Michael Grief News

Let's see what the critics had to say...

It's interesting to me that IF/THEN is billed as 'a new musical'. It's the use of the word 'new' that I find puzzling. The concept certainly isn't an original one, having been explored on the big screen in the films Blind Chance (1981) and its sort-of remake, Sliding Doors (1998). And, even though neither of those movies were musicals, they both featured the idea of having their lead traverse optional story lines, with Blind Chance even offering up three different scenarios for its protagonist to experience. But, this show is new in the sense that it explores contemporary trends, with the caveat that some audiences may not find much to identify with, and it features a wonderfully fresh and tuneful score (music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey). All of that just might be enough to make this show worth seeing. Because it does feature a talented cast who have the ability to pull off these roles and the memorable songs provided with considerable conviction. But, the trickery seems a bit cloying at times, and the show does seem to drag at over 2 ½ hours. I guess, like our heroine, Elizabeth, I'm straddling the fence too, at least when it comes to my opinion.

Second Stage Theatre, in association with Stacey Mindich Productions, will soon present the new musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN. The company will include several performers who appeared in the World Premiere production at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, featuring Ben Platt as the title character, Evan Hansen, in a performance that was called 'extraordinary, bordering on heroic' by Peter Marks in the Washington Post. Also reprising their performances from the 'splendid' (Marks, Washington Post) cast are Laura Dreyfuss as Zoe, Mike Faist as Connor, Rachel Bay Jones as Heidi, Will Roland as Jared, Jennifer Laura Thompson as Cynthia. New cast members John Dossett (Larry) and Kristolyn Lloyd (Alana) complete the company. The cast just met the press today and you can check out a sneak peek from the special day below. Check back later for complete coverage!

Decisions big or small can alter your life forever. That's the lesson from IF/THEN, opening at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre, and of one of it's stars, Anthony Rapp.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today casting for the remaining principal roles in its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Additional Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome) and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang) join the cast, along with Sam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister (Captain Orton), David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.

When IF/THEN debuted on Broadway in March 2014, it reunited original RENT stars Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp with RENT director Michael Grief. Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, whose 2008 rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL had received the Pulitzer Prize, wrote the much-anticipated show, and New York celebrated the team's brisk New York return. Although the show received mostly mixed-to-positive reviews, it lasted a mere 430 performances, despite mother-daughter duos flocking to see Menzel upon the icy heels of FROZEN's success.

El musical que revolucionó los años 90, RENT, cumple 20 años desde su estreno.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 36 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2016 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 19 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Goodspeed has announced its 2016 participants. Scroll down for details!

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is headed to New York this spring! 

Paula Vogel's complex tale is full of laughter and grief.

Do not miss a summer surprise of this poignant and provocative new musical.

As the star embarks TONIGHT on a new world tour, we'll celebrating Idina Menzel's birthday with a look back into the BWW Photo Archvies!

World Premiere by Katori Hall examines the lives of four half-sisters and how they deal with the passing of their mother.

The Drama League have announced the exceptional stage directors who have been selected as the 2015 Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project: Paul Bedard, Estefania Fadul, Aneesha Kudtarkar, Emily Lyon, Brad Raimondo, Austin Regan, Daniel Rogers, Annie Tippe, Sarah Wansley and Brandon Woolf. In addition, an eleventh fellow has been selected for a brand-new fellowship program, which will be revealed during the 81st Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). More information can be found at www.dramaleague.org

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Christine Andreas's return to 54 Below, opening nights of SIDE SHOW, A DELICATE BALANCE, and THE RIVER, Aaron Tveit in ASSASSINS, and more!

Cast And Loose Live! returns to present Back To School Night on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 9:30pm at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC.

Cast And Loose Live! returns to present Back To School Night on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 9:30pm at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC.

Miss Saigon, currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014, will make its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year. Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's epic musical has played in 300 cities in 15 different languages, winning awards around the world since the sensational record-breaking run at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane 25 years ago. This epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with an American GI Chris--but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. Meet the full company below!