All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

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

Watch Rehearsal of Triangle, a New Musical Originally Commissioned by the Late Roger Rees (Video) by Michael Gioia

Triangle, a new musical about star-crossed lovers, was originally commissioned in 2005 by Williamstown Theatre Festival (under the artistic direction of the late Roger Rees) and now make…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:25PM

Want to Be the Green Girl? Wicked Holding Open Calls for Broadway by Michael Gioia

Do you think you have what it takes to be the Wicked Witch of the West? Wicked is holding an open call for the Elphaba understudy on Broadway July 27 at Telsey + Company.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:04AM

Taye Diggs Is Hedwig Tonight! 7 Burning Questions With the Star About Heels and Strut by Michael Gioia

Taye Diggs is the next superstar to take on transgender rocker Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, beginning performances July 22 at Broadway's Belasco. He answers seven burning questio…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Valerie Harper Makes Musical Stage Return Tonight! by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of Nice Work If You Can Get It taps its way into the Maine venue July 22-Aug. 15, starring Emmy Award winner Valerie Harper.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Hamilton Selling #YayHamlet T-Shirts What’s the Story Behind the Hashtag? by Michael Gioia

If you decide to hit the merchandise booth at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where the acclaimed new musical Hamilton plays, and see a t-shirt that reads: "#YAYHAMLET," you may b…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:37PM

Here’s a Look at the Live-Action Disney Films in the Works, Including “Aladdin” Prequel by Michael Gioia

Live-action adaptations of "Mulan," "Sword in the Stone," "Dumbo," "Tinker Bell" and an "Aladdin" prequel are in the works for Walt Disn…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:55AM

Long-Running Broadway Hit Will Make Way for Tuck Everlasting Musical by Michael Gioia

Tuck Everlasting, the new musical based on Natalie Babbitt's best-selling 1975 novel of the same name, will open on Broadway April 17, 2016, at the Broadhurst Theatre, currently home…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:41AM

Exclusive! “We Did Indecent Things!”  Watch Jason Alexander and Pamela Shaw in “Lucky Stiff” (Video) by Michael Gioia

The film adaptation of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Lucky Stiff hits theatres July 24, and Playbill.com gives you an exclusive clip featuring its stars, Jason Alexander and Pamela …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:10AM
Monday, July 20, 2015

Kelly Clarkson Says She’s Ready For Broadway, But Must Stop “Procreating” First by Michael Gioia

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of Fox's "American Idol," but remains one of the famed contestants who has yet to take on a Broadway show. However, at her recent July 17 co…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:15PM

Joe Iconis Rock Musical Be More Chill, With Gerard Canonico, George Salazar and More, Will Get Cast by Michael Gioia

The Two River Theater production of Be More Chill, a new musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, based on the acclaimed 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini, will be recorded…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:33AM

Kids Sing Their Hearts Out in Premiere of Children of Eden “Jr.”! “Lost in the Wilderness” and More by Michael Gioia

The world premiere of a condensed "Jr." production of Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz's epic musical based on the Book of Genesis, began performances last week in New Jersey…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM

Heather Headley On How Motherhood Changed Her View of The Witch and a Possible Broadway Return by Michael Gioia

Heather Headley is stepping out of her comfort zone and Into the Woods this summer, and she says that motherhood has completely transformed the way she views the Witch.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Former Witches Jenna Leigh Green, Dee Roscioli and Patti Murin Revisit Wicked in Concert July 20-21 by Michael Gioia

The Witches, a Cabaret, a benefit performance to support Theatre Workshop, is held July 20-21 at the Bennett Hall Stage in Nantucket.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, July 19, 2015

The Train Pulls Out! On the Twentieth Century, Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Ends Broadway Run by Michael Gioia

Roundabout Theatre Company's critically acclaimed revival of On the Twentieth Century, starring Kristin Chenoweth, plays its final performance July 19 at the American Airlines T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, July 17, 2015

Laura Osnes Will Host a Princess Party at 54 Below, Featuring 14 of Broadway’s Sweethearts by Michael Gioia

The Broadway Princess Party, hosted by Cinderella Tony nominee Laura Osnes and musical director Benjamin Rauhala, will be held Aug. 16 at 54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:03PM

Karen Olivo Makes Directorial Debut With Fugitive Songs, by Tuck Everlasting Writers, Opening Tonigh by Michael Gioia

Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen's song cycle Fugitive Songs, directed by Tony Award winner Karen Olivo, opens July 17 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's University T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Jr. Version of Children of Eden, Adapted by College Student, Begins Performances Tonight! by Michael Gioia

The world premiere of a condensed "Jr." production of Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz's epic musical based on the Book of Genesis, begins performances July 17 in New Jersey.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Lea Salonga Explains the Story Behind the Viral Piano Bar Video (and Crazy Night Out) With Darren Cr by Michael Gioia

Lea Salonga is back in town as she gears up for her Broadway return in Allegiance, and she recently caught her friend Darren Criss in Hedwig and the Angry Inch… Reminding her of t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, July 16, 2015

Reading of Rupert Holmes’ Sweet Potato Queens Musical Will Be Held Next Month by Michael Gioia

A closed table reading of Rupert Holmes, Melissa Manchester and Sharon Vaughn's Sweet Potato Queens will be held Aug. 7 in anticipation of the musical's world-premiere p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:27PM

“Glee” Star Alex Newell, Ben Fankhauser, Zak Resnick and Adam Kaplan Rock Out With Joey Contreras Mu by Michael Gioia

Songwriter Joey Contreras' New York Musical Theatre Festival concert will be held July 16 at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Alex Ne…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

What Are You Dancing To? This On the Town Star Shares His Top 10 by Michael Gioia

Clyde Alves, who plays Ozzie, one of the three toe-tapping sailors in Broadway's On the Town, shares 10 of his favorite songs to dance to as part of this week's Playbill Playlist.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, July 15, 2015

15-Year-Old Actress With Five Broadway Credits Will Go It Solo at 54 Below by Michael Gioia

Rachel Resheff, a 15-year-old actress with five Broadway credits, will make her solo concert debut July 26 at 54 Below under the direction of Wicked actress Lindsay Mendez.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:57PM

“It’s a Big Surprise, Kids,” Says Liza Minnelli On Her Upcoming Concert Set by Michael Gioia

Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Liza Minnelli will perform her first post-rehab concert at the IP Casino Resort Spa located in Biloxi, MS, and she says that the set l…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:09PM

Jane Krakowski and Gavin Creel Will Join Laura Benanti and Josh Radnor in Broadway Revival of She Lo by Michael Gioia

Jane Krakowski, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of Nine, will return to Broadway for RTC's 50th anniversary season to star in the Ma…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Let’s Raise the Roof! The Wild Party, Starring Sutton Foster and Steven Pasquale, Hits the City by Michael Gioia

New York City is set to get even hotter July 15-18. The Encores! Off-Center staging of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, which stars Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as Quee…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Watch Brandy Belt The Wiz On the Subway and Get Advice “You’re Too Much Into Yourself!”  (Video) by Michael Gioia

Brandy Norwood, who currently stars as Roxie Hart in the Broadway revival of Chicago, continues her campaign to play Dorothy in NBC's live broadcast of The Wiz. Watch her belt out "…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:12PM

Hundreds Mob the First Hamilton Lottery—See Which Broadway Star Won! by Michael Gioia

There were only a handful of seats to spare, but more than 700 theatregoers (704, to be exact) showed up on 46th Street July 13 to play the ticket lottery for Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Mirand…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:49AM

Watch Wacky Trailer for Jennifer Aniston’s Broadway-Set Film Comedy “She’s Funny That Way” by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

"She's Funny That Way," Peter Bogdanovich's upcoming screwball comedy about a married Broadway director who falls in love with a former prostitute while working on a new sh…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:07AM
Monday, July 13, 2015

Watch Young Performers Rehearse Jr. Version of Children of Eden, Adapted by College Student (Video) by Michael Gioia

The world premiere of a condensed "Jr." production of Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz's epic musical based on the Book of Genesis, will begin July 17 in New Jersey. Go behin…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:43PM

Les Miz Cast “Auditions” for Hamilton, Their New Broadway Neighbors! (Video) by Michael Gioia

The Broadway cast of Les Misérables is so excited about Hamilton moving in next door at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, they're questioning their career… They're a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:39PM