Paul Tazewell News

Directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, GUYS AND DOLLS began previews on February 5, 2009 and opened on March 1, 2009 at Broadway's newly refurbished Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). GUYS AND DOLLS singer, actor and dancer Nick Adams, who plays 'Liver Lips Louis' spoke with the dynamic Trujillo about the journey of bringing the musical's color cast of characters to glorious life on the Broadway stage.

The producers of IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony© Awards and the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, announced it's national tour will begin this fall in Tampa, FL at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The tour is scheduled to begin performances on October 27, 2009. Other cities in which the show is scheduled to appear include Atlanta, Minneapolis, Hartford, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston, Austin, Tempe, San Diego and Costa Mesa. For additional tour dates and information visit: www.intheheightsthemusical.com/tour.html

Back by popular demand, the Broadway smash hit, Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, is returning to the Motor City! Don't miss out as this limited engagement arrives in Detroit for only eight performances, from Tuesday, April 14 through Sunday, April 19.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that the North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE will return by popular demand to the Fox Theatre for eight performances, April 14 through 19. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23! Nominated for eleven Tony Awards?, including Best Musical, THE COLOR PURPLE opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre where it ran for over two record-breaking years. It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous GRAMMY?-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope and the healing power of love. Michael Kuchwara, the Associated Press described THE COLOR PURPLE as 'a Roof-Raising story of triumph.' And Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, '[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.' Elysa Gardner from USA Today raved, 'Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!'

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that the critically acclaimed production of RUINED by playwright Lynn Nottage and director Kate Whoriskey has been extended by popular demand through Sunday, May 10.

The Iowa debut of OPRAH WINFREY'S THE COLOR PURPLE is coming to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines April 7 to 12, 2009 as part of the Willis Broadway Series. The Civic Center's Education Department has organized a variety of community programs to complement the theater-goers' experience.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Dayton will host the North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, April 21 - 26 at the Schuster Center, as part of Victoria Theatre Association's Chase Broadway Series.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Memphis will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances from March 31- April 5, 2009. Tickets are $25-$85. Tickets are on-sale, but there is a very limited number left. They may be purchased at the Orpheum Box Office from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, David-Kidd Booksellers, and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone (901) 525-3000 or go online at www.orpheum-memphis.com.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, are proud to announce that the Providence Performing Arts Center will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical About Love, for eight performances from May 26 - 31.

On Wednesday, April 1st, Lauren Graham, star of GUYS AND DOLLS on Broadway, will be featured on The View. Then, on Friday, April 3rd, Graham will be featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The View airs on ABC, channel 7 in the tri-state area and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airs on NBC, channel 4 in the tri-state area.

Legendary designers WILLIAM IVEY LONG and BOB CROWLEY are among the four recipients of 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards to be presented at a ceremony this Friday, March 27 at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Five-time Tony Award winning costume designer William Ivey Long will receive the 2009 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for theatrical costume design, and, for his achievements as both a costume and scenic designer, Bob Crowley (also a five-time Tony Award winner) will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards' special Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatrical Design.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Des Moines will host the North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances, April 7 to 12, 2009.

Back by popular demand, the Broadway smash hit, Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, is returning to the Motor City! Don't miss out as this limited engagement arrives in Detroit for only eight performances, from Tuesday, April 14 through Sunday, April 19.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit 'The Color Purple' are proud to announce that Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will host the first North American touring production of 'The Color Purple' from March 17 - 29, 2009. Tickets are on sale at ordway.org.

The opposites attracting plot is probably as old as romantic comedy itself, but even if Rooms: a rock romance follows familiar paths, the Paul Scott Goodman (book/music/lyrics) and Miriam Gordon (book) two-person musical is such a buoyant, funny and upbeat affair that the clichés of the story are conquered by the cleverness and exuberance with which the story is told. Under Scott Schwartz's swift and breezy direction, the 90-minute one-act scoots the audience along on an immensely enjoyable ride.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

IN THE HEIGHTS star Mandy Gonzalez is set to play Lauren Hoffman, a representative from a drug treatment center on the ABC soap opera 'One Live To Live' beginning March 26th. The actress is currently set for four episodes as drug counselor Hoffman on the fabled daytime drama.

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that the critically acclaimed production of RUINED by playwright Lynn Nottage and director Kate Whoriskey has been extended by popular demand through Sunday, April 19.

Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders and the producing team of the Broadway smash hit THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, are proud to announce that Memphis will host the first North American Touring production of THE COLOR PURPLE for 8 performances from March 31- April 5, 2009. Tickets are $25-$85. Tickets are on-sale, but there is a very limited number left. They may be purchased at the Orpheum Box Office from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, David-Kidd Booksellers, and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge by phone (901) 525-3000 or go online at www.orpheum-memphis.com.