All stories by Michael on BroadwayStars

Friday, June 14, 2013

The Verdict: Critics Review NY Premiere of Venice, With Leslie Odom, Jr., Haaz Sleiman and Jennifer Damiano by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The Public Theater's production of the new rock and hip-hop musical Venice, about corruption, betrayal and power, officially opened June 13 Off-Broadway. Leslie Odom, Jr. and Haaz S…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:57AM
Thursday, June 13, 2013

THE SCREENING ROOM: The Skivvies' 54 Below Concert, With Laura Benanti, Rory O'Malley, Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Morgan James by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, Rory O'Malley, Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Morgan James joined the Skivvies for their June 10 engagement at 54 Below. Here are highlights from the evening.&…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Sunday, June 9, 2013

Tony Winner Stephen Oremus Arranged "Frozen" Film, Featuring Songs by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Stephen Oremus, who took home the 2013 Tony Award for the Best Orchestrations of Kinky Boots, arranged music for the upcoming Disney animated feature "Frozen," which takes a p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:30PM
Thursday, June 6, 2013

THE SCREENING ROOM: Playbill Video Chats With Neil Patrick Harris and Patina Miller at Tony Awards Rehearsal (Video) by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Playbill Video stopped by rehearsal for the 67th Annual Tony Awards, which will be held June 9 at Radio City Music Hall, to catch up with Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris, who wi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:03PM
Wednesday, June 5, 2013

THE SCREENING ROOM: Neil Patrick Harris Talks Hosting the 67th Annual Tony Awards on the "Late Show" (Video) by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris, who will return to host the 67th Annual Tony Awards on June 9 at Radio City Music Hall, recently visited "The Late Show With David Letterma…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:02AM
Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Nancy Anderson, Garrett Long, Isabel Keating and More Join Lineup for Unsung Jimmy Van Heusen by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Drama Desk nominee Nancy Anderson (Far From Heaven), Jannie Jones (The Full Monty), Tony Award nominee Isabel Keating (The Boy From Oz), Drama Desk nominee Garrett Long (South Pacific) and J…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:47PM

Pippin and Motown Receive 2013 Astaire Awards by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards were held June 3 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The cirque-inspired revival of Pippin and the high-grossing musical Motown to…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:37AM
Monday, June 3, 2013

Astaire Awards Held June 3; Patina Miller, Laura Osnes, Rob McClure, Billy Porter Among 2013 Nominees by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards are held June 3 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Patina Miller, Laura Osnes, Rob McClure and Billy Porter are among the 2013 no…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, June 2, 2013

Roundabout Revival of Clifford Odets' The Big Knife Ends Broadway Engagement June 2 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

The Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Clifford Odets' drama of Hollywood secrets, The Big Knife — which stars Bobby Cannavale, C.J. Wilson, Marin Ireland, Chip Zien, …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

World Premiere of Sleepless in Seattle, With Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz, Joe West, Opens June 2 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz and Joe West star in the world-premiere production of Sleepless in Seattle — The Musical, which is presented by Pasadena Playhouse in…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Annie Revival Recording Released Digitally May 28; Bonus Tracks Include Jane Lynch by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

A cast album for the 35th anniversary Broadway revival of Annie, starring Lilla Crawford, Anthony Warlow and Tony Award winner Katie Finneran, is released digitally May 28. Physical copies w…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:29PM

Susan Stroman, Bebe Neuwirth, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Marshall, Karen Ziemba Among Astaire Award Presenters by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Tony Award winners Susan Stroman, Bebe Neuwirth, Cady Huffman, Kathleen Marshall and Karen Ziemba are among the presenters set for the 31st Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which will…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:33PM
Sunday, May 26, 2013

And, Scene! Curtain Comes Down On NBC Musical Drama "Smash" May 26 by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

The series finale of NBC's Emmy Award-winning "Smash," the behind-the-scenes musical drama about life, careers and relationships on The Great White Way, airs May 26. The series…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Adoption Drama The Call, With Kelly AuCoin and Kerry Butler, Ends Off-Broadway Run May 26 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Tanya Barfield's foreign-adoption drama The Call, a world-premiere co-production by Playwrights Horizons and Primary Stages, featuring Kelly AuCoin, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler, Obie…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 24, 2013

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream Begins North American Tour May 24 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a new concert event written by guitarist Steven Van Zandt, with music and lyrics by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, begins a North American tour beginning …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

World Premiere of Sleepless in Seattle, With Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz, Joe West, Begins May 24 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Tim Martin Gleason, Chandra Lee Schwartz and Joe West star in the world-premiere production of Sleepless in Seattle — The Musical, which is presented by Pasadena Playhouse in…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, May 23, 2013

Off-Broadway's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Adds Performances, Including Wednesday Matinees by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy’s critically praised "electro-pop opera" based on "War and Peace," will add performances to its week…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:53PM
Friday, May 17, 2013

THE SCREENING ROOM: Tim and Charlie's Farewell Tour, With Josh Young, Krysta Rodriguez, Lindsay Mendez, Randy Graff and More by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Tim and Charlie's Farewell Tour, an evening celebrating the composer and lyricist team Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne, was presented April 28 at 54 Below. Here are highlights from the conc…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:28AM
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Richard Rodgers Award-Winning Musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Opens May 16 at NYC's Kazino by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy’s critically praised "electro-pop opera" based on "War and Peace," which played an extended Off-Broadway …

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00PM

Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine in Talks to Play the Princes for Into the Woods Film Adaptation by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Jake Gyllenhaal, who starred in the Off-Broadway drama If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, and Chris Pine, seen on the New York stage in The Atheist, are in talks to play the Princes in …

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:48AM
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Leapin' Lizards! Emmy Winner Jane Lynch Begins Annie Run as Miss Hannigan Earlier Than Expected May 14 by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, known for playing a bullying cheer coach on TV's "Glee," began performances as orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in Broadway's Annie&nbs…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:08PM
Monday, May 13, 2013

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Ari Graynor, Tracee Chimo and More Are Part of Uncommon Women and Others Reading May 13 in NYC by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

The one-night-only reading of Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others is presented May 13 at 8 PM in the Theresa Lang Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College, home of the …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Jerry Mitchell Honored With Abbott Award May 13; Cast Members from Kinky Boots, Hairspray and More Perform by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Tony-winning director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who was recently nominated for the 2013 Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Direction of Kinky Boots, is honored with the 2013 &quo…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 10, 2013

NBC Officially Cancels Musical Series "Smash" by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

"Smash," the NBC musical series about the lives of modern-day Broadway babies, will end its run May 26, Deadline.com reports.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:40PM

Ari Graynor Will Join Celia Keenan-Bolger, Cristin Milioti for Benefit Reading of Uncommon Women and Others by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Ari Graynor, last seen on Broadway in The Performers, has joined the cast of the one-night-only reading of Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others, which will be presente…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, May 9, 2013

Harvey Fierstein to Emcee Abbott Award Gala Honoring Jerry Mitchell; Kerry Butler, Matthew Morrison, Marissa Jaret Winokur Will Perform by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

Tony-winning director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who was recently nominated for the 2013 Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Direction of Kinky Boots, will be honored with the 2013…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:56PM

Return Engagement of Off-Broadway's Murder Ballad Given Summer Extension Prior to Opening Night by Michael Gioia and Andrew Gans

The Off-Broadway return of Murder Ballad, the new musical that premiered in an acclaimed, sold-out run at Manhattan Theatre Club's The Studio at Stage II, has extended its engagement at …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Jane Lynch Will Step Into Broadway's Annie Earlier Than Expected by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, known for playing a bullying cheer coach on TV's "Glee," will begin performances as orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in Broadway's Anni…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00PM
Sunday, May 5, 2013

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream Ends Broadway Engagement May 5; North American Tour to Follow by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a new concert event written by guitarist Steven Van Zandt, with music and lyrics by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, concludes its limited Broadway engageme…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream to Embark on North American Tour; Dates and Cities Announced by Michael Gioia and Kenneth Jones

Following a sold-out Broadway engagement, The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, a new concert event written by guitarist Steven Van Zandt, with music and lyrics by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie B…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:40PM

Richard Rodgers Award-Winning Musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Begins May 1 at NYC's Kazino by Michael Gioia and Adam Hetrick

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy’s critically praised "electro-pop opera" based on "War and Peace," which played an extended Off-Broadway …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

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