Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Emily Padgett will take over the role of 'Sherrie,' beginning Monday, March 15, 2010 and Derek St. Pierre ('Franz') and Katie Webber ('Waitress #1') will join the cast on Monday, March 22. After having understudied the role since Monday, November 16, 2009 and performing nightly as 'Waitress #1' at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street), Ms. Padgett will star opposite Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis. She takes over the role from Kerry Butler, who will play her final performance Saturday, March 13 at 8pm. Tom Lenk will play his final performance as 'Franz' on Sunday, March 21 at 7:30pm.
The new Broadway production of the Tony Award nominated musical GREASE™, opens in Jacksonville at Times Union Center's Moran Theater on April 27 - May 2, 2010 for eight performances only!
Four members of the remaining "American Idol" hopefuls had to be sent home tonight, and the results shows only grow more emotional each week. The evening began with the top twenty contestants singing the Black Eyed Pea's hit I've Got a Feeling and the song was just, well, awkward. This is not the type of song that lends itself to a group performance and the "Idol" staff showed us exactly why that's the case. The harmonies were odd, the rapping by many of the contestants didn't fit, and the song just sounded odd. Katie Stevens was the standout, as she seemed to actually be enjoying herself and was having fun with the song. (Perhaps this is more the type of song she should be choosing on a weekly basis?)
The women were back tonight and ready to perform after last night's last minute switch. The theme was still Billboard Chart Toppers and the night had some songs that were up to Billboard caliber. Others, however, fell flat, as contestants were again plagued by poor song choices. Of all the judges, Randy seemed most frustrated by the multitude of poor choices. Hopefully this is a skill that will come with time and the contestants will get better. Some of the ladies, however, knew exactly where they wanted to be and were spot on in their selection.
"Idol" surprised viewers tonight, sending the gentlemen on to perform instead of the previously scheduled women. At the top of the episode, Ryan Seacrest explained that fan favorite Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital and was recommended to not perform by her doctors. "Idol" producers, as well as the guys themselves, were accommodating and decided to go tonight and allow Bowersox the night to rest.
American Idol contestants Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady were the first four cut from the ninth season of the competition. In the video below, Entertainment Tonight talks to the foursome about their journey on the reality show.
The first results show of 'Idol' brought about at least one unexpected decision from America's votes, as 'Idol' said goodbye to four of the Top 24 competitors. The night featured performances from two performers from last year's 'Idol,' as well as the four losing competitors.
After last night's disappointing performance from the women, America, as well as the judges, was hoping from a step up from gentlemen. And, while they did have a better overall showing than the women, it was another disappointing night from the "Idol" contestants. Several of the performers were good, but none seemed to up the ante and knock their song out of the park.
In a year where 'Idol' is clearly pushing for a female winner, the first performances by the top twelve women was quite a letdown. Even the judges seemed to notice a rather lackluster group of performances from each of the twelve female finalists, with Simon seemingly growing more and more frustrated as the night went on. There were few bright spots in the evening that should have been a step up from the final performance in Hollywood, but none of the contestants progressed, with many of them taking a step backward on the first night.
The new Broadway production of the Tony Award nominated musical GREASE, opens in Milwaukee on February 23-28 presented by Broadway Across America-Milwaukee and the Marcus Center as part of the Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center Series. Tickets will go on sale at NOON on December 6.
According to the Huffington Post, American Idol Semi-Finalist Todrick Hall has caused some controversy regarding performance refunds for a show Hall wrote and directed.
AMERICAN IDOL's Top 24 semi-finalists walked the red carpet for their first star-studded special event held at STK + Coco de Ville in West Hollywood on February 18, 2010.
The producers of the new Broadway production of GREASE are pleased to announce that Josh Franklin has joined the cast as 'Danny.' Josh Franklin replaces Ace Young who will be joining the Broadway cast of HAIR. Josh Franklin takes over the role of 'Danny' on Friday, February 19, 2010, in Washington DC.
After learning the first seven of the Top 24 last night, tonight's episode left audiences in anticipation, waiting to see if their favorite singers would be selected through to the next round. Some of the choices seemed obvious (i.e. Andrew Garcia), while others left audiences wondering if they would receive good news or leave the judging room in tears.
On Wednesday, AMERICAN IDOL revealed the remaining 17 semifinalists in the season's top 24 contenders. (Spoiler Warning: Do not read ahead if you don't want to know yet who the top 24 are.)
In an 'American Idol' first, seven of the Top 24 contestants were revealed on tonight's episode. After featuring snippets of many contestants' performances, 'Idol' split the hopefuls into three groups, sending one-third of the contestants home before the final judging. Then, each remaining contestant sat down with the judges to learn whether they would be singing in front of America or ending their journey in Hollywood. Some performances worked, others fell surprisingly flat, but the big news from tonight's 'Idol' is who made it through Hollywood.
