Why BroadwayWorld.com Can't Wait for NBC's SMASH
by Robert Diamond - May 20, 2011
Culled from as A-list a list as you are ever likely to acquire - Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Michael Mayer, Theresa Rebeck and Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman onwards - SMASH is the adult answer to riveting dramatic musical entertainment coming with heart, laughs, unforgettable characters and some of the biggest twists this side of the starry stages on the Great White Way. Oh, yeah, and those hallowed Broadway halls, too. Plus, SMASH provides a great new opportunity to showcase the unbelievable talent on display on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway and beyond, particularly given the fact that it is shot in New York and it is being cast by the biggest casting director on Broadway, Bernie Telsey. Consider the theatre-centric casting LAW & ORDER times seventy six (trombones). All of New York is the talent pool from which the stage of SMASH shall be set. And, what exactly is SMASH about, anyway? Well, SMASH is all about Broadway and what makes a musical tick - from the very inception of the show's idea by the songwriters, through writing, rehearsals and the road; all the way to the big Broadway opening where dreams are made - and nightmares born - on one magnificent, momentous night. As viewers, we are taken inside the ticking clock of the show and we experience each and every one of the multitude of machinations enacted by everyone from the stars - Marilyn Monroe, and the actress playing her, Ivy; and, more importantly, her alternative, Karen - to the overworked director (Derek), harried songwriters Tom and Julia, and the speculative and cutthroat producer behind it all, Eileen.
RENT Plays Big Art Labs, 5/5-28
by BWW
News Desk - May 5, 2011
Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical RENT is coming to the Big Art Labs in Downtown, L.A. May 5th through May 28th, 2011. Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00PM. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased via the RENT: DOWNTOWN L.A. website at
Big Dance Goes National In 2012
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 4, 2011
Big Dance, London's Legacy Trust UK programme, delivered by the Mayor of London and Arts Council England, announced today plans for Big Dance 2012, taking place from 7-15 July 2012, as part of London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad.
RENT Plays Big Art Labs, 5/5-28
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 27, 2011
Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical RENT is coming to the Big Art Labs in Downtown, L.A. May 5th through May 28th, 2011. Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00PM. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased via the RENT: DOWNTOWN L.A. website at
BWW Reviews: Cirque du Soleil's QUIDAM Still Wows
by Michael L. Quintos - Apr 24, 2011
Internationally famous for their fantastical, imaginative circus shows, the Montréal-based troupe's brand of whimsy and jaw-dropping acts are in full display in QUIDAM, one of several Cirque du Soleil shows now touring the globe. First produced in 1996, QUIDAM's Southern California stops continue at the Long Beach Arena Convention & Entertainment Center through April 22 before swinging up to Ontario, CA to play the Citizens Bank Arena from April 27 through May 1.
InDepth InterView: Frank Vincent on CHICAGO OVERCOAT & More
by Pat Cerasaro - Apr 17, 2011
Appearing in all three of Martin Scorsese's masterpieces - RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS and CASINO - would surely suffice, at least for the artistic quotient of any resume, yet the suave and commanding presence of Frank Vincent as Tony Soprano's arch-nemesis Phil Leotardo on HBO's THE SOPRANOS may very well be his most beloved role to date. Yet, how to even choose? In addition to those four simply masterful entities, Mr. Vincent has also appeared in films for a wide array of highly notable directors, including: Spike Lee on DO THE RIGHT THING and JUNGLE FEVER; Brian DePalma on WISE GUYS; James Mangold on COP LAND; and the recently deceased Sidney Lumet on the 1996 crime thriller NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN. In addition to a thorough discussion of his past roles, new and old - plus, what it was like to act as acting coach to Nas, Method Man and DMX on Hype Williams's BELLY - we also get down to brass nuts and bolts about his riveting new crime thriller CHICAGO OVERCOAT, available this week. In OVERCOAT, Mr. Vincent portrays perhaps his most rich and complex character to date and his powerful performance is something to cherish, cheer - and, surely, cower at; in fear. After all, who does badass boss better than Mr. Vincent? As it turns out, he's also a hell of a nice guy, to boot! Now, to quote Billy Batts in GOODFELLAS, 'Go home and get your shine box!' but, first enjoy his colorful comments!
Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by BWW News Desk - Apr 8, 2011
Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award
Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 22, 2011
Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by BWW
News Desk - Feb 3, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by BWW
News Desk - Feb 3, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
Major Sabu Retrospective Held at Japan Society
by BWW
News Desk - Jan 26, 2011
Born Hiroyuki Tanaka (1964), Sabu is the cult auteur of 'punk n' roll,' alternative comedies, often imitated, never equaled, and far too rarely shown in the U.S. since his 1996 feature debut, Non-Stop a.k.a DANGAN Runne
InDepth InterView: Idina Menzel Talks GLEE, WICKED, RENT, TV Special & More
by Robert Diamond - Jan 21, 2011
Today, we have perhaps the biggest Broadway star of the modern era, having appeared in the three most iconic theatre-related enterprises in entertainment in each of the last three decades, having lead roles in the original casts of Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1996 rock musical RENT, a Best Actress Tony Award for her work in Stephen Schwartz's megahit WICKED, and now a recurring role on Fox's hit 2011 Golden Globe-winning musical comedy series GLEE - the amply gifted and endearing Idina Menzel. In this exclusive interview we discuss her US concert tour with Oscar-winning maestro Marvin Hamlisch - as well as what she will be singing in their NY Philharmonic performance on February 5th - as well as new motherhood, new music and what she would like to do on the future - on Broadway, on GLEE and beyond! Plus, what does she think of TV daughter Lea Michele taking on her signature RENT tune coming up on GLEE?
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 18, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 12, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
Photo Flash: Way Off Broadway Presents 101 DALMATIANS
by BWW Photo Special - Jan 10, 2011
The Way Off Broadway Children's Theatre first opened in 1996 and since then has become a popular entertainment destination for families looking for a fun weekend activity, it has also become a great spot for birthday parties and school trips. Each show that has appeared on the stage has been an original musical adaptation of a popular children's story or fairytale written specifically for Way Off Broadway. With the first show of the 2011 Season, things will be changing in The Children's Theatre. For the first time, a Disney production will come to life on the Way Off Broadway stage when Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids opens on January 29th kicking off the new season.
Photo Flash: Red Dog Squadron's GREEDY, 1/8-29
by BWW Photo Special - Dec 20, 2010
Five people struggle with greed, hope, desire and integrity in the wake of an emailed plea for money that promises big returns. Is it a scam or a golden opportunity? RED DOG SQUADRON presents the West Coast premiere of greedy by Karl Gajdusek. RED DOG SQUADRON co-artistic director James Roday directs a cast that includes Amanda Detmer, Kurt Fuller, Peter Mackenzie, Ivana Milicevic, Brad Raider and Roday's co-star on the USA series psych, Maggie Lawson. The limited four-week engagement takes place at the El Centro Theatre, January 8-29.
Major Sabu Retrospective Held at Japan Society
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 17, 2010
Born Hiroyuki Tanaka (1964), Sabu is the cult auteur of 'punk n' roll,' alternative comedies, often imitated, never equaled, and far too rarely shown in the U.S. since his 1996 feature debut, Non-Stop a.k.a DANGAN Runne
Lord Of The Dance 3D Opens Worldwide 3/17
by Sophie Schulman - Dec 8, 2010
Since its premiere in 1996, LORD OF THE DANCE has been captivating audiences and critics around the globe and has grossed over oen billion dollars worldwide. Now fans around the globe will have a once in a lifetime opportunity, when the world famous LORD OF THD DANCE and its creator, producer, director, and star Michael Flatley, are brought to the big screen in 3D for a limited engagement. Unprecedented access to Flatley's performance gives the viewer an unparalleled sense of the scale of the show as never seen before.