All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Matthew Morrison Is Finding Neverland; Broadway Performances Begin Tonight by Michael Gioia

Finding Neverland, the new Broadway musical that tells the tale of how Peter became Pan, begins performances March 15 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, March 14, 2015

A Foul-Mouthed Puppet Takes Over Manhattan! Hand to God Begins on Broadway by Michael Gioia

Hand to God, starring Steven Boyer in his acclaimed performance as a boy and his foul-mouthed hand puppet, begins previews March 14 at the Booth Theatre. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, March 13, 2015

Bobby Cannavale Talks Poker With Pacino: “I Can’t Believe I’m His Friend” (Video) by Michael Gioia

Bobby Cannavale, who co-starred with Al Pacino in the Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross, recently sat down on the "Late Show with David Letterman" to chat about "Dan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:09PM

T.R. Knight Will Return to Broadway in It’s Only a Play by Michael Gioia

Emmy Award-nominated actor T.R. Knight, known for his television work on "Grey's Anatomy," will join the cast of Broadway's It's Only a Play in the role of Frank Fi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:50PM

What Did the “Glee” Cast Steal from Set? They Tell Ellen! (Video) by Michael Gioia

Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jenna Ushkowitz and Chord Overstreet recently sat down on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to talk about their final moments on the set of "…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:54PM

“Eminem Meets Sweeney Todd,”“Alicia Keys Meets Elphaba”  Must-Read Hamilton Casting Breakdowns! by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Lin-Manuel Miranda is having some fun with the casting breakdowns for his hot new musical Hamilton, which arrives on Broadway in July after a critically-acclaimed run at the Public T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:36PM

NYC Nightlive Performer Tori Scott Hits Texas Fringe Fest With I’ll Regret This Tomorrow by Michael Gioia

Nightlife entertainer Tori Scott brings her popular solo show I'll Regret This Tomorrow – a celebration of poor life choices – to the Dallas, TX-area as …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:22AM

The Boys Are Back! Matthew Morrison, Peter Gallagher and David Burtka Talk Shop Over Drinks by Michael Gioia

Hollywood, marriage and babies have kept Matthew Morrison, Peter Gallagher and David Burtka away from Broadway, but this season they're back… and here to stay.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy Try to Rekindle Love Affair in Broadway’s Skylight, Beginning Tonight by 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 12:00AM
Thursday, March 12, 2015

Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Cady Huffman and Kate Rockwell Will Sing About Joys and Perils of NYC Dating by Michael Gioia

My F#*ked Up Valentine, a concert about the joys and perils of dating in New York City, will be held March 19 at 54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:11PM

Exclusive Photo Diary! Chilina Kennedy Reveals A Week in the Life of Broadway’s New Carole King by Michael Gioia

Canadian actress Chilina Kennedy, who made her Broadway debut as Mary Magdalene in the 2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, succeeded Tony winner Jessie Mueller in the title role of Beaut…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:54PM

Environmental Cult Musical Carrie Stalks Audiences Tonight by Michael Gioia

The Los Angeles premiere of the re-imagined, environmental and immersive production of Carrie begins performances March 12, prior to an official opening March 18, at Southern Ca…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Playbill Playlist: Alysha Umphress, Natalie Weiss, Keala Settle and More Pick Songs by Beyonc, P!nk by Michael Gioia

A Best Of Broadway Sings concert, featuring show-stopping numbers from the previous seven concerts of Broadway Sings…, will be held March 16 at 54 Below. In anticipat…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Matt Doyle Will Return to Deadland to Headline Jasper in Deadland’s Seattle Premiere by Michael Gioia

Matt Doyle, who originated the title role in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Ryan Scott Oliver and Hunter Foster's Jasper in Deadland, will head to Seattle's&am…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:27PM

Is The Honeymooners Musical Ready for Broadway? Out-of-Town Premiere Canceled by Michael Gioia

The Honeymooners, a new musical based on the legendary CBS television series of the same name — that was to make its world premiere as part of Goodspeed Musicals' 2015 season &…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:53PM

American in Paris and Tuck Everlasting Writers Team to Bring Oscar-Nominated “Amlie” Film to Life by Michael Gioia

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced its 48th season, which will include the world-premiere musical adaptation of Amélie, based on the Academy Award-nominated film and dire…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:59PM

Stephen Schwartz Grants a College Sophomore Permission to Adapt Children of Eden for Young Performer by Michael Gioia

What did Stephen Schwartz say when he got an email from a college sophomore asking to adapt his epic two-act musical Children of Eden for younger performers? Yes.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, March 9, 2015

A Cellist Will Discover Superpowers From His Cello Bow in World Premiere of Rock Musical Lizard Boy by Michael Gioia

Seattle Repertory Theatre will present Lizard Boy, a world-premiere rock musical written and performed by Seattle native Justin Huertas, March 27-May 2 on the Leo K. Theatre Stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:13PM

Kate Baldwin and Georgia Stitt Reunite Tonight for Song Cycle About Women Alone in NYC by Michael Gioia

Soprano Kate Baldwin, violinist Victoria Paterson and composer Georgia Stitt reunite March 9 at SubCulture to perform Alphabet City Cycle, a song cycle with lyrics by Marcy Heisler about wom…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:45AM

Skipping School for the Biggest Journey of Her Life Laura Benanti On The Sound of Music by Michael Gioia

From making her Broadway debut at 18 in the 1998 Broadway revival of The Sound of Music to becoming a viral meme following her performance as Elsa Schraeder on NBC, Laura Benanti recounts he…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, March 6, 2015

Wicked’s Lindsay Mendez, Derek Klena and Katie Rose Clarke Will Reunite for Shanktunes Encore by Michael Gioia

Shanktunes, a night of original songs by Drama Desk-nominated arranger/orchestrator Lynne Shankel, will return to 54 Below March 22 at 9:30 PM.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:51PM

Matt Doyle, Lesli Margherita, Josh Young, Julia Murney and a Dozen More Will Sing to Benefit Self He by Michael Gioia

Broadway for Self Help Africa will bring Broadway stars to New York City's Cutting Room March 9 for a night of song and celebration benefiting Self Help Africa.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:58PM

Matt Doyle, Lesli Margherita, Josh Young, Julia Murney and More Will Sing to Benefit Self Help Afric by Michael Gioia

Broadway for Self Help Africa will bring Broadway stars to New York City's Cutting Room March 9 for a night of song and celebration benefiting Self Help Africa.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:58PM

Jessie Mueller Looks Back On Beautiful, Ahead to Waitress and Thanks Her Biggest Fan, Her Grandma by Michael Gioia

As Jessie Mueller prepares to take the stage one final time as music icon Carole King, she looks back at her career-defining last few years with Playbill.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, March 5, 2015

Carol Burnett Will Head to Staten Island 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, will head to the St. George Theatre on New York's Staten Island May 9 for an evening of "off-the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:38PM

Meryl Streep’s “Villainous” Witch Lands Her Among MTV Movie Award Nominees by Michael Gioia

Meryl Streep, who played the Witch in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods, is among the nominees for this year's MTV Movie Awards, which will be…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:38PM

Neil Patrick Harris Unsure If He’ll Oscar Host Again, As David Burtka Was Living “Single Dad” Life by Michael Gioia

Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted this year's Academy Awards, is unsure if he'll ever be the Oscar's master of ceremonies again. The gig took too much time away from family life, h…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:55AM

Original Cast of Reefer Madness Will Reunite for “4/20 Concert Event” by Michael Gioia

The cult classic musical Reefer Madness will be presented in concert April 19-20 at 54 Below, starring a slew of the musical's original cast members.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:03AM

10 Songs That Ben Vereen is Steppin’ Out To, From Wicked to Usher and Stevie Wonder by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Ben Vereen will offer a limited engagement of his solo show Steppin' Out March 17-21 at 54 Below. In anticipation of his concerts, he shares ten favorite songs to &…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Rebecca Naomi Jones, Alysha Umphress, Joe Carroll Turn Shakespeare’s As You Like It Into a Rock Conc by Michael Gioia

A concert version of Very Very Rock Show, a new musical that turns William Shakespeare's As You Like It into a rock concert, is held March 5 at 54 Below. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

They Dreamed the Dream! How Two Twentysomethings Went Direct From College to Broadway’s Les Misrable by Michael Gioia

Brennyn Lark and Erika Henningsen are fresh out of college. This week, they made their Broadway debuts as the respective fated females Eponine and Fantine in the revival of Les Mis&eacut…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

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