Tom Kitt News

Broadway Close Up takes you behind the scenes of musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances by some of Broadway's greatest talents. The 2013 performances kick off with the annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway and continues with Tony-nominated lyricist Amanda Green, an evening with the fascinating women from the musicals of Cy Coleman, and an enchanting exploration of duets, trios, quartets and ensemble numbers by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein and Irving Berlin among others.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, June 2, 2013 - Sunday, June 2, 2013.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio with musical direction by Darryl Archibald. NEXT TO NORMAL opened last night, June 1, and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening festivities and brings you photos from the curtain call, party and more!

Today we are talking to an inordinately talented triple-threat performer who made his name on Broadway in some landmark productions, such as the original multi-Tony Award-winning HAIRSPRAY and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, in addition to his peerless work in Lincoln Center's lauded SOUTH PACIFIC revival, who now is best known to audiences around the world for his headlining role on FOX's mega-hit musical dramedy series GLEE - the charismatic Matthew Morrison. Sharing stories from his Broadway days as well as looking ahead to the new season of GLEE airing in September, Morrison paints a vivid picture of his musical theatre career thus far and touches upon his experiences in the aforementioned musicals on the Great White Way as well as THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, A NAKED GIRL ON THE APPIAN WAY and more, detailing his ascent from chorus boy to superstar. More importantly, Morrison offers us the complete 411 on his new solo album, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, discussing its conception, recording, production, and, now, its release - as well as elaborating on working with legendary producer Phil Ramone on it and the song selection process itself. Furthermore, Morrison reveals the most influential artists and performers to him and how that inspiration formed the basis for WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, both the album itself as well as his current concert tour in promotion of it - arriving in NYC at 54 Below this weekend, as a matter of fact - and his PBS special, airing this month. Additionally, Morrison candidly comments on some characters he would enjoy essaying in the future (hint: a demon barber of Fleet Street), reflects on his favorite GLEE moments to date, recounts wild ROCKY HORROR antics involving rock star Sebastian Bach - and much, much more!

Broadway Theatre League is proud to present the 2013-2014 Broadway in South Bend Series Live! at The Morris Performing Arts Center. Headlined by the international hit, JERSEY BOYS, this season is not to be missed! The 2013-14 season also boasts MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, a new production based on a legendary recording session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins; 2013 Tony Award nominee for Best Musical, BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL and the acclaimed revival of WEST SIDE STORY.

The National Theatre has just announced its first subscription series in more than a decade with the announcement of Broadway at the National. Boasting the pre-Broadway world premiere of If/Then, the Washington premiere of American Idiot, and the historic return of the Tony Award-winning The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, the 2013-14 season at The National Theatre includes eight productions, and runs November 2013 through June 2014.

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Their quest for true meaning in a post 9/11 world leads them on the most exhilarating theatrical journey of the season, running May 28-June 2, 2013. Tickets are on sale now.

New Dramatists, Tony Honor recipient and the nation's premiere playwright development workshop, honored entertainment lawyer and New Dramatists Chairman of the Board Seth Gelblum with their 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 64th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, held today, May 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Coming up at 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher is the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more, including: stage and television star Laura Benanti, High Fidelity in Concert, WGBO Jazz Series: Karrin Allyson Quartet, Tony winner Frances Ruffelle, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band, Sondheim Unplugged and Simply Streisand.

The production was real, raw, and unflinching. Artistic Director Kuchar says he chooses shows that will inspire kids and cause them to think. This show certainly does that and can also impact the audience. Kudos to this wonderful program.

The entire cast and musicians are multi-talented and the production values are innovative. On opening night, when the curtain went up, the cast was welcomed by screams, howls, and cheering, by a throng of teenagers...

Dutch actress Pia Douwes will star in the German premiere of the Brian Yorkey/Tom Kitt musical NEXT TO NORMAL, due to open in Furth on October 11th.

Kitt's score and Brian Yorgey's book and lyrics combine for one of the deepest and moving shows to hit a Broadway stage. It's not the typical subject matter for a musical (the theater suggests that it is appropriate for children 16 and up), but you should take advantage of an opportunity to see this excellent rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. That sandwich-making scene in the opening act is terrific as directed by Janine Molinari with De Laurentis skillfully portraying the frenzied breakdown as Diana tries to cope.

American Idiot, Green Day's explosive Broadway hit called 'wonderfully raucous' and 'emotionally charged' by the New York Times, will play the Straz Center in Tampa from tonight, May 17-19, 2013. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.strazcenter.org or call 1.813.229.STAR.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Broadway veteran Heidi Blickenstaff will lead Vermont's award-winning Weston Playhouse Theatre Company production of Next to Normal. Blickenstaff will play 'Diana' in the show, which is set to run July 11-27 and will be directed by Michael Berresse.

Southern Rep Theatre concludes its 26th Season Mainstage Series with NEXT TO NORMAL with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Directed by Blake Coheley and musical direction by Jefferson Turner. Featuring: Leslie Castay, Richard Hutton, Madison Kerth, Clint Johnson, Matthew Thompson and Michael Krikorian.

After spending time on Broadway and on tour, triple-threat actress Jillian Mueller can now be seen dancing up a (ha ha) storm in the National Tour production of FLASHDANCE, in which she plays leading lady Alex Owens---yes, the sexy steel mill worker who moonlights as a maniac, maniac, on the floor. The stage incarnation of the hit movie of the same name continues performances through May 19 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. While settling into her final week of shows here in Orange County, Ms. Mueller agreed to some of our silly questions. Thankfully, she played along!

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher is the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more:

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sting's new stage musical, THE LAST SHIP, which has been buzzed about for an upcoming Broadway run, just had a staged reading, which was directed by Joe Mantello. Now according to the Star, the reading was led by Louise Pitre, who is hoping to bring the show to Broadway, revealing: 'It was incredible to work with this team.' A source also told Pitre that 'by the end of the second reading, they had all the money they needed for their production in 2014. Amazing!'

Civic Theatre of Allentown presents the Pulitzer-winning musical 'Next to Normal,' which runs now through May 19. Civic's Artistic Director William Sanders directs this rock musical written by Brian Yorkey and lyrics by Tom Kitt. Featuring an electrifying pop-rock score of more than 30 songs, 'Next to Normal' is an intense, tender, human scale musical that aims straight for the heart. BroadwayWorld has new production photos below!