All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Friday, August 7, 2015

Beaches Star Shoshana Bean Sings Soaring Version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Wicked star Shoshana Bean, who can currently be seen in the pre-Broadway engagement of Beaches, the new musical based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, can be heard singing the musi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:23AM

Rent Hits Scotland Under the Guidance of Anthony Rapp! If/Then’s Janet Krupin Among Cast by Michael Gioia

Anthony Rapp, who originated the role of Mark Cohen in Rent, is the creative consultant on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe production of that Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Jon…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, August 6, 2015

History in the Making Revolutionary Musical Hamilton Opens on Broadway Tonight by Michael Gioia

Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed new musical that fuses the contemporary and classic worlds to tell the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, of…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, August 5, 2015

“I’m Somewhere Over the Rainbow Right Now!”  The First Interview With The Wiz’s Dorothy by Michael Gioia

A year ago 18-year-old actress Shanice Williams was getting ready to attend a performing arts college in Los Angeles. Now she's getting ready to make her television debut on NBC …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:03PM
Monday, August 3, 2015

Will Jr. Version of Children of Eden, Adapted by a Student, Move Forward? Stephen Schwartz Weighs In by Michael Gioia

A condensed "Jr." production of Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz's epic musical based on the Book of Genesis, premiered last month in New Jersey, and Schwartz attended the sh…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:02PM

Learn How to “Sleep Out” Alongside Audra McDonald and Broadway’s Best for Homeless Youth by Michael Gioia

Broadway stars will hit the streets Aug. 17 for the annual Sleep Out: Broadway Edition that raises money for Covenant House and awareness of homeless youth in the city.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:09AM
Sunday, August 2, 2015

Back to Heaven! An Act of God, Starring Jim Parsons, Ends Broadway Engagement by Michael Gioia

The new Broadway comedy An Act of God, starring Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jim Parsons in the role of God, ends its New York City engagement Aug. 2 at Studio 54.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

“It’s Revving Up”  The Next Generation of Female Songwriters Share Their Hopes for the Future by Michael Gioia

Female songwriters are making noise in New York City, and they deserve to be heard. As part of Playbill.com's Women in Theatre week, we talk to a few female songwriters about navigating …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, July 31, 2015

Valerie Harper Is Resting with Family by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Emmy winner Valerie Harper, who had been playing the role of Millicent in The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Nice Work If You Can Get It before falling ill July 29, is resting with h…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:51PM

Melissa Manchester Injury Postpones Reading of New Musical by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

An injury suffered by co-author Melissa Manchester has forced a postponement of a planned Aug. 7 reading of the new musical Sweet Potato Queens, which she co-authored with Tony Award…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:33PM

Two-Hour “Looking” Series Finale Will Air in 2016 by Michael Gioia

The two-hour series finale of "Looking," the HBO series about a group of gay friends living in San Francisco that stars Tony Award nominee Jonathan Groff, will air during the f…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:44AM
Thursday, July 30, 2015

Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus and 20 Newcomers Set for Broadway’s Spring Awakening by Andrew Gans, Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Ken Davenport, Cody Lassen, Hunter Arnold and Deaf West Theatre announced July 30 that the actors who played the rebellious students in the acclaimed Deaf West production of Steven Sater and…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:43PM

Valerie Harper Admitted to Hospital After Backstage Health Emergency by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Emmy winner Valerie Harper, who has been playing the role of Millicent in The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Nice Work If You Can Get It, which began performances July 22 and continu…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01PM

Valerie Harper Admitted to Hospital by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Emmy winner Valerie Harper, who has been playing the role of Millicent in The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Nice Work If You Can Get It, which began performances July 22 and continu…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01PM

One Single’s Experience at Significant Other, and How You Can Take Yourself Out on a Solo Date Night by Michael Gioia

Joshua Harmon's Significant Other takes a look at the single gay guy whose best friends are all getting married off before his eyes. So, who better to send than one of our own single sta…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:44AM

Exclusive! Wesley Taylor in a Fat Suit and 10 More #TBT Photos You Don’t Want to Miss by Michael Gioia

Wesley Taylor, Alexandra Silber and Adam Kaplan are among the performers who will bring the popular Instagram/Twitter trend of #tbt to the stage of 54 Below Aug. 6 with #tbtLIVE Throwback Th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

9 of the Best Songs By Female Writers This Fun Home Star Shares Her List by Michael Gioia

Who better than Fun Home star Judy Kuhn to pick some of the best songs by female writers? As part of Playbill.com's Women in Theatre Week, she share her favorites in this week's Play…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Pasek and Paul’s Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C. by Michael Gioia

Dear Evan Hansen, the new, original musical by Tony Award-nominated songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul that stars "Pitch Perfect" and Book of Mormon actor Ben Platt, offici…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Lying To Fit In How A High School Tragedy Paved Way For Pasek and Paul’s New Musical by Michael Gioia

How far do kids go to fit in? Benj Pasek and Justin Paul explore the teenage struggle in their new musical Dear Evan Hansen, starring "Pitch Perfect" and Book of Mormon star Ben Pl…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, July 27, 2015

9 Questions With the History-Making, Youngest and First African-American Jean Valjean “This Was My by Michael Gioia

Kyle Jean-Baptiste made history July 23 when he went on as Jean Valjean in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables at just 21 years old. We ask him about making history, what a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:54PM

Laura Benanti Coaches You How to Be Her Side-Eye, Quirky Face and Tears! (Video) by Michael Gioia

Although Laura Benanti can't be in attendance at tonight's #SOBLESSED Live! concert, her best friend Chelsea Nachman can! Watch as Benanti coaches Nachman how to be…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:06PM

On the Twentieth Century Star Will Head to Broadway Revival of She Loves Me, Starring Laura Benanti by Michael Gioia

Tony Award winner Michael McGrath, who recently starred in Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of On the Twentieth Century, has joined the cast of Bock & Harni…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Annoying Actor Friend Returns to 54 Below Tonight With Broadway Stars and Twitter Celebrities by Michael Gioia

Following a sold-out engagement last fall, #SOBLESSED Live! returns to 54 Below July 27 for a concert event benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, July 26, 2015

21 Year Old Makes Broadway History As Youngest and First African-American Jean Valjean by Michael Gioia

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, who was cast in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables following his graduation from Baldwin Wallace University, made history July 23 when he went on as Je…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:33PM

Date and Location Set For Roger Rees’ Memorial by Michael Gioia

A memorial for late Tony Award-winning actor Roger Rees will be held Sept. 21 at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, home of Disney's Aladdin.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:31AM
Friday, July 24, 2015

Liza Minnelli Returns to the Concert Stage Tonight! by Andrew Gans and Michael Gioia

Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Liza Minnelli performs her first post-rehab concert at the IP Casino Resort Spa located in Biloxi, MS, July 24 at 8 PM.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:12AM

“Lucky Stiff” Film, With Jason Alexander and Nikki M. James, Opens Tonight in NYC! by Michael Gioia

The film adaptation of the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Lucky Stiff, featuring Tony winners Jason Alexander, Nikki M. James and the late Dennis Farina, is released in New York&am…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Jessica Hendy Stars in Wendy’s Shadow, Rock Musical Retelling Peter Pan Adventure from Wendy’s Persp by Michael Gioia

Wendy's Shadow, a musical based on the novel "Peter and Wendy" by J.M. Barrie, is presented as part of the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival in concert productions July 24…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

“I’m Hoping There is a Shift,” Says Lea Salonga On Diversity and the “United Colors” of This Season by Michael Gioia

Broadway is making way for "The United Colors," according to Lea Salonga, referring to this season — Hamilton, a piece in which our Founding Fathers are portrayed by toda…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, July 23, 2015

Ben Fankhauser, Katie Thompson, Emily Rogers Lead Latest Reading of Ryan Scott Oliver’s Gothic Thril by Michael Gioia

Ryan Scott Oliver's We Foxes, a new Southern Gothic musical thriller about an orphan girl in search of salvation, will receive a closed reading at Playwrights Horizons July 24 under the …

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:57AM
Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Atlantic Records Will Release Hamilton Cast Album by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The original Broadway cast album of the new Lin-Manuel Miranda musical Hamilton will be released this fall from Atlantic Records. The two-disc album will be produced by Ahmir "Q…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:54PM