All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Reba McEntire “Bounces” With the Kinky Boots Tour Cast! (Video and Photo) by Michael Gioia

Country music singer and Broadway vet Reba McEntire dropped by the Kinky Boots touring production in Nashville, TN (where she got her start in country music), to see the show and meet with t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:43PM

They Won’t Grow Up! Peter Pan Live! Lost Boys Share Childhood Photos and Memories by Michael Gioia

The Lost Boys from the recent NBC broadcast of Peter Pan Live! will fly into 54 Below this month, and in anticipation of the concert, they share exclusive childhood photos and memories with …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:24PM

Despite Buzz of a Broadway Transfer, Hamilton Announces Another Off-Broadway Extension by Michael Gioia

Hamilton, the highly anticipated new musical from Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda that fuses contemporary and classic to tell the story of America's Founding Father, has extende…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:08PM

Gershwin Musical Of Thee I Sing Will Feature Choir of 400 and Original Orchestrations by Michael Gioia

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre Inc. will present a rare concert performance of George and Ira Gershwin's musical Of Thee I Sing at the Sydney Opera…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:08PM

92Y Plans Events With Broadway Casts and Creatives of Heidi Chronicles, Honeymoon and Wolf Hall by Michael Gioia

The 92nd Street Y will present events centered on the Broadway productions of Wolf Hall, Honeymoon in Vegas and The Heidi Chronicles this March.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:30AM
Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Elemeno Pea, About a Personal Assistant to the Wife of a Billionaire, Will Hit Pittsburgh by Michael Gioia

City Theatre will continue its 40th anniversary season with the Molly Smith Metzler comedy Elemeno Pea, directed by City artistic director Tracy Brigden, beginning Feb. 28, in Pittsburgh, PA.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:03PM

“The Last Five Years,” With Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, Will Also Be Released on Video On Deman by Michael Gioia

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, starring Tony Award nominees Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, will also be available on Video on Deman…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:19PM

Dame Edna Everage Talks to Sean Hayes About “Side-Boob” on “The Late Late Show” (Video) by Michael Gioia

Dame Edna Everage (also known as performer and writer Barry Humphries) stopped by "The Late Late Show," guest hosted by Sean Hayes, and shared her thoughts on "side-boob.&…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:09AM
Monday, February 2, 2015

Teal Wicks, Josh Lamon, Jessica Vosk and More Complete Cast of Finding Neverland, Starring Matthew M by Michael Gioia

Finding Neverland, the new Broadway musical that tells the tale of how Peter became Pan, announced its full cast Feb. 2, when it begins rehearsals under the direction of Tony Award winner Di…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:24PM

Lindsay Mendez, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Derek Klena, Andy Mientus, Julia Murney and More Sing RSO at by Michael Gioia

Very Intense Productions presents RSO at 54 Below, featuring music and lyrics by songwriter Ryan Scott Oliver, Feb. 2 at 54 Below. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:28AM
Friday, January 30, 2015

Will Martin Short Exit It’s Only a Play in March? by Michael Gioia

Martin Short, who currently stars in the hit Broadway production of It's Only a Play, will continue with the show until March 29, according to Telecharge.com. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:22PM

Pippin Actor Mike Schwitter Among Performers to Sing Music of Robbie Torres by Michael Gioia

Bildungsroman - The Music of Robbie Torres will be held Feb. 2 at 7 PM at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Pippin actor Mike Schwitter is among the evening's performers.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:14PM

Super Bowl Prep! Football Terms Explained for Theatre People by Michael Gioia and Robbie Rozelle

Super Bowl XLIX is right around the corner, and you've been invited to a party, but your facing a dilemma: You're only educated in theatre! In our below list, Playbill.com explains f…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:17PM

The Verdict: Critics Review Broadway-Bound Gigi, Starring Vanessa Hudgens by Michael Gioia

The new Broadway-bound production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's Oscar and Tony Award-winning film and stage musical Gigi, starring Vanessa Hudgens in the title role, o…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:09PM

Mary Poppins Star Gavin Lee Will Join Les Miz on Broadway, New Cast Members Announced by Michael Gioia and Carey Purcell

Producers announced new cast members that will be joining the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables March 3.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:50PM

Ellen DeGeneres Is Developing a TV Comedy for Idina Menzel by Michael Gioia

Warner Bros. TV and Ellen DeGeneres' studio-based A Very Good Production are developing a half-hour comedy project entitled "Happy Time," starring Tony Award Idina Menz…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:40PM

Honeymoon in Vegas Faces a Press Agency Switch Up as Sales Still Struggle by Michael Gioia

Following press agent Rick Miramontez's (and his team at the Broadway PR firm O&M Co.) departure from representing the Harvey Weinstein-produced Broadway musical Finding Neve…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:14AM
Thursday, January 29, 2015

Get Into the Kristin Chenoweth Boot Camp! Application Deadline Announced by Michael Gioia

Want to be a Tony winner, too? Applications for students in grades 9-12 are being accepted through Feb. 16 to take part in Kristin Chenoweth's Broadway Boot Camp and Master Class.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:53PM

New Line Adds American Idiot to 2015-16 Season, Opening With Regional Premiere of Heathers by Michael Gioia

New Line Theatre will present the rock opera American Idiot, based on the Green Day album of the same name, as part of the company's 2015-16 season for four weeks in March 2016.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:38PM

Broadway Boyfriends of “Survivor” Get Engaged on Stage (Plus Video) by Michael Gioia

Josh Canfield and Reed Kelly, billed as the Broadway Boyfriends on the reality show "Survivor: San Juan del Sur — Blood vs. Water," were engaged at their Jan. 28 54 Below…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:20PM

UPDATED: Broadway’s It’s Only a Play Extends Into the Summer by Michael Gioia

Producers Tom Kirdahy, Roy Furman and Ken Davenport announced Jan. 30 that the hit Broadway production of It's Only a Play, currently starring Tony winner Matthew Broderick and …

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:12PM

Has Broadway’s It’s Only a Play Extended Into the Summer? by Michael Gioia

Tickets for the hit Broadway production of It's Only a Play, currently starring Tony winner Matthew Broderick and Martin Short, are on sale through June 7 at Telecharge.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:12PM

She Knows Things Now! “Into the Woods” Star Lilla Crawford Will Offer NYC Acting Workshop by Michael Gioia

Lilla Crawford, who starred as Little Red Riding Hood in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods, will offer a workshop for children and teens March 28 …

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:04PM

Joanna Gleason Among Performers for Midnight-Themed Concert, Directed by Her Son by Michael Gioia

Midnight at 9:30, featuring songs with a midnight theme, will be held Feb. 18 at 9:30 PM at 54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:01PM

Jeremy Jordan and Wesley Taylor Join #SOBLESSED Lineup for Return of “Annoying Actor Friend” by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan ("The Last Five Years," "Smash"), Wesley Taylor (The Addams Family) and Michael James Scott (Something Rotten!) have joined the lineup fo…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Meet Your Maker! Jim Parsons Will Play God in New Broadway Comedy at Studio 54 by Michael Gioia

Four-time Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons will play God in the new Broadway comedy 
An Act of God, scheduled to begin performances May 5 at Studio 54,&nbs…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM

Performers from Mamma Mia! and Heathers Sing Songs For Slutty Girls Tonight by Michael Gioia

Songs For Slutty Girls: A Song Cycle by Kailey Marshall is presented Jan. 29, as part of The Rehearsal Room series, at Don't Tell Mama.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Over a Dozen Broadway Couples Will Celebrate Romance and Valentine’s Day in Concert by Michael Gioia

Broadway couples will celebrate romance, both on stage and off, during the second annual A Very Broadway Valentine's Day Feb. 12 at 54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:33PM

Rock On! Watch Hundreds of Children Audition for Broadway’s School of Rock (Video) by Michael Gioia

A nationwide casting call for the upcoming Broadway premiere of School of Rock was held Jan. 24 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre, where the new musical will begin previews No…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:43PM

Bare Actor Will Star as Tony in Florida Production of West Side Story by Michael Gioia

Anthony Festa, seen in the Off-Broadway revival of Bare, will star as Tony in Riverside Theatre's production of West Side Story, which will begin performances Feb. 17 in Florida.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:49PM

Watch All the Videos From Broadway Loves Celine Dion, Including Jeremy Jordan’s Viral “It’s All Comi by Michael Gioia

Broadway belters celebrated the best-selling Canadian music artist in history, Celine Dion, in an evening of power ballads and classic pop tunes Jan. 9 at 54 Below. Here are all the perf…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:33PM

All that Chat