All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Flashdance Tour Will Dance Into Chicago With New Cast Members, Including Jillian Mueller as Its Star by Michael Gioia

The national tour of Flashdance — The Musical, the stage adaptation of the 1983 film, will begin performances at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre Aug. 6. Jillian Mueller, who was …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:10PM

Tony Winner Stephen Sondheim Will Receive 54th Edward MacDowell Medal by Michael Gioia

Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim will receive the 54th Edward MacDowell Medal Aug. 11 at The MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:40PM

Film and TV Producer Roger Bobb Makes Significant Donation to Atlanta's Struggling Theater of the Stars by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, the non-profit Georgia company that has offered 60 seasons of theatrical programming, secured $330,000 shortly after the company revealed that it was…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:35PM

Producers of Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles File Copyright Infringement Suit Against Broadway's Let It Be by Michael Gioia

Producers of the 2010 Broadway concert Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles have filed a copyright infringement suit against the producers of Broadway's Let It Be — the Beatles concert e…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:53AM

THE SCREENING ROOM: Bucquisto Concert, Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Cearley, George Salazar and More (Video) by Michael Gioia

Bucquisto: The Bar Mitzvah Concert, which celebrated the 13th anniversary of songwriters Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto, was held June 17 at The Duplex. Here are highlights from the eveni…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:50AM

Remy Zaken, Barrett Wilbert Weed, Ali Ewoldt and More Will Split the Keys in NYMF Concert by Michael Gioia

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) will present Split the Keys, a concert of new music by theatrical composers Josh Freilich and Nikko Benson, July 22 at 9 PM at The Alice Griffin …

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:30AM

Patrick Boll and Timothy Crowe Are Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Opening July 16 Off-Broadway by Michael Gioia

Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey's play about the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, opens Off-Broadway July 16, following previews that began July 8, at the Soho Playhou…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, July 15, 2013

Bart Shatto, Todd Alan Johnson, Ali Gleason, Nicholas Cox and More Will Star in Surflight's Les Misérables by Michael Gioia

Bart Shatto, who was seen in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables, will star as Jean Valjean in the Surflight Theatre production of that Tony Award-winning musical by Al…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:10PM

Bailey Buntain, F. Michael Haynie, Betsy Hogg Among Cast of Hunter Foster-Directed Summer of '42 at Bucks County by Michael Gioia

Bucks County Playhouse, under the producing direction of Jed Bernstein, will present Summer of '42, featuring a book by Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster (Hands on a Hardbody) and music a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:31PM

Following Accidental Death, Cirque du Soleil's KÀ Will Resume Performances by Michael Gioia

Following the accidental death of performance artist Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard-Guillot, who died June 29 from falling approximately 90 feet in the Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas production of K&Agr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:01PM

Tix On Sale for Benefit Concerts of Sting's The Last Ship at the Public Theater by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Tickets are now available to the general public for the series of benefit concerts at the Public Theater that will premiere music from Grammy Award winner Sting's new musical and al…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:45PM

John Cameron Mitchell, Justin Vivian Bond, Amber Martin and More Set for 2013 Provincetown Afterglow Festival by Michael Gioia

John Cameron Mitchell, Justin Vivian Bond and Amber Martin are among the artists who will take part in the 2013 Provincetown Afterglow Festival, which will kick off Sept. 9 with a variety sh…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:06PM

Second Stage's Murder for Two, With Jeff Blumenkrantz and Brett Ryback, Extends Off-Broadway Run by Michael Gioia

The Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series production of the New York premiere of Murder for Two, the musical comedy starring Jeff Blumenkrantz and Brett Ryback, has been given a one-week extens…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:30AM

[title of show]'s Susan Blackwell Returns to NYMF in World Premiere of Volleygirls, Beginning July 15 by Michael Gioia

Susan Blackwell, who was seen on Broadway in [title of show] — the musical that began its life at NYMF — stars in the world-premiere production of Volleygirls, part of …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Bob Stillman, Hannah Elless, Brandon Ellis, George Salazar and More Offer Daniel Maté's Song Moments July 15 at NYMF by Michael Gioia

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents staged concerts of Song Moments, featuring the music and lyrics of 2013 Kleban Award-winning writer Daniel Maté, July 15 at The S…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, July 14, 2013

"Glee" Star Cory Monteith Dies at 31 by Michael Gioia

Cory Monteith, who played heartthrob Finn Hudson on the Fox hit musical series "Glee," has died at the age of 31, Vancouver, Canada, police have confirmed in a news conference…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:23AM
Saturday, July 13, 2013

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company, Starring Andrew Ryder, Opens July 13 at San Diego's Cygnet Theatre by Michael Gioia

The Cygnet Theatre kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Tony Award-winning musical Company, opening July 13, following previews that began July 5, in San Diego.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Ali Ewoldt, Drew Gasparini and More Need Some Space July 13 at Laurie Beechman Theatre by Michael Gioia

Daily Cake Productions presents I Need Some Space: The Lyrics of Robby Sandler, an evening of music by BMI lyricist Robby Sandler, July 13 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Stephen Sondheim's Company, Starring Andrew Ryder, Opens July 13 at San Diego's Cygnet Theatre by Michael Gioia

The Cygnet Theatre kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Tony Award-winning musical Company, opening July 13, following previews that began July 5, in San Diego.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, July 12, 2013

MJ Rodriguez, Marissa O'Donnell and More Are Mint'd in Two-Part NYMF Concert With Work of New Composers July 12 by Michael Gioia

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Mint'd, which is comprised of two performances — Inheritance at 5 PM and Explorers at 8 PM — July 12 at the Alice Griffi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:18PM

Chicago's Nikka Graff Lanzarone Will Keep Fans Posted at Joe's Pub Solo Concert by Michael Gioia

Nikka Graff Lanzarone, who has been seen on Broadway in Chicago and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, will offer a solo show entitled Keep Me Posted (a live rock documentary) Aug. 2…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:52PM

Chicago-Area Next to Normal Will Star Susie McMonagle and Rod Thomas by Michael Gioia

Drury Lane Theatre will present the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, starring Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as the bipolar matriarch Diana, beginning Aug. 15, prior to an …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:10PM

Motown and Bring It On Star Ariana DeBose Will Say She's Different in Joe's Pub Concert by Michael Gioia

Ariana DeBose, who can currently be seen on Broadway in Motown, will make her solo concert debut with …They Say I'm Different Aug. 12 at Joe's Pub.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:51AM

Lisa Brescia, Julie Hanson and Remy Zaken Read Rose Petals July 12-14 at NYMF by Michael Gioia

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents a developmental reading of Rose Petals, starring Lisa Brescia, Julie Hanson and Remy Zaken, July 12 and 14 at the Theater Row Studio.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, July 11, 2013

"American Idol" Star Adam Lambert Will Join Fifth Season of "Glee" by Michael Gioia

"American Idol" runner-up and former Wicked star Adam Lambert will join the cast of the Fox hit musical series "Glee," when the series' fifth season premieres in Sept…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:20PM

German-Language Musical Schikaneder Will Feature a Score by Stephen Schwartz by Michael Gioia

Stephen Schwartz, whose musical Pippin took home the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, is developing the score of a new German musical entitled Schikaneder, according to the New…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:18AM

LAST CHANCE: What's Closing This Week by Michael Gioia

The Silver Cord (Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's). The Peccadillo Theater Company's revival of Sidney Howard's 1926 play The Silver Cord features Wilson Bridges, Dale Carman, Caroli…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:31AM

Barrett Foa Stars as Harold Hill in Connecticut Production of The Music Man, Beginning July 11 by Michael Gioia

Barrett Foa, who has been seen on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and stars as Eric Beale in the TV series "NCIS: Los Angeles," leads the cast of The Music M…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

NYMF's Mother Divine, With Danielle Lee Greaves, Randy Donaldson, Howie Michael Smith, Begins July 11 by Michael Gioia

Mother Divine: The Musical, inspired by the real-life events of Harlem evangelist Father Divine, begins performances July 11, as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival's (NYMF) Ne…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, July 10, 2013

TV Star Jackée Harry Will Join Cast of Off-Broadway's NEWSical The Musical by Michael Gioia

Emmy-winning television star Jackée Harry will join the cast of Off-Broadway's NEWSical The Musical for a one-week engagement Aug. 23-27, producers announced July 10.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:33PM

Laura Benanti and Steven Pasquale Will File for Divorce by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti and Drama Desk Award nominee Steven Pasquale, who have been married since September 2007, will file for divorce, the couple confirmed to Playbill.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:24PM

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