Tony and Grammy award nominated composer and lyricist of Broadway's Big Fish, The Wild Party and The Addams Family, Andrew Lippa comes to London for the first time this November with a host of special guests. Appearing at the St. James Theatre, Andrew will be joined by performers from Broadway, the West End and further afield as he takes the audience on a journey through his life and career as a writer and composer. The concert will exclusively preview music from his latest Broadway creation Big Fish - a new musical adaptation based on the book by Daniel Wallace and the Tim Burton film (currently previewing at the Neil Simon Theatre, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman) - and will also feature music from his hit shows, as well as his lesser known works and a selection of 'lost' material.
On Monday, November 11th the American Dance Machine for the 21st Century performed “Next Look,” an exclusive benefit showing in preparation for the company's full-length New York City debut at the Joyce Theater next year. The benefit performance included reconstructed works from show-stopping musicals such as Contact, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, and Promises Promises.
Producers Letty Aronson and Julian Schlossberg have announced a special, limited time box office opening and additional casting for the world premiere production of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. The new musical, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath for the 1994 film, will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.
While watching the opening night performance of Musical Theatre West's lively (haha) regional premiere of Mel Brooks' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, something struck me almost immediately: I'm laughing hysterically. Though previous productions have certainly entertained in the past, much of the jokes and silly lyrics have been rendered inaudible. Thankfully, MTW's remount fixes the problem. Who would have guessed that a combination of good diction, under-emphasized accents, and working microphones---performed by a wonderful cast---would be a real, honest-to-goodness asset for a show? The show continues through November 17 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA.
Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of 'Les Miserables'- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, tonight, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances
On last night's episode of Bravo's 'Watch What Happens Live,' BIG FISH's Joshua Buscher stopped by the Clubhouse as guest bartender, and while he was there, he gave the other guests an 'Alabama Stomp' dance lesson. In the video below, watch as he taught host Andy Cohen (and MJ and Mike of "Shahs of Sunset") a few of Susan Stroman's signature steps from the show's opening number!
Today we are talking to a top-tier Tony Award-winning talent known for an incredibly accomplished resume ranging from noted performances in original musicals to reinvented revival roles and beyond - the dignified and dynamic Victoria Clark. Discussing many of her most celebrated dramatic, comedic and musical turns to date, Clark recalls an astounding life in the theatre - ranging from her Broadway debut in the unforgettable original production of Sondheim's iconic SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to the hit revivals of GUYS & DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING to originating memorable parts in the Broadway productions of TITANIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SISTER ACT and CINDERELLA, to name just a few of the highlights so far. On the latter note, Clark outlines her experiences in her most recent Broadway musical foray, that of the beloved Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic CINDERELLA, as well as illuminates her acclaimed run in the Los Angeles transfer of the most recent revival of FOLLIES and her Sondheim work in general (SWEENEY TODD, too). Most importantly, Clark sheds some light on her compelling character in the new drama THE SNOW GEESE and relates candid stories of sharing the stage with co-stars and fellow vets Danny Burstein and Mary-Louise Parker, among others. Plus, Clark looks ahead to the upcoming TITANIC reunion concert and imparts her excitement for the project as well as comments on some of her most memorable film roles while also sharing first news of future plans - which include directing herself - and muses on some potential roles she would enjoy bringing to the stage in the future, near and far; HELLO, DOLLY! or MAME, maybe? All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best grande dames!
Beginning previews in March at the St. James Theatre, five time Tony Award winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman will bring BULLETS OVER BROADWAY to the stage with an award winning design team of Broadway veterans including Tony Award winners Santo Loquasto (scenic design),William Ivey Long (costume design), Donald Holder (lighting design), Doug Besterman (orchestrations) and Glen Kelly (musical arrangements and supervision) and Peter Hylenski (sound design) and Andy Einhorn (musical direction). The marquee just went up at the St. James Theatre and you can check it out below!
Application Pending, a new comedy co-authored by Greg Edwards & Andy Sandberg, the writing team behind the upcoming Off-Broadway play Craving for Travel, will present invitation-only readings in New York on November 11th and 12th.
The Broadway musical BIG FISH will play its final performance on Sunday, December 29, 2013, after 34 previews and 98 regular performances at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52 Street). BIG FISH began performances on Thursday, September 5, 2013, and opened on Sunday, October 6, 2013.
Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of "Les Miserables"- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Friday, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances
Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, in association with Staci Levine, will present Tony Award winner Mandy Patinkin and acclaimed actor/performance artist Taylor Mac in THE LAST TWO PEOPLE ON EARTH: AN APOCALYPTIC VAUDEVILLE, a workshop presentation with direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, and music direction by Paul Ford, for a strictly limited engagement from Saturday, December 14 thru Tuesday, December 31. Performances of THE LAST TWO PEOPLE ON EARTH: AN APOCALYPTIC VAUDEVILLE will be presented at the Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand Street, NYC).
Penobscot Theatre Company is pleased to announce its fourth annual Weekend in New York City, March 21-23, 2014. The centerpiece of the travel package are tickets to two Broadway shows: BIG FISH, a new musical featuring direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys); and the much-anticipated revival of A RAISIN IN THE SUN, starring Denzel Washington and Diahann Carroll. Travelers will enjoy round-trip deluxe motor coach transportation from Bangor; lodging at a Times Square hotel just steps from the theatre district; several specially planned meals; and access to behind-the-scenes experiences only Penobscot Theatre can provide.
The Clive Barnes Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Clive Barnes Awards, a distinguished annual honor recognizing the work of young actors and dancers in New York City.
Directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), with music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, The Addams Family), and a book by Grammy and BAFTA Award nominee John August (Frankenweenie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Big Fish is currently playing at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Check out a just-released television spot for the musical below!
Williamstown Theatre Festival announced today that this year's Benefit will honor Award-winning director and frequent WTF collaborator Scott Ellis, on Monday, November 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street). The evening will be hosted by Julie White, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Ellis-helmed production of The Little Dog Laughed, and will include appearances by Tony Award-winners Chita Rivera, Susan Stroman, Rupert Holmes and more.
Musical Theatre West at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA opened its 61st season with Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, a musical comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash hit The Producers. The production, with music and lyrics by Brooks and a book by Thomas Meehan, marks the regional theater premiere of this hilariously tuneful show based on the 1974 smash hit film Young Frankenstein which was a wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelleyclassic from the comic genius of Mel Brooks. Check out the opening night shows below!
With the Broadway Fall season in full swing, and a constant need for replacements, there is a solid group of performers making their Broadway debuts this Fall. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!
Kander and Ebb have an unrivalled ability to tackle a dark subject without making it maudlin. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, one of the final collaborations of this prolific pair, is no exception. Taking the form of a minstrel show, The Scottsboro Boys tells the shameful story of nine boys arrested from a train in Alabama and accused and convicted of a crime they didn't commit.
