Norbert Leo Butz News

Tony Award Winner and Webster University alumnus Norbert Leo Butz will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Webster University's 2013 commencement ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 at The Muny in Forest Park.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, opened in Chicago on April 19 for its pre-Broadway world premiere in a limited 5-week engagement through May 5, 2013.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: MOTOWN opens on Broadwy, the Gyspy Robe gets passed on, BIG FISH is introduced to Chicago, and so much more!

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement opening tonight, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013.

BIG FISH has its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement opening Friday, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!

Aaron Tveit's sold out concerts in May at New York's 54 BELOW will be recorded and released by Broadway Records. 'The Radio In My Head: Live At 54 BELOW' will be released digitally on September 6th and on CD on September 10, 2013. The CD is now available for pre-order at http://amzn.com/B00CDB2T1C.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Jungle Book' heats up, 'Oklahoma!' and 'South Pacific,' 'Oliver!' and 'Barnum,' plus 'Stomp,' some interesting student productions and more!

Tonight, April 8, television personality Carson Kressley will host 'Karaoke Nights,' an evening of Karaoke madness and fun at the Ryan Center.

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Broadway headliner and SMASH Season Two Breakout star Jeremy Jordan about a wide range of topics, covering the vast majority of his career thus far in anticipation of the upcoming New York Pops Stephen Schwartz concert event, THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, on April 12 at Carnegie Hall. So, today, in this all-encompassing conversation, Jordan and I discuss his preparation for the sure-to-be sensational Schwartz event and provides analysis and ideas on the songs he will be performing as well as Schwartz's oeuvre in general. Also, Schwartz reveals a plethora of information about Season Two of NBC's musical drama series SMASH and what we can expect from the series over the next several weeks as the drama heats up and HIT LIST hits the stage. Also, Jordan reveals preliminary information about the forthcoming feature film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's celebrated Off Broadway musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS, co-starring fellow Broadway/Hollywood crossover Anna Kendrick, and he shares some initial impressions of the project, as well as new details about what we can expect from the highly anticipated Richard LaGravenese-directed movie musical that is set to start shooting in June. Additionally, Jordan reflects upon his time playing Tony in WEST SIDE STORY under the direction of Arthur Laurents, in addition to remarking upon roles he would enjoy pursuing in the future, near and far, as well as much, much more!

Big Noise Theatre Company closes their 2012-13 season with DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, directed and choreographed by Zachary L. Gray, with musical direction by Robert Deason. Performances will be held at the Prairie Lakes Theatre from April 26-May 12, 2013. Marsha Rutenberg and Daiva Paulis co-produce, and Alex McCrary is the associate director.

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

BIG FISH has its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances today, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Friday, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets for the Chicago engagement on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Picturesfilm written by John August, will have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances today, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, opening Friday, April 19, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. Tickets for the Chicago engagement on sale Monday, February 4, 2013.

Midtown Direct Rep will present a reading of the play The Cottage by Sandy Rustin as part of Midtown Direct Rep's recently launched play development series focused on new and innovative American theatre.

In an interview with The New York Times, stage and screen star Jeremy Piven talks about his early exit, due to mercury poisoning, from 2009's Speed-the-Plow on Broadway and the subsequent breach-of-contract dispute.

Earlier today I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Broadway headliner and SMASH Season Two breakout star Jeremy Jordan. In discussing a wide range of topics and covering the vast majority of his career thus far in anticipation of the NY Pops Stephen Schwartz concert event, THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, on April 12 at Carnegie Hall, Jordan revealed preliminary information about the forthcoming feature film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's celebrated THE LAST FIVE YEARS, co-starring Anna Kendrick, and what follows are some of his initial impressions of the project, as well as new details about what we can expect from the highly anticipated Richard LaGravenese-directed movie musical that begins rehearsals this weekend and set to start shooting in June.

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 25

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Catch Me' a 'Big Fish' in the Loop, 'Barnum' and 'Sweet Charity' keep Coleman in the spotlight, 'The Pajama Game' up north, 'Oliver! out west, two from Theo Ubique and more!

Stars of Second Stage Theatre's The Last Five Years, Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor, recently recorded the cast album for their production and then sat down to talk about it. Watch Kantor perform 'Shiksa Goddess,' then Wolfe joins him in a portion of 'Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You.'

On Monday, April 8, television personality CARSON KRESSLEY will host "Karaoke Nights," an evening of Karaoke madness and fun at the Ryan Center.