Thomas Kail News

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

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge brings you video interviews and performance footage from yesterday's Once On This Island press preview at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse.

Today, May 22, Paper Mill Playhouse hosted a performance preview for its new production of Once On This Island at The New 42nd Street Studios (229 W 42nd Street, 7th Floor). BroadwayWorld was there and brings you stills from the event, featuring Thomas Kail, Bradley Rapier, Syesha Mercado, Stephen Flaherty and more. Check out the photos below!

Oberon in association with the Ministry of Theater will present a pre-New York tryout of ROLLER DISCO THE MUSICAL!, an unautherized parody of the classic film Roller Boogie, from May 30 to August 30 at Oberon in Cambridge Massachusetts, with its world premiere opening night on June 13. With executive producer Pablo Rojas, Roller Disco aims to transfer to Off-Broadway in Spring 2013.

MAGIC/BIRD, about Earvin 'Magic' Johnson and Larry Bird, plays its final performance tonight, Saturday, May 12th, at the Longacre Theatre.

Over the course of five weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse launched five short video interviews with Once on This Island composer Stephen Flaherty. Watch the fifth and final part of the interview series below!

The producers of MAGIC/BIRD announced today that the show will play its final performance on Saturday May 12th.

Over the course of five weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse will launch five short video interviews with Once on This Island composer Stephen Flaherty. Watch the fourth part of the interview series below!

Earlier this morning, stage and screen stars Kristin Chenoweth & Jim Parsons announced this year's Tony nominees from the New York Public Library. In a season as rich as this past theatrical season though, there are only so many spots for nominees and some very talented shows and performers were not nominated. Below are the eligible performers and shows who were not nominatined in the major categories.

Paper Mill Playhouse just announced full casting for the Millburn, New Jersey, theater's production of Once On This Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty). More than 20 years after its premiere, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are re-inventing their first musical with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (In the Heights, Lombardi, Magic/Bird), choreographer Bradley Rapier (So You Think You Can Dance, Jesus Christ Superstar) and new orchestrations by music director Lynne Shankel (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz). Once On This Island begins performances on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, and runs through Sunday, June 24, 2012. Once On This Island is proudly sponsored by Bank of America. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, 2012.

IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, is coming to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose from April 17-22, 2012. For additional information, visit www.broadwaysanjose.com or call 408-792-4111. Tickets range in price from $75.00 to $20.00 and there are special prices for groups of 10 or more. For more information on group rates call 408-792-4131.

Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, the producers of the new Broadway play MAGIC/BIRD, announced today that the star of "Lombardi," Dan Lauria, will hold a talkback for ticketholders following the 8pm performance at the intimate Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) this Wednesday, April 18. Lauria, who portrayed the legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the hit play last year, will be joined on stage by his longtime friend Peter Scolari, who is playing legendary coaches Red Auerbach and Pat Riley in Magic/Bird.

“Are you the great white hope?” a Boston sports reporter asks the Indiana-grown college star newly acquired by the home team; a player expected to help his suspiciously pale-hued group of teammates win basketball championships.

MAGIC/BIRD opened at the Longacre Theatre on Wednesday, April 11. MAGIC/BIRD, directed by Tony Nominee Thomas Kail (Lombardi, In The Heights), reunites Lombardi playwright, Oscar Winner and Emmy Nominee, Eric Simonson on MAGIC/BIRD, a new American Play chronicling the intertwined life stories of two of the most influential figures in sports and pop culture of the past 25 years, basketball Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Earvin 'Magic' Johnson. Check out highlights from opening night below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS crosses the pond, LYSISTRATA JONES reunites, Joel turns 80, and so much more!

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson appeared on ABC's 'The View' this week to talk about the storied basketball rivalry and unique friendship with fellow basketball player Larry Bird. Their relationship is chronicled in the new Broadway show MAGIC/BIRD which opened Wednesday night, April 11 at The Longacre Theatre.

Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson will hold a talkback for ticketholders following the 2pm matinee performance today at the intimate 900 seat Longacre Theater (220 West 48th Street), the second show following Wednesday's star-studded opening. Johnson, one of the two key subjects (along with fellow Hall of Famer Larry Bird) of the six person original play, will speak with the audience today and give his thoughts.

MAGIC/BIRD opened on Broadway last night, April 11 and BroadwayWorld was at the post-show celebration to chat with the company! Click below to hear from the cast and director Thomas Kail!

NBA Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Larry Bird talked about their storied basketball rivalry and their unique friendship off the court on last night's LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN. Their appearance coincided with the Opening Night of the new Broadway show MAGIC/BIRD.