Hottest Articles on BWW from Wednesday, Mar. 31

1) BWW TV Special: Encores! ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

Anyone Can Whistle is the final New York City Center Encores! production of the 2009-2010 season and will run for five performances April 8 - 11. The show will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with musical direction by Rob Berman. (more...)

2) 'IDOL' WATCH: The Top 10

It was R&B night tonight on “Idol,” a theme that benefited some singers over others, but it was actually a night of overall solid performances from the contestants. It is the first week where there hasn’t really been a shockingly bad performance by any of the contestants and it featured a number of really excellent showings, including several comeback performances by performers who had a tough time in recent weeks. R&B/pop superstar Usher coached the contestants, giving spot on criticism to the group. It was clear Usher knew what he was talking about and he was the perfect choice to mentor this week. (more...)

3) Heights, Wicked, West Side, Fela!, Memphis Men to Take Part in Broadway Beauty Pageant

Contestants for Broadway's fourth annual all-male beauty contest, The Broadway Beauty Pageant, have been announced today. The 2010 contestants are Wes Hart (Mr. West Side Story), Eddie Pendergraft (Mr. Wicked), Daniel Soto (Mr. Fela), Rickey Tripp (Mr. In The Heights) and Charlie Williams (Mr. Memphis). (more...)

4) STAGE TUBE: New GLEE Promo Reveals More of April 13 Show

The too-big-to-miss spring premiere of GLEE airs at a special time Tuesday, April 13 (9:28-10:30 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL on FOX. The latest in a never-ending stream of new promotional material has just been released! (more...)

5) RIALTO CHATTER: Hedwig and the Angry Inch Headed to Broadway

Michael Riedel reports today in the New York Post that this fall, the cult classic Hedwig and the Angry Inch is coming to Broadway with John Cameron Mitchell recreating the role that he wrote 12 years ago. (more...)

6) Ashley Tisdale Set For High School Musical Spin-off

It's been reported that Ashley Tisdale is prepping for a new High School Musical spin-off called Broadway Bound. There is no word as of yet whether or not any of her HSM co-stars will be joining her. The film, originally titled "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventures" is set to begin filming in Toronto on June 1, 2010. (more...)

7) GLEE Roundup - Lady Gaga, Rolling Stone, Gossip Girl & More

GLEE stars Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) and Dianna Argon (Quinn Fabray) recently teamed up with Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr (Vanessa Abrams) for an ad campaign for clothing brand "Op." Others included in the campaign include R&B artist Cassie, "90210's" Trevor Donovan, and "New Moon" and "Eclipse" actor Alex Meraz. (more...)

8) SPIDEY Update: Auditions Begin in April!

It seems the producers are making good on promises of a resurrected SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off The Dark. According to the Actors Equity website, the production will begin holding ensemble auditions on April 13, 2010 (female dancers) and April 14, 2010 (male dancers) and April 16 (singers). According to the notices, the auditions will take place at 520 Ripley Grier. (more...)

9) Yank! Broadway-Bound in 2010-11 Season

The New York Times is reporting that the Off-Broadway hit Yank! is now Broadway-bound for the 2010-2011 theatre season. No details on the theatre, schedule or if the cast would remain in tact were announced for the move, which is said to be budgeted at $5 million dollars. (more...)

10) Waddingham, Russell et al. go INTO THE WOODS in London

According to a report in What's On Stage, British actors Hannah Waddingham and Scarlett Strallen are in talks to play the Witch and Cinderella, respectively, in the Open Air Theatre's upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS. (more...)

11) GLEE Lands on Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine!

Cast members of the Fox hit series 'Glee' have landed on this week's cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Check out a photo of the cover below! (more...)

12) BILLY ELLIOT Celebrates 5th Birthday With Billy Reunion

The critically acclaimed, internationally award-winning musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005 and has subsequently been seen by over 4.5 million people worldwide. As well as the current London production, Billy Elliot the Musical has performed in Sydney and Melbourne, is currently performing at the Imperial Theater on Broadway and from 18 March will begin previews at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, with further productions due to open in Korea in August 2010, Toronto in February 2011 and Japan in 2011. In addition a North American tour is slated to begin in November 2010 and productions are in the works for Germany and Holland. (more...)

13) Outfest Honors GLEE's Jane Lynch with Achievement Award, 7/8

GLEE's Jane Lynch has been announced as the recipient of the 14th Annual Achievement Award from from Outfest. The award, Outfest's most prestigious honor, is given each year to an individual who has contributed significantly to LGBT film and media. Lynch will receive the honor on July 8 at a screening at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. She will be among the company of previous winners Don Roos, Jane Anderson, Gregg Araki and Rob Epstein. (more...)

14) Shannen Doherty Booted Off 'Dancing'

Last week, 'Dancing with the Stars' kicked off its 10th season on ABC with 11 stars hoping to make a big impression on both the judges and the audience. Despite a respectable performance with partner Mark Ballas, Shannen Doherty was the first to be voted off the show, lacking in the fan vote. (more...)

15) Spacey Confirms: Moss Not Starring in THE TEMPEST at the Old Vic

It is no secret that supermodel Kate Moss has toyed with the possibility of pursuing an acting career on stage and screen. Numerous reports over the past several years have connected her with numerous directors, among them Michael Figgis of Leaving Las Vegas fame, to discuss possible projects. (more...)

16) NEXT FALL Announces A New Block of Tickets On Sale, Now Through 9/5

Tickets are now on sale through September 5, 2010 for the new hit Broadway play NEXT FALL. Elton John & David Furnish present NEXT FALL, the new American play by Geoffrey Nauffts and directed by Sheryl Kaller, now playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street). NEXT FALL opened on Broadway on Thursday, March 11, 2010. (more...)

17) Laura Bell Bundy to Perform 'Giddy On Up' at ACM's, 4/18

Laura Bell Bundy's major label debut album Achin' And Shakin' is slated for release April 13 on Mercury Nashville. The infectious lead single "Giddy On Up" has been described as "a breath of fresh air" and "nothing short of a new female anthem" amongst industry critics since the premiere of the music video on January 18. "Giddy On Up" has received almost 1 million streams in a month and has sold over 30,000 digital singles. Now, reports People.com, Laura Bell Bundy will be performing the single at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 18. This will mark the first live broadcast of the single performed by Bundy. (more...)

18) Photo Coverage: Leslie Uggams Opens at the Cafe Carlyle

Tony Award-winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!) opened her exclusive three-week engagement - her first New York cabaret appearance in 18 years - at the Cafe Carlyle last night, March 30. "Leslie Uggams: Uptown Downtown" will play through Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the famed night spot. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night celebration, as were friends Celisse Henderson, Capathia Jenkins, Chuck Cooper, Tommy Tune, Karen Akers and more. (more...)

19) Anna Faris to Star in Remake of 'Private Benjamin'

Actress Anna Faris will star in a remake of the 1980 comedy 'Private Benjamin', according to The Hollywood Reporter. Amy Talkington is in negotiations to pen the New Line project, which will be produced by Mark Gordon. (more...)

20) Jon Stewart Uses Muppets for RNC Sex Scandal

Robin Williams might have been the guest on last night's Daily Show with Jon Stewart, but it was a gag involving Muppets that stole the show, especially for all of the political gurus watching Comedy Central's program... (more...)