Richard Ridge News

Broadway Star, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Broadway show, Rebecca), brings her talents to the intimate stage (78 seats) at CAP21 where she is performing in their benefit series, Concerts for CAP21. As CAP21 approaches their 20th Anniversary, the concert series celebrates all of the accomplishments the organization has had and its goals of the future. Karen Mason: Unfinished Business will be performed through July 19 and certain performances include a reception that is available for ticket buyers. Ticket Prices range from $25-$100. CAP21 is located at 18 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011. Tickets and additional information are available at www.cap21.org or by calling 646.213.5488. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the first concert, and we bring you highlights from the event and interviews with the star of the evening below!

Second Stage Theatre presents the world premiere musical, DOGFIGHT. The cast features Nick Blaemire (Godspell), Annaleigh Ashford (Rent, Wicked, Legally Blonde), Becca Ayers (The Addams Family, Avenue Q), Steven Booth (Glory Days), Dierdre Friel (Leap of Faith), Adam Halpin (Glory Days), F. Michael Haynie (Carrie), Derek Klena (Carrie), Lindsay Mendez (Godspell, Second Stage's Everyday Rapture), James Moye (Million Dollar Quartet), and Josh Segarra (Lysistrata Jones). The show just opened last night, July 16, and BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was there to speak with the cast and creative team. Check out what they had to say on the big opening night below!

On July 9, friends and family of Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video), gathered at the New Signature Theatre space to honor the former cabaret star and beloved videographer at an intimate memorial celebration.

On July 3, the Broadway company of JERSEY BOYS welcomed back John Lloyd Young, who created the role of Frankie Valli in the original Broadway company and on the Grammy-winning, platinum cast album. for his performance, Mr. Young won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for Leading Actor in a Musical and a Theatre World Award. BroadwayWorld was there on Tuesday night, July 10th to bring you video coverage of Young and the rest of the cast celebrating at the show's curtain call! Don't forget to check back later this month for a special Backstage with Richard Ridge, as he chats with Young about his return to the show!

For over twenty-five years, the late Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video) was the theater world's preeminent videographer, capturing over 1,000 performances on Broadway, off-Broadway, in cabaret halls and beyond that now, because of him, live on today. Bradshaw Smith died on January 16, 2012, at age 57, following a sudden and severe stroke. To conclude the intimate memorial, Bradshaw's longtime friend and editor, Jonathan Frank, compiled the best of Bradshaw's work as a video artist. For a look back at your favorite performances nearly three decades long, all captured through Bradshaw's lens, click below!

Yesterday, July 9, friends and family of Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video), gathered at the New Signature Theatre space to honor the former cabaret star and beloved videographer at an intimate memorial celebration. Performers and speakers who came out to show their respects included Jared Bortz, Mario Cantone, Dan Daly, Jamie deRoy, Julie Halston, Jeff Harnar, Linda Harris, Karen Mason, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Lee Roy Reams, Richard Ridge, Steven Skeels and Todd Stockman. As part of the celebration, Bradshaw's longtime friend and editor, Jonathan Frank, compiled the best of Bradshaw's cabaret past, and below, BroadwayWorld is thrilled to bring you the highlights from Bradshaw's career as a perfomer and cabaret fixture.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony Award-winning production of Anything Goes plays its final show on Broadway today, July 8, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Directed and choreographed by 2011 Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall, the original limited engagement subscription run opened on April 7, 2011 and was scheduled to run for 19 weeks. It went on to be extended three times through July 8, 2012 and Anything Goes recently celebrated its 500th performance on Broadway. This acclaimed production marks the second longest Broadway run in Roundabout's history, following its beloved revival of Cabaret.

Check out Richard Ridge chatting with the cast of Roundabout Theatre Company's The Common Pursuit, by Simon Gray, directed by Moises Kaufman- playing at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre / Laura Pels Theatre (111 West 46th Street) through July 29, 2012. The cast features Kristen Bush as 'Marigold,' Kieran Campion as 'Peter,' Josh Cooke as 'Stuart,' Jacob Fishel as 'Martin,' Tim McGeever as 'Humphry,' Lucas Near-Verbrugghe as 'Nick.'

A memorial celebration to honor the life and career of Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video) has been scheduled for Monday, July 9 at 4PM. Some of the performers and speakers taking part will include: Jared Bortz, Mario Cantone, Dan Daly, Jamie deRoy, Julie Halston, Jeff Harnar, Linda Harris, Karen Mason, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Lee Roy Reams, Richard Ridge, Steven Skeels and Todd Stockman. The memorial will take place at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). A reception will follow in the Signature Theatre's Cafe and Bar.

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Following celebrated runs at the Toronto Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, and on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR takes its final Broadway bow tonight, July 1. Upon closing, the show will have played 116 regular performances and 24 preview performances. One of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most famous shows, the Stratford production undeniably had a great run and introduced some exciting new stars to the Great White Way, including Tony nominee Josh Young, Jesus himself Paul Nolan, and Chilina Kennedy. Below, BroadwayWorld revisits the journey of SUPERSTAR!

The Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) in New Hope, Pennsylvania, will celebrate its return with Rodgers & Hammerstein's A Grand Night for Singing, playing Monday, July 2 through Sunday, July 29. The cast and creative team met the press this morning, and BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was there to chat about the upcoming show. Check out what they had to say below!

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. This week, Richard's special guest hails all the way from the West End. In this in-depth talk, Ridge unmasks Ramin Karimloo, and gets the scoop on the genisis of his new album, Human Heart, his humble beginnings and unlikely path to London's most famous theater district, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, and why he's finished with 'Til I hear You Sing Once More.'

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, June 24, 2012 - Sunday, June 24, 2012.

Godspell will play its final performance on Broadway today, June 24th, 2012, at Circle in the Square Theatre. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a multimedia flashback chronicling Godspell's beginning and journey to its final show on the Great White Way.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert plays its final performance on Broadway today, June 24, 2012, after 23 previews and 526 performances. After a pre-Broadway try-out in Toronto, the show opened on March 20, 2011, at The Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway), starring Tony Award nominee Will Swenson, Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams as a trio of friends on a road trip, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback, and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, June 17, 2012 - Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Harvey officially opened last night, June 14, 2012 for a limited engagement through August 5th, 2012, and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to celebrate with the cast. He spoke with Jim Parsons, who said opening night ws fun but he's glad the pressure is over, as well as Jessica Hecht, Charles Kimbrough, Morgan Spector, Holly Fain, Larry Bryggman, Peter Benson, Angela Paton, Tracee Chimo, Rich Sommer and Carol Kane. Watch the video below, which includes highlights from the production along with the interviews!

The production officially opened last night, June 14, 2012 for a limited engagement through August 5th, 2012 and BroadwayWorld.com was there to celeberate with the cast at the opening night party!

Enda Walsh is this year's recipient of the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for ONCE. BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was there to chat with the Tony winner after the big announcement, and you can check out what he had to say below!