All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Stage Version of Shakespeare in Love Completes Creative Team for North American Premiere by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Shakespeare in Love, a stage version of the Oscar-winning film of the same name that opened last summer at the West End's Noel Coward Theatre, will make its North American debut in 2…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:11PM

Will Magic Mike the Musical Debut in Las Vegas? by Michael Gioia

A Broadway-aimed stage adaptation of "Magic Mike," the film about the lifestyle of male strippers that starred Channing Tatum (and loosely based on Tatum's experience as a …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:25PM

Nine Years Since it Debuted, Spring Awakening Returns to Broadway Tonight by Michael Gioia

The Deaf West production of Spring Awakening, re-imagined for the Deaf community and told through American Sign Language, begins Broadway performances Sept. 8 at the Brooks Atkinson Thea…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, September 6, 2015

Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks on Debuting in Color Purple “I Didn’t Think Ther by Michael Gioia

A trio of heavy-hitters is debuting on Broadway this season in the return of the award-winning musical The Color Purple. And, according to them, there wasn't any question as to w…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, September 4, 2015

Look Who’s Joining Jayne Houdyshell, Sarah Steele, Reed Birney in Roundabout’s The Humans by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Lauren Klein and Arian Moayed have joined the cast of Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Karam's newest play, The Humans, which will make its New York debut Off-Broadway this f…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:42PM
Wednesday, September 2, 2015

“I Couldn’t Have Orchestrated This If I Tried,” Says Abby Mueller on Playing the Beautiful Role Her by Michael Gioia

Abby Mueller is about to take the stage as Carole King in the national tour of Beautiful, but her sister Jessie Mueller won the Tony Award for that role last year. How did they score the sam…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30PM
Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Alfie Boe Is Broadway’s Newest Jean Valjean in Les Misrables, Beginning Tonight by Michael Gioia

Alfie Boe, who famously starred as Jean Valjean in the 2010 Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at London's O2 Arena, returns to Broadway Sept. 1 as that role in the re…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, August 31, 2015

Was Miley Cyrus in Talks to Star in Broadway’s Hedwig? by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Miley Cyrus, the twerking, tongue-wagging pop star who has earned more than $100 million in a career that has included five No. 1 albums, was considering making her Broadway debut in Hed…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:05PM

If/Then Recording, With Idina Menzel, Will Be Released on Vinyl by Michael Gioia

If/Then, the Tony Award-nominated musical by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey about starting anew, will be released on vinyl in October.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:13AM
Sunday, August 30, 2015

History-Making Jean Valjean Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies at 21; Family Issues Statement by Michael Gioia

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the promising young actor who made history July 23 when he went on as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables at just 21 years old, died Aug…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:38AM

Ramin Karimloo Plays Final Les Miz Show as Alfie Boe Readies to “Bring Him Home” by Michael Gioia

Ramin Karimloo, who received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in the re-imagined Broadway revival of Les Misérables, plays his final performance in th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, August 29, 2015

History-Making Jean Valjean Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies at 21 by Michael Gioia

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the actor who made history July 23 when he went on as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables at just 21 years old, died Aug. 28.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:23PM
Friday, August 28, 2015

Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera Will Welcome Two New Leading Players by Michael Gioia

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group announced Aug. 28 that Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera will welcome two new principal actors beginning next week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:07PM

Gerard Canonico Leads Today’s Reading of Polkadots, New Musical Telling Kids It’s “Awesome” to Be Di by Michael Gioia

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, a new musical celebrating the diversity among children, has a private industry reading Aug. 28 in New York City.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Stockard Channing, Billy Magnussen and 11 More Join Nathan Lane and Debra Messing for Shorts by Wesl by Michael Gioia and Robert Viagas

Emmy and Tony Award winner Stockard Channing, "Into the Woods" star and Tony nominee Billy Magnussen and 11 others have joined the cast for the Oct. 26 reading of six new 10-mi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:41PM

Laura Osnes, Joshua Henry and Lindsay Mendez Among Singers on Upcoming Album by Jonathan Reid Gealt by Michael Gioia

Laura Osnes, Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Natalie Weiss, Alysha Umphress, Alex Brightman, Lindsay Mendez and Lilli Cooper are among the singers featured on songwriter Jonathan Reid Gealt'…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:59AM
Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Broadway Gets “Drafted,” And Yes It Is as Serious as Football (Video) by Michael Gioia

Broadway is gearing up for one of the most exciting seasons in recent years, so the NBL (National Broadway League) has met to parse out the up-and-coming talent! Find out who got sna…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:56PM

Sarah Ruhl NY Premiere Part of Women’s Project Theater Season by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Women's Project Theater, founded in 1978 to develop, produce and promote the work of women theatre artists, has announced its upcoming season lineup at its new artistic home under a new …

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:18AM
Monday, August 24, 2015

College Freshmen Refuse to Read “Fun Home” Novel Citing Christian Beliefs and “Pornography” by Michael Gioia

Incoming freshmen at Duke University, the highly regarded private research university located in Durham, NC, are refusing to read a title on their summer reading list — Alison Bech…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:55PM

College Freshman Refuse to Read “Fun Home” Novel Citing Christian Beliefs and “Pornography” by Michael Gioia

Incoming freshmen at Duke University, the highly regarded private research university located in Durham, NC, are refusing to read a title on their summer reading list — Alison Bech…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:55PM

Rent Will Return to New York as 20th Anniversary Approaches by Michael Gioia

Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Rent will return to New York next month when it hits Long Island City's Secret Theatre beginning Sept. 23.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:49PM

Gerard Canonico Will Lead Reading of Polkadots, New Musical Telling Kids It’s “Awesome” to Be Differ by Michael Gioia

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, a new musical celebrating the diversity among children, will have a private industry reading Aug. 28 in New York City.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:26PM

Watch All of Laura Osnes’ Princess Party, Featuring Broadway Sweethearts and Disney Songs! (Video) by Michael Gioia

The Broadway Princess Party, hosted by Cinderella Tony nominee Laura Osnes and musical director Benjamin Rauhala, was held Aug. 16 at 54 Below. Watch all of the videos here! 

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:29AM

Leading Actors of Matilda and Pippin Will Make Solo 54 Below Debuts Tomorrow by Michael Gioia

Ben Thompson and Mike Schwitter, leading actors of Matilda the Musical and the revival of Pippin, respectively, will make their solo 54 Below concert debuts Aug. 25.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM

School Survival Tips From the Pros! Actors from Hamilton, Matilda, Mormon and More Share Their Advic by Michael Gioia

High school and college can be tough sometimes, so we ask the pros how they survived those pivotal years. As part of Playbill.com's Back to School week (#BwayBacktoSchool), Broadway acto…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Audio Exclusive! Jonathan Groff Sings Inspirational New Song About Starting Anew by Michael Gioia

Songwriters Will Van Dyke and Jeff Talbott will release "A View of the River," a new EP of their songs, Sept. 15. They share an exclusive track with Playbill.com, an inspirational …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Nightlife Powerhouse Tori Scott Returns to Joe’s Pub Tonight for Another Drink With Thirsty! by Michael Gioia

Nightlife powerhouse Tori Scott returns to Joe's Pub Aug. 24 with her latest show Thirsty!, an evening of poor life choices and stories of her late-night misadventures, featuring son…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, August 22, 2015

Gerard Canonico, Adam Kaplan, Lauren Pritchard, Alex Wyse and More Join 54 Below’s Big Band Tonight by Michael Gioia

Following multiple sold-out engagements, Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band returns to 54 Below Aug. 22 to continue an official residence for 2015.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, August 21, 2015

Shuler Hensley and Mandy Gonzalez Were Part of Reading of Sting Musical, Based on Classic Film by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

A reading of the new musical The Sting, based on the 1973 film of the same name, was held in Manhattan at the beginning of the month, according to the New York Post.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:35AM

Get to Know the Cast of The Wiz Live! (So Far) With Our Favorite Pictures and Videos by Michael Gioia

A live television adaptation of The Wiz will hit NBC this December, and a star-studded cast is taking shape. Get to know the confirmed cast members (so far), and check out some of their …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, August 20, 2015

Nightlife Powerhouse Tori Scott Will Return to Joe’s Pub for Another Drink With Thirsty! by Michael Gioia

Nightlife powerhouse Tori Scott will return to Joe's Pub with her latest show Thirsty!, an evening of poor life choices and stories of her late-night misadventures, featuring songs f…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:29PM