Playbill and the Players
The Vault: The Audition Songs of the Original Grease
Cast members including Barry Bostwick ("Danny"), Carole Demas ("Sandy"), Walter Bobbie ("Roger"), and Marya Small ("Frenchy") reveal (and sing some samples of) their audition songs that got them cast in the 1972 Broadway production of Grease. From Connie Francis to Elvis to the Everly Brothers, the cast veterans used a wide variety of 1950s rock 'n' roll and pop hits to secure their roles. For more reflections on the evolution and cultural impact of the show, click here .

Playbill and the Players
They Go Together: Original Broadway Cast of 1972’s Grease in Playbill's Video Vault
As a companion to Playbill's newly-launched database of theatrical history Playbillvault.com, the video series "The Vault" — a look back in time at shows past — kicks off with the classic Grease. Because of its tremendous popularity, the show was adapted for film and became a cultural touchstone in the process. Original members of Broadway's 1972 cast — including Barry Bostwick ("Danny"), Carole Demas ("Sandy"), Walter Bobbie ("Roger"), and Marya Small ("Frenchy") — were reunited in 2011 thanks to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' annual Gypsy of the Year competition. In Grease’s Vault, the cast shares memories of the early days of the show and explains exactly why it had the relevance and impact that it did. To check out the original Grease Playbill, click here.

Playbill and the Players
Meet the New Newsies
Newsies stars Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Ben Fankhauser join songwriters Alan Menken and Jack Feldman along with librettist Harvey Fierstein to talk about the show's upcoming Broadway run. Even after a successful stint at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse last year, a Broadway transfer had not been the plan — until some magic happened that allowed them to seize the day! With the addition of three new songs, the Newsies gang is confident the show is now ready for the Rialto. To get a glimpse of rehearsal, click here.

Playbill and the Players
In Rehearsal with Newsies
As the cast of Newsies prepares for the jump from New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, there is still much to rehearse. In this behind-the-scenes peek, the company breaks out their tap shoes to work on the updated-for-Broadway Christopher Gattelli choreography. For more on the three newly added songs, click here.

Playbill Presents
"Smash" Exclusive: A Preview of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" From Show-Within-a-Show Marilyn
Megan Hilty (playing actress Ivy Lynn auditioning for the role of Marilyn Monroe in "Smash"'s show-within-a-show Marilyn) and Will Chase (playing actor Michael Swift auditioning for the Joe DiMaggio part) join songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman to preview and talk about the song "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." Written as a duet between the Monroe and DiMaggio characters, the song reflects the character arcs of the actors as they strive for stardom, even as it describes the desire of Monroe and DiMaggio to live a normal life outside of the spotlight. For Playbill's weekly "Smash" recap, click here.

Playbill and the Players
A New Jesus Christ Returns to Broadway
Tony-winning director Des McAnuff's take on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar makes its way to Broadway after a blow-out premiere at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. McAnuff is joined by his cast, including Paul Nolan (who plays Jesus), Chilina Kennedy (Mary Magdalene) and Josh Young (Judas) who comprise the three characters at the center of a love triangle, now brought to the fore in this updated, stripped-down (including elements of hip-hop) version of the classic rock opera. Previews begin Mar. 1 at the Neil Simon Theatre. To see the Playbill cover for the show and for more on the cast and creatives, click here.

Playbill and the Players
William Shatner Explores Strange New World 
From Shakespeare to Captain Kirk to Priceline, Emmy-winning actor William Shatner sat down with Playbill to look back at his life on the stage, on TV and in movies. Shatner returns to Broadway for the first time since 1962 with a one-man show, Shatner's World: We Just Live In It, which promises revealing, funny and sad stories gathered from his more than 50-year career. The show is set for a three-week run at the Music Box Theatre starting Feb. 14. For more about Shatner's post-NYC tour, click here. 

Playbill Presents
Broadway Phantom Gets Video Visit From London at 10,000th NYC Performance
The Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera — already the longest-running show in Broadway history — reached another milestone at the 2 PM matinee on Feb. 11: Its 10,000th performance. The special benefit performance for The Actors Fund at the Majestic Theater included cake, champagne and a video greeting (seen here) from London- based composer Lloyd Webber, producer Cameron Mackintosh and the London company of the hit. In attendance Saturday were alumni of Phantom from over the years, and choreographer Gillian Lynne. Read more about Phantom on Broadway here.

Playbill Presents
OBSESSED!: Alice Ripley's Understudy Audition for Evita
Broadway favorite Alice Ripley (Next to Normal) joins Seth to share memories of an usual marriage proposal received when she was working as "set decoration" on "Hee Haw." Then, Alice offers her Tony-winning talents to the upcoming revival of Evita, but not before belting out a bluesy rendition a new song she wrote, "Beautiful Eyes." For Seth Rudetsky's weekly column, click here.

Playbill and the Players
All-Star Cast of Gore Vidal's The Best Man Mines Humor in Political Strife
With a starry cast boasting James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette, Eric McCormack, Candice Bergen, Kerry Butler and Michael McKean, the Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man promises dramatic and incisive commentary reflective of today's political climate, with a healthy dose of humor. Set during the Republican convention of the 1960s, Larroquette and McCormack play candidates dueling for the party nomination. Directed by Michael Wilson (Dividing the Estate), the show begins previews on April 1 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. For more on the history of the show and Gore Vidal, click here.

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