All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Friday, June 5, 2015

“We’re Just Vain!”  First-Time Nominees Micah Stock and Sarah Stiles on Getting Styled for the Tonys by Michael Gioia

Micah Stock and Sarah Stiles are new to the Tony-nominated game, but they're stepping up to the plate in style. We caught up with the two first-time nominees at a recent Tony Awa…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:06AM
Thursday, June 4, 2015

Go Inside Alison Bechdel’s Vermont Home, Where Broadway’s Fun Home First Came To Life (Video) by Michael Gioia

On "CBS This Morning," CBS' Jamie Wax took a trip to Alison Bechdel's Vermont home, where Bechdel began to sketch out the graphic novel Fun Home years before it was an accl…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:59PM

Playbill Playlist: Daniel Quadrino of Newsies and Wicked Picks 6 Pop Songs Essential For Summer by Michael Gioia

Daniel Quadrino, a former Newsie who can currently be seen on Broadway in Wicked, will return to 54 Below June 8. He shares his favorite pop songs essential for the summer as part of this we…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:54PM

Former Witches Jenna Leigh Green, Dee Roscioli and Patti Murin Will Revisit Wicked in Concert by Michael Gioia

The Witches, a Cabaret, a benefit performance to support Theatre Workshop, will be held July 20-21 at the Bennett Hall Stage in Nantucket.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:24PM

Fiddler on the Roof Revival, Starring Danny Burstein, Sets New Start Date; Tix On Sale This Month by Michael Gioia

The fifth Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof will begin previews at the Broadway Theatre Nov. 12, five days earlier than previously announced. Tickets go on sale June 6 for the musical …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:05PM
Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Watch the Most Epic Gay Wedding Ever Jennifer Hudson’s New Music Video (Video) by Michael Gioia

"I Still Love You," a music video in support of LGBT equality, has been released by MTV and Logo. Watch and listen to the new song, performed by Jennifer Hudson, who will star in B…

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:07PM

Attention, NBC! “I Just Feel Like I’m Next In Line,” Says Brandy On Her Dream To Be Dorothy in The W by Michael Gioia

Brandy Norwood, who recently extended her run as Roxie Hart in the Broadway revival of Chicago through August, already has hopes of a stage return. She'd like to ease on down the road as…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:22PM
Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Watch Constantine Maroulis, Nancy Opel and Toxic Avenger Cast Belt About New Jersey in Rehearsal (Vi by Michael Gioia

Cast members from the rock musical The Toxic Avenger, including songwriter David Bryan (the keyboard player of the American rock band Bon Jovi), will reunite this summer in concert at 54 Bel…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:26PM

Gloria Estefan’s Broadway-Bound On Your Feet! Begins Performances Tonight in Chicago by Michael Gioia

Ana Villafañe and Josh Segarra star in On Your Feet!, the new musical based on the lives of seven-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer-musician-…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, June 1, 2015

Watch “Smash” and Broadway Stars Announce Winners of @Actor_Friend’s Awards for Things “The Tonys Le by Michael Gioia

Recipients of the first annual Awaresie Awards — honoring excellence on Broadway, Broadway Internet and, more specifically, "Sh*t the Tonys Leave Out" — have be…

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00PM
Sunday, May 31, 2015

Drama Desk Award Winners Announced; Hamilton Wins Seven Awards by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

The 60th Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Tony winner Laura Benanti, were presented May 31 at The Town Hall in New York City. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway-bound musical Hami…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:57PM

Broadway’s Skylight, With Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy, Recoups by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

The Broadway production of David Hare's Skylight, starring Carey Mulligan, Bill Nighy and Matthew Beard — who all re-create their acclaimed London performances&…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:22PM

Laura Benanti Hosts Drama Desk Awards Tonight by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

The 60th Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Tony winner Laura Benanti, are presented May 31 at 8 PM at The Town Hall in New York City.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, May 30, 2015

Mean Musical, Pulling From P!nk’s Hits to Tell the Story of Rising Hollywood Rock Star, Presented To by Michael Gioia

Producer Paul Adams and Emerging Artists Theatre present a developmental workshop of the new musical Mean, featuring songs from Grammy winner P!nk's catalogue, May 30 in New York.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 29, 2015

Re-Imagined Staging of Evita Features Two Evas to Balance the Commentary on Her Life by Michael Gioia

Stanford University's Department of Theater & Performance Studies (TAPS) concludes its 2014-15 season with a re-imagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:16PM

Get to Know the “Chorus Boys” of Broadway and Learn How They Made It (Video) by Michael Gioia

Four actors share their journey to Broadway in the new Logo digital series "Chorus Boys," which takes viewers into the life of ensemble members in some of the biggest shows in the …

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:04PM

Exclusive! Reese Witherspoon Rocks Out to “Torn” at Cruel Intentions Musical (Video) by Michael Gioia

Reese Witherspoon and her "Cruel Intentions" co-stars took a trip to The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Cruel Intentions in Los Angeles, and Playbill.com has scored exclusive v…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:31PM

Newsies’ Adam Kaplan Will Show ‘Em How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying by Michael Gioia

Adam Kaplan, who was seen on Broadway in Newsies, will star in Flat Rock Playhouse's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which will begin performances June 17…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:27PM

Jack Black, Step Back! Alex Brightman Will Headline Broadway’s School of Rock by Michael Gioia

Alex Brightman, seen on Broadway in Glory Days, Wicked, Matilda and Big Fish, will star as the teacher at the center of Broadway's School of Rock — the role m…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:09AM

Roger Rees Undergoing Medical Treatment and Officially On Leave from The Visit by Michael Gioia

Roger Rees, who stars as Anton Schell — the former lover of Claire Zachanassian, played by Chita Rivera — in The Visit, has officially taken a …

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:35AM
Thursday, May 28, 2015

Keke Palmer Joins Cast of Fox’s Grease: Live! by Adam Hetrick, Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Singer and actress Keke Palmer, who recently appeared on Broadway in the title role of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, has joined the cast of the FOX-TV broadcast of Grease: Live…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:37PM

Check Out This 15-Year-Old #TBT of Julia Murney, Idina Menzel, Brian d’Arcy James in Wild Party (Pho by Michael Gioia

With Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party set to return to New York City this summer as part of the Encores! Off-Center series, the show's original star, Julia Murney, posted a picture …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:22PM

Say Yes To The (Playbill) Dress! High School Freshmen Take Playbill From Broadway to the Runway by Michael Gioia

Every year, at Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx, a fashion show is held in which the students are asked to design their runway attire from anything but fabric. This year, a pair…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:47PM

Sarah Stiles, Derek Klena, Natalie Weiss, Lilli Cooper and More Will Celebrate Carner & Gregor Album by Michael Gioia

Songwriters Sam Carner and Derek Gregor will release their first album, featuring Broadway singers Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Natalie Weiss and more, June 15.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:10PM

Playbill Playlist: 12 Iconic Judy Garland Performances, From “Over The Rainbow” to “The Man That Got by Michael Gioia

The fifth annual Night Of A Thousand Judys, presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, will be held June 1. In anticipation of the evening, the cast picks their favorite performances …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM

Jim Parsons Is God! An Act of God Opens On Broadway Tonight by Michael Gioia

The new Broadway comedy An Act of God, starring Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jim Parsons in the role of God, officially opens on Broadway May 28 at Studio 54.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:08AM
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Updated: Shall We Dance Or Sing? Who’s Performing What at the Tony Awards! by Andrew Gans and Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

If you like to be completely surprised on Tony Awards night, stop reading here. Playbill.com has learned what several of the Broadway productions will perform June 7 at Radio City Music Hall.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:40PM

Shall We Dance Or Sing? Who’s Performing What at the Tony Awards! by Andrew Gans and Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

If you like to be completely surprised on Tony Awards night, stop reading here. Playbill.com has learned what several of the Broadway productions will perform June 7 at Radio City Music Hall.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM

Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters and Original Into the Woods Cast Will Reunite by Michael Gioia

Stephen Sondheim, James Lapine and cast and creative members from the 1987 Tony-winning production of Into the Woods will reunite June 21 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:38AM

Robert Askins, Stew, Daisy Foote, Fiasco Theater and More Will Develop New Work at SPACE Writer’s Re by Michael Gioia

Robert Askins, Stew, Branden Jacobs­-Jenkins, Daisy Foote and the Fiasco Theater troupe are among the artists who will develop new work at SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit artist…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM
Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Max Crumm, Kacie Sheik and Janet Krupin Will Star in Concert of Electro-Pop Musical Coming to Bad En by Michael Gioia

Feast Productions will present a concert performance of the new electro-pop musical Coming to Bad Ends June 1 at 42West.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:21PM

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