Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called "The Dreams", who become music superstars. It was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006.
This January on THIRTEEN and WLIW, three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown makes his broadcast television debut in a high-powered concert with Tony winner Anika Noni Rose. Recorded in 2011 at New York City's historic Abrons Art Center, Brown and Rose and a band of some of Broadway's greatest musicians perform Brown's best-known and most-loved selections from The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, Wearing Someone Else's Clothes and his new Broadway smash Honeymoon In Vegas! Also tune in to hear the world premiere of four new songs from Brown's forthcoming second solo CD.
La Jolla Playhouse announces five shows for its 2015/2016 season, featuring all new works, including the world-premiere musical Come from Away, featuring book, music and lyrics by acclaimed Canadian husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley; the world premiere of Indecent, co-created by director Rebecca Taichman (Playhouse's Sleeping Beauty Wakes, Milk Like Sugar), and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive), co-produced with Yale Repertory Theatre; and Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington (Memphis, The Wiz), directed by The Cosby Show's Phylicia Rashad, which had its first workshop during the Playhouse's 2014 DNA New Work Series.
In the coming months, Broadway will welcome a fresh crop of productions- many of which will mark the Broadway debuts for a slew of talented actors. Whether they are fresh faces or established stars, these Broadway babies will soon take their very first bows on the grandest stages in the world.
Meet all of the Great White Way's newest stars below, and be sure to let us know who you're most looking forward to seeing onstage!
Next to Normal's Alice Ripley and her fellow Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason are featured in a new music video for the song 'Mastermind,' written by Aaron David Gleason, Joanna's son.
From swing, to dance captain, to actress, to associate choreographer - the voyage of Janet Rothermel.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents The Trumpet of the Swan, A Novel Symphony for Actors and Orchestra, adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman from E.B. White's timeless children's novel, with music by Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown. Norman and Brown are also currently represented on Broadway with the new musical adaptation of The Bridges of Madison County.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents The Trumpet of the Swan, A Novel Symphony for Actors and Orchestra, adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman from E.B. White's timeless children's novel, with music by Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown. Norman and Brown are also currently represented on Broadway with the new musical adaptation of The Bridges of Madison County.
Following the fantastic audience response to the last time Neil Berg appeared at Harris Center for the Arts with 100 Years of Broadway in 2011, Mr. Berg returns to Folsom with an all new show celebrating 101 Years of Broadway. This highly anticipated return engagement features a dazzling cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band.
Miss Saigon, currently booking for performances through to Saturday 25th October 2014, will make its highly anticipated return to the West End on Saturday 3 May 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre, in the musical's 25th anniversary year. Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's epic musical has played in 300 cities in 15 different languages, winning awards around the world since the sensational record-breaking run at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane 25 years ago. This epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with an American GI Chris--but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.
Meet the full company below!
Pittsburgh CLO has announced the creative team for the 2014 Summer Season at the Benedum Center. This group of Pittsburgh CLO veterans and exciting newcomers will leave audiences singing all summer long with Broadway's best! The season includes Singin' in the Rain (May 30-June 8), Legally Blonde The Musical (June 13-22), Footloose (June 24-29), the National Tour of Evita (July 8-13), CATS (July 18-27) and Monty Python's Spamalot (July 29-August 3).
Winter usually isn't the busiest time of year for incoming Broadway shows, but that doesn't mean that there is any lack of fresh talent making their debuts! The Broadway Winter has arrived, and while a solid number of new faces are treading the boards, dozens more are on their way in the coming months. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!
Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 45th Anniversary at a gala benefit on Monday, March 31st, 2014 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is veteran Broadway virtuoso Maurice Hines.
Today, we remember those within the entertainment industry that we lost in 2013.
Alice Ripley won a Tony Award for her leading role in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical "Next to Normal," and was a Tony-nominee for the musical "Sideshow" on Broadway. This January, she joins the star-studded lineup of the celebrated Broadway at NOCCA series, on January 6, 2014 at 7:00 PM for one show only. Jessica Means joins her at piano. For tickets please visit http://www.broadwaynola.com/ or call 1-800-838-3006. This holiday season, NOCCA is making available tickets to two Tony-winners for the price of one. Both Alice Ripley and Sutton Foster may be purchased together with The Broadway @ NOCCA Holiday Pass for just $50.
Jennifer Holliday is undeniably one of R&B and Broadway's greatest voices. Endowed with a commanding and irresistible voice, immeasurable range and artistry that few can rival, Holliday has long stood in a class by herself. The dynamic songstress' now legendary show-stopping, heart-wrenching performance of the torch ballad "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" in the smash hit Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, made her a household name and introduced her big soulful voice to the world. Her portrayal of Effie "Melody" White, a role she co-created, not only brought theatergoers to their feet for eight performances a week, but also garnered her a Tony-Award for Best Actress in a Musical and her first Grammy-Award for Best R&B Female Vocalist. From Broadway to major TV appearances including (Ellen, Ally McBeal and Touched By An Angel) and half-a-dozen soundtrack credits, Jennifer Holliday is one of the most distinctive, enviable and revered voices in modern music. Through the years, Holliday has collaborated with everyone from Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross, David Foster and Paul Simon, to Michael Jackson, Maurice White and Foreigner. She has also sung with the Boston Pops and The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra with Peter Nero, among numerous other esteemed orchestras. She considers herself to be a Broadway Baby and theater continues to be a significant part of her career. Her illustrious resume includes such theatre credits as Sing Mahalia Sing: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Downhearted Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, Harlem Suite (with Aretha Franklin), Chicago (starring as "Mama Morton"), Grease (starring as "Teen Angel") and Black Nativity (starring as the "Angel of God"). The in-demand star has also been invited to participate in Chaka Khan's induction into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame ceremony to take place June 10 at the Apollo Theatre and broadcast later on BET. Considering herself a "bi-partisan songbird," Jennifer is both honored and grateful to have performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
New York Live Arts will present Urban Word's Journal to Journey: Ascension - Asylum called Life Personified, a four-month program that culminates in a showcase performance of new solo works created by young poets, December 14 & 15 at 1:00pm.
Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, November 2 at 10 AM for Neil Patrick Harris' return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the musical with book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, directed by Michael Mayer. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com.
According to Barclays Center website, Andrea Bocelli will be performing at the Barclays Center on December 11th, 2013 in front of a sold out crowd. Bocelli will be joined by guest-vocalist and Tony Award winner and Olivier nominated Heather Headley and soprano Svetla Vassileva.
2013 Tony Award winner for Best Actor In A Musical, KINKY BOOTS's own triple-threat headliner Billy Porter, was feted in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, yesterday, where it was officially named Billy Porter Day in the actor's honor.
Downtown Cabaret Theatre has announced its Main Stage lineup for 2013-2014. Details below!
Friends, family and colleagues will gather on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena) to celebrate the life of award-winning composer Damon Intrabartolo. He died on August 13 in Arizona. Damon was 39.
Megan Mullally is a two-time Emmy-winning star of TV's Will & Grace, and recent star of Broadway's Young Frankenstein. On August 28 & 29 she returns to Provincetown by popular demand - for two shows only - after her sold-out Art House debut last summer. Patti LuPone won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for her performance as Rose in the most recent Broadway production of Gypsy, and created the title role in Evita on Broadway with her now legendary performance, for which she won her first Tony and Drama Desk Awards. On August 31 and September 1 she makes a triumphant Provincetown return for 4 shows only, after debuting at The Art House last summer. Chita Rivera is a living Broadway legend and a two-time Tony winner as Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Anna in The Rink. She originated the Broadway roles of Anita in West Side Story, Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and appeared in the original casts of Guys and Dolls, Can Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Jerry's Girls, and many others. She makes her Provincetown debut on Sept. 7 & 8 with two shows only. Series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky joins each of these three leading ladies at the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.
One of the most fun and entertaining aspects of the summer is the big, splashy musicals that get produced all over the nation. Last night, I was invited to attend the final dress rehearsal of Fort Bend Theatre's SHREK THE MUSICAL. The company is bidding a fond farewell to summer with a gargantuan production that is bond to entertain any who venture out to see it. This musical, featuring a Book and Lyrics by acclaimed playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine Tesori is based on the 2001 DreamWorks film SHREK and the 1991 William Steig book SHREK!. SHREK THE MUSICAL got mixed to positive reviews when it opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre. It earned eight 2009 Tony Award nominations and won for Best Costumes. All in all, the show enjoyed a successful 12-month run. After its Broadway run, the creative team has tinkered with the show for its notable First National Tour and London productions. The current licensed version most closely resembles the London production of the show.
BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Damon Intrabartolo, who wrote the music for BARE, passed away on August 13. He was 39 years old.
Everyone's favorite upside-down fairytale comes to Walnut Creek when Diablo Theatre Company presents the Bay Area premiere of Shrek the Musical, a song-and dance-filled stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film. Shrek the Musical opens September 6 and runs through September 28.
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