All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 11, 2015

Celia Keenan-Bolger and John Ellison Conlee Welcome Baby Boy and Post First Picture! by Michael Gioia

Three-time Tony Award nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger, who was last seen on the New York stage in Lincoln Center Theater's The Oldest Boy — a story about motherhood&nbs…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:11PM
Saturday, May 9, 2015

Alan Cumming Previews His New One-Man Show Before It Hits NYC’s Caf Carlyle at Tonight’s Gala by Michael Gioia

Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming previews his new one-man show at Galavant In The Garden, a spring garden party benefiting Bucks County Playhouse, May 9 at Dark Hollow Farm, a p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Carol Burnett Heads to Staten Island Tonight for Audience-Interactive Evening of Laughter and Banter by Michael Gioia

Carol Burnett, who was last seen on Broadway in the revival of Love Letters, heads to the St. George Theatre on New York's Staten Island May 9 for an evening of "off-the-cuf…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 8, 2015

NASCAR Musical Helldrivers of Daytona Begins Development in Texas by Michael Gioia

The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance will present a free workshop performance of the newly developed musical Helldrivers of Daytona — from composer Ber…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:54PM

Jay Armstrong Johnson and More Will Share Broadway’s “Untold Stories” at Tony Awards Pop-Up Shop Eve by Michael Gioia

Author and musical theatre historian Jennifer Ashley Tepper will be joined by Jay Armstrong Johnson (On The Town), Tony-nominated lyricist Amanda Green (Hands on a Hardbody) and Jim Walt…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:10PM

Rock of Ages’ First Post-Broadway Production Will Rock Long Island With Show’s Former Stars by Michael Gioia

The first post-Broadway production of Rock of Ages will be presented at the Gateway Playhouse in Long Island beginning May 20. Genson Blimline and Amma Osei, who played Lonny and Justice…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:31PM

Writers of Broadway’s Story of My Life Will Present New Musical About The Millennial Generation In C by Michael Gioia

The University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre Class of 2015 will star in a concert version of Drama Desk Award nominees Neil Bartram and Brian Hill's The Theory of R…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:03PM

Liz Larsen, David Harris and More Join Les Miz, Directed By and Starring Terrence Mann by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann will direct Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Les Misérables and star in the production as Inspector Javert, a role he originated on Broadway an…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:41PM

Ariana DeBose, Liz Larsen, David Harris and More Join Les Miz, Directed By and Starring Terrence Man by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Terrence Mann will direct Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Les Misérables and star in the production as Inspector Javert, a role he originated on Broadway an…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:41PM
Thursday, May 7, 2015

Starting Over, Again! Idina Menzel Will Launch The National Tour of If/Then by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent, "Frozen," "Glee") will launch the national tour of If/Then, reprising her critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated performan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:30PM

Christopher Jackson and Shoshana Bean Will Join Jason Robert Brown in Concert This Month by Michael Gioia

Hamilton's Christopher Jackson and Wicked actress Shoshana Bean will join Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, conductor and director Jason Robert Brown for his May 15 concert at N…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:16PM

Fiasco’s Acclaimed, Stripped-Down Into the Woods Will Launch National Tour by Michael Gioia

The Fiasco Theater production of Into the Woods, stripped down to a ten-person cast with a new sound and feel — which recently concluded its acclaimed Off-Broadway…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:14AM

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Will Be Uncovered Across the States; National Tour by Michael Gioia

Stuart Thompson and Tim Levy for NT America, producers of the acclaimed Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, have announced that a U.S. national tour…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM

Exclusive From the Tonys! Watch Sondheim, Lapine and Joanna Gleason Accept Awards for Into the Woods by Michael Gioia

Before Into the Woods was a major movie musical, the iconic fairytale premiered on Broadway in 1987 and took home three 1988 Tony Awards. For the first time, the acceptance speeches (in high…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Let There Be Jim! An Act of God, Starring Jim Parsons, Begins Tonight On Broadway 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, begins performances May 7 at Studio 54.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Playbill Playlist: John Turturro, Robert Cuccioli, Santino Fontana and Zorba! Cast Pick Kander & Ebb by Michael Gioia

The City Center Encores! production of the classic Kander and Ebb musical Zorba! plays the famed Manhattan venue through May 10. Members of the cast pick their favorite Kander and Ebb songs …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Watch Idina Menzel Sing “Let It Go” in Japanese (Video) by Michael Gioia

Idina Menzel, who recently concluded her yearlong run in Broadway's If/Then, sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to talk about her upcoming world tour…and practiced singing "Le…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:27AM
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Daniel Breaker, Janet Krupin, Bryce Pinkham, Ciara Rene and 17-Piece Big Band Will Swing 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Following multiple sold out engagements, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band will return to 54 Below May 18 to continue an official residence for 2015.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:23PM

Kristin Chenoweth Announces 2015-16 Concert Tour Dates and Cities by Michael Gioia

Kristin Chenoweth, currently starring in her Tony-nominated turn in On the Twentieth Century, has announced her lineup of 2015-16 concert tour dates and cities.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:52AM

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Star Headed To Buyer & Cellar by Michael Gioia

Pittsburgh Public Theater's 40th anniversary season will conclude with the Pittsburgh premiere of Jonathan Tolins' one-man comedy Buyer & Cellar, starring "Buffy the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:51AM

Skylar Astin On “Pitch Perfect,” Theatre Camp Memories, His Girlfriend and Getting Back to Broadway by Michael Gioia

Before Skylar Astin was breaking it down a cappella-style as heartthrob Jesse Swanson in "Pitch Perfect," he was belting about "The Bitch of Living" in Broadway's…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Rita Wilson Returns To Fish in the Dark by Michael Gioia

Rita Wilson, who announced a medical leave of absence from Larry David's Fish in the Dark last month and later revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, returns to the sho…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, May 4, 2015

Nightlife Powerhouse Tori Scott Rocks Joe’s Pub With Thirsty! by Michael Gioia

Nightlife powerhouse Tori Scott returns to Joe's Pub May 4 with her latest show Thirsty!, an evening of poor life choices and stories of her late night misadventures, featuring songs fro…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:18PM

Which Emmy Winner Declined This Year’s Tony Hosting Gig, Saying “I Got Stomach Cramps”? by Michael Gioia

Jim Parsons, who will return to Broadway to star as the title character in An Act of God, confirmed that he was approached about hosting this year's Tony Awards, but declined.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:22PM

Pippin Star and “Glee” Actress Complete Cast of Pasek and Paul’s Dear Evan Hansen, Starring Ben Plat by Michael Gioia

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the full cast and creative team for Dear Evan Hansen, the new musical from Tony Award-nominated songwriters Benj Pasek a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:06PM

Finding Neverland Will Release Celebrity Album, Featuring Christina Aguilera, Nick Jonas and More; C by Michael Gioia

Finding Neverland, the new Broadway musical that tells the tale of how Peter became Pan — starring Matthew Morrison as famed author J.M. Barrie — will release an album of…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:59PM

Cher Moved to Tears After Seeing Hamilton by Michael Gioia

Academy Award winner Cher was the latest in a string of celebrities to visit Off-Broadway's The Public Theater to see Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed musical Hamilton and said…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:56PM

Barbra Streisand Receives a Standing Ovation at An American in Paris by Michael Gioia

Barbra Streisand, a Tony nominee for her performances in Funny Girl and I Can Get It For You Wholesale, attended Broadway's An America in Paris this weekend and received a standing ovati…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:51AM

#TheStruggleIsReal For Robin De Jesus and Friends, Tonight at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesus explores why learning, growing up, turning 30 and "becoming a better person sucks" in #TheStruggleIsReal May 4 at 54 Below. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, May 2, 2015

Broadway Actors Duet With Broadway Hopefuls Tonight at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Duets with The Write Teacher(s) is held May 2 at 54 Below. Broadway actors from Newsies, Side Show and Jersey Boys duet with Broadway hopefuls.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 30, 2015

Watch Wesley Taylor and Barrett Wilbert Weed Get Dolled Up and Dressed Down!  For Cabaret (Video) by Michael Gioia

Barrett Wilbert Weed, a Drama Desk nominee for her breakout performance in Heathers: The Musical, will put on a pair of lacy pants and head to D.C. to star as Sally Bowles &mdas…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:59PM

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