Richard Ridge News

The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS, part of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte opened last night, August 9th. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there on opening night to interview the cast! Check out what they had to say below!

Check out photos of the show's opening night guests on the red carpet!

CHAPLIN's cast and creative team met the press just yesterday, and BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was there to chat about the new show. Hear what they had to say and check out a performance preview below!

The 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS will play its final performance on Broadway today, August 5, 2012, after 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances. MEMPHIS opened on October 19, 2009 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street), having begun previews on September 23rd. BroadwayWorld takes you on a journey through the birth of rock 'n roll on Broadway with highlights from MEMPHIS' incredible run!

Broadway star Robert Cuccioli took a few moments during a rehearsal for The Actor's Fund benefit concert of CHESS to talk with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge about prepping to play the 'Green Goblin' in SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. Watch the video below to see Cuccioli's thoughts on getting into character and donning the green suit!

Direct from a 13-city National Tour, Bring It On: The Musical, which began previews on Broadway on July 12, opened last night, August 1, 2012 at The St. James Theatre for a 12-week limited engagement through Sunday, October 7, 2012. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the cast and creative team after their big opening. Click below to hear what they had to say!

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. In this edition, Richard chats with the star about his return to the show and so much more!

ony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was at one of CHESS' rehearsals and brings you exclusive footage and interviews with the cast and creative team in the video below!

Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables), Helen Hayes Award-winner Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha, Seussical, The Capeman, Carnival) and Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat, starring in the upcoming Broadway-bound production of Rocky the Musical in Europe) will star in the July 30th 7:30pm benefit concert of the Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus musical CHESS for The Actor's Fund. This special CHESS "In Concept" Concert will take place at LaGuardia Arts at Lincoln Center, and the stripped down all through-sung concert-version will focus on the music, lyrics and characters, emulating the original 1984 concept album and incorporating virtually all of the original London score. Check out photos of the cast and creative team in rehearsal below!

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!