All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Friday, September 16, 2016

Max Crumm and Natalie Weiss to Sing Songs of Nat Zegree in Concert by Michael Gioia

The songwriter will play New York City’s Laurie Beechman Theatre next week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:09AM

Rita McKenzie Will Bring Her One-Woman Ethel Merman Concert to NYC by Michael Gioia

Ethel Merman’s Broadway will play Feinstein’s/54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:58AM

Twitter Responds on Behalf of Broadway’s Unsung Heroes, the Understudy by Michael Gioia

Following Cameron Mackintosh’s request for understudies to refrain from tweeting when they were going on in a principal role, social media erupted.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Regional Premiere of Sting’s The Last Ship Begins Performances by Michael Gioia

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the semi-autobiographical lyrical musical by Sting.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

The New York City College Program Producing Today’s Broadway and TV Stars by Michael Gioia

With Maddie Baillio about to star in Hairspray Live! and actresses like Adrienne Warren and Annaleigh Ashford getting Tony recognition, we take a look at their school: Marymount Manhattan Co…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, September 15, 2016

Feinstein’s/54 Below Throws a Broadway Villains Party Tonight by Michael Gioia

The evening features a lineup of Broadway stars, including frequent Broadway villain Patrick Page.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Chicago Hamilton Stars Will Strip Down with The Skivvies by Michael Gioia

While Lauren Molina is performing in Chicago’s Wonderful Town, she’s rounding up Broadway stars in the area to strip down to their skivvies.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:27PM

Lainie Kazan Will Offer New York City Solo Concerts by Michael Gioia

The actress will play NYC’s Iridium next month.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:09PM

Chicago’s Drury Lane Will Present New Take on Chicago by Michael Gioia

The company has announced its 2017-18 season, which will give “hometown authenticity” to the Broadway staple Chicago.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:39PM

Get a First Look at the Chicago Production of Hamilton by Michael Gioia

Tony-nominated scenic designer David Korins is tweeting out first-look photos.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:23PM
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

How and Why Heathers Got Remade for High School by Michael Gioia

Cut the curses, sex, drugs and alcohol, and you’ve got a story with mean teens at its core—ready to teach high school students a lesson.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:09PM

Cady Huffman Will Go It Solo at Feinstein’s/54 Below by Michael Gioia

The Tony winner will bring her show Tom Boy, Show Girl to the cabaret venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:10PM

See South Park Characters Take Over Shubert Alley by Michael Gioia

The Comedy Central show, written by Book of Mormon creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, is advertising its season premiere in the heart of the theatre district.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:12PM

Additional Tix for Hamilton in Chicago Will Be Released by Michael Gioia

Producer Jeffrey Seller said that tickets were held due to maximum-purchase policy.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:33AM

Houston Production of In the Heights Begins Tonight by Michael Gioia

The musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda kicks off Theatre Under The Stars’ season.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, September 12, 2016

Brandon Victor Dixon Will Join Jamie deRoy & Friends at Birdland by Michael Gioia

The concert series will also welcome Julie Halston and Marilyn Maye.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:36PM

Northeast Theatres to Hold “Relaxed” Performances for Theatregoers on Autism Spectrum by Michael Gioia

Autism-friendly performances will be offered in six theatres over the next two years.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:55PM

Will Swenson and Ryan Silverman Will Join Melissa Errico in Concert by Michael Gioia

The Tony-nominated actress will play an engagement at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:41PM

Laura Michelle Kelly and Gavin Lee Will Sing My Fair Lady in Concert by Michael Gioia

The evening will be held next month at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:18PM

Broadway Benefit Raising Funds for Foster Children Held Tonight by Michael Gioia

Presented by Seth Rudetsky, the evening takes place at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

World Premiere of NASCAR Musical Helldrivers of Daytona Opens by Michael Gioia

The production is billed as a “pre-Broadway tryout.”

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, September 11, 2016

How Will the Rent Tour Be Different From What You Know? by Michael Gioia

With a new, young cast comes a new production with slight changes to the original direction of Rent.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, September 10, 2016

Chicago Wonderful Town, Starring The Skivvies’ Lauren Molina, Begins by Michael Gioia

The production is helmed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, September 9, 2016

Bat Boy Development Continues; Jeremy Jordan, Kerry Butler Lead Recent Reading by Michael Gioia

A reading of the musical was held in May, but songwriter Laurence O’Keefe said that development continues.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:59PM

Jennifer Simard Starred in Renaissance Faire Musical Workshop By Legally Blonde Writers by Michael Gioia

The new musical, titled Huzzah!, is written by Tony Award-nominated songwriters Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:47PM

Meet the Ladies Going to The Prom Nightly in Atlanta by Michael Gioia

Get the backstory behind the Broadway-bound musical happening in Atlanta, about a teenage lesbian couple longing to be dates at Prom.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:34PM

This Time, Lesbian Teens Won’t Shut Down The Prom by Michael Gioia

Get the backstory behind the Broadway-bound musical happening in Atlanta, about a teenage lesbian couple longing to be dates at Prom.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:34PM

Broadway Bounty Hunter, Starring Annie Golden, Will Head to Joe’s Pub by Michael Gioia

The musical by Joe Iconis was recently seen at Barrington Stage Company.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:01AM
Thursday, September 8, 2016

Solo Play Underneath, About Life Lived in Secret, Will Have West Coast Premiere by Michael Gioia

The new work is written and performed by Pat Kinevane.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:12PM

Original Cast of Off-Broadway’s Last Smoker in America Will Reunite in Concert by Michael Gioia

The show opened at Off-Broadway’s Westside Theatre in August 2012.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:24PM

World Premiere of NASCAR Musical Helldrivers of Daytona Begins by Michael Gioia

The production is billed as a “pre-Broadway tryout.”

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM