Monica Simoes News

On Wednesday, April 6 (8:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 9 finalists - Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Haley Reinhart and Pia Toscano - return to the IDOL stage to perform songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The IDOLs will be accompanied by legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck, who will be performing with Ray Chew and the AMERICAN IDOL band.

Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, today announced the Festival's 2011 programs. The fifth edition of Luminato's annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, and more takes place from June 10-19, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Superstar vocalist Idina Menzel, star of Wicked, Rent and Fox's hit television show Glee, lends her powerhouse talents to the North Carolina Symphony for her first-ever Raleigh concert.

Felicia Boswell (Understudy for the role of Felicia in Memphis), Christina DeCicco (Understudy for the role of Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act), Berlando Drake (Standby for the roles of Shirley, Micki, Romantics, Dionne Warwick, Millie and School Yard Dancer in Baby It's You!), Paige Faure (Understudy for the roles of Hedy La Rue and Smitty in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), Robert Hartwell (Understudy for the roles of Delray, Bobby and Gator in Memphis),, Jahi A. Kearse (Understudy for the roles of Jocko, Chuck Jackson, Ronald Isley, Bass Man, Gene Chandler and Luther Dixon in Baby It's You!), Tari Kelly (Understudy for the role of Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes),Justin Keyes (Understudy for the roles of J. Pierrepont Finch and Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), Kristen Martin (Understudy for the roles of Mary Jane Watson and Miss Arrow in Spider-Man:Turn Off the Dark), Kyle Post (Understudy for the roles of Boyle, Busker, Flash, Grim Hunter, Jimmy-6, Kong, Meeks and Professor Cobwell in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) and Rashidra Scott (Understudy for the role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act).

If It Only Even Runs A Minute 6 is the sixth edition of this series of rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiring photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully appreciated the first time around. The show features performances and stories from original cast members of several of the featured shows. This is an essential concert for musical theatre nerds!

Holding the world's record for playing the longest-running role in entertainment history, Erica Kane on ABC‘S ALL MY CHILDREN, is just one mere jewel amongst the scores in the fifty-year career crown tiara of television icon Susan Lucci. Having appeared on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and performed in nightclubs across the country with Regis Philbin, she is certainly no stranger to the stage - and what could better define working actor than memorizing scripts for a new hour-long drama every day, five days a week, for forty-one years? Commitment to her craft, an intense love of performance, and an affinity for the expression of human emotion - as well as an instant likeability and irrepressible allure - are just a few of the many features that make up the impressive journey of two women - Erica, included - over the course of Lucci's compelling and personally revealing new autobiography ALL MY LIFE, in stores today - as well as our warm and candid discussion about it. From Broadway to Hollywood; New York to LA to Vienna; from Broadway stages, concert stages, cabarets, to screens large and small - and, also, to some of the strongest television films of all time (plus, some starry stories and DANCING WITH THE STARS tidbits, too) - see some of the reasons why she is simply known as La Lucci, just as any grand opera diva (soaps, stage or otherwise) should undoubtedly be.

The New York Times reports today that Will Swenson (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair) will direct independent feature film adaptation of Carol Lynn Pearson's play 'Facing East.' Pearson is also writing the screenplay. The play centers on a family's struggle to come to terms with their Morman faith after losing their gay son to suicide. The subject mater is not far from Swenson's heart, as he witnessed similar struggles within his own childhood Mormon community. Say Swenson of the project: 'Getting through my own adolescence as a young Mormon was challenging as it was, but watching my best friend struggle with his identity as a gay teenager was heartbreaking.'

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 27, 2011 - Sunday, March 27, 2011.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and legendary Broadway star Betty Buckley present three benefit concerts featuring her recent Song Interpretation Workshop participants. The concerts are set for March 28, 30 and 31 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth at 7:30pm.

Following eleven sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a twelfth installment, Monday, March 28 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Karen Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel), Christina Bianco (Drama Desk nominee, Forbidden Broadway), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Steve Ross (Present Laughter), Steven Lutvak (Kleban & Larson award-winner) and Alysha Umphress (American Idiot). We're also pleased to welcome back three very special guests, all of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Annie Golden (Assassins), Teri Ralston (Company, A Little Night Music) and Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and legendary Broadway star Betty Buckley, currently co-starring in the Dallas Theatre Center's production of Arsenic and Old Lace, present three benefit concerts featuring her recent Song Interpretation Workshop participants. The concerts are set for March 28, 30 and 31 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth at 7:30pm.

Broadway Workshop, Manhattan's fastest growing acting program for young artists, welcomed Tony Award Winner - Daisy Eagan for a one day musical theatre master class. The master class, took place Sunday March 27th in New York City.

Broadway Speaks OUT and Vig27 present the weekly musical theater review UnTucked and Uncensored at VIG27 on Sunday March 27th at 9pm.

Celebrating the release of his internationally selling debut album, 'Love Me, Love Me Not,' musical theatre songwriter Joey Contreras presents an evening of his energetic and emotionally charged music with a host of special guest performers to be announced soon.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes performed live on ABC's 'Good Morning America' Friday morning. BroadwayWorld spent the morning with the cast of the saucy new Cole Porter production, opening April 7, and brings you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look - from makeup, to rehearsal, all the way to the broadcast performance!

Harry Connick Jr. will perform his new show, Your Songs In Concert, at the Michael & Susan Dell Hall at the Long Center on Mar. 26 at 8:00.

The Laurie Beechman Theatrehas announced the line-up for their upcoming benefit for Japan: THE GEISHA GIG. The event will take place April 10 at 8PM.

Marvin Leffler, President of The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) is pleased to announce a celebration and performance in honor of The Town Hall's 90th Anniversary. The historic building, will celebrate 90 years of politically informative, musically innovative and electrifying cultural history. The concert pays tribute to the rich cultural history of The Town Hall from 1921 to the present day, starring Tony® Award winner JASON ROBERT BROWN, Tony® Award nominee LIZ CALLAWAY, Tony® Award nominee and Drama Desk, Theatre world and Emmy® Award winner TOVAH FELDSHUH, legendary Jazz guitarist BUCKY PIZZARELLI, Tony® Award nominee EMILY SKINNER and more, to be announced. Scott Siegel has written and will host the concert. Siegel is also the creator/writer and host of The Town Hall's acclaimed Broadway By The Year® series. All proceeds will benefit The Town Hall's Educational Outreach program.

Broadway Speaks OUT and Vig27 present the weekly musical theater review UnTucked and Uncensored at VIG27 on Sunday March 27th at 9pm.

Broadway Sessions is described as an evening of musical performances, games, comedy and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. It is hosted by Ben Cameron (Wicked, Aida, Footloose) and features compsoser/musical director Will Van Dyke (The Addams Family) on piano.