All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Set List Announced from Star-Studded From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook, a concert of healing for the Newtown community featuring composers, musicians and over 100 stars of Broadway, was held Jan. 28 at t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:21AM

New-York Historical Society Screening of "Lincoln," Including Talkback With Tony Kushner, Offered Jan. 29 by Michael Gioia

Tony Kushner, who wrote the critically acclaimed screenplay for "Lincoln" — the motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg and inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:55AM

Songwriters Marilyn and Alan Bergman Among 2013 Special Merit Award Honorees at Grammy Week Event by Michael Gioia

The Recording Academy will host the 2013 Special Merit Awards Ceremony Feb. 9 in L.A. Songwriters Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman, whose Broadway credits include Ballroom and Something More…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:58AM

THE SCREENING ROOM: Understudies from Godspell, Clear Day, Carrie, Ghost and More Perform at 54 Below (Video) by Michael Gioia

Not At This Performance, a concert with Broadway understudies from Godspell, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Carrie, Ghost The Musical, Glory Days, Catch Me If You Can and A Little Night…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Tony Winner Nathan Lane Hosts NY Philharmonic's Symphonic Sondheim Jan. 29; Paul Gemignani Conducts by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Nathan Lane hosts Symphonic Sondheim, the New York Philharmonic's performance of symphonic suites by Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Academy Award and Grammy Award-win…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, January 28, 2013

Grand Central Centennial Celebration to Feature Cynthia Nixon; Plus Orphan Train Musical, Directed by Patricia Birch by Michael Gioia

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York (MTA) and Metro-North Railroad will open Grand Central Terminal to the public Feb. 1 for the celebration of its 100th anniversary. The y…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:30PM

THE SCREENING ROOM: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Brightman's Video Appearance at Phantom's Gala (Video) by Michael Gioia

When Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical The Phantom of the Opera turned 25 on Jan. 26, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was unable to attend due to a back procedure. Here is his video app…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:45PM

Angela "Big Ang" Raiola Will Make Off-Broadway Debut in My Big Gay Italian Wedding by Michael Gioia

Angela Raiola, best known as "Big Ang" from the VH1 series "Mob Wives" as well as her own VH1 spin-off show, will make her Off-Broadway debut in Anthony J. Wilkinson…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:48AM

Will Tina Fey's "Mean Girls" Sing on Broadway? by Michael Gioia

Golden Globe Award winner Tina Fey and husband Jeff Richmond are developing a stage adaptation of Fey's 2004 hit comedy film "Mean Girls," which starred actress Lindsay Lohan a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:14AM

Two-for-One Off-Broadway Week Begins Jan. 28; Titles Include Bare, Forever Dusty, Forbidden Broadway and More by Michael Gioia

NYC & Company presents Off-Broadway Week, which offers two-for-one tickets to New York City theatre, Jan. 28-Feb. 10. Participating shows include the revivals of Bare and Forbidden …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Second Annual TEDxBroadway Conference Held Jan. 28; Thomas Schumacher, George Takei, Daryl Roth Among Speakers by Michael Gioia

The second annual TEDxBroadway, a day-long event where artists come together to discuss the future of Broadway, is held Jan. 28 from 11 AM-6 PM at New World Stages. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Betty Buckley, Sam Waterston, Trevor Nunn, Paula Vogel and More Inducted into Theatre Hall of Fame Jan. 28 by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Tony and Emmy Award winner Tyne Daly hosts The 42nd Annual Theatre Hall of Fame ceremony, which is held Jan. 28 at 7:30 PM in the Gershwin Theatre's North Rotunda.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Star-Studded From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook Held Jan. 28 in Connecticut by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook, a concert of healing for the Newtown community featuring composers, musicians and over 100 stars of Broadway, is offered Jan. …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, January 27, 2013

THE SCREENING ROOM: Derek Klena, Ben Fankhauser, Jason Gotay and More Sing Alexander Sage Oyen Tunes (Video) by Michael Gioia

Composer-lyricist Alexander Sage Oyen, who recently released his second album "Drafts (Volume One)," offered a concert of his work Jan. 19 at the new Manhattan nightspot 54 Below. …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, January 26, 2013

Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera Will Welcome West End Star Peter Jöback by Michael Gioia

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, will welcome West End star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording artist Peter Jöback b…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00PM

Gallery Players Production of Tony-Winning Parade, With Jesse Manocherian, Opens Jan. 26 in Brooklyn by Michael Gioia

The Gallery Players, the award-winning Brooklyn theatre company now in its 46th season, present Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown's Parade, opening Jan. 26. Jesse Manocherian stars.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Free Concert Readings of Drew Gasparini-Alex Brightman Musical Make Me Bad Offered Jan. 26-27 at Pace by Michael Gioia

Free concert readings of Make Me Bad, a new musical featuring a score by Drew Gasparini ("Smash") and a book by actor-writer Alex Brightman (Wicked), are offered Jan. 26-27 at Pace…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, January 25, 2013

Tony Winner Lea Salonga Will Offer Solo Concerts in Hawaii in February by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, who will appear in the Avery Fisher Hall concert production of Ragtime, will offer solo concerts Feb. 22-23 and Feb. 26 in Hawaii.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:00PM

Lawrence Wright's Fallaci, Directed by The Public's Oskar Eustis, Will Premiere at Berkeley Rep by Michael Gioia

Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright will premiere his new play Fallaci, about the last days of legendary journalist Oriana Fallaci, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Performances will begin M…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:44PM

Patricia Birch Will Direct New Works in The York's Inaugural "Bespoke Musicals" Program by Michael Gioia

The York Theatre Company has joined forces with Marymount Manhattan College to launch "Bespoke Musicals," a program that pairs teams of emerging writers, chosen by The York Theatre…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:30PM

Sean Hayes to Star Opposite Gena Rowlands in Film Adaptation of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks by Michael Gioia

Tony Award nominee Sean Hayes (Promises, Promises), who will appear in the second season of the NBC musical drama "Smash," is finalizing a deal for the lead role in the independent…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:52AM

Post-Apocalyptic Macbeth, With Ian Bedford and Jennifer Barnhart, Begins Jan. 25 by Michael Gioia

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival offers a gritty version of the William Shakespeare classic Macbeth, set in a post-Apocalyptic world, beginning Jan. 25, prior to an official opening Jan. 26.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, January 24, 2013

Silence!, War Horse, Book of Mormon, Christine Lakin, Christopher Gattelli Among L.A. Drama Critics Nominees by Michael Gioia

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) announced nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre's 2012 calendar year on Jan. 24. Topping the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:30PM

Sutton Foster, Jane Krakowski, Audra McDonald and Kelli O'Hara Will Perform at Roundabout Gala; Lonny Price to Direct by Michael Gioia

Roundabout Theatre Company will present its annual 2013 spring gala, A Celebration of Your Favorites, emceed by Tony winner Alan Cumming (Cabaret), March 11 at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:16PM

Marilyn Maye, Barbara Fasano, La Tanya Hall and Gabrielle Stravelli Will Be The Many Voices of Peggy Lee by Michael Gioia

Give Me Fever: The Many Voices of Peggy Lee, featuring the work of jazz singer, songwriter, composer and actress Peggy Lee, will be offered Feb. 23-25 as part of 92nd Street Y's Lyrics &…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:15PM

Nick Blaemire, Emma Hunton, Andrew Kober, Molly Hager Will Join Songwriter Zack Zadek for Joe's Pub Concert by Michael Gioia

Nick Blaemire, Emma Hunton and Andrew Kober are among the artists who will join composer-lyricist Zack Zadek for his solo concert Jan. 28 at Joe's Pub.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:57PM

Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing Film, With Amy Acker, Tom Lenk and Alexis Denisof, Will Hit Theatres in June by Michael Gioia

Screenwriter and director Joss Whedon's film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is scheduled to open in theatres June 7.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:15PM

Pace University Will Offer Free Concert Readings of Drew Gasparini and Alex Brightman's Make Me Bad Musical by Michael Gioia

Free concert readings of Make Me Bad, a new musical featuring a score by Drew Gasparini ("Smash") and a book by actor-writer Alex Brightman (Wicked), will be offered Jan. 26-27 at …

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:45PM

Hershey Felder's An American Story, Recounting Abraham Lincoln's Final Day, Will Be Given Chicago Premiere by Michael Gioia

Eighty-Eight Entertainment will present the Chicago premiere of Hershey Felder's An American Story for Actor and Orchestra, which recounts Abraham Lincoln's last day, beginning March…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30PM

Tony Winner Bebe Neuwirth Will Star in Musical Comedy Pilot "Browsers," Directed by Don Scardino, for Amazon by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth will star in "Browsers," a musical comedy pilot for Amazon Studios, the original film and series production arm of Amazon.com, according to Deadline…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:37AM

AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: Godspell's Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland Writing New Musical You're Gonna Hate This by Michael Gioia

You're Gonna Hate This, a new musical from Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland — who met and collaborated on the Broadway revival of Godspell — is aiming for a New York City r…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

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