Hottest Articles on BWW from Wednesday, May. 2

1) BWW TV: Megan Hilty, Rachel York, John Rando & More Preview Encores! GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES!

The Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opening May 9 at New York City Center, just held its press rehearsal, where BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge chatted with stars Megan Hilty and Rachel York, director John Rando and more of the cast. View footage from the rehearsal and learn about how the actors and creative team became part of the Encores! production, their favorite numbers and more in the video below! (more...)

2) Theresa Rebeck Departs as Writer, Producer for SMASH

Last month, it was reported that SMASH creator and executive producer Theresa Rebeck would step down as showrunner for the television show before it returns for its second season. At the time, it was indicated that Rebeck would continue writing and producing for the show, but as the writer told Vulture, she's focusing on other projects and will not return in any capacity for SMASH's second season. (more...)

3) SOUND OFF: GLEE Chokes, But Shakes It Out

Rachel doesn't seem likely to be headed to New York and NYADA - nope, not this time. Mucking up her major shot at Broadway glory - at least as far as high school auditions go - by messing up the words to "Don't Rain On My Parade" from FUNNY GIRL, her anthem, no less - the focus on GLEE's appropriately titled "Choke" episode brought to mind a lyric from Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, a musical about the sacrifices we make to get what we thought we wanted - "still with dreams, / just reshaping them. / Growing up…." And that is Season Three of GLEE in a nutshell - the senior members of New Directions learning to let go of childhood and move ahead into the unknown world of maturity; whether the future may bring college, career or pool-cleaning. With more musical theatre references per minute than any episode of the twenty so far in GLEE S3, "Choke" was filled with the stylized storytelling and absurd, although always appreciable surprises along the way that makes GLEE consistently, near-constantly compelling. No, no, no - GLEE has not flagged in the least sixty-odd episodes into the series so far, although the rating may have slightly. Last night's GLEE was a good example of the shifting focus and repeated reinvention that keeps the series fresh - and the comedy is as fearless and biting as ever. (more...)

4) STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - 'Bombshell the Musical' Debuts on 5/7 SMASH

On this Monday's episode of SMASH, viewers will finally get their first look at 'Bombshell," the Marilyn Monroe musical at the heart of NBC's new musical drama. (more...)

5) STAGE TUBE: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Josh Young Takes NEW YORK LIVE Backstage!

Josh Young, who stars as Judas in Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, was featured WNBC-TV's "New York Live" yesterday afternoon. Young gave a backstage tour and talk about how he prepares for his performance. View the segment below! (more...)

6) Scarlett Johansson 'Exhilarated and Terrified' to Return to Broadway in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this month, Scarlett Johansson has plans to return to Broadway. The actress made her Broadway debut in 2010's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, for which she received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play, and is eyeing a revival of Tennessee Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. (more...)

7) STAGE TUBE: Tony Awards Film Series to Open With THE STANDBYS Documentary - First Look!

The Tony Awards Film Series will open on Saturday, May 12th with the world premiere of Stephanie Riggs' "The Standbys." The Standbys follows actors Ben Crawford (standby for Shrek), Merwin Foard (standby for Gomez in The Addams Family) and Alena Watters (standby for Anita in West Side Story). Get a first look at the film below! (more...)

8) BroadwayGirlNYC: Best Nominee Reactions Ever

This week the 2012 Tony Awards Nominations were announced! I always get up early to watch the nominations on NY1; but my favorite part of the noms is the day after, when the nominees meet the press. Here are excerpts from my favorite nominee reactions in recent years. (more...)

9) STAGE TUBE: WICKED's Mamie Parris & Alli Mauzey on In Focus with Eden Lane

WICKED is back by "Popular" demand, making it's fourth visit to Denver. Host Eden Lane gets an exclusive interview with both the leading ladies, Mamie Parris (Elphaba) and Alli Mauzey (Glinda). Next, Eden meets with Michele Capalbo and Nancy Maultsby of Opera Colorado, who is producing Il Trovatore for just the second time in their 31 year history. (more...)

10) Behind the Scenes Photo Coverage: Meet the 2012 Tony Award Nominees!

Stay tuned for exclusive BWW interviews leading up to the big night and in the meantime, check out behind the scenes photos from today's event! (more...)

11) Win Tickets to See Il Divo in Concert!

The world's foremost classical crossover quartet Il Divo is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see Il Divo live in concert! (more...)

12) Photo Flash: First Look at Allison Case, Hunter Foster, et al. in La Jolla Playhouse's HANDS ON A HARDBODY

La Jolla Playhouse's Hands on a Hardbody will run through June 17, 2012 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. The world-premiere, commissioned musical has a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, Creditors), lyrics by Amanda Green (High Fidelity), music by Trey Anastasio (lead singer of the popular band Phish) and Amanda Green, with direction by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow) and musical staging by Benjamin Millepied (BLACK SWAN). (more...)

13) STAGE TUBE: On This Day 5/2- THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Today in 2005, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where it ran for 1136 performances. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a one act musical comedy conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin and additional material by Jay Reiss. The show centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups. The 2005 Broadway production, directed by James Lapine, was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two, including Best Book. The show has spawned various other productions in the U.S., including a national tour with performances in Canada, and Australian productions. (more...)

14) Christine Dwyer & Billy Harrigan Tighe Join The North American WICKED Tour from Today, 5/2

The company of the second North American tour of WICKED welcomes Christine Dwyer as Elphaba and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Fiyero today, May 2 in Durham, NC. (more...)

15) BRING IT ON Makes Canadian Premiere At Canon Theatre Tonight, 5/2

David Mirvish presents an explosive new musical comedy in Toronto, opening tonight. Bring It On: The Musical will play for a strictly limited engagement tonight, May 2 through June 3, 2012 at the Canon Theatre. The production is the final show of the 2011-12 Mirvish Subscription Season. (more...)

16) Photo Flash: SMASH 'Preview' Episode Featuring Marc Kudish

On the May 7 episode of NBC's SMASH entitled "Previews", "Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall (special guest star Uma Thurman). (more...)

17) Photo Coverage: PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT's Tony Sheldon Receives Caricature at Sardi's

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT's Tony Award nominated star and original Australian leading man Tony Sheldon unveiled his portrait at Sardi's Restaurant tonight, May 2. See photos of Sheldon with Nick Adams, Will Swenson, Audra McDonald, Roger Rees, Christine Andreas and Judy Kaye at Sardi's below! (more...)

18) Guthrie's 2012-2013 Season Includes Tony-Nominated Roger Rees, OTHER DESERT CITIES & CLYBOURNE PARK

The Guthrie's 2012-13 season features three major Tony Award nominees, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris and Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, which were both nominated for Best Play. The Guthrie's upcoming season also features Roger Rees as director of Crispin Whittell's new play The Primrose Path. Rees has been nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for his work on Peter and the Starcatcher. (more...)

19) BWW Exclusive: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Digital Character Card - Stanley Wayne Mathis

Broadway: Wonderful Town, Kiss Me Kate, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Lion King, Jelly's Last Jam, Oh Kay! Off-Broadway: ResurGents: The Reappearance of Hope, Real Black Men Don't Sit Crosslegged On The Floor, City Center's St. Louise Woman. Regionals: Ruined, Radio Golf, Gem of the Ocean, Fences, Master Harold and the Boys, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Cinderella . TV: "2-2," "Criminal Intent," "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." Film: Brother To Brother, Family On Board, Steve McQueen's Shame. (more...)

20) Photo Coverage: Tommy Tune, Helen Hunt and More Visit Emily Bergl's NY I LOVE YOU at Cafe Carlyle!

Emily Bergl's brand new show, "NY I Love You" premiered at New York's historic Cafe Carlyle last night, May 1, and will play through May 12, 2012. View photos below! (more...)