James Lloyd Reynolds and Jamison Stern to Lead Goodspeed's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; Full Cast Announced!
by Sally Henry Fuller - May 15, 2015
Goodspeed has just announced the cast of its upcoming production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Check out the full cast below! Get ready for "a little guts and a lot of glitter" as Goodspeed Musicals delivers a sassy, joyous production of La Cage aux Folles beginning June 26th at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Beyond its popularity as a heartwarming and beloved musical, it is a record-setter. La Cage aux Folles is the only musical that has won the Tony Award for Best Production (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.
Making the World's First Musical! Meet the Full Cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN!, Opening Tonight on Broadway
by Meet the Cast - Apr 22, 2015
The new musical comedy Something Rotten!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O'Farrell, officially opens on Broadway tonight, April 22, 2015 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!
Review Roundup: THE KING AND I Opens on Broadway - All the Reviews!
by Review Roundups - Apr 16, 2015
Lincoln Center Theater presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, led by Kelli O'Hara (as Anna Leonowens) and Ken Watanabe (as the King of Siam), directed by Bartlett Sher. The production opens tonight, April 16, 2015 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...
Getting to Know Them! Spotlight on THE KING AND I's Top 5 Annas in Broadway History
by Sally Henry - Apr 7, 2015
When the latest Rodgers and Hammerstein revival, THE KING AND I, opens in just over a week, starring Ken Watanabe and Kelli O'Hara, it will be the show's fifth Broadway production. Over the past six decades since the production originally opened on Broadway, basically only Yul Brynner has played the King of Siam, earning him the unofficial title of “The King of THE KING AND I.” However, many different women have donned the gorgeous gown to sing “Shall We Dance?” on the Great White Way since the original 1951 Broadway version. In honor of the upcoming revival, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at the Top 5 women who have portrayed Anna in THE KING AND I on Broadway.
STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 3/5/15- Elaine Paige
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 5, 2015
Happy Birthday, Elaine Paige! Paige was selected to play Eva Peron in the first production of Evita in 1978, which brought her to the attention of the broader public. She went on to originate the role of Grizabella in Cats and had a Top 10 hit with 'Memory', a song from the show. She then appeared in the original stage production of Chess, followed by a starring role in Anything Goes which she also co-produced. Paige made her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard in 1996, playing the lead role of Norma Desmond, to critical acclaim. She appeared in The King and I from 2000 to 2001, and six years later she returned to the West End stage in The Drowsy Chaperone. Most recently, she starred in Follies on Broadway.
New Rep Extends THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE Through March 8
by BWW News Desk - Feb 19, 2015
New Repertory Theatre announces THE KING OF SECOND AVENUE, now playing through March 8, 2015 in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. Tickets are $30-$60 and may be purchased by calling the New Rep Box Office at 617-923-8487 or visiting newrep.org. Student, senior, and group discounts are available. Added performances include: Friday, March 6, 8pm; Saturday, March 7, 3pm; Saturday, March 7, 8pm; and Sunday, March 8, 2pm.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN Extends Through March 22 at The Old Globe
by BWW News Desk - Feb 5, 2015
The Old Globe's West Coast Premiere of The Twenty-seventh Man by award-winning novelist Nathan Englander, directed by Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, will now play an extra week of performances -- through March 22 -- due to ticket demand for the originally announced run. Tony and Emmy Award winner Hal Linden ("Barney Miller," The Rothschilds) leads a cast of Broadway and Globe veterans including Ron Orbach, Robert Dorfman, Eli Gelb, James Shanklin, and Lowell Byers. The Twenty-seventh Man will run February 14 through March 22 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run February 14-18. Opening night is Thursday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m.
BWW Reviews: Variations on a Theme - Three Musicals, THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, All Speak to Beauty and Self-Worth
by Jill Schafer - Jan 27, 2015
At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for January 14th, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Jan 14, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!
Renee Fleming Stars in the Met's New Production of THE MERRY WIDOW, Beginning Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 31, 2014
Renée Fleming will add a new role to her extensive repertory when she sings her first-ever performances of Hanna Glawari, the title role in Lehár's The Merry Widow, at the Met this season. Four-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman makes her Met debut as director and choreographer of a new production of the comic operetta, in which a wealthy widow's countrymen launch a romantic plot to keep her -- and her tax dollars -- within their borders.
Renee Fleming to Star in the Met's New Production of THE MERRY WIDOW, Beginning 12/31
by BWW News Desk - Dec 11, 2014
Renée Fleming will add a new role to her extensive repertory when she sings her first-ever performances of Hanna Glawari, the title role in Lehár's The Merry Widow, at the Met this season. Four-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman makes her Met debut as director and choreographer of a new production of the comic operetta, in which a wealthy widow's countrymen launch a romantic plot to keep her -- and her tax dollars -- within their borders.
John Rando Backs Out of Broadway-Bound KING KONG Musical
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 5, 2014
KING KONG, which ran in Australia last year has long been rumored for a trip overseas to Broadway. As previously reported, following a successful run in Melbourne, the producers of KING KONG were planning to bring the mega-musical to Broadway in December 2014.
Three Dog Night, Muppet Movie Sing-a-Long, Dick Fox Doo Wop Extravaganza and More Set for Arcadia's 2015 Season
by BWW News Desk - Nov 17, 2014
Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its second season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center -- Three Dog Night on Saturday, January 10 at 8 pm; The Four Tops on Saturday, February 21 at 8 pm; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday, March 27 at 8 pm; The Muppet Movie Sing-a-Long on Saturday, May 16 at 2 pm and Dick Fox Doo Wop Extravaganza on Saturday, June 6 at 7 pm. This four concert season, and the additional attraction The Muppet Movie Sing-A-Long, is presented by the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation and is a means of raising funds to support arts in the schools and maintain this new, state-of-the-art facility.
John Rando in Talks to Direct KING KONG on Broadway; Marsha Norman Joins Creative Team
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 6, 2014
KING KONG, which ran in Australia last year has long been rumored for a trip overseas to Broadway. As previously reported, following a successful run in Melbourne, the producers of KING KONG were planning to bring the mega-musical to Broadway in December 2014. Due to the 'huge scale of the production' and to allow the creative team necessary time to implement changes, the producers decided 'to not rush in before the end of the year.' Now according to the New York Times, the show is eyeing John Rando to direct the Broadway version.
Additionally, Marsha Norman was recently brought on board as the musical's new book writer. A development timeline has not yet been announced.
All Aboard - Meet the Full Cast of THE LAST SHIP, Setting Sail Tonight on Broadway!
by Meet the Cast - Oct 26, 2014
THE LAST SHIP - the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting and book by Tony Award winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey opens tonight, October 26. The Last Ship is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreographed by Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Steven Hoggett. Scroll down to learn more about the full cast and watch the company onstage in a commercial for the show below!
THE PIANO LESSON Begins 10/22 at Syracuse Stage
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 8, 2014
In August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece The Piano Lesson, the past threatens to pull apart brother and sister. Bernice treasures a one-of-a-kind piano, an heirloom with carved figures of their enslaved ancestors. Boy Willie suddenly arrives from the South determined to sell the piano and buy the land his family worked on. When the ghost of the piano's original owner appears, family conflicts escalate to a dramatic confrontation. With lyrical language rolling from the rowdy to the tender, this is one of Wilson's finest.