Tara Rubin News

In this episode: Wicked's Jerad Bortz has lit up the Gershwin stage for 11 years and has the attitude of, 'I get to do this everyday' and shares that experience with his cast and audience. After getting his first encouragement from his Grandma, he learned how to swing in a theme park (36 tracks), made his Broadway in Mamma Mia!, and says 'Yes' to life.

Signature Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere production of Disney's Freaky Friday.

Producers Tommy Mottola, the Dodgers, and Tribeca Productions have just announced casting for the Broadway premiere of A BRONX TALE THE MUSICAL, the new musical featuring a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater, co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo.

Yale Repertory Theatre, celebrating 50 years of daring artists, bold choices, and adventurous audiences, presents the world premiere of Scenes from Court Life, or the whipping boy and his prince by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Mark Wing-Davey, September 30-October 22 at Yale University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, October 6.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of Miss You Like Hell, book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes (In the Heights, Water by the Spoonful), music and lyrics by acclaimed singer/songwriter Erin McKeown, directed by Lear deBessonet (Public Theatre's The Odyssey) and choreographed by Danny Mefford (Broadway's Fun Home). Commissioned by the Playhouse and developed during the 2016 DNA New Work Series, the production has been extended by one week, now running October 25 - December 4 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Tickets go on sale August 27 at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or by calling (858) 550-1010.

Need a new show to binge-watch? We've got just what you need. Turning the Tables is a new web series brought to you by the team that's brought you nothing before! Find out what happens when Broadway's hottest casting directors get the tables turned and audition for the actors. 

In this episode: Janelle A. Robinson trained in opera but always had a love for musical theatre. She has cake walked to "Can't Help Loving that Man" and gave out letters in "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Janelle talks about being classical trained, becoming a a teacher, race relations in theater, her truth on the myths of non traditional casting, and still being miffed she didn't get cast as Maria in "Sound of Music' as child.

Atlantic Theater Company just announced casting for the world premiere musical The Band's Visit, directed by Lortel and Obie Award winner David Cromer and featuring a book by Drama Desk Award nominee Itamar Moses, an original score by three-time Tony Award nominee David Yazbekand choreography by Lee Sher.

Kinky Boots' Nathan Peck gives an honest take on the reality of aging as a dancer, the toll injuries take on the mind (not just the body), and the sadness one feels when one just cant do what he used to. That being said, Nathan is embracing becoming a character man, loves choreography as just acting with movement, is just a natural comedian, and can still kick 171 degrees. (loosing the 19 degrees is only noticeable to him)

In this episode: On Your Feet's David Baida- If you were to combine phrases like: 'Slow and steady wins the race,' 'Don't give up on your dreams,' 'Perseverance is the key,' you'd find the career of David Baida. His story spans 20 years of not giving up, finding his creativity outside NYC and within himself, and leaving the business many times. Now he can say its because of Lin-Manuel Miranda that he's working with Gloria Estefan.

The winners of the eighth annual NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS (NHSMTA)/JIMMY AWARDS were determined and announced just last week, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. This one-of-a-kind-event was hosted by Tony Award®-nominee Zachary Levi, currently starring on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre Company's She Loves Me at Studio 54.

In this episode: Susann Fletcher- a whore for Tommy Tune, a Stripper for Jerome Robbins, and a damsel in distress in Bloodsucking Pharoahs in Pittsburgh. She has enough career stories to fill a novel. At her emotional core she is just grateful to still be in this business with her tribe. She plans to continue to break down barriers, mentor the future, and persevere when the inner demons want to set up shop in her head. All the greatness came out of the need to correct a childhood club foot.

The winners of the eighth annual NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS (NHSMTA)/JIMMY AWARDS were determined and announced last night, Monday, June 27, 2016, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. This one-of-a-kind-event was hosted by Tony Award-nominee Zachary Levi, currently starring on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre Company's She Loves Me at Studio 54.

Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld announced the results for our first annual Broadway's Backbone Best Musical Ensemble Award, which went to the company of Allegiance. Darren Lee accepted the award on behalf of his cast, with the help of Broadway favorite Sean Palmer and you can check out how it all went down below!

This is the story of Cindy, a 20-something whose dreams are bigger than her Midwestern hometown will allow. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the 1960s -women's liberation, the civil rights movement, and protests of the Vietnam war-Cindy searches for her place in the world. A Sign of the Times, featuring chart-topping hits from the 1960s, celebrates friendship, love, and discovering one's sense of self. This pop-fueled musical will run July 29 - September 4 at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. A Sign of the Times will be sponsored by Essex Savings Bank.

Direct from New York, Broadway Playground provides local opportunity this weekend, June 25 and 26. Broadway Playground is heading to the Milwaukee area to offer Musical Theatre Audition Workshop for local performers of all ages.

The eighth annual National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA)/JIMMY AWARDS will be held on Monday, June 27, 2016, at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. 62 high school students from across America will compete for the Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor and Actress. This year, for the first time ever, the pre-event red carpet and the awards presentation will be streamed live on Facebook.

THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS (NHSMTA)/JIMMY AWARDS have announced the industry coaches for the eighth annual awards ceremony on Monday, June 27th at 7:30PM at the Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street in Manhattan.

In this episode: Elma Linz Kanefield is the only exclusive psychotherapist dealing specifically with the performing artist in New York City. She created the counseling services at Juilliard 30 years ago by herself and now it thrives with ten social workers. She discusses getting unstuck, getting out of your own way, training your gut and most importantly, the need to change self-talk and the insidious thinking that prevents performers from reaching their performance potential.

Direct from New York, Broadway Playground provides local opportunity on June 25 and 26 (June 13, 2016) - Broadway Playground is heading to the Milwaukee area to offer Musical Theatre Audition Workshop for local performers of all ages. Taught by Broadway Vocal Coach/Music Director, Brett Schrier, this one-day event teaches 'inside tricks' to standing out at singing auditions - whether it's your high school musical, entrance audition for college, or taking the next step in your professional career.