All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Tracy Letts Will Be Series Regular on Showtime's "Homeland"; Amy Morton and More Also Join Cast by Michael Gioia

Tracy Letts, who was nominated for a 2013 Tony Award for his performance in Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?, will be a series regular on the upcoming third season of Showtime's "…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM

Regional Premiere of Bukowsical, About Life of Novelist Charles Bukowski, Begins May 30 in St. Louis by Michael Gioia

New Line Theatre concludes its 22nd season with the regional premiere of Bukowsical, a 21st-century reboot of the American musical comedy that explores the intersection between sex, drugs an…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

U.S. Premiere of Giacomo Variations, Featuring John Malkovich, Kicks Off International Arts Festival May 30 by Michael Gioia

The Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation kicks off its inaugural International Arts Festival in New York City May 30 with the U.S. premiere of The Giacomo Variations, starring Academy Award no…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

[title of show]'s Susan Blackwell Will Return to NYMF in World Premiere of Volleygirls by Michael Gioia

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

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:30PM

Neil Patrick Harris Will Host 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards by Michael Gioia

Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris, who is set to host the 67th Annual Tony Awards June 9 on CBS, has also been tapped to host the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air Sept. …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:54PM

Hardbody's Jay Armstrong Johnson Performs "Town Goes Boom" in New "Hot Off the Ivories" Music Video by Michael Gioia

Hands on a Hardbody's Jay Armstrong Johnson performs Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen's "Town Goes Boom" in "Hot Off the Ivories," a new music video series screening…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:51PM

Idina Menzel, Jon Cryer, Oskar Eustis, Sam Gold, Ted Chapin and More Part of Encores! Off-Center's Lobby Project by Michael Gioia

The Lobby Project, a series of free performances, art exhibits, performances, conversations and readings by artists, poets, authors and performers, will be presented in conjunction with New …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:26AM

"Smash" Star Katharine McPhee to Star in "Depravity" Film by Michael Gioia

Katharine McPhee, who starred on the recently wrapped NBC musical series "Smash," is attached to star in an upcoming thriller film entitled "Depravity," according to Dead…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:25AM

Tony Nominee Billy Porter Among Performers Set for TrevorLIVE New York, Hosted by Jane Lynch by Michael Gioia

"Glee" star Jane Lynch, who can currently be seen in the Broadway revival of Annie, will host TrevorLIVE New York June 17 at Chelsea Piers in New York. Kinky Boots Tony Award nomin…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:05AM

Dogfight's Nick Blaemire and The Hustle Will Play 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Actor and songwriter Nick Blaemire, who appeared in Off-Broadway's Dogfight and the Broadway revival of Godspell, will bring his seven-piece "nerd soul" band, The Hustle, to 54…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:01AM

Hardbody's Dale Soules Cast in NYC World Premiere of Jay Stull's The Capables, Examining Hoarders by Michael Gioia

The Kindling Theatre Company and Neighborhood Productions, in association with The Gym at Judson, will present the world premiere of The Capables, written by Jay Stull and directed by Stefan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM

PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Kinky Boots' Annaleigh Ashford and Celina Carvajal Pick Their Favorite "80s Girl Crush" Songs by Michael Gioia

Annaleigh Ashford, a 2013 Tony Award nominee for her performance in Broadway's Kinky Boots, and her Kinky co-star Celina Carvajal belt out the music of 80s pop star and 2013 Tony nominee…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

World Premiere of Christopher Oscar Peña's A Cautionary Tail Begins May 29 at The Flea by Michael Gioia

The Flea Theater presents the world premiere of Christopher Oscar Peña's a cautionary tail, commissioned by NYU's Tisch School of the Arts' Graduate Acting Production…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Sarah Ruhl's Dear Elizabeth, With Mary Beth Fisher and Tom Nelis, Opens May 29 at Berkeley Rep by Michael Gioia

Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters, creators of Eurydice, Three Sisters and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), reunite for the West Coast premiere of Ruhl's Dear Elizabeth, which concludes …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Marilu Henner, Marsha Mason, David Garrison and Lynn Cohen Will Star in Bucks County's Allergist's Wife by Michael Gioia

Marilu Henner, Marsha Mason, David Garrison and Lynn Cohen will star in Charles Busch's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, the final production of the 2013 Bucks County Playhouse seas…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:39PM

Annie Revival Recording Released Digitally May 28; Bonus Tracks Include Jane Lynch by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

A cast album for the 35th anniversary Broadway revival of Annie, starring Lilla Crawford, Anthony Warlow and Tony Award winner Katie Finneran, is released digitally May 28. Physical copies w…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:29PM

Susan Stroman, Bebe Neuwirth, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Marshall, Karen Ziemba Among Astaire Award Presenters by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Tony Award winners Susan Stroman, Bebe Neuwirth, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Marshall and Karen Ziemba are among the presenters set for the 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which will…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:33PM

Rebecca Hall Will Make Broadway Debut in Sophie Treadwell's Machinal for Roundabout by Michael Gioia

Golden Globe nominee Rebecca Hall will make her Broadway debut in Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of Sophie Treadwell's Machinal, producers announced May 28. Pre…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Understudies From Bare, Newsies, The Lion King and Pippin Set for Half Hour 3 NYC Concert by Michael Gioia

Understudies from the 2013 Tony-nominated revival of Pippin, the Off-Broadway musical Bare, Newsies and The Lion King will stand in the spotlight at Half Hour 3 June 2 at the Laurie Beechman…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:40PM

THE SCREENING ROOM: Ryan Scott Oliver-Directed Hatched Concert, Featuring New Work by Pace Freshmen by Michael Gioia

Hatched: Fresh Work, Freshman, a concert of new work featuring Pace University's musical theatre class of 2016, was offered May 8 at 54 Below. Here are highlights from the evening. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:08AM

"Smash" Ratings Remained Low for May 26 Series Finale by Michael Gioia

Ratings of NBC's "Smash," the Emmy Award-winning musical drama about the creation and inner workings of a Broadway musical, remained low for the May 26 series finale. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:52AM

Moe Angelos Stars in NYTW's Sontag: Reborn, Inspired by Work of Essayist Susan Sontag, Beginning May 28 by Michael Gioia

Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop presents Sontag: Reborn, inspired by the work of essayist Susan Sontag, beginning May 28, prior to an official opening June 6. Moe Angelos s…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Lindsay Mendez and Marco Paguia's Debut Jazz Album, "This Time," Released May 28 by Michael Gioia

Wicked's Lindsay Mendez and music director and jazz pianist Marco Paguia release their debut jazz vocal album, "This Time," May 28.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, May 27, 2013

PLAYBILL BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Lucky Guy Tony Award Nominee Courtney B. Vance by Michael Gioia

Courtney B. Vance, who hasn't appeared on Broadway in over two decades, returned to the Great White Way in the Tony-nominated play by the late Nora Ephron, Lucky Guy, and received a 2013…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Popesical Concert, With Patti Murin, Natalie Charle Ellis, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Jason Michael Snow, Held May 27 by Michael Gioia

Patti Murin, who starred in the Broadway musical Lysistrata Jones, leads the concert version of Popesical, a new musical comedy by Adam Overett, May 27 at Joe's Pub in New York City.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, May 26, 2013

And, Scene! Curtain Comes Down On NBC Musical Drama "Smash" May 26 by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The series finale of NBC's Emmy Award-winning "Smash," the behind-the-scenes musical drama about life, careers and relationships on The Great White Way, airs May 26. The series…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Adoption Drama The Call, With Kelly AuCoin and Kerry Butler, Ends Off-Broadway Run May 26 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Tanya Barfield's foreign-adoption drama The Call, a world-premiere co-production by Playwrights Horizons and Primary Stages, featuring Kelly AuCoin, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, Obie…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, May 25, 2013

He's Not Afraid of Anything: Jason Robert Brown Sounds Off on Stepping Into the Pit for Last Five's Last Day by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown not only directed the Second Stage Theatre revival of his two-person musical The Last Five Years, but on the show's final day, he joined the band to …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Surflight's 2013 Season Kicks Off May 25 With The Boy Friend, Featuring Elizabeth Miller by Michael Gioia

Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of executive director Ken Myers, kicks off its season with the 1920s musical comedy The Boy Friend, beginning May 25 in New Jersey.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

He's Not Afraid of Anything: Jason Robert Brown Sounds Off on Stepping Into the Pit for Last Five's Last Day by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown not only directed the Second Stage Theatre revival of his two-person musical The Last Five Years, but on the show's final day, he joined the orchestr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 24, 2013

Tonya Pinkins, Gideon Glick and More Will Join Natalie Joy Johnson for Her Time of the Month at Joe's Pub by Michael Gioia

Natalie Joy Johnson, who was seen on Broadway in Legally Blonde, will celebrate her Time of the Month May 27 at Joe's Pub.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:30PM