Sam Lips News

Musicals Tonight! continues its ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with its next edition of At This Performance... to be held on Sunday, March 23rd at The Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street at 7 PM.

The two newest stars of the Tony Award-winning musical CINDERELLA on Broadway - Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen and the Emmy-nominated Fran Drescher - will extend their engagements in the hit musical several more weeks through June 8, it has been announced by producers Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman and Stephen Kocis. The two stars - both of whom have made their Broadway debuts as Cinderella and her wicked stepmother, respectively - were originally scheduled to conclude their runs in CINDERELLA next month.

Mulit-platinum recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen and beloved film and television star Fran Drescher will make their Broadway debuts in Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA on February 4. Jepsen will play the title character and Drescher will play her wicked stepmother, Madame. Beginning its second year on Broadway, CINDERELLA plays the Broadway Theater (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the duo below!

Producers have tapped 'Call Me Maybe' singer Carly Rae Jepsen to replace Tony nominee Laura Osnes in Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, currently playing on Broadway. Jepsen will step into the role on Feb. 4 for a limited 12-week run.

The producers of Cinderella announced today that television and film star Fran Drescher will make her Broadway debut as Cinderella's stepmother Madame, beginning performances on February 4th for a 10-week run through April 13 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). Ms. Drescher takes over the role created by Harriet Harris, who concludes her acclaimed year-long run in the musical to return to her home in California.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED is thrilled to welcome John Hillner as Dr. Dillamond and Jenny Fellner as Nessarose on Monday, July 1 in Milwaukee, WI and Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible on Wednesday, July 10 in Houston, TX.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba, Hayley Podschun as Glinda and David Nathan Perlow as Fiyero tonight, April 3 in Rochester, NY.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba, Hayley Podschun as Glinda and David Nathan Perlow as Fiyero on Wednesday, April 3 in Rochester, NY.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba, Hayley Podschun as Glinda and David Nathan Perlow as Fiyero on Wednesday, April 3 in Rochester, NY.

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED will welcome Walker Jones as the Wizard on Wednesday, March 13 in Charlotte, NC.

After breaking box office records in the three previous engagements, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, has once again set records at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. WICKED grossed $2,755,070 for the week ending December 30. The total was not only a new house record at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, but also the highest gross for a week of performances in North American touring history.

On Monday, December 17, 2012, the National Touring Company of Wicked hosted A Wicked WONDERLAND at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, MO. The event featured the company of Wicked, and net proceeds benefited Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and STAGES ST. LOUIS. Tickets ranged from $25 for students/actors to $100 for VIPs which included a post-show meet-and-greet reception with the cast. In addition to the performance, the event featured live and silent auctions including several opportunities to join the company backstage at The Fabulous Fox Theatre.

The second North American tour of WICKED is currently running. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the new cast members below, including Christine Dwyer as Elphaba, Jeanna de Waal as Glinda, Gina Ferrall as Madame Morrible and Paul Kreppel as The Wizard.

When the 1954 musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was initially adapted for the stage it didn't meet with much success on Broadway back in the early 1980's (film director Joshua Logan had actually optioned the story for a stage musical). Yes, it's yet another adaptation culled from the big screen, which has been par for the course at The Muny this season, although to be fair, most of them have fared quite well, and actually, with its old fashioned themes, original CinemaScope filming, and rustic backdrops, this one fits the huge Muny boards like a glove, allowing the natural beauty of the trees that grace the back area of the stage to fill in for the frontier setting as realized by Steve Gilliams' scenic design. It's also an energetic, dance driven show that's both entertaining and engaging.

The MUNY's production of Legally Blonde The Musical opened June 20 and runs through June 26. Marc Bruni and Rusty Mowery are recreating the original Broadway direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Lauren Ashley Zakrin stars as Elle Woods, with Matthew Hydzik starring as as Warner Huntington III, Sara Sheperd as Vivienne Kensington, D. B. Bonds as Emmett Forrest, Ken Land as Professor Callahan, Lisa Howard as Paulette, Tiffany Engen as Serena, Taylor Louderman as Margot, K. B. Hart as Pilar, and Nikki Snelson as Brooke Wyndham. The first production photos have been released and appear below!

The MUNY has just announced the full cast for its upcoming production of Legally Blonde The Musical, which opens June 20 and runs through June 26. The show will be directed by Marc Bruni and feature choreography by Rusty Mowery. Lauren Ashley Zakrin will play Elle Woods, with Matthew Hydzik starring as as Warner Huntington III, Sara Sheperd as Vivienne Kensington, D. B. Bonds as Emmett Forrest, Ken Land as Professor Callahan, Lisa Howard as Paulette, Tiffany Engen as Serena, Taylor Louderman as Margot, K. B. Hart as Pilar, and Nikki Snelson as Brooke Wyndham.