Raúl Esparza News

The 2009 Tony Awards Meet the Nominees Press Reception took place yesterday Wednesday May 6th and BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there. Here we present the very talented gentlemen who were nominated this year. Stay tuned for more exciting pictures and video right here on BWW!

Raul Esparza, Terrence McNally, Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Tom Wopat, Karen Ziemba, among other Kander and Ebb alums, headlined Come to the Cabaret: A Celebration of Kander and Ebb. Directed by John Doyle with Mary-Mitchell Campbell lending her talents as music director, the May 4th star-studded evening was a benefit for The Acting Company and was held and The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45thSt.)

Drama Desk nominees received their official nomination certificates at a cocktail reception on May 1st at IL Bastardo Restaurant and BroadwayWorld.com was there! The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held Sunday, May 17, 2009 in the LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center.

As an annual gift to the city, Symphony Space has been presenting its signature music marathons since it opened in 1978. This year Symphony Space samples some of the greatest music from the Great White Way for Wall to Wall Broadway: A Century of Musicals, a twelve-hour celebration of the music of Broadway on May 16 from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., FREE.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) held its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

On May 7th and 8th 2009, 8:00pm at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, members of PACE University's Musical Theatre program will host an evening of song entitled 'Our Urban Jungle' featuring contemporary musical theatre works by composers Ryan Scot Oliver (2009 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient), Kerrigan & Lowdermilk (2006 Jonathan Larson Grant recipients), Pasek & Paul (2007 Jonathan Larson Award), David Dabbon & Tom Bruett, Drew Fornarola & Scott Elmegreen, Danny Larsen & Michele Elliott, Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham, Jonathan Reid Gealt, Tony Asaro & Vadim Feichner, Gordon Leary & Karlan Judd in benefit to Artists Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP).

Elton John (Billy Elliot: The Musical) will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award, Arthur Laurents (West Side Story) will be honored with the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing, and Angela Lansbury (Blithe Spirit) will receive the Unique Contribution to the Theatre Award. In addition, Broadway producer Herb Blodgett will receive The 75th Anniversary Leadership Award.

Seth Rudetsky-multi-talented actor, comedian, musician, radio host and published author has embarked on a breathless musical mission, his inspired new YouTube project: 30 Deconstructions in 30 Days!

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director; Mary McCann, Atlantic School Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2009 Annual Spring Gala, AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED MUSICAL ADAPTATIONS, written and directed by Atlantic Ensemble member and two-time Tony Award nominee David Pittu on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway @ 36th Street).

The Directors Company production of Irena's Vow, the new play by Dan Gordon, starring four-time Tony nominee, and three-time Drama Desk Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh, and directed by Michael Parva, opened on Broadway last night, Sunday, March 29th. BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the opening night action!

The annual event will begin at noon on Friday, May 15, 2009 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th St.). Tickets are on sale now (see below for details).

Fidelity FutureStage®, the producers of Billy Elliot the Musical and Elton John today announced the first ever Fidelity FutureStage® Playwriting Contest ? a unique opportunity for area high school students to become Broadway?s youngest playwrights.

Fidelity FutureStage®, the producers of Billy Elliot the Musical and Elton John today announced the first ever Fidelity FutureStage® Playwriting Contest - a unique opportunity for area high school students to become Broadway's youngest playwrights.

West Side Story returned to Broadway in a new production directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents. West Side Story opened at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) last night, Thursday, March 19, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to cover every exciting moment of Opening Night! Get set to party down with the cast at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City!

Van Hill Entertainment and Red Griffin Media present the Off-Broadway premiere of ROOMS a rock romance, starring Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger. Performances began Friday, February 27th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night was Monday March 16th and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there!

Van Hill Entertainment and Red Griffin Media present the Off-Broadway premiere of ROOMS a rock romance, starring Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger. Performances began Friday, February 27th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night was Monday March 16th and BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to celebrate at the after party at Calle Ocho Restaurant in New York City!

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). We were there to capture all the starry arrivals at opening night!