Vanessa Williams News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: Bradley Cooper brings THE ELEPHANT MAN to life on Broadway, ELF kicks off two tours today, stars gather this Sunday at BEST IN SHOWS to benefit the Humane Society and more!

All aboard! The Cotton Blossom has docked at Lincoln Center for this week only. Wednesday night, the New York Philharmonic opened its semi-staged production of Show Boat. Featuring a star-studded cast, the Philharmonic's short run of this American masterpiece is not to be missed.

The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you more photos from inside the concert below!

The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worshamas Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the concert below!

The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie,Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williamsas Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worshamas Magnolia. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night curtain call below!

The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running through November 8, 2014. SHOW BOAT stars Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie, Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal, Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy,NaTasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. All cast members will be making their New York Philharmonic debuts in this production. As previously announced, the performances will be conducted and directed by Ted Sperling and choreographed by Randy Skinner. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the concert below!

Today we are turning back the clock to this very same week in 1987 when Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS hit Broadway.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: The New York Philharmonic welcomes a whole crew of stars for SHOW BOAT, beginning tonight, and the new stage adaptation of MADE IN DAGENHAM opens in the West End!

The New York Philharmonic presents a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, running tonight, November 5 to November 8, 2014.

Today we are talking to a spectacularly gifted Tony Award-winning stage and screen performer known for originating numerous memorable roles in both new musicals and revivals as well as starring in this month's Encores! special presentation of THE BAND WAGON, Brian Stokes Mitchell. Opening up about the new stage-to-screen adaptation of the movie musical classic while granting a rare few moments for a chat while on a break, Mitchell shares his enthusiasm for re-teaming with frequent collaborator director/choreographer Kathleen Marhshall as well as what audiences can expect from the brand new concert presentation while also commenting on his starry assortment of fellow players in the production, including Tracey Ullman, Michael McKean and Laura Osnes. Furthermore, Mitchell offers first news of his return to FOX's hit musical dramedy series GLEE for its final season and preliminarily clues us in to what we can expect from his last appearance on the series. Additionally, Mitchell reflects on his starring role in the 2002 Kennedy Center production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's SWEENEY TODD and whether he would be interested in pursuing that part again in the future. Plus, Mitchell reveals he has recorded a series of studio albums awaiting release and shares his opinions on what material he would like to record in the future. All of that, thoughts on THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and if it could work onstage, his upcoming Christmas concert series with the Cincinnati Symphony, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN memories and much, much more in this exclusive conversation with one of Broadway's most beloved leading men!

The New York Philharmonic will soon present a semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014.As previously announced, the New York Philharmonic's production of Show Boat will star Christopher Fitzgerald as Frank, Norm Lewis as Joe, Alli Mauzey as Ellie, Julian Ovenden as Gaylord Ravenal,Edward Watts as Steve, Fred Willard as Cap'n Andy, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, Vanessa Williams as Julie, Jane Alexander as Parthy, Erika Henningsen as Kim, and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. All cast members will be making their New York Philharmonic debuts in this production. As previously announced, the performances will be conducted and directed by Ted Sperling and choreographed by Randy Skinner. The production will be telecast nationally on Live From Lincoln Center on PBS stations. The air date will be announced at a later time. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the rehearsal room below!

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (aka 'The Wallis') presents the return engagement of Love, Noel: The Letters and Songs of Noel Coward, devised and written by Coward authority Barry Day, and directed by Jeanie Hackett. Love, Noel transforms the Lovelace Studio Theater into an intimate lounge for cocktails, comedy and Coward.

The Collegiate Chorale presents the New York City premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) at Carnegie Hall, December 15-16, 2014 at 8pm.

The seventh annual Living for Today: 'Shing-a-Ling: A Night with the Broadway Urchins' was held earlier this week at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St). After bringing down the house at the sixth annual concert in January 2014 with a surprise appearance, the three 'urchins' from the Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors (Carla J. Hargrove, Trisha Jeffrey, DeQuina Moore) took to the stage in a concert of their very own, featuring hits from the radio, the stage, and of course from the musical that brought them together. The concert benefits Gilana's Fund, which celebrates and encourages educational programming promoting acceptance and understanding of our communities, each other, and ourselves. To date, the Fund has raised more than $40,000. Check out photos from inside the concert below!

Today we are talking to a world famous triple-threat star of stage and screen who first shot to fame in the 1980s as the first African American Miss America and found considerable success as a recording artist and actress thereafter, the divine Vanessa Williams. Sharing sage wisdom from her life and career as well as reflecting on many of her most popular properties to date, Williams reveals some of her many secrets to success while also looking ahead to next month's hotly anticipated all-star concert presentation of legendary Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein musical SHOW BOAT, co-starring Julian Ovenden, Norm Lewis, Jane Alexander and many more along with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Ted Sperling. Also, Williams shares her enthusiasm for setting out to create new renditions of some of SHOW BOAT's most noted selections, including 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine'. Additionally, Williams opens up about her multiple musical theatre endeavors highlighting the work of Stephen Sondheim, including the Tony Award-winning 2002 Best Revival production of INTO THE WOODS and the recent original revue SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. Plus, Williams details her ongoing participation in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, after having starred in the well-received Broadway production last season and now finishing up headlining the Los Angeles production before bringing the drama to Boston. All of that, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN memories, saving Audra McDonald's wedding day and much, much more with one of Broadway's brightest stars!

Head on downtown for the seventh annual Living for Today: 'Shing-a-Ling: A Night with the Broadway Urchins' at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St) tonight, October 27 at 7pm for a concert that will make you 'feel the sturm und drang in the air!'

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming shows this week, October 22 through November 2, 2014. Visit us at www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows. Details below!

When it came to talent and dedication, nobody had as much as Rich Abrams and Cheri Hunter, two supporters of the new, original musical Fannie Lou who helped shape the work during its developing stages, according to composer/lyricist Felicia Hunter.

The New York Philharmonic has announced final principal cast members for its semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014: Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress Jane Alexander will portray Parthy, and Erika Henningsen will portray Kim.

The Center Theatre Group engagement of the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Horton Foote's American masterpiece 'The Trip to Bountiful,' began performances at the Ahmanson Theatre tonight, September 17, and continues through November 2, 2014. Below, check out photos from opening night!