First Lady Michelle Obama Visits Porgy and Bess and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark by Michael Gioia

First Lady Michelle Obama hit the Broadway scene this past weekend, attending the Tony Award-winning revival The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and the high-flying action musical Spider-Man: …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00pm on July 16, 2012☆⚑

Justin Guarini, Mamie Parris and Austin Miller Will Lead St. Louis Muny Production of Joseph by Michael Gioia

"American Idol" runner up and stage actor Justin Guarini will play the title role in the St. Louis Muny's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which will…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:27am on July 16, 2012☆⚑

The Soul Train Benefit, With Capathia Jenkins, Chester Gregory, Jamie Cepero and More, Offered July 16 by Michael Gioia

Soul Deep Productions and Amy Birnbaum present All Aboard: The Soul Train, a tribute to Don Cornelius with members of James Brown's original band, July 16 at Joe's Pub.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 16, 2012☆⚑

USA Drama "Political Animals," With Sigourney Weaver, Ellen Burstyn, Carla Gugino, Premieres July 15 by Michael Gioia

"Political Animals," the USA drama that stars Tony nominee Sigourney Weaver (Hurlyburly) as a former First Lady, premieres July 15 at 10 PM ET on the network.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 15, 2012☆⚑

Madeline Trumble, Kate Loprest, Mark Ayesh, Sydney Morton and More Belt for Bucks July 15 in NYC by Michael Gioia

Broadway Belts for Bucks, a one-night-only "kamikaze karaoke concert" to raise funds for the upcoming Off-Broadway production of The Man With America Skin, is offered July 15 at th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 15, 2012☆⚑

Jeremy Kushnier, Julie Reiber, Rachel York and Jack Noseworthy Are Stealing Time July 15-16 at NYMF by Michael Gioia

Jeremy Kushnier (Jesus Christ Superstar), Julie Reiber (Wicked), Rachel York (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Jack Noseworthy (Sweet Smell of Success) star in the New York Musical Theatre Festi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 15, 2012☆⚑

Nicholas Rodriguez, Tituss Burgess, Tyler Hanes Take Part in Express Yourself BDF Concert July 14 in Omaha by Michael Gioia

The Broadway Dreams Foundation presents the Omaha engagement of Express Yourself, the 2012 Broadway Dreams Foundation Summer Performing Arts Intensive Tour, July 14 at the Hol…

SOURCE: Playbill at 5:02pm on July 14, 2012☆⚑

PLAYBILL BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Matthew Saldivar, Peter and the Starcatcher's New Stache by Michael Gioia

Matthew Saldivar, a recent resident of Elysian Fields in Broadway's A Streetcar Named Desire, can now be found in Neverland, where he stars in the 2012 Tony Award-nominated play Peter an…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 14, 2012☆⚑

Premiere of American River, With John Patrick Doherty, Laura Ramadei, Robbie Collier Sublett, Opens July 14 by Michael Gioia

Lesser America presents the world premiere of Micheline Auger's dark comedy American River, which officially opens July 14 following previews that began July 12. The production closes th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 14, 2012☆⚑

THE SCREENING ROOM: Find Out Secrets of Broadway's Tony-Winning Clybourne Park (Video) by Michael Gioia

Clybourne Park, the 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Play, offers up the secrets of the neighborhood in a two-part pop-up video series. Playbill.com has an exclusive look.

SOURCE: Playbill at 4:25pm on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Multi-Composer Musical Hot Mess in Manhattan Among Offerings in 2012 Araca Project by Michael Gioia

The second annual Araca Project will present six original shows Aug. 1-Sept. 29 at the American Theater of Actors. Hot Mess in Manhattan, featuring music and lyrics by up-and-coming composer…

SOURCE: Playbill at 2:58pm on July 13, 2012☆⚑

NYMF's Rio and Re-Animator The Musical Add Additional Performances by Michael Gioia

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) productions of Rio and Re-Animator The Musical have added additional performances.

SOURCE: Playbill at 1:15pm on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Alfie Boe Will Play New York City's Town Hall by Michael Gioia

Singer-actor Alfie Boe, who won a joint Tony Award for his work in the Broadway revival of La Bohème, will play Manhattan's Town Hall Oct. 17.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30pm on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Bill Heck Will Join Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in CBS' Upcoming "Elementary" by Michael Gioia

Stage and screen actor Bill Heck will play a recurring role on the upcoming CBS series "Elementary," according to Deadline.com.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:15pm on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Will a "Soul Train" Arrive on Broadway? Earvin "Magic" Johnson Developing Musical Based on Don Cornelius by Michael Gioia

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the NBA superstar who inspired the recent Broadway basketball drama Magic/Bird, is attached to an upcoming musical about "Soul Train" creator…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12am on July 13, 2012☆⚑

USA Network's "Psych," With James Roday and Dulé Hill, Plans Two-Hour Musical Episode for Upcoming Season by Michael Gioia

The USA Network series "Psych," which features stage actors James Roday (Extinction) and Dulé Hill (Stick Fly), is planning a musical episode for its upcoming seventh season…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:35am on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Stuck, Arnie the Doughnut and Diamond Lion's Unscripted Show Play NYMF Beginning July 13 by Michael Gioia

Riley Thomas' Stuck, about six strangers confined on the subway; Arnie the Doughnut, based on a popular children's story; and Upright Citizens Brigade's musical improv team, Diam…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 13, 2012☆⚑

Singer Steven Tyler Will Not Judge Upcoming Season of "American Idol" by Michael Gioia

Singer-songwriter Steven Tyler — best known as the frontman and lead singer of Aerosmith — who judged Season 10 and 11 of Fox's "American Idol," will depart from th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 5:16pm on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Tony Winner Bernadette Peters Will Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell July 13 by Michael Gioia

In honor of this year's Broadway Barks!, which will be held July 14 in Shubert Alley, Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters (Song and Dance, Annie Get Your Gun), co-founder of the organiza…

SOURCE: Playbill at 4:13pm on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Broadway Belts for Bucks Concert Will Feature Madeline Trumble, Kate Loprest, Mark Ayesh and More by Michael Gioia

Broadway Belts for Bucks, a one-night-only "kamikaze karaoke concert" to raise funds for the upcoming Off-Broadway production of The Man With America Skin, will be offered July 15 …

SOURCE: Playbill at 2:53pm on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Jersey Boys Will Return to Melbourne for Limited Run in 2013 by Michael Gioia

Jersey Boys, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical, will return to Melbourne's Princess Theatre beginning Jan. 10, 2013, in Australia.

SOURCE: Playbill at 1:46pm on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Cast Members From Broadway's Jersey Boys Will Perform at Six Flags' "Jersey Boys Day" by Michael Gioia

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, will celebrate Jersey Boys July 20 at the theme park's "Jersey Boys Day."

SOURCE: Playbill at 1:30pm on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Boeing-Boeing, With Liv Rooth, David Christopher Wells, Finnerty Steeves, Begins in VT July 12 by Michael Gioia

The Dorset Theatre Festival presents the French farce Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti beginning July 12, prior to an official opening July 13, at the Dorset Playhouse in Vermont.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00am on July 12, 2012☆⚑

Barbara Walsh, Karen Mason, Kevin Earley and More Will Take Part in Broadway Ballyhoo at Feinstein's by Michael Gioia

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its 2012 summer season with a week of Scott Siegel's Broadway Ballyhoo Festival. Tony Award nominee Barbara Walsh and Rebecca's Karen M…

SOURCE: Playbill at 6:57pm on July 11, 2012☆⚑

Kate Shindle, Alex Brightman, Theresa McCarthy and Nicholas Rodriguez Will Be Reporting Live at NYMF by Michael Gioia

The 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival will present staged readings of Reporting Live, a new musical by Michael Finke, as part of NYMF's Developmental Reading Series July 25 and July…

SOURCE: Playbill at 2:12pm on July 11, 2012☆⚑