial season with MARIE CHRISTINE and THE WILD PARTY both on Broadway to his Off-Broadway, regional and international successes since, ranging from LITTLE FISH to another two-show-season in 2006 with BERNARDA ALBA and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE as well as THE HIGHEST YELLOW and the recent Americana-themed epic musical pseudo-trilogy of LOS otros, QUEEN OF THE MIST and GIANT. Additionally, LaChiusa touches upon some of his lesser-known work, such as his musical revue HOTEL C'EST L'AMOUR, various operatic pieces, additional material he provided for pieces such as THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS and his previous and upcoming solo musicals for continuing collaborator Audra McDonald, such as SEND (who are you? i love you) and MARLENE DIETRICH'S ABCs OF LOVE. Most importantly, LaChiusa takes us behind the scenes of the sparkling new deluxe cast album for GIANT, starring Brian D'Arcy James, and discusses the themes, ideas and adaptation of the Edna Ferber novel itself in a fascinating and revealing analysis of the vast, enveloping and vivid score he has composed for GIANT. Also, LaChiusa offers the 411 on this year's Tony Awards specialty song composed for host Neil Patrick Harris and some starry cohorts (Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti and Andrew Rannells), as well as previous Tony show one-offs penned for Hugh Jackman and others. Plus, LaChiusa clues us in on his upcoming projects - including FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE - and much, much more in this career-spanning conversations with one of modern musical theatre's most daring and prolific artists.

In addition, Scott will be recording "Piece Of Meat," her current show at 54 Below. Scott will perform the highly-anticipated return engagement of her acclaimed evening through June 29. Details of the recording will be announced at a later date. For updates on the album, please visit: www.sh-k-boom.com/sherierenescott-pieceofmeat.

Due to popular demand, Playwrights Horizons' World Premiere production of the eagerly-awaited new musical Far From Heaven will now play an additional week through Sunday, July 7. Kelli O'Hara's NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT co-star Matthew Broderick and FAR FROM HEAVEN film director Todd Haynes visited the cast backstage last night and you can check out photos below!

Sherie Rene Scott returns to 54 Below for the highly-anticipated reprise of her acclaimed show 'Piece Of Meat' for a limited two-week engagement. 'Piece Of Meat' is an exhilarating evening about human desires - carnal, culinary and otherwise. Ms. Scott explores her singular storytelling and musical abilities with songs by Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Talking Heads, Pete Townshend, Annie Lennox, Dire Straits, Buddy Holly, Kate Bush and Noah & The Whale, along with original compositions by music directorTodd Almond. The show features musical staging by Michele Lynch and direction by Lear Debessonett.

Due to popular demand, Playwrights Horizons' World Premiere production of the eagerly-awaited new musical Far From Heaven will now play an additional week through Sunday, July 7. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released highlights from the new musical below!