All stories by Robert Viagas on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, and More Broadway Luminaries Gather in L.A. for Concert for America by Robert Viagas

The May 24 extravaganza will be the fifth concert in the fundraising series.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Jane Krakowski Books NY Rainbow Room Cabaret Solo Show by Robert Viagas

Tony Award winner will sing and chat with the crowd June 23.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:38PM

Film, TV, and Broadway Performer Dina Merrill Dead at 93 by Robert Viagas

She made a mid-career return to Broadway in a revival of On Your Toes.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:16PM

Bebe Neuwirth, Tony Sheldon, Brenda Braxton Plan Comedy Night for Your Rights by Robert Viagas

Second performance of Villain: DeBlanks set as ACLU fundraiser in NYC May 31.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:31AM

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Celebrate Together CD With NYC Concert May 23 by Robert Viagas

The City Center concert draws on their 2016 album.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Monday, May 22, 2017

Emily Skinner and Christina Bianco Lined up for May 22 Broadway by the Year by Robert Viagas

The latest in the long-running series will salute Sondheim, Schwartz, and other composers of 1997–2006.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:37PM

Concert for America Announces June Stop: San Francisco by Robert Viagas

Faith Prince, Alan Cumming, and San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus are already lined up.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:37PM

Original Sweeney Todd Len Cariou Joins Angela Lansbury for Irish Rep’s Sondheim Tribute by Robert Viagas

Melissa Errico and Rebecca Luker will also appear at the June 13 event.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:31PM

‘Queen’ Lesli Margherita Revising Her Rule Your Kingdom for August Club Gig by Robert Viagas

The co-star of Matilda and Dames at Sea is returning to Feinstein’s/54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:29PM

Jonathan Groff Gets Stage Fright May 22 by Robert Viagas

Ernest Shackleton writer and star also on tap for the live talk show.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:37AM

Audra McDonald Shares Songs and Stories at Steppenwolf May 22 by Robert Viagas

The six-time Tony Award winner will appear with Seth Rudetsky and her husband, Will Swenson.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Glenn Close to Spend Her Night Off Celebrating the Music of Hollywood by Robert Viagas

The award-winning star plans a Birdland fundraiser to battle the stigma of mental illness.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Friday, May 19, 2017

Feinstein’s/54 Below Plans All-Star 5th Anniversary Blowout by Robert Viagas

Laura Benanti, Charles Busch, Liz Callaway, Alice Ripley, are just a few of the luminaries promised June 5.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:08PM
Thursday, May 18, 2017

Songwriter David Yazbek Showcases “Old, New and Upcoming” Projects with Michael Cerveris by Robert Viagas

Composer of The Band’s Visit teams up with the star of Fun Home.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:22PM

Shoshana Bean Joins Jason Robert Brown for His May 19 SubCulture Concert by Robert Viagas

The concert will feature the premiere of new material from his latest projects.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:36PM

Booking Now! Take a Cruise With Tony Nominees Carmen Cusack, Christopher Sieber, and Other Broadway Stars by Robert Viagas

The latest Playbill Cruise is headed up the Danube River in Europe.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:26PM

Gay Men’s Chorus of L.A. Gearing Up to Honor Wicked Composer by Robert Viagas

He will sing “For Good” with the chorus, which is recognizing him for his anti-bullying and anti-suicide efforts.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:52PM

Bright Star's Carmen Cusack and Jeff Blumenkrantz Reunite for NJ Concert by Robert Viagas

A chance to hear the two Tony nominees perform at “the birthplace of my love of musical theatre.”

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:23AM

John Lloyd Young, Lindsay Mendez, and More Coming to Feinstein’s/54 Below May 18–25 by Robert Viagas

See all the theatre-related events scheduled this week at the intimate venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Rachel Bloom, Shaina Taub, and Molly Pope Coming to Joe’s Pub May 18–25 by Robert Viagas

See theatre events scheduled at the NYC venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, and Hamilton Stars Will Be Trading Voices in D.C. by Robert Viagas

The June 3 Washington National Opera concert will have them all singing opera.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:39PM

Fran Drescher and Friends Setting Sail for NYC Concert Cruise by Robert Viagas

The star of TV’s Nanny and Broadway’s Cinderella will sing to fight cancer.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:52AM

FestivalSouth to Host Pasek & Paul’s James and the Giant Peach by Robert Viagas

Two-time Tony nominee Tom Wopat will open the festival with a concert.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:17AM
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Ben Vereen, Anthony Federov, and More Join Concert for America in Los Angeles by Robert Viagas

The May 24 extravaganza will be the fifth concert in the fundraising series.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:50PM
Sunday, May 14, 2017

The Only Woman in New York Theatre Who Fixes the Boiler, Takes Your Ticket, and Then Hops Onstage by Robert Viagas

Catherine Russell, Off-Broadway’s maid-of-all-work, has learned to drive a truck, tar a roof, and put audiences at the edge of their seats in her record-setting 30 years at Perfect Cri…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 12, 2017

Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Tapped for Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary Celebration by Robert Viagas

The one-night-only even will also feature Annette Bening, Phylicia Rashad, Matthew Broderick, and others.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:01PM

Wicked, Miss Saigon, and Ragtime Orchestrator William David Brohn Dead at 84 by Robert Viagas

He helped imagine how Oz, Vietnam, and turn-of-the-century New York should sound.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:45AM
Thursday, May 11, 2017

Jeremy Jordan and Others Join Angela Lansbury for Irish Rep’s Sondheim Tribute by Robert Viagas

Melissa Errico and Rebecca Luker will also appear at the New York event.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:36PM

Kelli O’Hara, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and More Broadway Stars Are Headed West by Robert Viagas

Brigham Young University’s performing arts series attracts top theatre talent.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:52PM

Broadway Stagehands’ Union Endorses NYC Mayor de Blasio for Re-Election by Robert Viagas

It’s the third theatrical union to back the Democrat incumbent.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM

Mario Cantone Schedules Café Carlyle Gig in June by Robert Viagas

The comic actor earned a Tony nomination for his Laugh Whore.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM