The Wizard of Oz - 2009 - US Tour Articles Page 18

Later this week, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Gigi will open at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street), marking the Broadway debut of Vanessa Hudgens, who plays the title role. Though this is the first time that the actress has tread the boards of the Great White Way, she has been captivating audiences with her musical talents for years, having made her big break as 'Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical franchise. In celebration of her big debut, BroadwayWorld is flashing back to the many roles that have brought her to this point. Check out clips of Hudgens in action below!

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents Simply Sondheim, the world premiere special event celebrating Stephen Sondheim and Signature Theatre's special partnership over the last 25 years.

King Richard III was finally laid to rest this month with suitable pomp and majesty in Leicester Cathedral.

Fra Fee and Laura Tebbutt are set to star in Jason Robert Brown's award-winning 'The Last Five Years' at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast from 24th June - 4th July 2015 in what has been one of their dream roles since the pair met at the Royal Academy of Music back in 2009.

International theatre producer David King has announced that the singer-songwriter, actor and winner of hit TV shows Dancing on Ice, Dancing on Ice - All Stars, and Get Your Act Together, Ray Quinn, will be joining the UK Tour of JUDY - THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND. Ray was runner up in The X- Factor in 2006, with his debut album going straight to number one in the UK charts, and has starred in many West End musicals including Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing.

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 some of the grandest stages in the world.

International theatre producer David King is delighted to announce that the singer-songwriter, actor and winner of hit TV shows Dancing On Ice, Dancing on Ice - All Stars, Ray Quinn, will be joining the UK Tour of JUDY - THE SONGBOOK OF JUDY GARLAND.

ired by actual events, Memphis, the Musical is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically- rich Tennessee city of Memphis. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ole' local boy with a passion for R&B music and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones (Huey's close-minded mama and Felicia's cautious brother, the club owner), they embark on a dangerous affair. As their careers rise, the relationship is challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of an outside world that is just unable to accept their love. Will their love be able to withstand the trials of separation, greed and fame? This hot and bothered Broadway musical is filled with heart, soul and energy to burn! Don't miss this Tony-award winning show when it comes to Concord's Capitol Center for the Arts for one night only tonight, March 12 at 7:30pm.

Virginia's Signature Theatre is proud to announce the full cast for Simply Sondheim, the world premiere special event celebrating Stephen Sondheim and Signature Theatre's special partnership over the last 25 years.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER continues the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Marx Theatre season with an inspired, hilarious and epic Peter Pan prequel that mixes grown-up fun for adults, ample silliness for children and storytelling magic for the kid in us all. The captivating winner of five Tony Awards, adapted for the stage by Rick Elice from the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson novel, will bring Neverland to new life tonight, March 7 through April 4.

Tonight, March 6, noted arranger Fred Barton will bring the music of Broadway and the American Songbook showmanship to the Schimmel Center at Pace University in American Showstoppers: An Evening of Irving Berlin.

Today we celebrate the surprise musical theatre star of 2015 due to her incredible Oscars performance earlier this week, the one and only Lady Gaga.

Portland Ovations heats up this winter with its' presentation of the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis at Merrill Auditorium on Saturday, March 14 for two performances 4pm and 8pm.

On Friday, March 6, noted arranger Fred Barton will bring the music of Broadway and the American Songbook showmanship to the Schimmel Center at Pace University in American Showstoppers: An Evening of Irving Berlin. Hailed by George Gershwin as 'the greatest songwriter that has ever lived,' the legendary Irving Berlin composed some of the most influential and widely-known songs ever written, many of which have come to form the Great American Songbook. Fred Barton now brings the power of Berlin's Broadway sound front and center, with a hot 14-piece orchestra and a cast of 17 Broadway singers and dancers, and direction and choreography by Jason Wise.

ired by actual events, Memphis, the Musical is set in the places where rock and roll was born in the 1950s: the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of the musically- rich Tennessee city of Memphis. With an original score, it tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ole' local boy with a passion for R&B music and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer that he meets one fateful night on Beale Street. Despite the objections of their loved ones (Huey's close-minded mama and Felicia's cautious brother, the club owner), they embark on a dangerous affair. As their careers rise, the relationship is challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of an outside world that is just unable to accept their love. Will their love be able to withstand the trials of separation, greed and fame? This hot and bothered Broadway musical is filled with heart, soul and energy to burn! Don't miss this Tony-award winning show when it comes to Concord's Capitol Center for the Arts for one night only Thursday, March 121 at 7:30pm.

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER continues the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Marx Theatre season with an inspired, hilarious and epic Peter Pan prequel that mixes grown-up fun for adults, ample silliness for children and storytelling magic for the kid in us all. The captivating winner of five Tony Awards, adapted for the stage by Rick Elice from the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson novel, will bring Neverland to new life March 7 through April 4.

Broadway Tony Award nominee and former Olympic Gold medal gymnast Cathy Rigby stars as 'Cat in the Hat' in Seussical the Musical which officially opens the LA Ovation Award winning 3D Theatricals' (3DT) 2015 musical theatre season. This delightful, whimsical show has been set for ten performances at Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium tonight, February 7 - 22; and six performances February 28 - March 8 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

When Andre De Shields steps onto the stage next week in Arena Stage's revival of August Wilson's King Hedley II, it will mark another in a series of firsts in a remarkable career.

Broadway Tony Award nominee and former Olympic Gold medal gymnast Cathy Rigby stars as 'Cat in the Hat' in Seussical the Musical which officially opens the LA Ovation Award winning 3D Theatricals' (3DT) 2015 musical theatre season. This delightful, whimsical show has been set for ten performances at Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium February 7 - 22; and six performances February 28 - March 8 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

YELLOW BRICK ROAD, an animated movie musical based on 'The Wizard of Oz' is currently in pre-production.

Round House Theatre continues its 2014/15 season with a magical, fresh new take on a beloved classic - The Nutcracker, a new holiday musical created by Tommy Rapley, Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, and Kevin O'Donnell. Directed by the award-winning Joe Calarco, The Nutcracker makes its area premiere at Round House Theatre from tonight, November 26 thru December 28, 2014.

Stepping in to share the ugly crown with punked-out evil stepsister Shakiki, played by Cleopatra Williams (Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You), is Petty Panto alumni Bryn McAuley. Bryn landed her breakout role at the age of seven playing the title character in the animated tv series Caillou, and has since gone on to voice more than 40 different characters.

Ross Petty Productions will present CINDERELLATHE GAGS TO RICHES FAMILY MUSICAL!, beginning tonight, November 21 at Toronto's Elgin Theatre.

Skylight Music Theatre today announced that Amy S. Jensen, who has served as managing director since 2009 and is credited with leading the organization through significant transition, has decided to leave the company to explore new opportunities in July, at the end of the 2014-15 season. Skylight Board President Alec Fraser said that Jensen told the Skylight Board of Directors of her decision earlier this month and that a committee has launched a national search for a new managing director.

Round House Theatre continues its 2014/15 season with a magical, fresh new take on a beloved classic - The Nutcracker, a new holiday musical created by Tommy Rapley, Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, and Kevin O'Donnell. Directed by the award-winning Joe Calarco, The Nutcracker makes its area premiere at Round House Theatre from November 26 thru December 28, 2014. Opening night is Monday, December 1, 2014.