All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Charlotte d'Amboise, Felicia Finley, Mara Davi Will Celebrate Catherine Zeta-Jones at Dance Alliance Foundation Gala by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Charlotte d'Amboise (Pippin), Felicia Finley (Mamma Mia!) and Mara Davi (A Chorus Line, "Smash") are among the performers who will celebrate Tony and Ac…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:35PM

Zachary Levi, Krysta Rodriguez, Lesli Margherita, Derek Klena and More Set for 35mm at 54 Below's RSO FEST by Michael Gioia

Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez, who co-star in the new Broadway musical First Date, and Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita, who stars in Broadway's Matilda, are among the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:18PM

Tony Winner Judy Kaye and Pianist Steven Blier Will Take Part in a Festive Evening of Song by Michael Gioia

Two-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye and pianist Steven Blier will take part in The FSH Society's annual Festive Evening of Song, which will be held Sept. 30 at the New York Botanical Ga…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:40PM

Derek Klena, Jaime Cepero, Jenna Leigh Green, Arielle Jacobs and More Set for Sit. Stay. Listen. Concert by Michael Gioia

Sit. Stay. Listen., a concert featuring the music of musical theatre composers Ryan Scott Oliver, Alexander Sage Oyen, Sean Havrilla and David Davila, and Zack Zadek, will be held Sept. 30 a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:25AM

Taye Diggs Will Guest Star on Fox's "New Girl" by Michael Gioia

Stage and screen actor Taye Diggs will guest star on the Fox comedy "New Girl," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:57AM

New Adaptation of Bless You All! Musical Revue, With Emilee Dupre, Jeremy Benton and More, Begins Sept. 19 by Michael Gioia

UnsungMusicalsCo. (UMC) presents a new Off-Broadway production of the 1950 musical revue Bless You All!, featuring sketches by Emmy Award winner Arnold Auerbach ("The Phil Silvers Show,…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Injured Spider-Man Actor Daniel Curry Takes Legal Action Against Musical's Producers by Michael Gioia

Daniel Curry, the actor who sustained an onstage injury at the Aug. 15 performance of Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark — bringing the Broadway musical to a stop — has filed court pap…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:50PM

Radio City Rockettes Will Stray From the Kick Line in Doug Wright's Heart and Lights, Opening in 2014 by Michael Gioia

MSG Entertainment will launch a new, New York City-themed theatrical production at Radio City Music Hall entitled Heart and Lights, which will star the Rockettes "in a way that audience…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:33PM

Tony Winner Patina Miller Will Make Film Debut in "The Hunger Games" Series by Michael Gioia

Patina Miller, who received the 2013 Tony Award for her performance as the Leading Playing in the Tony-winning revival of Pippin, will make her feature film debut in "The Hunger Games: …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:03PM

Born for Broadway Benefit Will Feature Annaleigh Ashford, Betsy Wolfe, Howard McGillin, Aaron Lazar and More by Michael Gioia

Born for Broadway, the fourth annual celebrity cabaret that features Broadway and TV stars who donate their time and talent to raise money for paralysis-based organizations, will be held Sep…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:46PM

Father of Sophia Grace Brownlee Comments on Daughter's Departure from Into the Woods Film by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The father of Sophia Grace Brownlee, the young actress initially announced to portray Little Red Riding Hood in the film adaptation of "Into the Woods," has commented on his daught…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:49AM

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats Available on Blu-Ray With Bonus Features by Michael Gioia

An ultimate Blu-ray edition (all regions) of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning musical Cats has been released and includes bonus features with the creative team behind the long-ru…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:36AM

THE SCREENING ROOM: Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez, Corey Cott and More Share Tips on How to Be a "Superstar" by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, First Date actress Krysta Rodriguez, Newsies' Corey Cott and more share insight, via video interviews, into making it in show business in celebration of…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:39AM

PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Broadway Big Band's Caissie Levy, Ariana DeBose, Hannah Elless, Alysha Umphress Pick Female Standards by Michael Gioia

Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band will return to 54 Below Sept. 21 and include a special tribute to late Broadway and swing legend Eydie Gorme. In celebration of Gorme and the female art…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Broadway Big Band's Caissie Levy, Ariana DeBose, Hannah Elles, Alysha Umphress Pick Female Standards by Michael Gioia

Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band will return to 54 Below Sept. 21 and include a special tribute to late Broadway and swing legend Eydie Gorme. In celebration of Gorme and the female art…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Cast of Broadway's First Date Will Celebrate Album Release at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

The cast of Broadway's First Date, the new musical comedy starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez, will celebrate the release of their original Broadway cast album with a cabaret, ben…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:33PM

The Girl From Bare Cove, Original Folk Opera With Five Actor-Musicians, Given World Premiere Sept. 17-19 by Michael Gioia

The Girl From Bare Cove, an original folk opera written for five actor-musicians, is given its world premiere Sept. 17-19. Free presentations of the piece are held at the Alchemical Theater …

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:10PM

Krysta Rodriguez, Nick Blaemire and More Will Be Part of Joe Iconis & Family at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Krysta Rodriguez, who stars in the new Broadway musical First Date, and Nick Blaemire (Godspell, Dogfight) are among the performers who will be part of Joe Iconis & Family at 54 Below th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:28PM

Complete Downtown Cast Will Transfer to Times Square for Return of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Michael Gioia

Producers Howard and Janet Kagan confirmed Sept. 17 that the complete final cast from the downtown production of Dave Malloy's critically praised musical Natasha, Pierre & The G…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:08PM

"Five Dances," Contemporary Dance Film Starring Matilda's Ryan Steele, Will Open in New York in October by Michael Gioia

"Five Dances," a new film from writer-director Alan Brown ("Private Romeo") that stars Matilda and Newsies dancer Ryan Steele, will open in New York City Oct. 4 at Cinema…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:51PM

"Backstage Pass to Broadway" Memoir, Penned by Theatre Press Agent Susan L. Schulman, Released by Heliotrope Books by Michael Gioia

"Backstage Pass to Broadway: True Tales of a Theatre Press Agent," a memoir by theatrical press agent Susan L. Schulman, was released by Heliotrope Books Sept. 16.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:29PM

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark Offers Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway, Including Backstage Pass Prize and More by Michael Gioia

The high-flying Broadway musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark is giving school children who attend a performance during the "back-to-school" period a free limited-edition Spider-Ma…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:40PM

Tom Sturridge, Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen Among Cast of "Far From the Madding Crowd" Film by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Tom Sturridge and Drama Desk Award nominee Carey Mulligan are among the cast of Fox Searchlight Pictures' upcoming film "Far From the Madding Crowd."

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:11AM

Expanded Emmy Awards "In Memoriam" Segment Will Pay Tribute to James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith and More by Michael Gioia

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will be hosted by Broadway star and Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris Sept. 22 on CBS, will include an expanded "In Memoriam" segment, fe…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:36AM
Monday, September 16, 2013

Kathy Voytko, Scott Logsdon, Kris Koop Ouellette and Bart Shatto Will Headline Benefit Concert of Chess by Michael Gioia

Kathy Voytko, Scott Logsdon, Kris Koop Ouellette and Bart Shatto will headline a concert version of the musical Chess Dec. 8 at 2 PM at the Richland Performing Arts Center in Johnstown, PA.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:30PM

Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed Will Co-Star in Disney's Aladdin; Complete Cast Announced by Michael Gioia

Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed, who co-starred as Aladdin and Jasmine in the Seattle premiere of Disney's Aladdin, will reprise their performances in Toronto. Producers announced the comp…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:23PM

Kelli O'Hara and Greg Naughton Welcome Baby Girl by Michael Gioia

Four-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara — who will return to Broadway in 2014 in Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman's The Bridges of Madison County — and husband Greg …

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:54PM

40th Anniversary Production of Rocky Horror Will Play Melbourne in 2014; Craig McLachlan Cast as Frank 'N' Furter by Michael Gioia

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost have announced that the 40th anniversary production of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show will play a limited engagement at Melbourne'…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:42PM

Les Miz Actor John Capes Will Star in Free Reading of Michael Raver's Fire on Babylon, Directed by Paul Barnes by Michael Gioia

Paul Barnes, co-founder and former producing and artistic director of Minnesota's Great River Shakespeare Festival, will direct a free reading of Michael Raver's new play Fire on Bab…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:31PM

Woody Allen Will Receive 2014 Cecil B. De Mille Award at 71st Golden Globes by Michael Gioia

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association will honor Woody Allen with the 2014 Cecil B. De Mille Award for his outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment during the 71st Annual Go…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:54PM

Annie's Lilla Crawford Will Be Little Red in Into the Woods Film, Featuring New Song by Stephen Sondheim by Michael Gioia

Lilla Crawford, who originated the title role in the 2012 Broadway revival of Annie, will play Little Red Riding Hood in the Disney feature film adaptation of Into the Woods, Walt Disney Stu…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:52PM

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