Tag: Broadway

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First look: Meryl Streep as The Witch – “Into The Woods”

Disney has released the first photo of Meryl Streep as the witch in Into the Woods, its upcoming adaptation of the Broadway musical.

The movie, a modern twist on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, explores the consequences of the quests of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel — all tied together by an original story involving a baker, his wife, and the witch who cast a spell on them.

In the film, Streep’s character is looking to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.

Into the Woods, which is in production in England, is directed by Rob Marshall, and features a star-studded cast that also includes Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, and Johnny Depp.

(via Hollywood Reporter)

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The men of Il Divo talk on their upcoming Broadway engagement

From Broadway.com: Pop-opera quartet Il Divo heads to the Broadway in “A Musical Affair” – a new celebration of all things Broadway, on November 7.

“Il Divo – A Musical Affair: The Greatest Songs of Broadway Live,” will kick off a limited run of live concerts at New York’s Marquis Theater on November 7th, marking the first time that the four band members will sing together on the Broadway stage.  Click here for ticket info.

The show will feature some of the most famous songs from Broadway musicals interpreted by the men of Il Divo: Carlos, David, Urs and Sébastien.

Il Divo will be joined on stage by Tony and Grammy Award Winner, Heather Headley who will be a featured guest for the entire run.

Listen to the men of Il Divo chat about their musical fandom, special guest Heather Headley and more.

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NBC’s “The Sound of Music” gets three Broadway heavy-hitters

According to the Hollywood Reporter, NBC’s upcoming live broadcast of The Sound of Music will feature even more theater star power in addition to previously announced Carrie Underwood (“Maria”) and Stephen Moyer (“Captain Von Trapp”).

Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle have signed on to play Mother Abbess, Elsa Schrader and Max Dettweiler respectively.

The three-hour production is based on the original 1959 Broadway production of The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music, produced by Universal TV, is executive produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan. The production will be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford.

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Broadway: CHICAGO the Musical to celebrate 7,000th performance

On Tuesday, September 24, the Tony Award-winning stage musical CHICAGO will celebrate a huge milestone with its 7,000th performance on Broadway.

Only twice before has this occurred in Broadway history — by CATS (which closed in its 18th year after 7,485 performances) and The Phantom of the Opera (now in its 26th year).

When I first read the news about the 7,000th performance, I thought of my friends still in the Broadway company now for many, many years. And I warmly reflected “God, think of their pension accounts.” 🙂

Feels cool that I reconnected with the show again this year at the Hollywood Bowl and Sacramento Music Circus. I was lucky to be a part of the show on Broadway and in the national & international touring companies for over 8 years. And I’ve been fortunate to explore the show as a choreographer several times.

I never get tired of the show. Clearly audiences feel the same 🙂

Congrats to the kids down at the Ambassador Theatre. And all that jazz…

Me this past July performing in the Hollywood Bowl production of CHICAGO

(source)

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First look: “IF/THEN” starring Idina Menzel

Cast and creative team share their excitement as they start their first rehearsal, reunite with old friends and bring you a brand new musical.

Idina tweeted this pic of herself and LaChanze (both Tony Award winners) on Day Two of rehearsals:

PRE-BROADWAY WORLD PREMIERE
The National Theatre
Washington, DC
November 5 – December 8, 2013

BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
Richard Rodgers Theatre
New York, NY
Performances begin
March 4, 2014

For more information and tickets, visit the official website at:
http://www.ifthenthemusical.com/

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Broadway: Don’t miss the 27th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction

 Be a part of the biggest day of the year for Broadway fans at the 27th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.

Find one-of-a-kind showbiz treasures, meet your favorite cast members and bid on exclusive backstage experiences.

Free and open to the public, the annual event takes place September 22nd from 10 AM-7 PM in the heart of the theatre district along West 44th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue) and in Shubert Alley.

In addition to memorabilia and other items to purchase, theatre fans have the opportunity to get autographs and pose for pictures with their favorite stars from Broadway and Off-Broadway in exchange for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS – a charity near and dear to my heart.

Broadway stars scheduled to appear include Len Cariou, Harriet Harris, Shuler Hensley, Cherry Jones, Aaron Lazar, Judith Light, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Bebe Neuwirth, Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Faith Prince, Alice Ripley, Laura Benanti, Robert Cuccioli, Jeremy Jordan, Jan Maxwell, Julia Murney, Rory O’Malley, Laura Osnes, Christopher Sieber, Matthew James Thomas, Patrick Wilson and more.

You never know who’ll show up or what you’ll find. For an up-to-date list, visit broadwaycares.org.

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Broadway’s Bobby Steggert casually comes out in interview

Did Broadway’s Bobby Steggert just come out?

The musical adaptation of the film “Big Fish” opens on Broadway on October 5, and Bobby,  one of the leads in the show, seems to have casually come out in a new interview with “OUT” magazine:

The role also marks Steggert’s most mature, complex portrayal to date. Up until his turn as a gay dad in Mothers and Sons—”I think it’s a gay actor’s responsibility to give full-blooded life to gay characters”—the 32-year-old actor spent years starring in coming-of-age stories.

He played a conflicted gay soldier in the Off-Broadway World War II musical Yank! and earned a Tony nom for his performance in the 2009 revival of McNally’s Ragtime. His work in the latter actually inspired the four-time Tony-winning scribe to write a role for him in Mothers. “Now I’m playing men dealing with adult issues,” Steggert says.

“Big Fish” makes its way to Broadway after an out-of-town run in Chicago, with direction by Susan Stroman (“The Producers”), music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by John August (the screenwriter of the film who, along with Lippa, also happens to be gay).

Currently in previews, the musical is one of Broadway’s most anticipated shows of the season and opens officially October 5. For more information on the show click here.

(source)

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Kinky Boots’ Tony Award-winner Billy Porter on The Artie Lange Show

I love that the host says “What’s up, Bill?” at the top of the interview.

And the idea that Keith Richards came to Kinky Boots but didn’t know Billy wasn’t a “biological lady” when meeting Billy.

Fun interview. Love seeing Billy do all kinds of press.

Get it, Billy!

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Broadway: Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams to star in Cabaret revival opposite Alan Cumming

The Roundabout Theatre Company is expected to announce that Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams will star as “Sally Bowles” in a 2014 Broadway revival of the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret.

The New York Times reports that Williams (“Brokeback Mountain,” “My Week With Marilyn”) has been tapped to play “Sally” opposite the previously reported Alan Cumming (Macbeth) as the “Master of Ceremonies.”

Cumming earned a Tony Award for playing the role in the 1998 revival of Cabaret.

Tony and Academy Award winners Sam Mendes (Gypsy, “American Beauty”) and Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” Kiss of the Spider Woman) will repeat their work as director and co-director/choreographer, respectively. The two earned acclaim for the 1998 revival for the Roundabout.

(source)