Will Chase News

Tony Award-winner Leslie Uggams has joined the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, to be presented by New York City Center Encores! series, March 28 - April 1. Ms. Uggams will play Fauna, the proprietress of the Bear Flag Cafe, the local brothel.

On the Monday, February 20th episode of NBC's SMASH entitled 'Enter Mr. DiMaggio', the search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn-but everyone's first choice, Michael (guest star Will Chase), has a secret. Karen (Katharine McPhee) returns to Iowa for a baby shower and must decide what she wants for her future. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) begins rounding up investors-but ex-husband Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer) may already have poisoned the well. Check out three scenes from the upcoming episode below!

Stars of both stage and screen are set to join the celebration when the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre honors Tony Award-winner Linda Lavin at the Off-Broadway company's annual Gala on Monday, March 12 beginning at 6:00pm at the Hudson Theater. Ms. Lavin made her Vineyard Theatre debut earlier this season in the critically acclaimed production of Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS.

On next week's episode of SMASH, titled 'Enter Mr. DiMaggio' Casting begins for the Joe DiMaggio character, played by Broadway's Will Chase, and the lead contender is hiding something. Meanwhile, Karen returns to her hometown to attend a baby shower; and Eileen's ex-husband pollutes her pool of potential investors. Check out a preview below!

Last night, SMASH cast Marilyn Monroe in the big Broadway musical based on her life at the show's center. Or, did they? While Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) may have done whatever it took to make an impression on the show's lothario director, Derek (Jack Davenport), it was Ivy's long-standing friendship with the songwriting team of Julia & Tom (Debra Messing & Christian Borle) and the belief in her readily apparent talent by the lead producer, Eileen (Anjelica Huston), that really sealed the deal. So, where does that leave Karen (Katharine McPhee)? In the chorus, it seems - at least for now. The drama escalated and reached an early peak along with the crescendos of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's smashing "Twentieth Century Fox Mambo" showstopper - the musical highlight of the impossibly strong second episode - as the heated fully-staged and fully-choreographed audition gave way to a dream reality which finally showed us all out there in the audience what a Karen/Marilyn could potentially be: a true blonde bombshell to beat the band. Of course, nothing is quite so cut and dry as it may appear and Karen may get her chance in the spotlight on the actual Marilyn musical's stage after all. Yet, for the next few episodes at least, Ivy is the star of the show - and she is going to wring every last wiggle, coo and peck out of the role. Plus, who can put over a number in true Broadway fashion - as Marilyn Monroe, perfectly played, no less - than Megan Hilty? Did you hear her line in the newly envisioned 'Let Me Be Your Star'? In much the same way as Hilty with the Broadway pizazz, McPhee effortlessly puts over treacherously tricky pop songs with smoothness, sweetness and near-tangible sincerety and conviction. Which way will the score ultimately go - and, furthermore, what shall be of the show that contains it? Will the musical be more Norma Jean or more Marilyn, thus more befitting of Karen or Ivy, respectively? Who knows, perhaps there ultimately will be two Marilyns required - as was proposed in this very column last week at this time and seems the logical ultimate conclusion of the casting dilemma at the show's core. We will certainly have to wait and find out what happens next on SMASH and what the show ends up requiring of its incredibly talented cast of hoofers and stars-to-be. Plus, Nick Jonas, Uma Thurman and Bernadette Peters make guest star debuts in the next several weeks!

Looking for a quick roundup of this week's events? Look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Tom Wopat and Will Chase have joined the previously announced Laura Osnes in the New York City Center Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream, running March 28 - April 1. Pipe Dream will be directed by Marc Bruni with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Kelli Barclay, and will play for seven performances at New York City Center, West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

NBC has released promotional photos as well as a sneak peek of the 'Mr DiMaggio' episode of its highly anticipated drama series SMASH which will be premiering on Monday, February 6th from 10-11 p.m. ET.

USA Network today announces the January premiere dates for the new original series COMMON LAW on Thursday, January 26 at 10/9c and returning original favorites WHITE COLLAR on Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c and ROYAL PAINS on Wednesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

My first introduction to Mark Fisher Fitness was this photo. A friend and colleague had just completed a several month stretch of fitness training with the muscle toning guru and posted this shot on Facebook. It is the photo I at least have always wanted; my regular, normal-looking self transformed into a perfectly healthy, perfectly sculpted version of model proportions, only this wasn't Photoshopped.

USA Network today announces the January premiere dates for the new original series COMMON LAW on Thursday, January 26 at 10/9c and returning original favorites WHITE COLLAR on Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c and ROYAL PAINS on Wednesday, January 18 at 10/9c.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, October 16, 2011 - Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Will Chase sang the National Anthem at the Giants game on October 16, 2011. Look below to see pictures of his performance!

After the success of our inaugural awards last year, in which Parade and August Osage County won bit, nominations for the 2011 BWW: Los Angeles Awards are now open!

BroadwayWorld has learned that Broadway vet Will Chase will guest star on CBS' Blood Bloods tonight, October 7, at 10pm. Chase will play the role of 'Flood', a sympathetic, good-looking third wheel of a team of bank robbers.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, September 25, 2011 - Sunday, September 25, 2011.

Broadway star Will Chase will guest star in the series premiere of PAN AM premiering this Sunday, Sept 25th at 10 PM est on ABC. Chase will be co-starring in the upcoming series ‘Smash' for NBC and has starred on Broadway in Billy Elliot, The Story of My Life, Lennon, High Fidelity, Aida and Rent.

Broadway star Will Chase will guest star in the series premiere of PAN AM premiering this Sunday, Sept 25th at 10 PM est on ABC. Chase will be co-starring in the upcoming series ‘Smash' for NBC and has starred on Broadway in Billy Elliot, The Story of My Life, Lennon, High Fidelity, Aida and Rent.

Today, September 13, 2011, Ghostlight Records released the world premiere recording of Brian Crawley and Andrew Lippa's new musical, A Little Princess, everywhere music is sold.

Today, September 13, 2011, Ghostlight Records released the world premiere recording of Brian Crawley and Andrew Lippa's new musical, A Little Princess, everywhere music is sold. To hear song previews and order the album, visit http://sh-k-boom.com/alittleprincess.shtml.