Full Cast Announced for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR on Broadway; Tom Hewitt is Pontius Pilate
by Robert Diamond - Dec 22, 2011
The full Broadway cast has been announced for The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff which will open March 22, 2012 (previews begin March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street).
Guests Set for Ann Harada's CHRISTMAS EVE WITH CHRISTMAS EVE Benefit
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 9, 2011
Ann Harada is back as Christmas Eve, the beloved, opinionated, heavily-accented therapist from Avenue Q, returning to make her holiday fantasies come true with the third annual Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve, a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Monday, December 12.
Trista Moldovan, Heather McFadden Join Cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 30, 2011
Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical phenomenon is in its unprecedented 24th year in New York, playing at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).
Marti Pellow Returns to West End In BLOOD BROTHERS
by BWW News Desk - Nov 1, 2011
MARTI PELLOW, one of Britain's great music icons, is to make his hugely anticipated return to the London stage, joining Willy Russell's smash hit musical, one of the longest running in history. From TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2011, Marti will join the West End cast of BLOOD BROTHERS as The Narrator at the Phoenix Theatre, for a limited season.
BWW Interviews: Talking with Chess' James Fox
by Kelly Cameron - Oct 23, 2011
Chess is nearing the end of its 6 week pre-West End run at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, and today BWW speaks with James Fox, who plays Freddy in the production. James talks to us about the challenges working on such a vocally demanding show, preparation for singing Pity the Child and director Craig Revel Horwood.
Jerry O’Connell To Co-Host Live With Regis And Kelly 10/13
by BWW
News Desk - Oct 13, 2011
Film and television star Jerry O'Connell, now in rehearsals to make his Broadway debut in the World Premiere of Alan Rickman starring in the new comedy SEMINAR by Theresa Rebeck, will co-host 'Live! with Regis and Kelly' this Thursday morning, October 13.
PHANTOM's 25th in London Journal
by Robert Diamond - Oct 4, 2011
It was March 12, 1994 when a young, 15 year-old Rob Diamond saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway for the first time, and came home on 'cloud nine', my life forever changed. I still remember vividly falling asleep that night listening to and discovering Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton and more on the show's original cast recording. I did this listening to a cassette tape that my parents had (which I had of course never before listened to), on my Walkman.
Marti Pellow Returns to West End In BLOOD BROTHERS From Nov 1
by Carrie Dunn - Sep 30, 2011
MARTI PELLOW, one of Britain's great music icons, is to make his hugely anticipated return to the London stage, joining Willy Russell's smash hit musical, one of the longest running in history. From TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2011, Marti will join the West End cast of BLOOD BROTHERS as The Narrator at the Phoenix Theatre, for a limited season.
Photo Coverage: Sir Tim Rice at CHESS Opening in Toronto
by Kelly Cameron - Oct 3, 2011
Chess opened on Wednesday, September 28th in Toronto after enjoying a sold-out tour in the UK. This lavish new production comes direct from England, and will play a limited engagement in Toronto before heading to London's West End. Directed by Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood and featuring a cast of some of the UK's most talented stage actors, the production is a feast for the eyes and ears. Sir Tim Rice was in Toronto for opening night, and BWW was on hand to bring you pictures of the curtain call.
Tim Rice to Host Public Twitter Q&A for Toronto CHESS Opening Online
by Kelly Cameron - Sep 27, 2011
Chess opens tomorrow in Toronto, fresh off a sold out UK tour. The production will play until the end of October when it ventures off to London's West End. In honour of opening night, Mirvish Productions is hosting a special Twitter Q&A with none other than lyricist Sir Tim Rice. BWW will be on hand to give you all the details of the event.
UK CHESS Opens in Toronto 9/24
by Lauren Wolman - Sep 24, 2011
A chess game between international masters takes on larger meaning in the award-winning 1980s rock opera 'Chess,' which is currently touring the UK. The next stop is Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, where it will open on September 24 before a run in London's West End.
Alan Rickman-Led SEMINAR Tix Now on Sale to AmEx Card Holders; Box Office Opens 10/6
by Jessica Lewis - Sep 6, 2011
Producers Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith and Roy Furman have announced the on-sale Ticketing schedule for two-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman (Private Lives, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the Harry Potter franchise) making his eagerly-anticipated return to Broadway starring in the World Premiere of SEMINAR, a new comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Peabody Award winner Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, The Understudy, Omnium Gatherum, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels, NBC's upcoming 'Smash'). Directed by acclaimed Obie Award winner Sam Gold (Circle Mirror Transformation, The Aliens, Tigers Be Still, Kin, The Coward) in his Broadway debut, the production will also star Tony Award nominee Lily Rabe (The Merchant of Venice, Steel Magnolias, this summer's lauded A Doll's House at Williamstown) and Obie Award winner Hamish Linklater (The School for Lies, Twelfth Night, 'The New Adventures of Old Christine'). SEMINAR will begin previews on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at The Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) with an Opening Night set for Sunday, November 20 at 6:30 PM.
SPOTLIGHT ON FOLLIES 2011: Ron Raines
by Pat Cerasaro - Aug 24, 2011
Today we are kicking off Broadway World's multi-part series of interviews with the stars of the 2011 Kennedy Center produced and Eric Schaeffer directed production of Stephen Sondheim & James Goldman's seminal showbiz musical, FOLLIES, currently in previews on Broadway at the Marquis Theater. Suave leading man Ron Raines sheds light on the central, pivotal role of Benjamin Stone and how he sees the character - in his youth, in his marriage, in the present and, also, in the future, post-Loveland and, even post-FOLLIES - as well as illuminates his interactions with the colorful array of stars he shares the stage with eight nights a week - chief among them: Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige and Jan Maxwell! Additionally, we discuss what has changed in the transfer from Washington, D.C. to NYC, as well as examine the underlying message and story told in Ben's stunning musical triptych of 'The Road You Didn't Take', 'Too Many Mornings' and 'Live, Laugh, Love'. As if all that were not enough, Raines and I cast a glance back at his previous stage and screen work and discuss his solo albums, upcoming concert appearances and much, much more! Plus, first news of his essaying of the title role in SWEENEY TODD with Karen Ziemba in St. Louis next summer, directed by the helmer of the original Christopher Bond play that inspired Sondheim to compose the musical adaptation in the first place back in 1969.
STAGE TUBE: A Look at the CHESS UK Tour
by Lauren Wolman - Aug 20, 2011
The U.K. touring production of CHESS, featuring a company of actor-musicians playing their own accompaniment, is set to open at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre Sept. 24. The production will officially open on September 28 and run through Oct. 30 before opening in London's West End.
Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater Join Alan Rickman in SEMINAR
by Robert Diamond - Aug 15, 2011
Producers Jeffrey Finn, Jill Furman and Smuggler Films announced today that Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk Award nominee Lily Rabe (The Merchant of Venice, Steel Magnolias, this summer's lauded A Doll's House at Williamstown) and Obie Award winner and Drama Desk nominee Hamish Linklater (The School for Lies, Twelfth Night, 'The New Adventures of Old Christine') have joined two-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman (Private Lives, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the Harry Potter franchise) in the World Premiere of SEMINAR, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Peabody Award winner Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, The Understudy, Omnium Gatherum, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels, NBC's upcoming 'Smash').
Jesus Christ Superstar To Play the Benedum Center, Closes 8/14
by BWW News Desk - Aug 14, 2011
Audiences will be captivated by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, August 2-14 at the Benedum Center! This powerful rock opera takes viewers on an emotional journey through the final days of Jesus of Nazareth.
Douglas Sills, Sara Gettelfinger Lead ADDAMS FAMILY National Tour; Full Cast Announced!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 8, 2011
Full casting has been announced for the upcoming national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. Rehearsals for the tour begin today in New York City. Joining the previously announced Tony Awardâ nominee Douglas Sills as Gomez and Sara Gettelfinger as Morticia are Tony Awardâ nominee Martin Vidnovic as Mal Beineke, two-time Tony Awardâ nominee Crista Moore as Alice Beineke, Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester, Pippa Pearthree as Grandma, Tom Corbeil as Lurch, Patrick D. Kennedy as Pugsley, Brian Justin Crum as Lucas Beineke and Cortney Wolfson as Wednesday.
Jesus Christ Superstar To Play the Benedum Center 8/2-14
by BWW News Desk - Aug 2, 2011
Audiences will be captivated by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, August 2-14 at the Benedum Center! This powerful rock opera takes viewers on an emotional journey through the final days of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus Christ Superstar To Play the Benedum Center 8/2-14
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 20, 2011
Audiences will be captivated by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, August 2-14 at the Benedum Center! This powerful rock opera takes viewers on an emotional journey through the final days of Jesus of Nazareth.
Alan Rickman to Return to Broadway in SEMINAR by Theresa Rebeck This Fall
by Robert Diamond - Jun 28, 2011
Producers Jeffrey Finn and Jill Furman announced today that two-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman (Private Lives, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the Harry Potter franchise) will make his eagerly-anticipated return to Broadway starring in the World Premiere of SEMINAR, a new play by Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, The Understudy, Omnium Gatherum, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels, NBC's upcoming 'Smash'). Directed by acclaimed Obie Award winner Sam Gold (Circle Mirror Transformation, The Aliens, Tigers Be Still, Kin, The Coward) in his Broadway debut, the production will open at a Shubert Theatre to be announced this Fall 2011.
Joel Grey, Tyne Daly, et al. to Speak at Aldredge Memorial, 5/9
by BWW
News Desk - May 9, 2011
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that it will host a memorial to honor the memory of famed costume designer and friend Theoni V. Aldredge. The legendary designer, who passed away on January 21, 2011, will be remembered in a memorial on Monday, May 9 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at The Public Theater. The memorial will be in the Newman Theater and is free and open to the general public
InDepth InterView: Lynne Taylor-Corbett & THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS - Part II
by Pat Cerasaro - May 9, 2011
Staging one of the theatre's most unique and unclassifiable pieces, Brecht & Weill's THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS for the New York City Ballet, starting May 11 and running through May 16, is just the latest act in a career made up of anomalies, seemingly built upon always attempting to do the impossible - from her Broadway debut, trying to bring balletic bravado to Trevor Nunn's terminally troubled 1988 musical CHESS (a project begun under the guidance of Michael Bennett before his death), up through the trying-but-Tony-winning TITANIC in 1997 and, this century, SWING! starring Ann Hampton Callaway and Laura Benanti and a succession of successful regional ballets and theatre pieces - the gifted and dynamic director/choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett continues to challenge herself, her peers and audiences with each of her audacious new endeavors. THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, starring two-time Tony-winning Broadway legend Patti LuPone as Anna I, is a particularly problematic play - or is it a musical? Or, is it a ballet? A song-spiel? - and in this revealing and engaging discussion, Ms. Taylor-Corbett and I attempt to deduce the themes, analyze the structure and look back at the authors' lives to gain insight into the perplexing America painted by Brecht and Weill in the forty-minute-long theatrical experiment. Also, in this complete conversation, Lynne and I take a look back at her long and varied career and she generously shares her thoughts on where the place of dance is in the twenty-first century, the exhilaration of working with a theatre artist like Patti LuPone, her own inspirations and formative experiences in the theatre, the legacy of Michael Powell and THE RED SHOES, the theatre versus the dance world, her son Shaun's career, and much, much more! Further information on THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS - including tickets - is available here.