All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Friday, January 9, 2015

Kids Give Back, And So Do We! Vote for the 2015 Playbill Community Service Award Winner by Michael Gioia

The finalists for this year's Playbill Community Service Award, which celebrates young performers from across the country who are giving back to their communities, have been announced. V…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:39AM

Alabama Story, Mixing Children’s Literature and Politics, Begins Tonight at the Pioneer by Michael Gioia

Seth Andrew Bridges, Stephen D'Ambrose, Samuel Ray Gates, Greta Lambert, Kate Middleton and William Parry star in the world premiere of Kenneth Jones' Alabama Story, which runs Jan. …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

School’s In Session! Final Season of “Glee” Begins Tonight by Michael Gioia

The final season of the Fox hit musical series "Glee," which stars Spring Awakening actress Lea Michele as young starlet Rachel Berry, begins airing Jan. 9.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Jeremy Jordan, Lauren Kennedy, Ashley Spencer, Taylor Louderman and More Celebrate Celine Dion in Co by Michael Gioia

Broadway belters celebrate 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.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, January 8, 2015

New Michael Urie-Directed Web Series, Taking Place in “Hell,” Will Feature Stars of Stage and TV by Michael Gioia

The new flagship comedy web series "What's Your Emergency," directed by Michael Urie, will premiere Jan. 27 on Stage17, the digital platform bridging the gap between traditiona…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:52PM

James Lapine Reveals Upcoming Projects, Including New Material for A New Brain and Possible Falsetto by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner James Lapine, whose film version of Into the Woods has grossed nearly $100 million domestically, revealed his upcoming projects, which may include a revival of Falsettos.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:41AM

Seth Rudetsky’s Broward Concert Series Kicks Off Tonight With Audra McDonald by Michael Gioia

The Broadway Concert Series at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Parker Playhouse, hosted by Sirius XM host and Playbill.com columnist Seth Rudetsky, welcomes six-time Tony…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Why Does Vanessa Hudgens Have the “It” Factor for the Broadway-Bound Gigi? She Tells Us by Michael Gioia

"High School Musical" sensation Vanessa Hudgens is at the core of the freshly adapted production of Gigi, which is bound for Broadway following its upcoming engagement in D.C. Here…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 7, 2015

“Into the Woods” Soundtrack Hits No. 8 Spot on Billboard 200 by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The soundtrack to the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods has broken into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:28PM

“American Sniper” Star Announced as Cabaret’s Final Sally Bowles by Michael Gioia

Sienna Miller, who stars in the biographical action film "American Sniper" opposite Bradley Cooper, will return to Broadway as Cabaret's final Sally Bowles, Roundabout Theatre …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM

“I Feel Like There’s More to Do,” Says Shoshana Bean On Leaving New York for the Freedom of Expressi by Michael Gioia

Shoshana Bean hasn't been on Broadway since she flew out of Wicked in 2006, but that doesn't mean her voice isn't heard within the theatre community. She catches up with Playbill…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:11PM

Lea Michele Tells Ellen How Many Slushies She Took to the Face on Final Season of “Glee” (Video) by Michael Gioia

Spring Awakening actress Lea Michele recently sat down on "The Ellen Show" to talk about the final season of Fox's "Glee," which will begin airing Jan. 9. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:57AM
Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Joey Contreras and Eric Michael Krop Will Rock Rockwood With Free Night of Theatrical-Infused Pop Mu by Michael Gioia

Singer-songwriters Joey Contreras and Eric Michael Krop (Godspell) will offer a free night of theatre-infused pop music Jan. 19 at Rockwood Music Hall.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:35PM

Casting Directors from Tara Rubin, Telsey + Co., Binder and More Give Free Seminar for Actors Tonigh by Michael Gioia

The Growing Studio hosts its second annual free seminar for New York City actors, featuring several casting directors from the biggest offices in Manhattan, Jan. 6.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30PM

Former Sally Bowles Will Play Darren Criss’ Mother on “Glee” (Plus Photos) by Michael Gioia

Gina Gershon, who has been seen on Broadway in Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie and Boeing-Boeing, will guest star on the final season of Fox's "Glee," according to TVLine.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:41AM

Anna Kendrick Describes Her “Lennon-McCartney” Moment With Sondheim (Video) by Michael Gioia

Tony and Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick recently sat down on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" to talk about the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:22AM

Amy Spanger Recounts Glamorous and Not-As-Glamorous Tales at 54 Below Solo Concerts, Beginning Tonig by Michael Gioia

Amy Spanger, who currently stars in the Broadway revival of Chicago, brings her first solo show to 54 Below Jan. 6 and Jan. 17.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Broadway’s Once Says Final Goodbye With Tonight’s Highline Ballroom Concert by Michael Gioia

A goodbye concert for the Tony Award-winning musical Once, which ended its Broadway run Jan. 4, takes place Jan. 6 at the Highline Ballroom.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, January 5, 2015

Jessica Vosk Will Come in From Jersey For This at 54 Below; Martha Plimpton and Andra Burns Will Be by Michael Gioia

Jessica Vosk, who was seen in Broadway's The Bridges of Madison County, will go it solo Feb. 27 at 54 Below in I Came From Jersey For This!

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:52AM

Lena Hall, Lesli Margherita, Kate Rockwell and Kate Shindle Join Lineup for Broadway Sings P!nk by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Lena Hall, Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita, Kate Rockwell and Kate Shindle are among the performers who have joined the lineup for Broadway Sings P!…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:37AM

Laura Osnes Reveals What Enrages Her and Introduces Her Dog Lyla On “Broadway Boo’s” (Video) by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes, who starred in Broadway's Cinderella and Bonnie & Clyde, gets "stern" on Jared Zirilli's "Broadway Boo's" and demonstr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:20AM

More Mystery! Acclaimed Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time On Sale Through September by Michael Gioia

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the acclaimed new play by Simon Stephens about a 15-year-old boy who must get to the bottom of the mysterious death of…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM

“Into the Woods” Is Second Highest-Grossing Film This Weekend; “Annie” Also Takes in Millions by Michael Gioia

The film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods took in approximately $19.1 million at the box office for the weekend ending Jan. 4, making it the second highes…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:22AM

More Emma! Cabaret Star Extends Run as Sally Bowles by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Golden Globe nominee Emma Stone, who made her Broadway debut in the return of Cabaret last November, will extend her run as Sally Bowles an additional two weeks of performances, Roundabout T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Alysha Umphress and Jeff Blumenkrantz Pick Their Jazz Favorites by Michael Gioia

Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the Broadway revival of On the Town, and Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz celebrate their new album "I've Bee…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, January 4, 2015

Nathan Lane, Rupert Grint and Megan Mullally Exit Broadway’s It’s Only a Play; New Group in the Wing by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, "Harry Potter" actor Rupert Grint and Emmy Award winner Megan Mullally play their final performances in Broadway's It's Only a Play Jan. 4 (t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Put Down Your Fiddle! Irish Pub Closes Shop as Intimate Broadway Musical Once Ends by Michael Gioia

The Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Once, based on the Oscar-winning film about an Irish singer-songwriter named Guy who falls for a Czech immigrant named Girl, …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

The Real Thing Comes to an End on Broadway Today by Michael Gioia

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning Tom Stoppard play The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor in his Main Stem debut, plays its final perf…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

LaChanze Is Feeling Good in Concert Jan. 4-5 at Joe’s Pub by Michael Gioia

LaChanze in Concert: Feeling Good, an evening featuring the Color Purple Tony Award-winning actress, is held Jan. 4-5 at Joe's Pub.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Strike the Tent! Pippin Revival Packs Up the Broadway Circus by Michael Gioia

The Tony Award-winning Best Revival of Pippin — which director Diane Paulus took to new heights, re-imagining the piece for a circus troupe and a female ringleader &mda…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, January 3, 2015

Kinky Boots’ Ellyn Marie Marsh Gets Inappropriate Tonight at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Ellyn Marie Marsh, who can be seen in Broadway's Kinky Boots, gets Inappropriate in her 54 Below solo show Jan. 3.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

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