Rob McClure News

BroadwayWorld has learned that theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) has secured worldwide licensing rights to Broadway's HONEYMOON IN VEGAS.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: James Lecesne brings 'ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS' off-Broadway and more!

Got caught up watching Lin-Manuel singing NEWSIES at the 'Ham4Ham' Lottery? Celebrated National Vanilla Ice Cream Day with too many Schmakary's ice cream sandwiches? Didn't have time check in on all of the latest Broadway news? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

We are thrilled to announce the complete cast for Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off. Joining the previously announced Andrea Martin as 'Dotty Otley' are Campbell Scott as 'Lloyd Dallas,'Tracee Chimo as 'Poppy Norton?Taylor,' Daniel Davis as 'Selsdon Mowbray,' David Furr as 'Garry Lejeune,' Kate Jennings Grant as 'Belinda Blair,' Megan Hilty as 'Brooke Ashton,' Rob McClure as 'Tim Allgood' and Jeremy Shamos as 'Frederick Fellowes.' Tony nomineeJeremy Herrin will direct the new Broadway production as part of our 50th anniversary season.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) just announced the complete cast for Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off. Joining the previously announced Andrea Martin as 'Dotty Otley' are Campbell Scott as 'Lloyd Dallas,' Tracee Chimo as 'Poppy Norton-Taylor,' Daniel Davis as 'Selsdon Mowbray,' David Furr as 'Garry Lejeune,' Kate Jennings Grant as 'Belinda Blair,' Megan Hilty as 'Brooke Ashton,' Rob McClure as 'Tim Allgood' and Jeremy Shamos as 'Frederick Fellowes.' Tony nominee Jeremy Herrin will direct the new Broadway production as part of Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th anniversary season.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include an 'awesome' INTO THE WOODS at The Muny, PETER PAN at Music Circus, and BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY in Raleigh, just to name a few.

I purposely avoided the recent film version of INTO THE WOODS because I really didn't find the previews or the stunt casting appropriate. For me, it's a work that requires an audience to use their imagination to a great extent, and movies tend to give form to those things that are much better left conjured up in your own mind. That's why my son and I absolutely loved The MUNY's current presentation of the show. Let's face it, a woodland setting created utilizing green screen technology and a few key set pieces is nowhere near as effective at conveying the atmosphere desired, especially when you already have those actual elements growing freely at the back of this marvelous outdoor stage. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) crafted a brilliant mash-up of several fairy tales and fables that is smart, funny, and, ultimately, touching. When I asked my boy what he thought of the show at the end of the night he neatly summed it up: 'I thought it was awesome!' I agree wholeheartedly. Superbly cast and conceived, this is a production that's simply tailor made for The MUNY. Go see it, and take your kids with you! It may have a few moments that are a bit gruesome or adult in content, but they'll have a wonderful time, and so will you!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below! The cast includes Heather Headley (Witch), Erin Dilly (Baker's Wife), Rob McClure (Baker), Ken Page (Narrator), Andrew Samonsky (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Elena Shaddow (Cinderella) and Ryan Silverman (Rapunzel's Prince), will be Jason Gotay (Jack), Ellen Harvey (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sara Kapner (Little Red Ridinghood), Samantha Massell (Rapunzel), Michael McCormick (Mysterious Man/Cinderella's Father) and Zoe Vonder Haar (Jack's Mother). Rounding out this incredible cast are Anna Blair (Granny/Cinderella's Stepmother), Jennifer Diamond (Florinda), Gary Glasgow (Steward), Maggie Lakis (Milky White) and April Strelinger (Lucinda).

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Colin Quinn tells his story off-Broadway and more!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.  Check out an exclusive look at some backstage shots below!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.

Paper Mill Playhouse will welcome 122 of the of the region's most talented young performing artists from Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory in a fully produced, original concert on the Paper Mill mainstage titled New Voices of 2015: Hooray for Hollywood!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our annual Regional Summer Musical Theater Guide! All you need to know about musicals on the boards this summer at 17 theaters within a one-day drive.

BroadwayWorld has just confirmed that Elena Shaddow will star as 'Cinderella' in Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) Into The Woods the Muny, playing July 21-27. The production will be directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director,Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way.

For the first time since 1983 with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, an Off-Broadway musical, HAMILTON, has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical! The 60th Annual Drama Desk awards took place Sunday night, Sunday, May 31st at 8pm at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on hand to chat with all of the evenng's winners and you can check out interviews with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert Fairchild, Alex Sharp, Annaleigh Ashford and more below!

(Millburn, NJ) June 2, 2015 - As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way.  Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.  Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), and UK Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon - West End)  The 2015 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards ceremony took place at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 2, at 7:30pm, featuring presenters from Broadway and beyond. Union High School won the coveted title of Outstanding Overall Production and left Paper Mill Playhouse with a total of nine Rising Star Awards.  

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (July 29 - August 7). With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved family classic is directed by Matt Lenz, choreographed by Vince Pesce and music directed by Ben Whiteley.