Hottest Articles on BWW from Monday, Apr. 30

1) Breaking News: Drama Desk Awards Reinstate 'Outstanding Orchestrations'; Nominees Announced

After hearing the outpouring of concern and support for the category, the Drama Desk Executive Board has announced that they will reinstate the category for this year's awards show on June 3 at The Town Hall. (more...)

2) Tony Awards Release 2012 Nominees Cheat Sheet!

Stage and screen stars Kristin Chenoweth & Jim Parsons will announce this year's Tony nominees tomorrow morning, May 1, 8:30am EST at New York Public Library. The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, which are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012. In preparation for the big announcement, TonyAwards.com has released a Cheat Sheet that reminds you of the eligible shows/people of this season. The full Cheat Sheet is as follows: (more...)

3) InDepth InterView: Andrew Rannells Talks NY Pops JOURNEY ON Gala, BOOK OF MORMON, New TV Series & More

Today we are talking to one of the biggest new stars on Broadway who first burst onto the scene in HAIRSPRAY but has since carved out a place in the great pantheon of theatre history in creating the iconic lead role of Elder Price in the Broadway hit of the decade, THE BOOK OF MORMON, Andrew Rannells. One among many on the incredibly impressive list of performers at Monday night's NY Pops JOURNEY ON gala at Carnegie Hall celebrating the music and lyrics of Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Rannells joins many of the other accomplished Broadway/Hollywood crossover stars of modern Broadway as well as those who predominantly tread the boards. Illustrating his journey with the edgy and ribald musical smash THE BOOK OF MORMOM from workshop to Broadway, the Tony Awards and beyond, Rannells paints the picture of the show's road to success and imparts his effervescent enthusiasm and all too apparent joy to be appearing in such a crowd-pleasing and joyous experience eight times a week. Additionally, Rannells shares his thoughts on the upcoming national tour starring Gavin Creel and whether or not there will be a MORMON film version sooner rather than later. Plus, Rannells gives also us the first look at his 21st century parenting and adoption-themed NBC pilot, THE NEW NORMAL, and outlines the finer points of the story, his character and the themes of the hotly anticipated new single-camera comedy series coming from the creator of GLEE, Ryan Murphy. That, his favorite Ahrens & Flaherty songs, favorite shows, future acting plans, what is currently on his iPod - all of that and much, much more! (more...)

4) Watch the 2012 Tony Nominations LIVE on BroadwayWorld.com Tomorrow AM!

The Tony Nominations can be viewed LIVE (8:30am ET) in their entirety at right here via the official stream. BroadwayWorld.com will, as usual, be bringing you exclusive and extensive coverage ALL day long and throughout the 2012 Tony Season! (more...)

5) GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Julius Sermonia of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

After 6 seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Julius returns to B'way in a Stratford production, with his brother in the cast as well. (more...)

6) Bernadette Peters, Hugh Jackman & Actors' Equity to Receive Special Tony Awards & Honors

The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that Bernadette Peters will receive the Isabelle Stevenson Award. Additionally, the Administration Committee will bestow Special Tony Awards to Actors' Equity Association and to Hugh Jackman. These awards will be presented at the 2012 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 10th. The 2012 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. (more...)

7) Angela Lansbury to Join James Earl Jones in DRIVING MISS DAISY Australian Tour!

According to NY Magazine, Angela Lansbury, who is currently starring in Gore Vidal'S THE BEST MAN on Broadway, has signed on to star alongside James Earl Jones in an Australian tour of DRIVING MISS DAISY next winter. (more...)

8) AUDIO: Listen to Jonas' New 'I Believe In You' Track!

Broadway Records will release an EP of Nick Jonas performing five tracks from the smash hit musical HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. The CD will be released Tuesday, May 8, 2012, and will be available in the Hirschfeld Theatre the week of May 1. Check out a first listen of Jonas singing "I Believe in You" below! (more...)

9) Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Encores! GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES

The Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opening May 9 at New York City Center, stars Megan Hilty as Lorelei Lee, the diamond-loving blonde made famous by Carol Channing (Broadway) and Marilyn Monroe (film). Rachel York stars as Dorothy Shaw, Lorelei's brunette best friend. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes will be directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Randy Skinner and will play for seven performances, May 9 - 13, at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. (more...)

10) Photo Flash: First Look at Bernadette Peters' 'Glinda' in DOROTHY OF OZ!

With an illustrious career spanning stage, film and television, Tony Award-winner Bernadette Peters' voice will be heard in Summertime Entertainment's 3D CG animated feature, DOROTHY OF OZ as "Glinda," the powerful sorceress who once granted Dorothy Gale's wish to go back to Kansas. "To have Bernadette Peters as ‘Glinda' is such a treat," said Will Finn, one of the film's directors. "She epitomizes the character who is known by Oz fans worldwide to have a very caring and generous heart." (more...)

11) Nicole Parker and PJ Benjamin to Join WICKED Tour in Denver

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED welcomes PJ Benjamin as The Wizard on Tuesday, May 8 and Nicole Parker as Elphaba on Friday, May 18 in Denver, CO. (more...)

12) Audra McDonald to Portray Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic?

According to The Detroit News, Aretha Franklin believes that four time Tony award-winner Audra McDonald would be the perfect actress to portray her in an upcoming biopic about the legendary singer's life. (more...)

13) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 4/30- INTO THE WOODS

Today in 2002, the first Broadway revival of Into the Woods opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for 279 performances. Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Into the Woods won several Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason), in a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera. The main characters are taken from the stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, tied together by a more original story involving a baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, most likely taken from the original story of Rapunzel by The Brothers Grimm. (more...)

14) STAGE TUBE: Matthew Morrison & Kristin Chenoweth Named Most Beautiful People

Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison are featured in People Magazine's most recent World's Most Beautiful People. In the video below, Morrison shares sweet and funny secrets about his former Glee pal. Click below to check it out! (more...)

15) STAGE TUBE: Nick Pitera Sings One Man NEWSIES Medley!

Nick Pitera, known for his one man Youtube medleys, has released a new video that is a medley of hits from Alan Menken's NEWSIES. (more...)

16) Scott Alan Records LIVE in Concert at Birdland Tonight, 4/30

Composer-lyricist Scott Alan records his fourth album "LIVE" at famed New York City Jazz Club, Birdland tonight, April 30th. (more...)

17) Matt Doyle, Morgan James, et al. Set for BROADWAY SINGS ADELE Concert Tonight, 4/30

Some of Broadway's best young talent will sing dazzling new arrangements of songs from Adele's two albums, 19 and 21. The concert will feature over 15 cover songs to celebrate the pop superstar's greatest hits, accompanied by a full band orchestrated, arranged, and music directed by Joshua Stephen Kartes. (more...)

18) Photo Coverage: Viola Davis, Daniel Radcliffe, et al. at 98th AnnuAl White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

The White House Correspondents' Association on April 28 welcomed Jimmy Kimmel as the host of the WHCA's 98th annual dinner. (more...)

19) What's Playing on Broadway This Week: April 30-May 6

With Tony Award nominations being announced tomorrow, May 1, why not take in a show from a potential award winner? Making plans to see your favorite Broadway performer? Wondering which shows have matinee performances? Look below to see what Broadway shows are playing on each night this week. We've got the answers for all your scheduling needs! Happy theater-going! (more...)

20) BWW Exclusive: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Digital Character Card - Michael McGrath

Broadway: Born Yesterday, Memphis, Spamalot (Tony® and Drama Desk nominations), Is He Dead?,Wonderful Town, Little Me, Swinging On A Star (Theater World Award winner, Drama Desk nominaton), The Goodbye Girl, My Favorite Year. Encores: Follies, The Boys from Syracuse, DuBarry Was A Lady. Off-Broadway: The Cocoanuts, The Butter and Egg Man, Game Show, Louisiana Purchase, Forbidden Broadway. Television: side man to Martin Short on "The Martin Short Show." Film: The Interpreter, Changing Lanes, Ira and Abby. Wife: Toni DiBuono. Daughter: Kathleen Claire. (more...)