Michael McCormick News

The Palace Theater kicked off the fall season with LOMBARDI and the reviews have been fantastic!

Tony Award-winning lyricist of the musical NEWSIES, Jack Feldman, married his longtime partner of 23 years, Dr. Matthew Liss, in an intimate ceremony and reception surrounded by family friends and Broadway luminaries at '48 Lounge' on Sunday, September 27th, 2015. BroadwayWorld has photos from the ceremony and reception below!

Playwright Frank D. Gilroy, whose 1964 Broadway debut, THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES was the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony and a Drama Critics' Circle Award, passed away on Saturday

Among new additions to the previously announced company, via a photo of the cast list from the event, were F. Michael Haynie (Jasper in Deadland), Karen Mason (A Christmas Story, The Musical, Wonderland, Mamma Mia!) and Virginia Cavaliere (In the Heights tour).

A developmental reading of JONI, a new musical by David Reiser (writer of Any Other Way, Walker in Babylon), will be presented at 4:30PM today, August 25, and tomorrow, August 26, at 1PM at Shetler Studios in Manhattan.

A developmental reading of JONI, a new musical by David Reiser (writer of Any Other Way, Walker in Babylon), will be presented at 4:30PM August 25 and 1PM August 26 at Shetler Studios in Manhattan.

From the moment you enter the Group rep theatre and see a warmup football practice onstage, the tone for the play is set. You are about to watch, breathe, eat and sleep football. At least that is what Vince Lombardi did as head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959-1968. Now onstage at the theatre in NoHo, LOMBARDI, an LA premiere, has no great dramatic plot or conflict but is true to form, an excellent slice.of.life character study of the man of the hour whom the play is named after. Boasting brilliant direction from Gregg T. Daniel and an outstanding cast of six, LOMBARDI, like a good football season, should pack 'em in.

I purposely avoided the recent film version of INTO THE WOODS because I really didn't find the previews or the stunt casting appropriate. For me, it's a work that requires an audience to use their imagination to a great extent, and movies tend to give form to those things that are much better left conjured up in your own mind. That's why my son and I absolutely loved The MUNY's current presentation of the show. Let's face it, a woodland setting created utilizing green screen technology and a few key set pieces is nowhere near as effective at conveying the atmosphere desired, especially when you already have those actual elements growing freely at the back of this marvelous outdoor stage. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) crafted a brilliant mash-up of several fairy tales and fables that is smart, funny, and, ultimately, touching. When I asked my boy what he thought of the show at the end of the night he neatly summed it up: 'I thought it was awesome!' I agree wholeheartedly. Superbly cast and conceived, this is a production that's simply tailor made for The MUNY. Go see it, and take your kids with you! It may have a few moments that are a bit gruesome or adult in content, but they'll have a wonderful time, and so will you!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below! The cast includes Heather Headley (Witch), Erin Dilly (Baker's Wife), Rob McClure (Baker), Ken Page (Narrator), Andrew Samonsky (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Elena Shaddow (Cinderella) and Ryan Silverman (Rapunzel's Prince), will be Jason Gotay (Jack), Ellen Harvey (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sara Kapner (Little Red Ridinghood), Samantha Massell (Rapunzel), Michael McCormick (Mysterious Man/Cinderella's Father) and Zoe Vonder Haar (Jack's Mother). Rounding out this incredible cast are Anna Blair (Granny/Cinderella's Stepmother), Jennifer Diamond (Florinda), Gary Glasgow (Steward), Maggie Lakis (Milky White) and April Strelinger (Lucinda).

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.  Check out an exclusive look at some backstage shots below!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.

Just last week, Tony nominee Charles Busch (July 14-17 & 23); Micky Dolenz (July 7, 10 & 11); Michael McCormick and Lucia Spina for 54 Sings 1776 (July 4-5); Tony Award nominee Tony Yazbeck for 54 Sings Irving Berlin (July 8) gathered to preview their upcoming appearances at 54 Below. Below, go inside the special event!

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, celebrates the July 4th weekend with '54 Sings 1776,' a celebration of the music from Broadway's Tony Award-winning Independence Day musical by Sherman Edwards. '54 Sings 1776' returns to 54 Below, for its second smash year, for four performances only: Sat. July 4 at 7PM and 9:30PM, and Sun. July 5 at 7PM and 9:30PM.  To make a reservation, visit www.54below.com. Cover charge is $40-50. $25 food & beverage minimum. 

This July and August, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Steve Washington at the Metropolitan Room; Songbird in Concert by Lauren Pritchard & Michael Kimmel, Love Don't Need a Reason: A Benefit for Callen-Lorde; Ryan Scott Oliver and Lindsay Mendez's Actor Therapy; and 54 Sings 1776.

Still reeling from the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child announcement? Getting ready for Broadway in Bryant Park? Didn't have time check in on all of the latest Broadway news? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

Earlier this week, Tony nominee Charles Busch (July 14-17 & 23); Micky Dolenz (July 7, 10 & 11); Michael McCormick and Lucia Spina for 54 Sings 1776 (July 4-5); Tony Award nominee Tony Yazbeck for 54 Sings Irving Berlin (July 8) gathered to preview their upcoming appearances at 54 Below.  Below, check out photos from inside the special event!