Sebastian Arcelus News

CBS announced its 2014-15 programming slate this morning. Among the network's new series is Barbara Hall and Morgan Freeman's political drama MADAM SECRETARY starring Broadway's Patina Miller and Bebe Neuwirth. At this afternoon's upfront event, the network debuted the first trailer for the upcoming series - check it out below!

If you are even a semi-regular reader of this column of reviews, you know that about every three or four months, I post a compilation of observations of shows from the previous quarter of the year. This cabaret critiquing mash up happens for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I admittedly see too many cabaret shows for the amount of time I have to promptly review them (and then, of course, the usual writer's procrastination sets in). So I have to prioritize the timeliness of the reviews based on the prestige of the performer, the length of a show run, the strength (or lack thereof) of the performance, etc. The quality of the shows in these compilations—which can range from a half dozen to a dozen reviews in one shot—are usually a mixed bag of outright raves, qualified positives, and constructive pans (I'm not a fan of the word “negative” in the reviewer lexicon). With that in mind here are a collection of cabaret show reviews going back to the start of a very harsh winter.

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: Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis join the cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as 'Christine' and 'The Phantom' tonight!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced that its 2014 Spring Gala will honor Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff and President of The Dodgers Michael David. Both are founding partners of Dodger Properties, which is responsible for over 150 productions of some of the most successful theatre on Broadway (56 Tony Awards), Off-Broadway and internationally. The gala will take place on Monday, May 12 at The Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel, beginning at 6:30pm.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration just honored Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second StageTheatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala was attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities included Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. BroadwayWorld brings you more photos from the special evening below! CLICK HERE to check out Part 1.

The 2014 Tony Award Nominations were announced earlier today, and while a select, talented few will spend the day celebrating their achievements, there are many who just fell short of a 2014 nod. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the list of the productions and performers who were sadly overlooked by the nominating committee.

The highly anticipated and critically acclaimed political drama, HOUSE OF CARDS: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON, produced by Media Rights Capital, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD June 17 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The series returns with two-time Academy Award® winner Kevin Spacey (American Beauty, Best Actor in a Leading Role, 1999; The Usual Suspects, Best Actor in a Supporting Role; 1995) as the newly appointed Vice President of the United States, along with Robin Wright, this year's Golden Globe® winner for her role as his wife, Claire Underwood (Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama). This series continues to sizzle with intensity as the ruthless Underwoods stop at nothing to climb the political food chain.

Steven Reineke, Music Director and conductor of the New York Pops greeted concert goers at a party at The Red Eye Grill after the 'On Broadway' concert at Carnegie Hall. On Broadway is an evening which celebrated some of Broadway's most unforgettable hits from the past and present. The sold out concert featured Stephanie J. Block and Andrew Rannells with The New York Pops Orchestra. Check below for photos as BroadwayWorld takes you inside the party!

The New York Pops just presented On Broadway- an evening which celebrated some of Broadway's most unforgettable hits from the past and present. The sold out concert featured Stephanie J. Block and Andrew Rannells with The New York Pops Orchestra. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from backstage below!

Michelle Monaghan is set to lead the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' latest romance novel THE BEST OF ME, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Michael Hoffman will direct for Relativity, featuring a script by Will Fetters.

Last night, Roundabout Theatre Company honored Sam Mendes with the Jason Roberts Award for Excellence in Theatre. The criterion for this award is to have made an 'indelible impact on the theatre world.' The award was named after the founder of Roundabout and is given each year in remembrance of his own impact on the theatre world. BroadwayWorld wa sthere for the special night and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet arrivals below!

Last week's poll asked which stage star you think will make the biggest splash on screen, and the winner was Sebastian Arcelus, who will star in Cinemax's BLANCO pilot. We can't wait to tune in!

Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Chip Zien, Karen Mason, Sebastian Arcelus, Tonya Pinkins, Beth Leavel, Carolee Carmello,Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers, Emily Skinner, Julia Murney, Lari White, John Easterlin, Noah Racey, Camille Saviola, Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus all took part in Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series on Monday night, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. BroadwayWorld was there for the special concert and you can check out backstage photos below!

Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Chip Zien, Karen Mason, Sebastian Arcelus, Tonya Pinkins, Beth Leavel, Carolee Carmello, Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers, Emily Skinner, Julia Murney, Lari White, John Easterlin, Noah Racey, Camille Saviola, Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus all took part in Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series last night, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. BroadwayWorld was there for the special concert and you can check out photo coverage below!

New Poll - Who will make the biggest splash on the big screen?

The new documentary about stage and screen legend Elaine Stritch, Elaine Stritch: SHOOT ME is set for a limited release beginning today, February 21, 2014 at New York City's IFC Center and Lincoln Plaza Cinema. The film just had its New York City premiere earlier this week and BroadwayWorld was there to capture photos of Stritch and friends on the red carpet. Check out full coverage below!

Tony Award-nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Drama Desk-nominees Chip Zien (Into the Woods, Falsettos) & Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!), Sebastian Arcelus (Elf, A Time to Kill), Nightlife Award-Winner Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus have been added to Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series on Monday, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. They join previously announced Tony Award-winners Tonya Pinkins and Beth Leavel, Tony Award-nominees Carolee Carmello, Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers and Emily Skinner, Drama Desk Award-nominee Julia Murney, Grammy Award-winners Lari White and John Easterlin, Noah Racey (Curtains), Camille Saviola (Nine), concert and recording artist Howard Fishman and Nightlife Award-winner Carole J. Bufford. Individual tickets ($57 and $47) are on sale at www.TicketMaster.com or by phone at 800-982-2787; series subscriptions ($180-$220) are available at www.TheTownHall.org.

What do romance, supernatural disappearances, dystopian futures, mutants, singing fairy tale characters, lawyers, scientists, and The Four Seasons all have in common? Broadway. Or at least Broadway talent! BWW has gathered together a group of up-and-coming stage stars currently making the transition to the big and small screens in all of these 'genres'.

Two Broadway names are in the mix for the full cast of Cinemax's BLANCO drama pilot, starring Shiloh Fernandez. The Hollywood Reporter writes that A TIME TO KILL's Sebastian Arcelus and THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT's Elizabeth Rodriguez have signed on for the project.

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah and Honorary Hosts, Betty Buckley, Andy Cohen, Carmel Dean, Harvey Fierstein, Moises Kaufman, James Lapine, Harriet Leve, Jordan Roth, Seth Rudetsky and Jeffrey Seller present a concert celebrating the music of two-time Tony Award winning Composer and Lyricist WILLIAM FINN, featuring some of the most beloved songs from Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, A New Brain, Elegies, and more.