Hottest Articles on BWW from Thursday, Sep. 6

1) TV: BC/EFA Flea Market & Grand Auction Preview! VIP Tickets, Lunch with Lansbury, SMASH Set Visit, & More; Plus First Stars Revealed!

Walk-on appearances in Broadway's biggest hits, on-set visits to television’s most popular shows, lunch with Angela Lansbury, and the shirts off Hugh Jackman’s and Ricky Martin's backs – literally – are among the priceless lots now available for pre-bidding as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. (more...)

2) A CHRISTMAS STORY Holds Online Casting Search for 'Ralphie'

A Christmas Story, The Musical takes its search nationally for a young boy to play the iconic role of ‘Ralphie’ with submissions now available online. As the Broadway-bound production prepares to launch a 2012 holiday engagement, the show’s producers invite young performers to submit their audition within the next ten days by visiting www.AChristmasStoryTheMusical.com and following three simple steps: (more...)

3) BREAKING NEWS: Norbert Leo Butz to Lead BIG FISH in Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere!

BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August, will star Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, and have its pre-Broadway world premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street) in a limited 5-week engagement beginning performances Tuesday, April 2, 2013, and playing through Sunday, May 5, 2013. (more...)

4) Broadway-Bound MATILDA to Hold Open Casting Call for Title Role, 9/30

MATILDA THE MUSICAL will be holding an open call for the role of Matilda in New York City on Sunday, September 30th at Pearl Studios (519 Eighth Avenue, 12th Floor, between 35th and 36th streets). Check-in begins at 10:00 AM in Studio C on a first come / first serve basis. Auditions will begin at 11:00 AM. (more...)

5) Breaking News: Douglas Hodge to Play 'Willy Wonka' in West End's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY!

According to the Daily Mail, Douglas Hodge will play Willy Wonka in Sam Mendes', Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the West End at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. (more...)

6) Olympian Danell Leyva to Join Cast of SPIDER-MAN?

Just last month, Olympian Danell Leyva visited Broadway's SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, where he met with leading man Reeve Carney and the 9 Spider-Men from the show. Now according to the New York Post, he is in talks to join the production. An insider told NYP that 'the producers are excited about the idea of Danell joining the show.' (more...)

7) Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast and Creative Team of SCANDALOUS!

Featuring book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, SCANDALOUS begins performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd St.) on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Opening Night is set for Thursday, November 15 (6:30 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now by visiting www.ScandalousOnBroadway.com. The cast and creative team met the press yesterday, September 5, and you can check out photos from the event below! (more...)

8) A CHORUS LINE Mounts First London Revival Since Original Production, Feb 2013

According to Variety, a revival of A CHORUS LINE will open at the London Palladium on the West End, Feb. 2-June 29, 2013. This will be the first London revival since the original production. Original co-choreographer Bob Avian is set to direct. Casting will be announced at a later date. (more...)

9) Judy Greer, Josh Hamilton, & Jayne Houdyshell Join Katie Holmes & Norbert Leo Butz in Broadway-Bound DEAD ACCOUNTS!

DEAD ACCOUNTS has just announced that two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz and Katie Holmes will be joined by Judy Greer, Josh Hamilton, and Tony Award nominee Jayne Houdyshell on Broadway this fall. (more...)

10) Beth Leavel, Mark Jacoby and More to Reprise Roles in ELF This Holiday Season!

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features announced today that the hit musical ELF will star Tony® Award winner Beth Leavel (Emily), Tony® Award nominee Mark Jacoby (Walter), Valerie Wright (Deb), Adam Heller (Mr. Greenway) and Michael Mandell (Store Manager). Leavel, Jacoby, Wright and Mandell are reprising the roles they originated in the 2010 production of ELF. Additional casting will be announced soon. (more...)

11) GHOST's Australia Run Delayed Due to Poor Ticket Sales

According to the Herald Sun, GHOST, which was to make its Australian premiere at Her Majesty's Theatre in August 2013, has been postponed due to poor advance sales. Producer Louise Withers told HS: 'It's always disappointing when there is a postponement like this but it's a very complicated business. Initially we thought we would be able to use the UK set but it will take too long to transport it in Australia where the market has to be reduced, based on the shorter seasons the show has had in the UK and the US.' (more...)

12) BWW TV: SCANDALOUS' Carlolee Carmello, George Hearn, Kathie Lee Gifford and More Meet the Press!

Featuring book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, SCANDALOUS begins performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd St.) on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Opening Night is set for Thursday, November 15 (6:30 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now by visiting www.ScandalousOnBroadway.com. The cast and creative team met the press yesterday, September 5, and BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was there to chat with the whole gang. Check out what they had to say below! (more...)

13) Photo Flash: Complete Photos of Walnut Street Theatre's LOVE STORY, The Musical - Will Reynolds, Alexandra Silber & More!

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 204th season with the American premiere of Erich Segal’s LOVE STORY, the musical. With direction and musical staging by Annabel Bolton, this emotionally charged production is a delicate story of life and love and begins previews on September 4th, opens on September 12th and runs through October 21st on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the full production shots below! (more...)

14) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 9/6- 9 TO 5

Today in 2009, 9 to 5 closed at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 148 performances. 9 to 5 is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, based on the 1980 movie Nine to Five. Resnick had co-written the screenplay with Colin Higgins, the director of the film, in which Parton had her first screen role. The musical premiered at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in September 2008 and opened on Broadway on April 30, 2009. It was nominated for 15 Drama Desk Awards, the most received by a production in a single year. It was also nominated for four Tony Awards. (more...)

15) BWW TV: Scenes from the New Cast of West End's MAMMA MIA!

The new cast of West End's MAMMA MIA! appeared at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and has now moved to its new home at the Novello Theatre from 6 September 2012. The new cast includes Gary Milner, real-life wife Sally Ann Triplett, Neil Roberts as Harry Bright, James Gaddas as Bill Austin, Charlotte Wakefield as Sophie Sheridan, Andreas Gyllander as Sky, Abiola Ogunbiyi as Ali, Tasha Taylor Johnson as Lisa, Steven Oliver as Pepper and Liam Doyle as Eddie. At certain performances, the role of ‘Donna Sheridan’ will be played by Claire Poyzer. Joanna Monro and Kim Ismay will continue as Rosie and Tanya respectively. Check out the video below, featuring the new cast! (more...)

16) Photo Flash: First Look at Gary Milner, Sally Ann Triplett and More in West End's New Cast of MAMMA MIA!

The new cast of West End's MAMMA MIA! appeared at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and has now moved to its new home at the Novello Theatre from 6 September 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the full cast below, including Gary Milner, real-life wife Sally Ann Triplett, Neil Roberts as Harry Bright, James Gaddas as Bill Austin, Charlotte Wakefield as Sophie Sheridan, Andreas Gyllander as Sky, Abiola Ogunbiyi as Ali, Tasha Taylor Johnson as Lisa, Steven Oliver as Pepper and Liam Doyle as Eddie. At certain performances, the role of ‘Donna Sheridan’ will be played by Claire Poyzer. Joanna Monro and Kim Ismay will continue as Rosie and Tanya respectively. (more...)

17) Imagem Music Group Expands with R&H Theatricals Europe

The Imagem Music Group, owner of some of the world’s most popular musicals including The Sound of Music and The King and I, is expanding its US-based theatrical licensing division, R&H Theatricals, with the creation of a European branch headquartered in the London offices of Imagem UK. R&H Theatricals Europe will represent a catalogue of Broadway evergreens (South Pacific, Oklahoma!) and contemporary classics (Footloose, White Christmas) throughout the UK and across the European market. (more...)

18) BWW TV: Highlights from Forbidden Broadway: ALIVE AND KICKING!

After a three-year absence, Gerard Alessandrini’s Forbidden Broadway returns to the 47th Street Theatre with a brand new edition, Forbidden Broadway: ALIVE AND KICKING. The show, which opens tonight, September 6, will run for a limited engagement through January 6, 2013. This production will mark Forbidden Broadway’s 30th Anniversary, as well as its 21st edition. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below! (more...)

19) STAGE TUBE: First Listen - 5 Songs From GLEE's Season 4!

Five brand new songs from the upcoming Season 4 of GLEE have been released! Get a first listen below! (more...)

20) Joely Richardson to Join Ethan Hawke in Classic Stage Company's IVANOV

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, has announced that acclaimed stage, screen and television actress Joely Richardson (bio below) has joined the cast of their upcoming production of Anton Chekhov’s IVANOV, starring Ethan Hawke and directed by Austin Pendleton, which begins performances Wednesday, October 17 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) as the first show of the award-winning company’s 45th Anniversary Season. Hawke, in the title role, and Richardson, who will play Anna, will be joined in IVANOV by Glenn Fitzgerald (Borkin), Roberta Maxwell (Zinaida), George Morfogen (Shabelsky), Juliet Rylance (Sasha), Jonathan Marc Sherman (Lvov) and Louis Zorich (Lebedev). IVANOV, which will have its official opening on Sunday, November 4, will play a limited engagement through Sunday, November 25. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, September 20. (more...)