Broadway Shows, Broadway Plays, Off Broadway, Broadway Musicals

Legally Blonde Opens!

Legally Blonde, the musical adaptation of the hit movie of the same name, has opened at the Palace Theater after having had previews beginning in early April. With a cast including the likes of Laura Bell Bundy as Elle Woods, Christian Borle as Emmett, Richard H. Blake as Warner and a slew of others coming together to create a really great cast.

Telling the story of sorority girl Elle Woods who does not take no for an answer, this musical tells the tale of Woods ascent to Harvard Law School and her eventual realization of her own self-worth and perseverance with out the man she traveled to Harvard for. Making his directorial debut with his musical is Jerry Mitchell, who also choreographs in addition to directing. Music and lyrics are by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and the book is by Heather Hach. James Sampliner serves as musical director for the show, and all-in-all this musical promises to be a hit! Make sure you check out Stubhub.com to get your tickets!

Anne Pitoniak Passes Away

Two-time Tony Award-nominee Anne Pitoniak died of cancer last week; it has been reported by the New York Times. Receiving Tony nominations for her roles in 1983’s ‘Night, Mother and the 1994 revival of William Inge’s Picnic, Pitoniak was 85 years old at the time of her death, and she passed on in her Manhattan apartment.

Born in Westfield, Massachusetts, Pitoniak acted in TV and radio commercials before beginning study, in her mid-50s – at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute after which she was soon appearing in plays at the Actors Theater of Louisville. Pitoniak’s career was comparatively short-lived, compared to the wide-eyed ingénues who arrive on the acting scene in their 20s and 30s eager to make a great start. Pitoniak is proof that life experiences add a lot to any skill set, as she walked away with two Tony Awards in a career that spanned several years but began significantly later than a good number of Tony winners.

Survived by two children, one grandson, two sisters and a brother, Pitoniak will be severely missed but will live on in the memories of audiences of the shows whose characters she enlivened. To catch the plays in which Pitoniak acted during her lifetime, make sure you check out Stubhub.com for everything hot on Broadway and beyond.

Altar Boyz Production in LA!

The laugh-out-loud musical Altar Boyz is bringing its hilarity to good old Los Angeles, and you know you aren’t going to want to miss out on seeing the production that has been making audiences laugh out loud show after show! Playing at Musical Theater West, this Long Beach company has gained the rights to host the Regional Premiere of the Off-Broadway hit while it is still running in New York as well as currently being on a national tour. This is an incredible feat in and of itself, and Musical Theater West has taken it all one step further, casting two former show alums in their production!

Set up like a concert, this musical is based on a Christian boy band made up of five distinctly unique members who will bring up hilarity in religion as well as the boy band phenomenon that has swept the nation in every generation, from the Beatles to NSync. Take in this show, you’re going to love it, and we really should all be giving praises to Musical Theater West for being able to pull off this feat so well! Keep an eye on Stubhub.com for all the news on Altar Boyz tours and more!

Drama League Awards Nominations Out!

The Drama League Awards Nominations were announced today, April 25, 2007 and the nominees could hardly be more excited than the fans of these shows, their respective actors and fans of theater in general. The Awards will be held at the 73^rd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 11, 2007 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square and will be hosted by Gary Beach of “Les Miserables” fame.

Among the categories for these awards are “Distinguished Production of a Musical” with 7 nominations, “Distinguished Production of a Play” with 8 nominations, “Distinguished Revival of a Musical” with 5 nominations, and “Distinguished Revival of a Play” with 8 nominations. With such shows as “In The Heights,” “Legally Blonde,” “Blackbird,” “The Year of Magical Thinking,” “110 in the Shade,” “The Fantasticks,” “Inherit the Wind” and “Translations” among the many productions nominated for Drama League Awards, the awards ceremony promises to be quite entertaining!

The Broadway transfers of “Grey Gardens” and “The Little Dog Laughed” were previously nominated for Drama League Awards when they were Off-Broadway productions and therefore are ineligible this awards season. Additionally, the production of “Deuce” took itself out from consideration this season and will be considered next season.

Check out all the shows that have been nominated while you still can, by checking out Stubhub.com for the best in everything Broadway!

The Drowsy Chaperone to Tour to Toronto!

It has been announced today, April 24, 2007 that The Drowsy Chaperone will be touring to Toronto next year! With its Tony Award-winning score by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and its Tony Award-winning book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, this touring production will once again star Martin as Man in Chair, the catalyst whose vivid imagination takes the audience in the world of the 1920s musical after which this show is named.

This touring show will be produced by Dancap Productions, which is headed by Dancap Global Asset Management and Dancap Private Equity president and philanthropist Aubrey Dan. Also included in the tour that will bring The Drowsy Chaperone to audiences in Toronto, will be My Fair Lady, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, 3 Mo’ Divas and The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Without a doubt, theater-lovers in Toronto are pretty darn excited are as well U.S.-citizens with a passport and living in a state that borders Canada!

Without a doubt, Canadians owe a lot to Aubrey Dan, who continues to work so hard to get them the theater everyone loves to see. If you’re an American, with no access to these Canadian productions, however, you better get over to Stubhub.com today to check out all the greatest shows!

Mr. Broadway!

Ryan Davis and Jeffery Self are the conceivers of the benefit called “Mr. Broadway.” Spoken to today, April 23, 2007, by the Broadway Bullet, this duo explained the story behind the “beauty pageant” of sorts that the two of them created to raise funds for an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Youth Homeless Shelter.

The Mr. Broadway “beauty pageant” is an event wherein one male cast member from each currently-running Broadway show competes in the areas of “talent, interview and, of course, swim suit.” Evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges, the final votes are left up to the audience, making this a great experience for anyone lucky enough to get tickets.

With so many great shows running on Broadway, you can just imagine the amount of talent that would come out of a given pageant! From Spamalot’s hilarity to The Pirate Queen’s intensity, the male cast members of each of these shows pack a wallop into every performance and would undoubtedly bring that same glory to Mr. Broadway. And who wouldn’t feel good about spending money to help the Ali Forney Center, which is a homeless shelter for LGBT youth.

For chances to see these great male actors at work, visit Stubhub.com to get tickets to all the hottest shows in New York right now!

New Musical Opens in Connecticut!

All About Us is the newest musical to his the world of theater, has opened in Connecticut, playing at the Westport Country Playhouse until April 28, 2007. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Skin of Our Teeth written by Thornton Wilder, this musical adaptation tells the “humorous and poignant story of the indestructible Antrobus family who survived a thousand calamities by the skin of their teeth” according to press materials.

Written by the incredible team of Kander and Ebb, this musical promises to be a great hit and has already had rave reviews from fans since its opening in Connecticut on April 10. With John Kander and the late Fred Ebb providing the music and the lyrics they became so known for during their numerous collaborations, you can understand how the show might become successful. However, add in Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated director Gabriel Barre, and you have a surefire hit. With such cast members as Eartha Kitt, you can understand the appeal of this show, so be on the look out for a potential move to Broadway! For all your other theater-going needs, on Broadway and across the nation, Stubhub.com is the place to go!

Permalink - Posted in General on April 20, 2007 - Post a comment

Kitty Carlisle Hart Passes Away at Age of 96

Kitty Carlisle Hart, the legend of theater, films, opera, TV game shows and cabaret has passed away at the age of 96. Elegant and with a regal grace, Hart was known for her easygoing charm and her immense talent which came together to win her the adoration of millions of fans and a long list of the who’s-who of the Golden Age of show business. Married to the playwright and director Moss Hart, Kitty Carlisle Hart had been suffering from pneumonia for some time, and although she seemed to be improving, she eventually succumbed to the disease.

Making her Broadway debut in the Johann Strauss operetta Champagne, Sec before embarking upon  a short-lived film career as an actress-singer in Hollywood, Hart’s mother had actually hoped to marry Hart off into European nobility and to that end Hart attended a private school in Switzerland. With her svelte figure and dark features the future-actress surely had offers - indeed, it is rumored that George Gershwin proposed to Hart before she met her future husband, Moss Hart - but she desired no such life and instead enjoyed a long, illustrious career of her own on stage and screen.

To get tickets for the Broadway plays that Carlisle starred in during her career, visit Stubhub.com for all the best deals on the best plays right now.

Permalink - Posted in General on April 19, 2007 - Post a comment

“WHOA!” Joey Lawrence Takes to The Stage

Joey Lawrence, perhaps made most famous in the 1990’s for his role on TV’s Blossom, and most recently known for his portrayal of Clay Dobson on the CBS series CSI: NY, is extending his acting chops to the stage.

With an active career since he was cast in his first commercial at the tender age of 3, the actor has also recorded an album which went multi-platinum in 1993 and danced his way into America’s living rooms on the third season of Dancing with the Stars. Jump at the chance to see the actor live onstage, but get tickets fast while they’re still available! With a run this limited, time is of the essence!

The child star and teen heartthrob will take on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway starting on May 4 and continuing through July 17. Joining a cast that includes Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Brenda Braxton as Velma Kelly, Rob Bartlett as Amos Hart, and Roz Ryan as Matron Mama Morton, Lawrence promises to be a strong addition to this show.

Chicago is playing at the Ambassador Theater, 219 West 49th St. in New York, and this is not a show to miss. Act fast to get your tickets from Stubhub.com and catch Joey Lawrence live onstage!

Permalink - Posted in General on April 18, 2007 - Post a comment

Spring Sprang Sprung

Broadway’s newest addition Sprang Thang has sprung in time for spring.   Sprang Thang’s debut was announced today that opening night would be May 11, 2007. Under the direction of Christopher Scott the students of Amas’ Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy will be performing eight nights scheduled at The Players Theatre, Off-Broadway’s 115 MacDougal Street at Minetta Lane and West 3rd Street.  Friday and Saturday shows will start at 7:30pm with additional shows on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 3:00pm.  Tickets are very affordable and available through StubHub.com.

Sprang Thang is based on the book, music and lyrics of Goldee Greene who is also known for her work in Praise House.  Monica Johnson whose name goes with Working and The Me Nobody Knows has done some great choreography for this new production.  Scott’s direction has also shined in My Secret Garden and Golf! The Musical.  A remarkable group of people working alongside the students of the academy should make for a delightfully entertaining piece of work. 

The New York City performing arts academy has been in operation since the 1970’s working to develop the skills and bring out the talent of students from the age of 14-20.  Some recent productions successfully put on by the students include On The Town and The Me Nobody Knows.  Sprang Thang is set in the spring of 1969 and the plot line consists of one student’s punishment for cutting class, which is the challenge of readying four of her toughest peers for the season’s talent show.  If you are Off-Broadway this spring step into a showing of Sprang Thang. 

Permalink - Posted in General on April 6, 2007 - Post a comment

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