All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Stanley Tucci Joins Cast of Disney’s Live-Action Beauty and the Beast in New Role by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Stage and screen star Stanley Tucci is the latest actor to join the cast of Disney's live-action movie musical Beauty and the Beast, according to Variety.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:21AM
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Stephen Schwartz Steps Down From Dramatists Guild Presidency by Michael Gioia

The Dramatists Guild of America, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, announced April 21 that Guild president Stephen Schwartz is stepping down after six years i…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:25PM

“Lucky Stiff” Film, With Jason Alexander and Nikki M. James, Sets NYC Release Date by Michael Gioia

The film adaptation of the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Lucky Stiff, featuring Tony winners Jason Alexander, Nikki M. James and the late Dennis Farina, will be released in New Yo…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:18PM

Watch Alysha Umphress’ Show-Stopping “I Can Cook, Too” on the “Today” Show (Video) by Michael Gioia

Alysha Umphress, acclaimed for her performance as Hildy in On the Town, and her co-star Jay Armstrong Johnson (as Chip) took to the "Today" show April 20 to perform "I Can…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:09AM

Exclusive! Darren Criss Sings His Heart Out in Live Pasek and Paul Showstopper (Video) by Michael Gioia

Before Darren Criss rocks out in Hedwig's high heels, he channels his inner child in Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's "Middle of a Moment" from their musical James and the Gian…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, April 20, 2015

Yes, a Dark New Two-Hander From Writer of Ghostlight Musical, Will Hit Manhattan by Michael Gioia

Songwriter and performer Tim Realbuto (Ghostlight) will present his new play Yes, as part of the 12th Annual Emerging Artists Theatre New Work series, June 2 at 7 PM at the TADA! Theatre in …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:31PM

Peter Pan Live! Actors Will Join Robin De Jesus For #TheStruggleIsReal at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Taylor Louderman (Bring It On, Peter Pan Live!) and Daniel Quadrino (Newsies, Wicked, Peter Pan Live!) will join two-time Tony Award nominee Robin De Jesus in #TheStruggleIsReal, his new…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:11PM

“No Selfie For You!” Madonna Not Invited Backstage at Hamilton Due to Bad Behavior by Michael Gioia

Madonna, who attended the April 18 evening performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed Off-Broadway musical Hamilton, was not invited backstage following the performance due to…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:31AM

Exclusive! “Pitch Perfect” Star Featured on Pasek and Paul’s “Ultimate” James and the Giant Peach Al by Michael Gioia

Tony Award-nominated songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek and playwright Timothy Allen McDonald will release the ultimate cast recording for Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach,…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, April 19, 2015

Reefer Madness Cast Reunites for “4/20 Concert Event” April 19-20! by Michael Gioia

The cult classic musical Reefer Madness will be presented in concert, starring a slew of original cast members from the stage production and the film, April 19 at 11:30 PM and April 20 at 7 …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, April 18, 2015

First Lady Michelle Obama Takes a Trip To Off-Broadway’s Hamilton by Michael Gioia

First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama took a trip to The Public Theater this afternoon to see the April 18 matinee performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed musical Hami…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:17PM

Sold! Second Stage Completes Million-Dollar Purchase for the Helen Hayes, Adding Fourth Non-Profit t by Michael Gioia

Second Stage Theatre, the not-for-profit Off-Broadway company founded in 1979 by director Carole Rothman and actress Robyn Goodman, has purchased Broadway's Helen Ha…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:31AM

Green Day Inducted Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Today by Michael Gioia

Green Day, the band whose music inspired the Broadway musical American Idiot, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony today.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Jessie Mueller and Chicago’s “Broadway Moms” Headline Today’s Carnegie Hall Family Concert by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller and Chicago's "Broadway Moms," Leslie Stifelman and Melissa Rae Mahon, are among the lineup for Take the Stage With Broadway Stars, scheduled f…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, April 17, 2015

Kinky Boots’ Heels Are Getting Even Sexier! Watch the New TV Spot (Video) by Michael Gioia

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots, now in its third year on Broadway, has gotten even sexier — with a new advertisement campaign and television spot.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:13PM

Russell Brand and Denis O’Hare Join Nicolas Cage For Film Inspired By Handyman Who Hunted For Osama by Michael Gioia

Russell Brand ("Rock of Ages") and Denis O'Hare (Into the Woods) are among the actors who will join Nicolas Cage in the comedy film "Army Of One," according to Deadli…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:22PM

Jessie Mueller Confirmed To Star in Sara Bareilles Musical Waitress by Michael Gioia

Tony Award-winning Beautiful star Jessie Mueller will star in American Repertory Theater's world-premiere production of Sara Bareilles' musical Waitress sta…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:34PM

8 Burning Questions With Darren Criss: Sass, Makeup, Heels and Hedwig! by Michael Gioia

Darren Criss will step into the high heels of glam rocker Hedwig in the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. We ask the show's next star eight burning question…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 16, 2015

Idina Menzel Stops the Senate! Watch the Hilarious Ringtone Dilemma (Video) by Michael Gioia

Elsa strikes again! During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on U.S. trade policy April 16, things came to a halt when United States Senator Pat Roberts' cell phone went off.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:30PM

Lin-Manuel Miranda Brilliantly Answers Fan Questions With Lyrics From A Chorus Line by Michael Gioia

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the opening of A Chorus Line Off-Broadway at The Public Theater — where the critically acclaimed production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:09PM

Playwriting, Passion and Affairs! Short Play Written By Wesley Taylor Will Premiere in Manhattan by Michael Gioia

Cuckold, a short play written by "Smash" and Broadway actor Wesley Taylor, will premiere this summer at the Manhattan Repertory Theater 2015 One Act Competition.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:21AM

Sweet Potato Queens Musical, by Melissa Manchester, Sharon Vaughn and Rupert Holmes, Will Premiere i by Michael Gioia

TUTS Underground, Theatre Under The Stars' alternative and contemporary series, has announced its 2015-16 season, which will run in Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:00AM

Playbill Playlist: Constantine Maroulis, Mary Testa and Rachel Bay Jones Rock Out to Beatles Favorit by Michael Gioia

54 Sings The Beatles will be held April 21 at 54 Below. In anticipation of the concert, members of the cast pick their favorite Beatles songs as part of this week's Playbill Playlist.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Lori Alan, Ryann Redmond, Lauren Molina Will Join the Reefer Madness for Upcoming “4/20 Concert Even by Michael Gioia

Lori Alan (Reefer Madness original L.A. production), Andrew Aaron Berlin (A Christmas Story), Saum Eskandani (Disaster!), Lauren Molina (The Skivvies, Rock of Ages), Heather Parcell…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:27PM

Josh Young, Erin Mackey, Tommy Bracco and Julia Mattison Will Join Songwriter Michael Finke at 54 Be by Michael Gioia

Musical theatre songwriter Michael Finke will return to 54 Below May 1 for a concert of his new work. Tony Award nominee Josh Young is among the evening's lineup of rising stars.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:12PM

Broadway Spring Break Festival Will Jam Out With Lauren Worsham and Lena Hall’s Rock Bands by Michael Gioia

Jacob Langfelder will present Broadway the Hardway's Spring Break Festival, featuring Sky-Pony (led by Tony nominee Lauren Worsham) with special guest Grace McLean and The Deafening …

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:02PM

Listen to Tituss Burgess Belt Really High On New Single! (Audio) by Michael Gioia

Songwriters Sam Carner and Derek Gregor (Off-Broadway's Unlock'd) have released their new single "Advice to a Young Firefly," featuring "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt&…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:00PM

Could Broadway Exist in a Virtual Reality? Radio City Spectacular Raises a Question by Michael Gioia

In the New York Spring Spectacular, which opened March 26 at Radio City Music Hall, Laura Benanti plays a character who wants to turn New York City into a "virtual reality wonderland.&q…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:49PM

Matthew Morrison Tells The Story of How Peter Became Pan; Finding Neverland Opens On Broadway 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 — officially opens April 1…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

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

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

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:10PM

Jessie Mueller and Chicago’s “Broadway Moms” Will Headline Carnegie Hall Family Concert by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller and Chicago's "Broadway Moms," Leslie Stifelman and Melissa Rae Mahon, are among the lineup for Take the Stage With Broadway Stars, which will …

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:46PM

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