All stories by Michael on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

THE SCREENING ROOM: Highlights from Théâtre du Châtelet's Into the Woods in Paris (Video) by Michael Gioia and Stéphane Ly-Cuong

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods had its French premiere at Paris' Théâtre du Châtelet April 1-12. Here are highlights from the product…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:11PM

Kathleen Chalfant, Teal Wicks, Stephen DeRosa and More Join Theatreworks USA's Lightning Thief Benefit Concert by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk winner Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit, "House of Cards"), Teal Wicks (Jekyll and Hyde, Wicked), Stephen DeRosa (HBO's "Boardwa…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:22PM
Friday, April 11, 2014

Obamas Expected to Attend Broadway Revival of A Raisin in the Sun with Denzel Washington April 11 by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are expected to attend the April 11 performance of the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, starring Denzel …

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:35AM
Thursday, April 10, 2014

THE SCREENING ROOM: Behind the Scenes at Sitzprobe of Nick Blaemire's A Little More Alive, With Van Hughes, Lindsay Mendez by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

The cast of Kansas City Repertory Theatre's new musical A Little More Alive, which begins its run April 11 on the Rep’s Copaken Stage, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the produc…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM
Monday, April 7, 2014

Laura Bell Bundy, Megan Hilty, John Pizzarelli, Corey Reynolds, Aaron Tveit Join Salute to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Laura Bell Bundy, Megan Hilty, John Pizzarelli, Corey Reynolds and Aaron Tveit have joined the lineup of performers for the April 28 New York Pops grand gala evening at Carnegie Hall, which …

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:45AM

Alexandra Silber, Sarah Stiles and Elizabeth Stanley Sing from Evita, Into the Woods, Bare in Lady's Got Potential Concert April 7 by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Natalie Joy Johnson, Molly Pope, Alexandra Silber, Elizabeth Stanley and Sarah Stiles perform songs from Evita, Into the Woods and Bare, as well as songs by Judy Garland and Dar Williams as …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, April 4, 2014

Katie Finneran and Enrique Murciano Will Join Norbert Leo Butz and More in Netflix Series from "Damages" Creators by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran and Enrique Murciano have been cast in Netflix's untitled psychological thriller drama from Sony Pictures TV, according to Deadline.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:07AM
Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Alexandra Silber, Sarah Stiles and Elizabeth Stanley Will Sing from Evita, Into the Woods, Bare in Lady's Got Potential Concert by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Natalie Joy Johnson, Molly Pope, Alexandra Silber, Elizabeth Stanley and Sarah Stiles will perform songs from Evita, Into the Woods and Bare, as well as songs by Judy Garland and Dar William…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:23PM
Friday, March 28, 2014

Footage from Clint Eastwood's Jersey Boys Film Presented at Las Vegas CinemaCon by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

At the annual CinemaCon, held in Las Vegas, director Clint Eastwood presented footage from his film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, which is scheduled to arrive in theatr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:57PM
Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Dogfight and Wicked Stars Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez Will Return to 54 Below This Summer by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez, who co-starred in the Off-Broadway, award-winning musical Dogfight and the hit Broadway show Wicked, will reunite at 54 Below for a five-concert encore engage…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:11PM
Friday, March 21, 2014

Concert Version of Kander and Ebb's The Act, With Cady Huffman, Randy Graff and More, Adds April 4 Shows by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The concert version of Kander and Ebb's one-woman Liza Minnelli vehicle The Act, featuring Cady Huffman, Julia Murney, Anna Chlumsky, Randy Graff and more, has added shows at 54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:39PM
Thursday, March 20, 2014

THE SCREENING ROOM: Ghostlight Concert, With Mandy Gonzalez, Natascia Diaz, Jason Gotay, Christina Sajous and More by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Songs from Ghostlight, the new musical by Tim Realbuto and Matthew Martin, were presented March 6 at 54 Below. Here are highlights from the evening. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:20PM

Sam Shepard Will Join Norbert Leo Butz in New Netflix Series from "Damages" Creators by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard, who was seen in the film adaptation of August: Osage County, has been cast in Netflix's untitled psychological thriller drama from Sony Pic…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:15AM

Moss Hart's Theatrical Memoir Act One, With Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub, Comes to Life on Broadway March 20 by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The life of Broadway playwright, director and lyricist Moss Hart comes full circle as the new Broadway play Act One, adapted and directed by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine, begi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Nick Blaemire's A Little More Alive to Offer NYC Rockwood Concert with Van Hughes and Lindsay Mendez by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

The cast of Kansas City Repertory Theatre's new musical A Little More Alive will offer a sold-out, secret acoustic show on Stage 3 of Rockwood Music Hall March 22 at 6 PM. The cast …

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:21PM
Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Lea Michele Will Appear on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Spring Awakening and "Glee" actress Lea Michele will be a guest on the March 19 airing of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:45AM
Thursday, March 13, 2014

Carly Rae Jepsen and Fran Drescher Extend Runs in Cinderella by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick and Carey Purcell

Singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, who shot to fame with the #1 hit single "Call Me Maybe," and TV and film star Fran Drescher have extended their runs in Rodgers and Hammers…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:08PM
Friday, March 7, 2014

Hasty Pudding Joins Producing Team of Heathers; Cast to Perform at Pudding Gala at Lincoln Center by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The producers of Heathers: The Musical, the new stage adaptation of Daniel Waters' 1989 dark comedy film, announced March 7 that The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 will make their first…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:15PM
Sunday, March 2, 2014

The Winners Live: "Frozen," Jared Leto, Lupita Nyong'o, Catherine Martin and More Receive 2014 Academy Awards by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The 86th Academy Awards are presented March 2 in Los Angeles. The Disney animated musical "Frozen" has won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:45PM

The Winners Live: "Frozen," Jared Leto, Catherine Martin and More Receive 2014 Academy Awards by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The 86th Academy Awards are presented March 2 in Los Angeles. The Disney animated musical "Frozen" has won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:50PM

"Frozen," "12 Years a Slave," Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Cate Blanchett and More Receive 2014 Academy Awards by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The 86th Academy Awards were presented March 2 in Los Angeles. The Disney animated musical "Frozen" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, while songwriters Robert and Krist…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:06AM

86th Academy Awards Presented March 2; Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Bradley Cooper, "Frozen" Among Nominees by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The 86th Academy Awards are presented March 2 in Los Angeles. The Disney animated feature "Frozen" and "Let It Go" songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, al…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Disney Releases "Frozen" On iTunes; Bonus Features for Blu-ray Combo Revealed by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Disney's hit animated musical film "Frozen," featuring Tony winner Idina Menzel, Tony nominee Jonathan Groff and Kristen Bell, has been released on iTunes.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:26PM
Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Broadway Cast Album Released Digitally Feb. 25 by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The Broadway cast of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, the new musical comedy that boasts Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays playing eight different roles, is released by digita…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, February 24, 2014

Alec Baldwin Opens Up About Orphans, Clash With Ousted Actor Shia LaBeouf and Leaving Public Life by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Tony Award nominee Alec Baldwin, who starred in the Broadway debut of Lyle Kessler's Orphans — which played a brief run last season at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre — op…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:20PM

Glenn Close, Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson, Anna Kendrick and More Join List of 2014 Oscar Presenters by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced Feb. 24 the complete slate of stars who will present at the 2014 Academy Awards, which will air March 2 live on ABC. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:23AM

Alan Cumming, Michelle Williams, Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall Discuss Cabaret at "TimesTalks" Feb. 24 by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The stars and directors of the Broadway revival of Cabaret, including Tony Award winner Alan Cumming and Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, are part of the New York Times "TimesTa…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Broadway Belts for PFF! Concert, With Lindsay Mendez, Cady Huffman and More, Held Feb. 24; Julie Halston Hosts by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

The fourth annual Broadway Belts for PFF!, a benefit concert for The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) that is hosted by Julie Halston, is held Feb. 24 at 7 PM at Birdland Jazz Club.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Lindsay Mendez, Lucas Steele and Tony Yazbeck Join Lineup for Broadway Belts for PFF! Concert by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Lindsay Mendez, who stars in the hit Broadway musical Wicked, Lucas Steele and Tony Yazbeck have joined the lineup of performers set for the fourth annual Broadway Belts for PFF!, hosted by …

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:57PM
Friday, February 14, 2014

Will Shirley Bassey Return to Broadway in After Midnight? by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Shirley Bassey, the belter known for such songs as "Goldfinger," "Big Spender" and "Diamonds Are Forever," may be the next headliner to join the Broadway cast o…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:43PM

Booking It! Broadway, Film and Recording Industry Go-To Vocal Coach Liz Caplan by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Playbill.com's new feature series Booking It asks leading industry members to share professional insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade for up-and-coming and estab…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:03AM