Monica Simoes News

California Musical Theatre announces the 2012-13 Broadway Sacramento season at Community Center Theater, featuring Tony Award-winning new Broadway musicals as well as heart-warming family favorites. Memphis, which won four 2010 Tony Awards and is still playing on Broadway, kicks off the season, followed by Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, Rock of Ages, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and multi-Tony Award winner Billy Elliot the Musical. The final show of the season is a Broadway Mega-Hit that can't be revealed until August due to contractual obligations. That show is a brand new production of one of the most beloved and popular Broadway musicals ever, and has been highly praised by critics and audiences alike throughout its wildly successful tour.

According to a report by Deadline.com, Kelsey Grammer, Calista Flockhart and Kiefer Sutherland join previously announced FOX's 25th Anniversary Special participant Ryan Seacrest of American Idol, now set to host the event, which will air on April 22.

PFLAG National will honor Broadway stars Audra McDonald (THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, PRIVATE PRACTICE) and Will Swenson (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, HAIR) with the 2012 Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award, to be presented at the Fourth Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala on Monday, April 2nd at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Straight for Equality-a national outreach and education project created by PFLAG National-invites, educates, and engages straight allies to advocate for and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.

Twenty students from Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in Fort Worth, Texas, will participate in a Master Class hosted by cast members of the national touring Broadway production of MARY POPPINS on Friday, March 30.

Producers Carl Levin, Michael Minarik and The Dodgers announced today that the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival's Outstanding Musical winner FAT CAMP will begin performances off Broadway on April 12, 2012 at the American Theatre of Actors. FAT CAMP features a book by Randy Blair (Perez Hilton Saves the Universe) and Tim Drucker (Perez Hilton Saves the Universe), music by Matthew roi Berger (NY Neo-Classical Ensemble's 12th Night), lyrics by Randy Blair, choreography by Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages) and direction by Casey Hushion (In the Heights, Drowsy Chaperone and Elf - as Associate Director).

Comedian, talk show host, producer and star Rosie O'Donnell has made no secret of her desire to play 'Miss Hannigan' in the upcoming Broadway revival of ANNIE. Now, an insider has told the Huffington Post that she will indeed be returning to Broadway in the revival. The source told HP: 'Ro loves Broadway and is super excited about playing the part. The paperwork hasn't been signed yet but the negotiations are well under way. This is a great role that she will be able to sink her teeth into and will get her back to acting and performing live, which has always been her first love."

Everyday Hero, Jackie Shaw, who had a stroke at age 24, attended a Broadway performance of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark on Saturday, March 17 and posed for pictures with Spider-Man himself, Reeve Carney. Check out the pictures below!

Pace Sings Carner & Gregor", a showcase of the work of Sam Carner & Derek Gregor by Pace University students, will be presented at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on March 19 at 7pm. Carner & Gregor are a musical composing duo on the rise, who take great interest in working with college students. In the style of their Barely Legal Extravaganza concert series, they present nine fresh faces new to the New York City cabaret scene in this exciting concert showcasing their work. This is a must-see concert for new musical theatre lovers.

Some of Broadway's best young talent will sing dazzling new arrangements of songs from Adele's two albums, 19 and 21. The concert will feature over 15 cover songs to celebrate the pop superstar's greatest hits, accompanied by a full band orchestrated, arranged, and music directed by Joshua Stephen Kartes.

The Actors Fund, the nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, just announced the Elaine Stritch will perform at the 17th edition of Nothing Like a Dame, a benefit for the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative (PNWHI). This highly anticipated event will take place Monday, March 26th at 7:30 at The Gerald Lynch Theatre, 524 West 59th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues, New York, NY 10019.

Producer John Johnson announced today the complete cast for the New York premiere of 35mm A Musical Exhibition, written by Ryan Scott Oliver based on the photography of Matthew Murphy.

ABC's All My Children star Susan Lucci will star in ABC's pilot episode of Marc Cherry's Devious Maids.

PFLAG National will honor Broadway stars Audra McDonald (THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, PRIVATE PRACTICE) and Will Swenson (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, HAIR) with the 2012 Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award, to be presented at the Fourth Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala on Monday, April 2nd at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Straight for Equality-a national outreach and education project created by PFLAG National-invites, educates, and engages straight allies to advocate for and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.

Producer John Johnson announced today the complete cast for the New York premiere of 35mm A Musical Exhibition, written by Ryan Scott Oliver based on the photography of Matthew Murphy.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

UnsungMusicalsCo. Inc. has announced complete casting for its new production of the hit 1948 musical revue Make Mine Manhattan.

Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter Idina Menzel, star of Broadway's Wicked and the original stage production of Rent, will make her debut at the Gallo Center for the Arts at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, June 5, performing her brand new live show. Tickets, on sale beginning today, can be purchased by calling (209) 338-2100, online at GalloArts.org or IdinaMenzel.com, or in person at the Center's ticket office, 1000 I Street in downtown Modesto.

UnsungMusicalsCo. Inc. presents its new production of the hit 1948 musical revue Make Mine Manhattan. The limited three-week engagement will play March 1 - 17 at the Connelly Theatre (220 East 4th Street), opening March 4. With sketches and lyrics by Arnold B. Horwitt (Plain and Fancy, "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis") and music by Emmy Award winner Richard Lewine ("Cinderella", "My Name is Barbra"), this new production is directed by UMC artistic director Ben West (Gatsby, How Now, Dow Jones, Platinum).

On Friday March 30, 2012, The Trevor Project's Trevor NextGen in celebrating the third annual Spring Fling event benefitting the organization's life-saving work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Hundreds of young professionals are expected to attend this exciting event at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery) in New York City. For three days only, (Feb. 28th - March 1st) reduced admission tickets will be available at www.TheTrevorProject.org/SpringFling.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Emmy award-winner Doris Roberts has been cast in the ABC pilot 'Counter Culture.' The comedy is written by Stephnie Weir, executive produced by Claudia Lonow, and directed by Ted Wass.