Monica Simoes News

On Monday, July 26th, New York Theatre Barn will present its monthly showcase for emerging writers and performers at the D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theater, which will feature the music of Joel Waggoner, Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde), Ryan Scott Oliver (Mrs. Sharp), Gaby Alter (Band Geeks), Joy Son, Julian Fleisher, and Kirsten Guenther.

Last night, July 25, the cast of American Idiot took the stage at Joe's Pub to benefit Broadway Impact and their continued efforts to fight for marriage equality. The monthly concert features cast members from various Broadway shows, highlighting the show's performers and the theatre community's commitment to equality. The first sold out show featured the cast of Next to Normal and on August 23rd the cast of Memphis will take the stage for the final installment. 100% of the proceeds go directly to Broadway Impact. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photocall and performance and brings you photo coverage below.

As part of The River To River Festival, the dance community's leading lights will celebrate the extraordinary life of Merce Cunningham in a free outdoor performance on July 26th in New York, the city in which he worked and lived for 70 years.

Join us Saturday, July 24th for the not-to-be-missed musical event of the season.

The best of Broadway is being presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Bank of America, and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and hosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities, the tenth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances runs through August 12th.

Today, July 21, PROMISES, PROMISES celebrates its 100th performance on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture stars Sean Hayes, Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Award winner Katie Finneran, Tony Goldwyn, and Dick Latessa host a champagne toast to their successful run so far. See below for photo coverage!

The work of Bill T. Jones, eminent choreographer, Tony Award-winner, director, and recipient of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, is celebrated throughout the Pillow's 2010 Festival.

Multiple Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie and Broadway veteran Jason Danieley began to lead the cast of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, beginning performances Monday, July 19 at 8:00pm at Broadway's Booth Theatre (222 West 45th street). Ms. Mazzie and Mr. Danieley play Diana and Dan Goodman, a married couple dealing with Diana's bipolar disorder and the effect it has on their family.

HARRY CONNICK, JR. IN CONCERT ON BROADWAY will be recorded live on July 30 and 31, giving a limited number of fans two last chances to catch Harry on Broadway and to be part of the live concert filming.

Cape Playhouse will present the Tony Award-Winning musical, HAIRSPRAY featuring Christopher Sieber, Liz Froio, Jim Walton, Patti Murin, and more! The hit musical is scheduled to run July 19-August 7.

According to HollywoodNews.com, Will Smith is set to star in 'The Legend of Cain,' a vampire movie based on the Bible's warring brothers story about Cain and Abel.

Cause Celebre and Tina's Wish will present RECIPE FOR LIFE/PART TWO at New York's Acorn Theatre from July 12 to 18, Ticket Central announces. The series, which will benefit Tina's Wish, an ovarian cancer research organization, will consist of three separate productions.

Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Clinton, and Elizabeth Hurley will attend this year's Life Ball in Vienna as guests of honor, Yahoo! News reports. The ball, which will benefit AIDS research, will be held on July 17 at Vienna's City Hall. Approximately 40,000 people are expected to attend.

According to Michael Riedel this morning, Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith may be leading a production of Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway next year as Stanley and Stella, respectively. Reportedly, the pair have been approached by producers and are considering the possibility. Emily Mann will direct the production, which will be produced by Stephen Byrd. Click here for the full report.

Grammy and Emmy Award winner, Tony Award nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick, Jr. returns to Broadway in Harry Connick, Jr. IN CONCERT ON BROADWAY which opened last night, July 15. This limited engagement of 11 performances only will play the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street) through Monday, July 29. Harry Connick, Jr. IN CONCERT ON BROADWAY is presented by James L. Nederlander and Broadway Across America.

Bebe Neuwrith hosted the launch party for 'MORTICIA'S NAILS,' a brand-new limited edition set of three Morticia Addams-inspired nail polishes, created by Ms. Neuwirth and Essie Cosmetics yesterday, July 15. 100% of the profits from the sale of 'MORTICIA'S NAILS' will directly benefit The Actors Fund, the national nonprofit human services organization dedicated to helping all professionals in film, theater, television, music, opera and dance through programs that address their unique and essential needs. The event took place at the all-new Eventi Hotel. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the product launch.

The best of Broadway is being presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Bank of America, and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and hosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities, the tenth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances runs through August 12th.

Jay-Z and Sade will perform at this year's Black Ball concert on September 30, billboard.com reports. The concert, which will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, will benefit Alicia Keys' Keep a Child Alive Foundation, which aids children and families with HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.

Cause Celebre and Tina's Wish will present RECIPE FOR LIFE/PART TWO at New York's Acorn Theatre from July 12 to 18, Ticket Central announces. The series, which will benefit Tina's Wish, an ovarian cancer research organization, will consist of three separate productions.

Jane Krakowski, the Tony Award winning Broadway star of Nine and Damn Yankees and the Emmy Award nominated star of '30 Rock' and 'Ally McBeal,' celebrated the release of her delightfully sexy debut album, The Laziest Gal In Town with an in-store CD signing and performance at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Center (1972 Broadway at 66th Street) yesterday July 13, 2010. The album, available through DRG Records, was captured last fall during her nightclub debut at the Park Avenue hotspot Feinstein's at Loews Regency. Last week, Jane was nominated for her second Emmy Award for her performance on '30 Rock.'