Pop culture and Broadway. They have a long history together. However, there remains a divide - brought into the spotlight in recent days after Randy Jackson, for the umpteenth time, dismissed a contestant on American Idol as "too Broadway" for the competition. Broadway's stalwarts didn't take it lying down, with Betty Buckley leading the charge. And she was right: It's time for shows like American Idol to embrace what the public already has: musical theatre has exploded out of its niche and become a mainstream form of pop entertainment.
Happy Birthday, Billie Joe Armstrong! Best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day, Armstrong recently brought one of his most popular albums to Broadway- American Idiot. In 2010, Armstrong joined the cast of American Idiot, which won two Tonys, for one week in the role of St. Jimmy. He replaced the original Broadway cast member Tony Vincent in fall of 2010 and returned to the role for 50 performances in January 2011.
According to Broadway vet Tony Vincent's official Facebook page, he's slated to appear on NBC's singing competition THE VOICE for its second season, which debuts this Sunday.
On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!
William Michals, who starred as Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center's revival of South Pacific, and as The Beast in Disney's Beauty & the Beast on Broadway will join Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof), Robert DuSold (The Producers, Les Miserables), Lawrence Clayton (Dreamgirls, The Civil War, Les Miserables), and Andrea Rivette (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables) in a special New Year's Eve concert at the Inserra Theater at St. Joseph's Regional High School in Montvale, NJ.
William Michals, who starred as Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center's revival of South Pacific, and as The Beast in Disney's Beauty & the Beast on Broadway will join Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof), Robert DuSold (The Producers, Les Miserables), Lawrence Clayton (Dreamgirls, The Civil War, Les Miserables), and Andrea Rivette (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables) in a special New Year's Eve concert at the Inserra Theater at St. Joseph's Regional High School in Montvale, NJ.
According to his official website, Broadway veteran Tony Vincent will appear on the second season of NBC's vocal competition- 'The Voice.' Vincent writes: 'I have auditioned for the hit television show The Voice, which airs on America's NBC network. It's been an amazing experience thus far and if you all want to see how I did at my audition, turn into the show's premiere episode-- airing right after the Superbowl on February 5th, 2012. The talent this season is top-notch. You don't want to miss this!'
Taking a cue from The Who's Tommy, Pink Floyd's The Wall, and Green Day's American Idiot, THE TWELVE is a rock band concept album with all the theatricality of a Broadway show. For one night only at the famed B.B. King Blues Club, see the show that has audiences raving!
Taking a cue from The Who's Tommy, Pink Floyd's The Wall, and Green Day's American Idiot, THE TWELVE is a rock band concept album with all the theatricality of a Broadway show. For one night only at the famed B.B. King Blues Club, see the show that has audiences raving!
Leftfield Productions and Adam Friedson In Association with David Kramer Productions Presents Broadway Stars Tony Vincent, Capathia Jenkins, Ron Bohmer, and Lawrence Clayton Join Forces With Rock Stars Sophia Ramos, Michael Lanning and Elaine Caswell In A Special Concert Presentation of THE TWELVE
AMERICAN IDIOT began performances at the St. James Theatre on March 24, 2010 and opened on Broadway on April 20, 2010 to a great set of reviews! Here's a sneak peek at Broadway Beat's openight night coverage of the show!
Broadway's cuddliest cast kicked off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction yesterday, Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Sure to out-do last year's collection, 43 one-of-a-kind, autographed BROADWAY BEARS - each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing some of the theater's most legendary performers and performances - will be put up for auction.
Broadway's cuddliest cast kicks off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 Street), produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Broadway's cuddliest cast kicks off a new year with the 14th edition of THE BROADWAY BEARS auction on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (237 West 42 Street), produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The producers of the critically acclaimed AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that Green Day frontman and the musical's composer and co-author Billie Joe Armstrong will return to the role of 'St. Jimmy' for 50 performances beginning on January 1, 2011. Armstrong made a triumphant Broadway debut in a one week engagement last September and played to sold-out houses at the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street.
2010 was quite a year for Broadway with some spectacular opening nights. We'll be sharing highlights from the year in photos, videos, interviews and more throughout this final week of the year.
First off is a look at some of the star and excitement filled opening night curtain calls of 2010.
Photos by Walter McBride / WM Photos / Corbis
The producers of the critically acclaimed AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that Green Day frontman and the musical's composer and co-author Billie Joe Armstrong will return to the role of 'St. Jimmy' for 50 performances beginning on January 1, 2011. Armstrong made a triumphant Broadway debut in a one week engagement last September and played to sold-out houses at the St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street.
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong ended his limited engagement as St. Jimmy in AMERICAN IDIOT on October 3 and surprised the audience with a special encore performance. Check out this video of Billie singing his own 'Goodbye New York' following his final bow at the St. James.
Check out this interview of Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and AMERICAN IDIOT director Michael Mayer with Jordan Roth, on September 19 as part of the Broadway Talks series.
The producers of the critically acclaimed musical AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that the show grossed $1,092,334.00 for the week of September 29-October 3, 2010, with the musical's composer/ co-author, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, in his Broadway debut as "St. Jimmy."
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