Happy ‘Wicked’ Day!

In honor of the smash musical Wicked’s sixth anniversary on Broadway, today has been dubbed “Wicked Day” in the New York area, as promoters of the production have corralled fans into several Wicked-inspired parties in mass celebration of the musical. There are several parties around the New York area that are taking place this weekend in hopes of sparking a global “Wicked Day,” and fans of the musical are also being encouraged to “go green” as a symbol of the color green in Wicked, with a special promotion on http://www.wickedday.com/greenforgood.php.

Wicked is as a prequel of sorts to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the 1900 L. Frank Baum classic and subsequent 1939 film. The production boasts to be “the untold story of the witches of Oz,” namely the emerald-skinned character Elphaba, later known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The musical Wicked was adapted with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, and the production first hit the Broadway stages in October of 2003, becoming a global attraction immediately upon arrival.  Wicked has since gone ’round the world and is now one of the current best-selling Broadway musicals on the scene, making its sixth anniversary something to celebrate.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 30, 2009 - Post a comment

‘Finian’s Rainbow’ to Begin on Broadway Tonight!

The 1947 show tune-friendly musical Finian’s Rainbow will find a new home on Broadway starting this weekend, as the Broadway revival of this American classic will officially open tonight, Oct. 29, at the St. James Theatre. The production will feature Jim Norton (Finian McLonergan), Chuck Cooper (Bill Rawkins), Kate Baldwin (Sharon McLonergan), Christopher Fitzgerald (Og), Cheyenne Jackson (Woody Mahoney), Terri White (Dottie) and more, and this will mark the first time since 1960 that Finian’s Rainbow has been revived on Broadway.

Featuring music by Burton Lane and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and book by Harburg and Fred Saidy, Finian’s Rainbow is a musical packed full of show tunes that tackles the topic of Irish immigrants following the American dream. The musical first debuted on Broadway in 1947 and has been a sporadic hit on the scene ever since, though the last inception of Finian’s Rainbow was in 1960, when a revival of the production played 12 performances at the 46th Street Theatre. Previews for the current run of Finian’s Rainbow began at St. James on Oct. 8, and the production will officially open tonight.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Jackman, Hugh Partake in Charity Auction

Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig are the two hunky actors starring in the current Broadway production A Steady Rain, and their roles in the popular play have sold tons of tickets so far. Aside from their acting in A Steady Rain, however, Jackman and Craig have also been involved in another Broadway endeavor -Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The two actors recently auctioned the shirts off their backs (literally) for the charity, taking time off after a recent performance to hold an auction to benefit the BC/EFA.

After a performance of A Steady Rain on Oct. 23, Jackman and Craig auctioned off and signed the shirts they were wearing to the highest bidders during the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids event, each actor selling his t-shirt for a whopping $5,000. The duo also took pictures with 20 audience members for $1,000 each, and other A Steady Rain posters and memorabilia were auctioned off, as well, bringing the total in auction proceeds to a one-night record of $38,900. The money raised from the Hugh Jackman/Daniel Craig auction will go to an upcoming Gypsy of the Year event for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and in the meantime Craig and Jackman will continue drawing in audiences to see A Steady Rain onstage at the Schoenfeld Theatre.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 28, 2009 - Post a comment

‘The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway’ Attracts Big Names

Demi Moore and husband Ashton Kutcher are the two newest names to be announced for next month’s “The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway” benefit show, and now the production is on track to be one of the biggest plays to hit the Broadway stage this fall. “The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway” is an annual presentation that raises money for the Urban Arts Partnership, and the 24-hour event is an amalgam of writing, directing and performing that results in six original short plays presented in just one day.

Aside from Moore and Kutcher, other big names to partake in this year’s ninth annual “The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway” include Emmy Rossum (Dare, Phantom of the Opera), Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Anthony Mackie (The Bacchae, Notorious), Billy Crudup (Public Enemies, The Coast of Utopia), Michael Ealy (Sleeper Cell), Jennifer Esposito (Samantha Who?, Crash), Julia Stiles (Oleanna), Sam Rockwell (Frost/Nixon, Choke), Warren Leight (Side Man, Law and Order Criminal Intent), Rosie Perez (Pineapple Express, Fearless), Jeremy Sisto (Law and Order) and more. The big event will take place on Nov. 9, 2009 at the American Airlines Theatre, and the benefit is sure to draw in huge crowds.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 27, 2009 - Post a comment

Andrew Lloyd Webber Hospitalized with Prostate Cancer

The great composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, media outlets reported today. The 61-year-old megastar has been admitted to a hospital in London for treatment, and according to a spokesman the cancer was caught at an early stage. Treatments have already started and are not projected to interfere with his current project Love Never Dies, which is slated for a debut on Broadway Nov. 11, 2010.

Love Never Dies, the much-anticipated sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, has already scheduled an opening date of March 9 in London at the Adelphi Theater before making the move to Broadway, but (as of now, at least) things are not slated to slow down due to the unfortunate condition of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Lloyd Webber wrote the entire score for Love Never Dies, and he also co-wrote the book with Ben Elton and Glenn Slater. Slater also penned the lyrics for the production. It was announced just a couple weeks ago (on Oct. 8, the 23rd anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera) that Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess will take the lead roles in the upcoming production of Love Never Dies. Here’s to a speedy recovery, Andrew Lloyd Webber!

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 26, 2009 - Post a comment

Sienna Miller Shines in ‘After Miss Julie’

The much-anticipated Broadway production After Miss Julie officially opened last night at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City, and leading lady Sienna Miller absolutely lit up the stage in what’s sure to be one of the most talked-about productions of the year. A modern spin on August Strindberg’s 19th century play of the same name that picks apart sex and class, After Miss Julie is a racy sort of play made even better by the vivacious blonde in the leading role.

After Miss Julie marks Sienna Miller’s Broadway debut, and the incredible actress couldn’t be more excited for her role in the production. “This is what I have always wanted,” she recently said, “to be on Broadway. I’m living my dream, and that’s all you can ask for. At a certain point you have to ignore all the rest.” Miller costars alongside Jonny Lee Miller (no relation) in After Miss Julie, and the production will run through Dec. 6, 2009 at Broadway’s American Airlines Theatre during its heralded limited engagement.

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 23, 2009 - Post a comment

Are the Spice Girls Coming to the Big Stage?

It hasn’t yet been confirmed, but there are rumors circulating that the Spice Girls (yes, those Spice Girls) will soon be making a comeback of sorts - this time on the big stage. Reports have emerged that “Ginger Spice” Geri Halliwell is working on producing a Spice Girls-themed musical that will detail the girls’ rise to the top of the music industry as the girl group the Spice Girls in the 1990s, and the other four Spices (Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham) will reportedly be backing the project, as well.

BroadwayWorld reported on the Spice Girls saga this week, saying that Halliwell plans on casting five relatively unknown actresses to take the part of her and her ’spicy’ cohorts for the upcoming engagement. While specifics are still to be worked out, “Scary Spice” Mel B. confirmed that the girls are indeed working on a project for next year, saying, “We’re definitely doing something together soon.” We only hope the musical will do these British pop stars justice, as the Spice Girls were the cream of the crop in the 1990s with smash hits like “Wannabe” and “Spice up Your Life.”

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Run-DMC Struts to Broadway

Plans are in place for a new rap musical, and it will all come together soon thanks to rap heavyweight Run-DMC, who is the new music group to be the subject of a musical. It’s been reported to Playbill.com that early discussions are in place for a Run-DMC-themed musical to hit the big stage sometime soon, with Mission Impossible producer Paula Wagner behind the bit. According to Playbill, Run-DMC members Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels are meeting with Paula Wagner this week to discuss the initial plans for the Run-based musical, and the production (as of now, anyway) will detail the rise to fame of Run-DMC in the rap realm.

Wagner recently spoke of the upcoming endeavor, as well, saying that Run-DMC’s “rise to fame was a compelling and dramatic journey filled with fantastic characters. I feel their story is very inspirational and lends itself perfectly to the stage. This project has been a passion of mine for some time and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with them.” Beef up on Run-DMC songs before the release of this sure-to-be-electric production!

To get Broadway tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Rock of Ages Moving to the Big Screen

If you couldn’t get enough of the 1980s rock musical spofof “Rock of Ages,” you’re really going to love this news - the musical is being brought to film, and director and choreographer of the Tony Award winning musical “Hairspray” Adam Shankman will be directing. According to Variety, Shankman will direct and choreograph the screen version for New Line Cinema, which is apparently beginning filming next summer (2010) in Los Angeles, set for a release in 2011 via Warner Brothers. ”I’m thinking big, and absolutely am going to attempt to cast with movie stars. Now that musicals are working again, actors are much more open to it,” Shankman told Variety.

“In 1987 on the Sunset Strip,” Rock of AgesBroadway production notes state, “a small town girl met a big city rocker and in L.A.’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ’80s. . . . [The musical is] an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more.” The book writer Chris D’Arienzo also wrote the story’s screenplay and will be produced by ‘Rock of Ages’ Broadway producers Carl Levin, Matthew Weaver and Scott Prisand, along with Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Gibgot.
If you want to see it, get Broadway tickets via StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 20, 2009 - Post a comment

Memphis - A New Musical - Opens Today on Broadway at Shubert Theater

Memphis, a new Broadway original musical, will open tonight at the Shubert Theater at 225 West 44th Street following performances at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater. The stars of the show include Chad Kimball 9Huey Calhoun) and Montego Glover (Felicia Farrell_ along with Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons) and Cass Morgan (Gladys Calhoun).

The rock musical is about a radio DJ who ‘aims to change the color oand sound of rock music,’ and is created by David Bryan and Joe DiPiertro. Kimball and Glover both starred in the regional shows at La Jolla nad Seattle will continue their roles on Broadway. “In the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated ’50s,” press notes state, “a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. Memphis is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever.” The Memphis ensemble includes Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Kevin Covert, Hillary Elk, Bryan Fenkart, Dionne Figgins, Rhett George, John Jellison, Candice McCall, Sydney Morton, Vivian Nixon, John Eric Parker, Jermaine R. Rembert, LaQuet Sharnell, Ephraim Sykes, Cary Tedder, Danny Tidwell, Daniel J. Watts, Katie Webber, Charlie Williams and Dan’yelle Williamson.

Get Memphis The Musical tickets and Broadway tickets today from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 19, 2009 - Post a comment


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