Stephen Schwartz News

Today we are continuing our analysis of the best Tony Awards clips of all time with an entertainment behemoth that defied the odds - and defied critics and even gravity in the process - to become the biggest hit of the new millennium: the Oz-ian meta-musical by Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, WICKED.

Beginning tomorrow, June 1st, Shuler Hensley will star as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Off-Broadway's SILENCE! The Musical through June 24th, filling in for the vacationing David Garrison. Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! is the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Christopher Gattelli, and is currently playing to sold out crowds at The 9th Space Theatre at Performance Space 122, 150 First Avenue (at 9th St.)

The Actors Fund's Auction of 1000 Stars this year offers Broadway and celebrity experiences, including walk-ons, celebrity meet and greets, autographed memorabilia from the stars, vacation packages and more, all in support of The Fund's free programs and services that help everyone in entertainment. Bidding is online through June 9, and ends June 10 via in-person and text bidding during The Fund's 16th Annual Tony Awards® Viewing Party in Los Angeles.

Wicked, the hit musical now in its sixth year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, will welcome Keith Bartlett to the role of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from Monday 30 July.

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!

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz was honored and presented with with Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz on May 19 in Palm Springs. The event was held in the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, and featured a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits. Directed and moderated by Scott Logsdon (Les Miserables), the evening included performances from Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Annie), Hunter Parrish (Broadway's Godspell revival and Showtime's 'Weeds'), Kate Flannery (NBC's 'The Office'), Pamla Vale Abramson, Melissa Batalles, Garrett Hoy, Ben Reece, Haviland Stillwell (Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof) and Laura L.Thomas. Joel Baker was the musical director and accompanist. See photos of the stars performing on stage below!

On the eve of Memorial Day, a star-studded line-up will grace the stage for one of PBS' highest-rated programs, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. The program is co-hosted for the seventh year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NEW YORK)

My first dose of musical theater was through my uncle's old screechy phonograph recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hippie, loud, angst-laden rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" (JCS). The classic stage hit, which was originally a concept album before evolving into a full-blown Broadway musical that follows the passion and death of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, had completed its three-year run on Broadway (1971-1973), and its first commercial movie release (1973) by the time I got to experience JCS's electrifying, personally-impactful songs in the '80s though. So when the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Toronto, Canada announced late last year that its critically-acclaimed, deemed revolutionary production of JCS, directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, was coming to Broadway, I was delighted to hear the news; and more so when I learned that three Filipino-Canadian musical theater artists - brothers Julius and Jason Sermonia, and Laurin Padolina - are part of the show.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: GODSPELL sings Schwartz, Paper Mill preps ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, New Dramtists honor Bernadette, and so much more!

Brent Barrett, SILENCE! The Musical's original Hannibal Lecter, returned to check out the show this past Saturday, May 19th and reunited with his old friends afterward. See below for a photo of Barrett and the cast!

Yesterday, May 23, the company of Godspell celebrated their Academy Award-winning writer Stephen Schwartz in a one-night-only concert featuring songs from Schwartz's Pippin, Wicked, The Baker's Wife, The Magic Show, Working, My Son Pinocchio, Children of Eden, Rags, "Pocahontas", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Prince of Egypt", "Enchanted" and more. The concert benefits Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Check out highlights fro the concert below!

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces the world premiere of the new musical Stars of David to open its 2012-2013 season this fall.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED, which is returning to the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center with performances from May 30 - June 24. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Ticket Center Stage Box Office, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, will have their names placed in a lottery drum; thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

Yesterday, May 23, the company of Godspell celebrated their Academy Award-winning writer Stephen Schwartz in a one-night-only concert featuring songs from Schwartz's Pippin, Wicked, The Baker's Wife, The Magic Show, Working, My Son Pinocchio, Children of Eden, Rags, "Pocahontas", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Prince of Egypt", "Enchanted" and more. The concert benefits Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney's NEWSIES and his success d'estime with Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best!

Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Company presents Stephen Schwartz' PIPPIN, May 24-26. Performances will be held each day at 7PM, with a 2PM performance on May 26.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the revival of GODSPELL on Broadway, despite a lack of Tony nominations, will make an appearance on the 2012 broadcast to perform a selection from the musical. At this time, there is no official word or confirmation on who, or what the cast will be performing.

Tonight, May 23, join the company of Godspell on Broadway as they celebrate their Academy Award-winning writer Stephen Schwartz in a one-night-only concert. Expect songs from Schwartz projects like Pippin, Wicked, The Baker's Wife, The Magic Show, Working, My Son Pinocchio, Children of Eden, Rags, "Pocahontas", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "The Prince of Egypt", "Enchanted" and more.