Hottest Articles on BWW from Wednesday, Jun. 27

1) InDepth InterView: Ben Vereen Talks Solo Show, 54 Below, New Projects & A Career Retrospective

Today we are talking to a Tony Award-winning legend famous for his performances starring in the original Broadway productions of PIPPIN and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, as well as his celebrated turns in stage and screen projects as diverse as ALL THAT JAZZ, SWEET CHARITY, CHICAGO, FOSSE, WICKED, GRIND, ROOTS, I'M NOT RAPPAPORT, GOLDEN BOY, IDLEWILD, FUNNY LADY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and many more - the simply incredible Ben Vereen. Discussing many of his most fondly remembered roles and recounting his experiences working with many legendary directors and collaborators - Bob Fosse, Hal Prince, Tom O'Horgan, Herbert Ross, Ann Reinking, Dan Sullivan, Sammy Davis, Jr., Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and many more among them - Vereen paints a vivid picture of a bygone Broadway and reminisces about many of the most significant theatrical creators of the past fifty years and his roles in their stage and film projects. Additionally, Vereen fills us in on what we can expect from his upcoming solo spotlight show - a career retrospective - that will be kicking off at 54 Below on July 10 for a two-week engagement before an even larger, Broadway-bound mounting later this year at Princeton. Also, Vereen elaborates on the causes closest to his heart, shares thoughts on GLEE and SMASH, future plans and much, much more! (more...)

2) BWW TV: Randy Rainbow Goes to the Jimmys! Gets JEKYLL & HYDE Scoop from Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Frank Wildhorn & More!

On June 25, the stars of the upcoming revival of Jekyll & Hyde, Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages) and Grammy Award Nominee Deborah Cox (Aida), hosted the 4th annual National High School Musical Theater Awards at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre. The show featured 60 of America's most talented young musical theater performers vying for the "Jimmy Award" for Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor. This year, Elizabeth Romero, Joshua Grosso were crowned the night's big winners. Each received $10,000 scholarship awards for their efforts. Runners up, who each recieved $2,500 in scholarships, were Evan Greenberg, Drew Shafranek, Nicolette Burton, and Erica Durham. BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow popped by the event and wandered onto the red carpet where he ran into Maroulis, Cox, Frank Wildhorn. Click below to get his scoop on the event and the latest on the Jekyll & Hyde revival straight from the horses' mouths. Keep watching...he made it inside the Minskoff too! (more...)

3) SMASH to Add New Broadway Songwriters for Season 2

In an interview with Variety, NBC's Robert Greenblatt revealed that he intends to increase the drama and shake up the music featured in the show by recruiting "up-and-comers" to compose new original music. (more...)

4) NEWSIES to Hold Open Casting Calls in July for 'Jack Kelly' Standby, Newsies & Female Covers

Newsies has just announced that they are seeking a standby for the leading role of Jack Kelly, additional ‘newsies' and actresses to cover female tracks. Auditions will be held in person in New York City (please see specific information below). In addition, auditions will be accepted online for those performers who are unable to make it in person via an uploaded video to YouTube. (more...)

5) STAGE TUBE: Todrick Hall Spoofs BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!

Broadway veteran Todrick Hall recently brought a new spin to Beauty and the Beast, in a spoof that he calls Beauty and the Beat. Check out the hilarious video below! (more...)

6) Autism-Friendly Performance of Disney's THE LION KING Sells Out

Tickets for the second The Lion King performance, which is scheduled for September 30 at 1pm, went on sale at midnight on Monday, June 25 and were sold out by 8pm Monday evening. (more...)

7) Alec Baldwin to Return to Broadway in ORPHANS - Spring 2013!

The New York Times is reporting that Alec Baldwin will return to Broadway in the Spring of 2013 in a new production of OPRHANS, to be directed by Tony-winner Daniel Sullivan. There is no word yet on a theatre or additional cast members for the production. (more...)

8) BWW TV: POTTED POTTER Brings Hogwarts to New York - Performance Highlights!

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff (All Seven Harry Potter Books in 70 Hilarious Minutes) has played to sold-out houses in Toronto, London, Edinburgh, Australia and New Zealand, and made its US debut on May 19, 2012 at the Little Shubert Theatre. The limited engagement opened on June 3, 2012 and runs through August 12, 2012. Production highlights have been released and below, BroadwayWorld takes you inside the Little Shubert to Hogwarts and beyond. (more...)

9) Paul Baker Returns to TABOO; Set to Reprise Role of 'Sallon' in New London Production

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, producers Danielle Tarento and Bronia Buchanan will present a new production of Boy George's Taboo at Brixton Club House following last month's launch of the VIP Gold Room, marking the multi-purpose venue's first foray into theatre. Today, it has been revealed that the show will star one of its original leading men, Paul Baker, as the club's promoter Philip Sallon. Baker won an Olivier award for the role in 2003. He is additionally known for his performances in the West End productions of Chicago (Amos), Napoleon (Napoleon), the original cast of The Lion King (Zazu, Timon) and Starlight Express (Rusty). (more...)

10) Photo Flash: Patti Murin, Justin Guarini and More in CHICAGO Opening Night at The Muny!

The Muny features CHICAGO as its second show of its 94th season, running June 25 through July 1, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. Patti Murin and Natascia Diaz star as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, joined by Justin Guarini as Billy Flynn. Also appearing are Jackie Hoffman as Mama Morton, Patti Cohenour as Mary Sunshine and Dean Christopher as Amos Hart. View photos from the opening night performance and after party below! (more...)

11) Jerry Lewis Promotes Broadway-Bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR in New Video

The latest TV spot for Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, TN has been released. The production will be directed by Jerry Lewis with music by Marvin Hamlisch. To view the spot, click here! (more...)

12) Surrender to Broadway's Longest Running Musical...Ever! Get Tickets to PHANTOM from $27!

The sumptuous score, the haunting romance, the timeless story of seduction and despair. There is only one PHANTOM, and this spring, there is no better way to save than this. (more...)

13) MURDER BALLAD & CHOIR BOY to Launch MTC's Studio at Stage II

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) announced that Manhattan Theatre Club will launch The Studio at Stage II where bold, new work meets bold, new audiences at New York City Center – Stage II (131 West 55th Street). The Studio at Stage II will launch this fall with the world premiere production of MURDER BALLAD, a new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, and the American premiere of MTC's commission CHOIR BOY, a play with music by Tarell Alvin McCraney. (more...)

14) STAGE TUBE: Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kara Lindsay Backstage at NEWSIES

Andrew-Keenan Bolger and Kara Lindsay of NEWSIES interview with Lauren Scala of NBC Live as they take her backstage and behind the scenes. Check out the video below. (more...)

15) Nathan Lane to Join THE GOOD WIFE in Recurring Role

Digitalspy.com reports that Nathan Lane will join THE GOOD WIFE in a recurring role this fall. CBS confirmed the news in a tweet last evening, June 26th. (more...)

16) STAGE TUBE: Get a Sneak Peek at the Puppetry Behind La Jolla's THE NIGHTINGALE!

La Jolla Playhouse will present The Nightingale, by the creative team behind the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening: Steven Sater (book and lyrics) and Duncan Sheik (music). Directed by Tony Award nominee Moises Kaufman (33 Variations, I Am My Own Wife), from July 10 – August 5, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. The Nightingale is presented as part of The Playhouse's Page To Stage Play Development Program. Get a first look at the puppetry, designed by Chris Green, below! (more...)

17) William Ivey Long Named Chair of the American Theatre Wing

Five-time Tony® Award-winning Costume Designer William Ivey Long has been elected Chair of the American Theatre Wing. Having joined the board of the American Theatre Wing last year, Long will succeed current Chair Ted Chapin, who concludes his four-year term this year (the maximum number of consecutive years permitted). Chapin will maintain an active role in The Wing as he takes on the responsibilities as Co-Vice Chair. (more...)

18) Criss Wins AfterElton's 'Top 100', Harris, Martin, Groff Make List

AfterElton has announced the readers choice for the 2012 AfterElton Hot 100!. The list is described by the site as a the 100 'hottest' men on Earth. Topping the list for the second year in a row is GLEE star Darren Criss, who recently starred in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS. The list also included Broadway stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Martin and Jonathan Groff. (more...)

19) Richard Adler Memorial Set for Today, June 27

A memorial to honor the life and career of Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Richard Adler will be held today, June 27th. (more...)

20) Tituss Burgess Featured on Gospel Album 'Welcome'

Middle Collegiate Church launches its album, Welcome, composed and produced by Broadway and television actor Tituss Burgess (Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls, and 30 Rock) on Sunday, July 1 at 6 PM. (more...)