Raúl Esparza News

Barbara Ligeti and Wishing Well Productions by special arrangement with The Cherry Lane Theatre will present the world premiere production of Frank Strausser's PSYCHO THERAPY - a new play about couples therapy…for three.

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that both LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and LEAP OF FAITH are considering making Spring bows on Broadway as they evaluate both potential available theatres and 'Best New Musical' competitors. Talking to producers for LEAP OF FAITH, Riedel reports 'When I asked about their plans, they said: " 'Leap of Faith' is planning to open [in] fall 2012. If we were presented with the possibility of a spring opening, we would strongly consider it, but many pieces would have to fall into place to make that happen." But I can tell you from sources inside the "Leap of Faith" revival tent, we're comin', praise Jesus, we're comin'

Barbara Ligeti and Wishing Well Productions by special arrangement with The Cherry Lane Theatre will present the world premiere production of Frank Strausser's PSYCHO THERAPY - a new play about couples therapy…for three.

Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the men of Broadway can boast a banner year. Norbert Leo Butz won a second Tony for Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter mega-star Daniel Radcliffe made his debut in a Broadway musical to tremendous acclaim, Matt Stone, Trey Parker and Robert Lopez rocked Broadway to its core with the Rialto's latest certified Blockbuster, The Book of Mormon, and Pee-Wee Herman came to the stage at last.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, December 25, 2011 - Sunday, December 25, 2011.

Today, as a well-earned holiday surprise for all of the millions of Broadway babies who read Broadway World all year long, we have a sneak preview of next year's upcoming InDepth InterView with leading lady stage superstar Sierra Boggess, best known to Broadway and West End audiences for her creation of the title role in THE LITTLE MERMAID, as well as originating the role of Christine in both PHANTOM VEGAS - the Las Vegas iteration of the international sensation THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by original helmer Hal Prince - and LOVE NEVER DIES, the recent Andrew Lloyd Webber-penned musical sequel to the original thriller/romance tuner, as well as her most recent essaying of the role in the absolutely phantastic 25th anniversary production THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, which will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the US in 2012. Before we get to all about PHANTOM 25 - lest we forget, Ms. Boggess was also generous enough to tell us all about the show when it was still in rehearsals (you can read that chat here) - Boggess shares her affection for another recent InDepth InterView participant who shared the stage with her at the thrilling encore for PHANTOM 25 - the one and only Phantom of legend himself, Michael Crawford, as well as all about her participation in the yearly ASTEP charity concert CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY and the cast recording of it featuring herself along with Raul Esparza, Andy Karl, Orfeh, Constantine Maroulis and many more! Plus, insight into her preparations for her next Broadway role, that of Rebecca in the lavish stage spectacular REBECCA and much, much more!

For all those silver and golden Broadway babies, young and green gleeks and plain old all-around entertainment enthusiasts of any age on your holiday shopping lists this year, today we have a SOUND OFF Special Edition 2011 Giving Gifts Guide sure to fulfill the wants, wishes, dreams and desires of your nearest and dearest theatre-loving family and friends with a white and red spotlight on the absolute essential must-haves for this holiday season! Among the festivities: we have GLEE taking on Joni Mitchell and Elvis; two charity albums benefiting arts-related causes and featuring Broadway's best; the most spectacular production of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA you are ever likely to see; candles coming in the six scents from THE SOUND OF MUSIC's beloved "My Favorite Things"; and, of course, Sondheim's massive new tome of the lyrics from the second act of his career - "with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany," no less - topping the list at #1! Plus, the most important gift of all!

Internationally renowned actor, Golden Globe Winner, and multiple Emmy Nominee Matthew Modine and TONY-Award Nominee and Broadway Star Melissa Errico star in a unique dramatic presentation drawn from the passionate letters of Thomas Jefferson and painter/composer/musician Maria Cosway, intertwined with the performance of music mentioned in their correspondance, including works by Sacchini, Hewitt, and rarely performed compositions by Cosway herself.

Hosted by ASTEP and SH-K-BOOM/Ghostlight Records and conceived, produced and music directed by Drama Desk-nominated orchestrator Lynne Shankel (Cry-Baby, Altar Boyz,), ASTEP's New York City Christmas again boasted an incredible line-up of artists including Tony nominees Raul Esparza (Company, Arcadia) Sherie Rene Scott (Everyday Rapture, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Orfeh (Legally Blonde, Saturday Night Fever), as well as Sierra Boggess (Master Class, The Little Mermaid), Chester Gregory (Sister Act, Dreamgirls), Lindsay Mendez (Godspell, Everyday Rapture), Betsy Wolfe (Tales Of The City, Everyday Rapture), Andy Karl (Wicked, 9 to 5), Sally Wilfert (Make Me A Song, Assassins), recording artist Anya Singleton, David Josefsberg (The Wedding Singer, Altar Boyz) and Michael Buchanan (Addams Family, Cry-Baby). All proceeds go to benefit ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty). Clcik below to check out some highlights from the concert!

JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater, reopened October 4th, 2011 from a top to bottom renovation, debuted in October 1998 and quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.

TONY Award-Nominee Kathleen Chalfant has been announced to join Matthew Modine and Melissa Errico in the cast of MORE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.

December means the holidays, and the holidays mean lots of special events in the world of Broadway! For an extensive list, BroadwayWorld's calendar has all multiple options for every day of December and beyond. Since no one can be everywhere at once, here are this holiday season's official BroadwayGirlNYC picks for the best of NYC theatre events! (On December 12, you'll have to flip a coin.)

Internationally renowned actor, Golden Globe Winner, and multiple Emmy Nominee Matthew Modine and TONY-Award Nominee and Broadway Star Melissa Errico star in a unique dramatic presentation drawn from the passionate letters of Thomas Jefferson and painter/composer/musician Maria Cosway, intertwined with the performance of music mentioned in their correspondance, including works by Sacchini, Hewitt, and rarely performed compositions by Cosway herself.

Today, BroadwayWorld is extremely proud to present an extensive conversation with the modern master of the musical theatre himself, Stephen Sondheim, all about the incredibly revealing and thoroughly riveting second volume of his complete collected (and annotated) lyrics (covering 1981-2011) - following last year's superlative FINISHING THE HAT - titled LOOK, I MADE A HAT. With ample insights pertaining to the Pulitzer Prize-winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, ROAD SHOW, THE FROGS and many more, Sondheim and I also discuss some of his Hollywood endeavors - the proposed film adaptation of INTO THE WOODS, as well as the never-produced SINGING OUT LOUD and his Oscar-winning work for Warren Beatty's DICK TRACY - and his affection for - and process of adapting (in the case of WEST SIDE STORY, the CYMBELINE setting in THE FROGS and his recent scoring of the Public Theatre's production of KING LEAR starring Kevin Kline) - the works of William Shakespeare. Additionally, we discuss the upcoming Encores! revival of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, the currently-running revival of FOLLIES starring Bernadette Peters (as well as its brand new cast album), the West End transfer of the Michael Ball/Imelda Staunton-led SWEENEY TODD in the UK and much, much more!

Modern-day master of musical theatre Stephen Sondheim is about to release the second book of his complete collected lyrics - covering mostly everything written in the last three decades and in this one so far - titled after a line from what may very well be his ultimate masterpiece, the Pulitzer Prize-winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - LOOK, I MADE A HAT; Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. So, today, we are going to be taking a look at a litany of the finest moments from Sondheim's post-SWEENEY TODD musicals that are highlighted in LOOK, I MADE A HAT and perhaps discover a few of the many reasons why Sondheim's musicals - whether late-period or early on- are the best of the best Broadway has to offer - now or ever. And, what an absolutely mind-blowing list it is - and what a masterpiece of a book!

Bloomingdale's 59th Street unveils its 2011 holiday windows with entertainment that includes the powerful voice of Martha Wash and cast members from Broadway's Tony Award winning hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical performing the song they recorded for the 2011 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Vol. 13.

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2010-2011 season, were presented on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Click here for a full list of winners.

Now, the New York Times reports that according to producer Thomas Viertel, the show is indeed now headed to Broadway in the Fall of 2012. No official announcement has yet been made, but Viertel told the paper that 'closed-door developmental readings drew strong feedback' and that 'our creative team has done great work in clarifying the story.'

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2010-2011 season, were presented on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Click here for a full list of winners. Check out photos from he event below!

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, a newly revamped version of Leap of Faith received a table reading last Friday, September 9. The show's composer, Alan Menken, has taken to his Twitter this morning to announce that the show will next have a 29 hour reading prior to a New York production. He tweets: 'LEAP OF FAITH table reading last Friday. Next is a 29 hour reading before New York production. It's SUCH a changed show!' The musical reportedly has Broadway aspirations, possibly for later this season.